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School of Business | Department of Management Studies | International Business | 2014
Thesis number: 13851
Partnerships for profit and impact: Partner roles in an NGO-led BOP business venture development
Author: Suomalainen, Sini
Title: Partnerships for profit and impact: Partner roles in an NGO-led BOP business venture development
Year: 2014  Language: fin
Department: Department of Management Studies
Academic subject: International Business
Index terms: kansainväliset yhtiöt; international companies; kumppanuus; partnership
Pages: 68
Full text:
» hse_ethesis_13851.pdf pdf  size:2 MB (1400323)
Key terms: bottom/base of the pyramid, partnership, role
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to detect how partner roles unfold in an NGO-led business development programme that combines development and business goals at the bottom/base of the pyramid markets. Partnerships with NGOs are widely recognised in the literature as a useful means for companies to enter low-income markets. However, how the partnership process evolves is studied less. My data consist of nine-month period of participatory observation / action research in Weconomy Start programme that helps companies find new business opportunities in cocreation with low-income communities in India and Sri Lanka. I use a framework by Tulder and Kostwinder (2007) to describe the partnership process and reflect these with my empirical data. Then I build a stakeholder map to show the connections between all partners and classify them by using the roles defined by Peterman (2013). In my study I found an integrator, a director, a sharer, a user, and an outsider. I point out that without shared financing and constant negotiation on both programme and organization specific goals, all partners tend to stick to their old roles and individual objectives.
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