Can the base of the pyramid twin goals of profit and improved welfare be achieved?

Do companies that are involved in ventures at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) achieve both profit and an increase in the welfare of the poor as proposed by Prahalad and Hart (2002), or is there is a trade-off between profit and welfare as argued by critics of this proposition such as Karnani (2005). Research is lacking in the field, something that this investigation seeks to fill through qualitative research thereon. A central finding of this research was that the paradigms that the companies followed, impacted their views on welfare, profit and the trade-off. The findings reflect that companies have poor indicators of welfare and that there is very little evidence of companies measuring welfare. The findings in respect of a trade-off between profit and welfare is inconclusive, indicating that for some companies there is a trade-off but for others not. The trade-off may be explained by the view that capital should be patient and that the required profit will be achieved in the future. An alternative model of social entrepreneurship is suggested as a bridge between profit and welfare.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Pretoria

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Chipp, Kerry

• UCTD
• Bottom of the pyramid
• Base of the pyramid
• Welfare
• Profit
• Trade-off

Statement dc:rights

• © 2011, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.

Dc Identifier Other

F/12/4/716/zw

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/26518