Newsletter 2 - August 2009
Content:
1. Institute
2. Research
3. Exchange
4. Consulting
1. Institute
Please welcome our two new associates, Shuan and Jianghua!
Shuan Sadre Ghazi is interested in innovation for low-income markets. Having worked as a consultant and IT expert, he seeks to combine his practical expertise with his passion for development. Learn more about Shuan on his profile.
Jianghua Zhou is investigating business solutions to development challenges in China. He is an exert in innovation management, particularly in the area of technological and business model innovation for sustainable development and better quality of life for China’s low-income consumers’. Learn more about Jianghua on his profile.
2. Research
UNDP Growing Inclusive Markets (GIM) enters second large-scale case research programme
GIM has just started research into another set of more than 50 case studies on inclusive business models from all over the world. In its first phase, 19 case writers are investigating the impact of inclusive business models and the role of actors other than the lead company with a joint research protocol. Emergia Institute continues to support to the programme, with Christina Gradl overseeing the design of the programme and Aline Krämer tracking the progress of case writers from Eastern Europe and CIS. >
Idea competitions with low-income consumers in Brazil
Aline Krämer coordinated the implementation of the first phase of the research project “Eco-Agregado” at the Research Center for Design and Sustainability (Núcleo de Design e Sustentabilidade – NDS) in Brazil in partnership with the recycling company Soliforte. The project enabled low-income consumers to actively participate in the early stages of the product development process. Idea competitions in two low-income neighbourhoods generated 48 product ideas for better home-furnishing solutions. >
Aline responds to questions about the project, its approach and results on nextbillion.net >
Emergia Institute expands its activities in China
Over the past months, Emergia Institute has expanded its activities in China. Genia Kostka conducted field research and established contacts and links to relevant partner organizations. In May and June 2009, Genia held various workshops at Tsinghua University, Guangxi University and the China Poverty Alleviation Fund. She has also started a co-operation with the Chinese Bottom of Pyramid (BoP) Learning Lab to organize an expert conference in 2010 as well as workshops for companies. In August 2009, Genia and Jianghua Zhou from the Chinese BoP Lab started a common research project to investigate market-entry strategies of companies in rural China. >
Recent publications:
The future of sugar cane in China and India – supply constraints and expansion potential
China and India both face serious limitations regarding suitable available land for the further expansion of sugar-cane production. Hence, cane used as a feedstock to meet the rising energy demand will likely come at the expense of converting fertile land for non-food purposes. (Authors: Genia Kostka, Christine Polzin, Jenny Scharrer) >
Business opportunities in low-income markets in io new management’s special issue on innovation
Serving low-income consumers in developing countries can open new growth potential for companies from industrialized countries. Successful businesses employ innovative models that leverage the strengths of other market players, including the poor themselves. (Authors: Piera Waibel and Christina Gradl). The full article can be accessed >
3. Exchange
Expert Dialogue "BOP - aber wie?"
A total of 31 experts from business, development organizations and academia came together in Lutherstadt Wittenberg in July 2009 to identify successful approaches for the development of inclusive business models. The event focused on innovation processes that involve non-traditional partners, in particular employees, development organizations and the poor themselves. Presentations are available on our website. A detailed documentation will be published shortly.
The next expert dialogue takes place on 1 and 2 July 2010 in Lutherstadt Wittenberg. More information is available here.>
Upcoming events: Inclusive Business Brown Bag Lunch in Berlin on 11 September
The first of this new series of Brown Bag Lunches takes place on 11 September from noon to 2 pm on the premises of our partner MicroEnergy International at TU Berlin. Our hosts Noara Kebir and Daniel Philipp will kick off the discussion with some thoughts on quality as a key factor for energy products in low-income markets. If you want to participate in the event, please send Christina an email at c.gradl@no-spam.emergia.de
Brown Bag Lunches are also in the pipeline for Munich and Cologne. Let us know if you’re interested – we’ll keep you in the loop.
4. Consulting
Agribusiness for small-scale farmers in India and the use of internet kiosks
Based on a concept about using internet kiosks as a gateway for agricultural inputs and knowledge in India, the agribusiness company is further pursuing this opportunity at a local level. >
Sustainable agriculture - carbon saving and trading approaches
The team assisted a large agribusiness company in bringing a newly developed carbon saving project to market. The project focuses in particular on helping farmers reap the benefits of carbon-credit trading. >
Series of expert dialogues on CSR abroad
The CSR programme at Bertelsmann Stiftung is hosting a series of expert dialogues focusing on three topics: issue management, responsible lobbying and base-of-the-pyramid marketing. A team from the Emergia institute supported the design of the series. The objective is to consolidate cutting-edge knowledge on responsible management abroad. Results will be made available on www.csr-weltweit.de. >
Op-Ed on global trends and CSR
How does the economic crisis affect CSR activities? What do global trends mean for responsible management? Anna Peters of Bertelsmann Stiftung responds to these questions in an op-ed that is to be published within the next weeks. Christina Gradl and Claudia Knobloch provided their support through background research and analysis. >