This article examines how small social enterprises (SSEs) in East Africa build business models for base of the pyramid (BoP) markets, through engaging symbiotic ecosystems. Through in-depth qualitative research, a three-stage process is identified. First, SSEs learn and become sensitised to the manifold challenges of building business models for BoP markets. Second, SSEs identify and connect with key BoP actors, weaving them together to create a symbiotic ecosystem and to overcome the aforementioned challenges. Third, SSEs harness this symbiotic ecosystem to deliver community-centred business models for the BoP. This research contributes to social entrepreneurship, small business, and BoP literatures, by shedding light on the challenges faced by SSEs working in the BoP, and through novel elaboration of how SSEs develop and interact with symbiotic ecosystems to surmount these challenges. It also provides important practical insights, for social entrepreneurs and social enterprise managers in Africa and elsewhere.

Sottini, A. C. M., Ciambotti, G., Littlewood, D. C., Engaging symbiotic ecosystems to build community centred business models for the BoP: Evidence from small social enterprises in East Africa, <<INTERNATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS JOURNAL>>, 2022; 40 (8): 935-965. [doi:10.1177/02662426211059778] [https://hdl.handle.net/10807/194461]

Engaging symbiotic ecosystems to build community centred business models for the BoP: Evidence from small social enterprises in East Africa

Sottini, Andrea Carlo Maria
Primo
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
Ciambotti, Giacomo
Secondo
Writing – Review & Editing
;
Littlewood, David Christopher
Ultimo
Methodology
2022

Abstract

This article examines how small social enterprises (SSEs) in East Africa build business models for base of the pyramid (BoP) markets, through engaging symbiotic ecosystems. Through in-depth qualitative research, a three-stage process is identified. First, SSEs learn and become sensitised to the manifold challenges of building business models for BoP markets. Second, SSEs identify and connect with key BoP actors, weaving them together to create a symbiotic ecosystem and to overcome the aforementioned challenges. Third, SSEs harness this symbiotic ecosystem to deliver community-centred business models for the BoP. This research contributes to social entrepreneurship, small business, and BoP literatures, by shedding light on the challenges faced by SSEs working in the BoP, and through novel elaboration of how SSEs develop and interact with symbiotic ecosystems to surmount these challenges. It also provides important practical insights, for social entrepreneurs and social enterprise managers in Africa and elsewhere.
2022
Inglese
Sottini, A. C. M., Ciambotti, G., Littlewood, D. C., Engaging symbiotic ecosystems to build community centred business models for the BoP: Evidence from small social enterprises in East Africa, <<INTERNATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS JOURNAL>>, 2022; 40 (8): 935-965. [doi:10.1177/02662426211059778] [https://hdl.handle.net/10807/194461]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10807/194461
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