Critical Factors for Success among Social Enterprises in India

In addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is expected that governments, private sector businesses and civil society organizations will be involved. Social enterprises, in particular, are attracting global attention. While international development agencies have increased their investment in social enterprises, empirical research on their business practices remains limited. For the purpose of determining factors critical to the success of social enterprises in a developing world context, this paper examines the cases of for-profit social enterprises that provide goods and services necessary for poor communities constituting the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) in India. The paper identifies the distinctive business approaches that enable social enterprises to continue their work in what can be described as a challenging and critical geographical context

A Study on Green Economy Indicators and Modeling: Russian Context

This article aims to assess and forecast the dynamics of a regional green economy. The research relevance is determined by the need to develop theoretical and methodological basis of the green economy for the transition period and to identify criteria basis for assessing the state and regional level of it. The authors applied the modern methods, which allowed to model criteria considering data uncertainty and both static and dynamic criteria. The research process involved the methods of scientific analysis, comparison and synthesis, the theory of fuzzy sets, and fuzzy modeling. The main principles and methodology of the criteria evaluation for a regional green economy are proposed. The principal methodological approach in this research combines the current state and dynamics of the green economy in evaluating and forecasting the conditions of data uncertainty. The research results form a theoretical, methodological, and practical basis for assessing the current state and level of a regional green economy development, determining the effectiveness of environmental and economic programs, optimizing financial management, conducting environmental monitoring, and developing state plans.The research was funded by the grant of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation to Perm National Research Polytechnic University # 26.6884.2017/8.9 "Sustainable development of urban areas and the improvement of the human environment.

A Study on Green Economy Indicators and Modeling: Russian Context

This article aims to assess and forecast the dynamics of a regional green economy. The research relevance is determined by the need to develop theoretical and methodological basis of the green economy for the transition period and to identify criteria basis for assessing the state and regional level of it. The authors applied the modern methods, which allowed to model criteria considering data uncertainty and both static and dynamic criteria. The research process involved the methods of scientific analysis, comparison and synthesis, the theory of fuzzy sets, and fuzzy modeling. The main principles and methodology of the criteria evaluation for a regional green economy are proposed. The principal methodological approach in this research combines the current state and dynamics of the green economy in evaluating and forecasting the conditions of data uncertainty. The research results form a theoretical, methodological, and practical basis for assessing the current state and level of a regional green economy development, determining the effectiveness of environmental and economic programs, optimizing financial management, conducting environmental monitoring, and developing state plans.The research was funded by the grant of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation to Perm National Research Polytechnic University # 26.6884.2017/8.9 "Sustainable development of urban areas and the improvement of the human environment.

Inclusive Business at the Base of the Pyramid: A Multiple-case study of the Water and Sanitation and Energy Sectors

This thesis addresses the topic of inclusive business by analyzing and comparing the strategy adoption process led by top managers, the level of cocreation, and challenges of Swedish organizations operating in low-income contexts within the water and sanitation and energy sectors. Inclusive business is a novel concept built upon Prahalad and Hart’s (2002) proposition of doing business with the Base of the Pyramid (BOP), or people living under US$8 per day. This research is designed as a qualitative multiple-case study and aims to provide insight into the experience of organizations already engaged in inclusive business. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with top-level managers from ten different Swedish organizations that have incorporated or plan to incorporate inclusive business strategies in their operations. Findings show that managers drive the adoption of inclusive business strategies in similar ways regardless of the sector. In terms of level of cocreation, in the water and sanitation sector, it varies considerably and can be sought at different stages. In the energy sector, the cocreation level is particularly homogeneous. Finally, findings indicate that challenges are essentially similar between sectors, however, one difference was identified

Impact Investments: An Emerging Asset Class

Examines the impact investment market landscape, what makes it an emerging asset class, expectations for financial returns, estimates of potential investment opportunities in specific sectors, and risk management and performance monitoring issues

Data Gaps in Evidence-Based Research on Small Water Enterprises in Developing Countries

This paper assess the literature on small water enterprises -- water delivery operations that predominantly provide water at the community level. A research agenda is recommended to advance knowledge on effective SWE service

100 Global innovative sustainability projects: evaluation and implications for entrepreneurship education

New mindsets and innovative thinking (Moon. 2013, 2014) are needed to deliver on everything from good health and well-being to affordable and clean energy. This paper reviews the latest trends to tackling pressing social and environmental problems by examining a sample of 100 innovative projects across the globe. The data set of 100 projects allows for evaluation by both quantitative and qualitative methods. Thus the projects are evaluated on their innovation contribution but also on their scalability going forward. Implications for the resources needed to ensure such projects continue to be developed across the globe are discussed; and the green skills needed to ensure their success. The projects cover a range of applications including Buildings, Food, Energy, Transportation but also Resource and Education sectors. The Circular Economy concept is used to identify commonalities between the projects. And key challenges in the development and deployment of the solutions are highlighted. The key research question is: what strategic policy support is needed within HEIs to ensure the development of the necessary multi collaborative and cross disciplinary mind-sets and skills that such projects require

Creating Value for All: Strategies for Doing Business With the Poor

This report explains the U.N.'s Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative, and presents 50 case studies prepared for the Initiative by researchers from developing countries. These studies demonstrate the successful pursuit of both revenues and social impact by local and international small- and medium-sized companies, as well as multinational corporations. Highlights strategies used to overcome the most common obstacles to doing business with the poor, as well as two new tools: a strategy matrix to help find potential solutions to common constraints, and heat maps that identify opportunities by depicting access to water, credit, electricity or telephone service in specific geographical areas