Greenleaf Publishing invites contributions for a special issue of Greener Management International (GMI) on the topic of "The Base of the Pyramid in Latin America". The publication will focus on three themes: (1) the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) not only as
a new market for products and services, but also as a source for the co-creation of
new sustainable business ventures highlighting the role of local entrepreneurs; (2) the role of technology and innovation in meeting the needs of BoP customers; (3) the concept of sustainability within BoP strategies; considering the impact of economic growth and social pressures on our planet.
This special issue seeks to explore as many different dimensions of the topic as possible (while focusing specifically on Latin America), broadly grouped into the following themes:
BoP and entrepreneurship (corporate and local)
- To what extent can entrepreneurship (corporate and local) support or drive BoP?
- What is the link between social entrepreneurship and BoP?
BoP and innovation
- What kind of "bottom-up" innovation might support BoP initiatives (and sustainable development)?
- What is the relationship between technological entrepreneurship and BoP?
BoP and the role of the state
- What should the role of the state be in the BoP?
- What is the message to and from policy-makers, governments, local and international funding agencies?
- What is the contribution of structural, policy-based or economic subsidies?
Local companies vs multinationals (or large companies vs SMEs)
- Some studies show that domestic (local) companies are the main BoP drivers. Is there a particular reason for that? And, along the same line, why do SMEs sometimes become the drivers of the BoP strategies? What are the institutional, strategic or managerial barriers for large companies?
Impacts of BoP strategies
- What are the (social) individual and collective impacts of BoP strategies? What could be the most suitable measuring structures?
Successes and failures of BoP initiatives
- Case studies are welcomed. Examples of both successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurial ventures are sought, preferably drawn from a variety of industries and geographical regions, and covering both small and large firms. What are the lessons learned? How do failure rates of BoP projects compare with those of other business start-ups?
Sustainability
- How can we balance poverty alleviation and stimulation of economic growth without stressing the ecosystem? What is the policy support, and how effective is it?
Contributions on other relevant topics will also be considered. Given the intended practical nature of these publications, contributions from practitioners in businesses, NGOs and government are very welcome. Theoretical papers should be between 4,000 and 6,000 words and case studies between 2,500 and 4,000 words in length. The paper submissions should follow editorial guidelines, and the submission deadline for initial expressions of interest in the form of abstracts of approximately 300 words is 16 October 2009.
More information:
Miguel Angel Gardetti
Head of the Center for Study of Corporate Sustainability & Founder and Coordinator of the Argentina Base of the Pyramid Learning Lab
Av. Córdoba 6502, 1er piso "B"
C1427BZS Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel and Fax: +54 11 4554 9482
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