Distribution Network
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V. Kasturi Rangan, John Quelch, Gustavo Herrero, Brooke Barton (editors). 433 pages. Hardback. Jossey-Bass. £30.99/$55
Ever since C. K. Prahalad, Stuart Hart and Allen Hammond proposed the bottom of the pyramid model five years ago – calling on business to tap the under-served markets of the world’s four billion poor – we’ve had to be content with a handful of the same examples endlessly cited to illustrate the idea.
Now, finally, here is a book that gives us many more case studies to ponder. A collection of papers presented at a Harvard Business School conference in December 2005, the chapters of Business Solutions are almost all case-based – and together cover around 20 countries.
However, more than half of these are in Central and South America and one of the weaknesses of the book is its poor coverage of Africa (other than South Africa) and Asia (other than India).
Also notable is the lack of any deep questioning on the part of the authors as to the value of the Bottom of the Pyramid model, which others have criticized for its economic neoliberal philosophy, potential environmental impacts and implications for governance and accountability.
Despite these limitations, any practitioners or academics working in the area of business in society – and looking at the role of companies in alleviating poverty – will find this an invaluable source of new ideas and fresh examples.
Wayne Visser
Ever since C. K. Prahalad, Stuart Hart and Allen Hammond proposed the bottom of the pyramid model five years ago – calling on business to tap the under-served markets of the world’s four billion poor – we’ve had to be content with a handful of the same examples endlessly cited to illustrate the idea.
Now, finally, here is a book that gives us many more case studies to ponder. A collection of papers presented at a Harvard Business School conference in December 2005, the chapters of Business Solutions are almost all case-based – and together cover around 20 countries.
However, more than half of these are in Central and South America and one of the weaknesses of the book is its poor coverage of Africa (other than South Africa) and Asia (other than India).
Also notable is the lack of any deep questioning on the part of the authors as to the value of the Bottom of the Pyramid model, which others have criticized for its economic neoliberal philosophy, potential environmental impacts and implications for governance and accountability.
Despite these limitations, any practitioners or academics working in the area of business in society – and looking at the role of companies in alleviating poverty – will find this an invaluable source of new ideas and fresh examples.
Wayne Visser
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