Recent Publications
Reports
Learning to Insure the Poor
The report aims to share Allianz experience in how to design, deliver and scale sustainable microinsurance products and to help set the right course for next steps. The report is structured by the five steps of a learning process:
- Idea: What is microinsurance?
- Design: How do we create products for low-income people?
- Operations: How can we deliver on what we promise?
- Sales: How can we convince our customers?
- Growth: How can we be profitable and gain scale?
Each chapter features an in-depth case study of Allianz microinsurance engagement in India, Indonesia and several countries in Africa. In addition, background information and expert interviews provide an overview of the sector to date and its developments.
Entwicklungsgeschäfte - Geschäfte machen gegen Armut
This German primer on inclusive business provides a comprehensive and practical entry point for companies who want to engage people in poverty. It consists of three parts:
- Part I introduces the concept of inclusive business, the benefits and challenges to doing business with people in poverty
- Part II describes how to develop an inclusive business model from design to implementation and growth
- Part III highlights promising sectors and countries
Reference: Christina Gradl and Claudia Knobloch (2009) Entwicklungsgeschäfte - Geschäfte machen gegen Armut. Berlin: Emergia Institute
Towards Triple Impact - Toolbox for Analysing Sustainable Ventures in Developing Countries
The publications introduces a set of tools to analyse sustainable ventures with regard to the following questions:
- Where are opportunities to create value by meeting needs better and more efficiently?
- What factors determine the success of the venture?
- What are costs and benefits of the venture for the business, society and the environment?
Reference: UNEP (2009) Towards Triple Impact - Toolbox for Analysing Sustainable Ventures in Developing Countries. Paris: UNEP.
UNDP Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative: Creating value for All – Strategies for Doing Business with the Poor
The report highlights common constraints for inclusive business models and shows how successful businesses have managed to overcome these through five core strategies. The identified constraints and solution strategies are based on 50 case studies.
Reference: UNDP (2008): Creating value for All - Strategies for Doing Business with the Poor. New York: UNDP.
Articles
Partner Selection for Inclusive Business Models: The Case of Casa Melhor
Abstract: Which resources of partners determine the success of a partnership-based inclusive business model? The question arises from the practical importance of partnerships in establishing inclusive business models as well as from the theoretical approach of the resource-based view of competitive advantage. In the case of Casa Melhor, a furniture project by forestry company Masisa in the low-income market in Brazil, linkages with outside partners seem to have made the difference for the level of success of each of the three pilots with different partners. Capabilities also impacted on performance. Capital may have been a necessary factor, but was not sufficient. When selecting partners, a critical criterion should hence be their existing relationships with other important participants in the value chain.
Reference: Gradl, C., Krämer, A. and Amadigi, F.: Partner Selection for Inclusive Business Models: The Case of Casa Melhor, in: Greener Management International Issue 56 May 2010.
Kenya - an emerging market (original title: "Kenia auf dem Sprung")
Article on pro-poor business opportunities in Kenya.
Reference: Guido Zakrzewski and Claudia Knobloch (2010) Kenia auf dem Sprung. Afrikapost I/2010, p. 60-63.
Favela Cool against Global Warming
Interview with Samuel Neal Shiroff, Project Leader, BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH on BSH's fridge exchange programme in Brazilian slums.
Reference: Christina Gradl and Aline Krämer (2009) Favela Cool against Global Warming. Environment and Poverty Times 06/2009, p. 16 - 17.
The future of sugar cane in China and India – Supply constraints and expansion potential
This paper investigates drivers of and constraints to sugar cane production in China and India and shows that supply side constraints vary significantly in the two countries. The authors conclude that cane used as a feedstock to meet the rising energy demand will come at the expense of converting fertile land for non-food purposes.
Reference: Kostka, G.; Polzin, C.; Scharrer, J.: The future of sugar cane in China and India – Supply constraints and expansion potential, in: Applied Energy 2009 (in Press). Link
Entwicklungsländer bergen für Unternehmen Wachstumspotenzial
Reference: Gradl, C. / Waibel, P. (2009): "Entwicklungsländer bergen für Unternehmen Wachstumspotenzial" in io new management 06/09
A Market System Approach to Inclusive Business
Summary of findings of the UNDP Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative.
Reference: Gradl, C. / Sobhani, S. / Bootsman, A. and A. Gasnier (2008): "Understanding the markets of the poor - a market systems approach to inclusive business" in: P. Kandachar and M. Halme (Eds.) Sustainability Challenges and Solutions at the Base-of-the-Pyramid: Business, Technology and the Poor. London: Greenleaf.
Creating Innovations for the Poor
Explorative study on how to integrate the poor into innovation processes to develop products and services that suit their needs.
Reference: Kraemer, A./ Belz, F.-M. (2008): “Consumer Integration in Innovation Processes - A New Approach for Creating and Enhancing Innovations for the Base-of-the-Pyramid (BoP)?” in: P. Kandachar and M. Halme (Eds.) Sustainability Challenges and Solutions at the Base-of-the-Pyramid: Business, Technology and the Poor. London: Greenleaf.
