WHICH BUSINESSES ARE BEST FOR THE BASE OF THE PYRAMID? COMPARING IMPACTS ON YOUNG CHILDREN

Abstract

Interest and investment in enterprise-based approaches to reduce the impoverishment faced by the base of the pyramid (BoP) continues to grow. Although recent research provides a greater understanding of the poverty-alleviation impacts from specific businesses, little has been done to compare impacts across businesses or business strategies. In this study, I address this gap by comparing the changes in well-being in young children, the segment considered most vulnerable to poverty, for four BoP businesses employing two different business strategies. Using a framework that incorporates a multi-dimensional perspective on who is impacted and how, I develop and compare business- and strategy-specific poverty impact profiles for the young children of key stakeholders. My findings contribute to a better understanding of how to utilize BoP businesses to address social goals.