- Brief created: 2022
- Bangladesh
Shampoo, saris and SIM cards: seeking entrepreneurial futures at the bottom of the pyramid
Based on:
Journal Article (2012) ↗
This research found some clear material benefits for women who participated in the entrepreneurial project. This included improvements in their incomes and their ability to make purchases for themselves or their family. There were several non-tangible benefits too such as a greater sense of self-esteem and confidence.
Brief by:
Research collaborators:
The purpose of our research was to identify whether being enrolled in ‘Bottom of the Pyramid’ (BoP) projects was empowering for women. These entrepreneurial projects provide a new approach to economic development whereby markets are opened to those living in poverty. They entail multinational corporations partnering with development organisations to provide micro-entrepreneurs with products to sell door-to-door in their communities.
Key findings
Participation in this scheme seemed to enhance the women’s agency, in both their personal and familiar lives in their households.
But there wasn’t any kind of collective empowerment - it was still very individual.
There were some very positive aspects for women who were enrolled in this programme.
The women weren’t simply able to improve their incomes, but they also seemed to perceive themselves as having a better status in the community.
Proposed action
Firstly, we need to design these projects where the organisation is centred around the needs of the women
These projects could be adapted by letting women decide how the model is going to work and what could be sold
Another recommendation would be to incorporate women’s own production into the system for sale, as opposed to bringing in imported consumer goods
A warning for professionals working on these ‘Avon’ model schemes is to be aware of the cultural contexts in which the women will be working in
Lastly, we need to move away from the problematic discourse that those who lives in poverty are able to be transformed into business people and create a life for themselves, if they are just given the opportunity
These research findings are applicable to other forms of micro-finance and Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) projects developed by the private sector, NGOs and International Organisations across the global south
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to iDE Global
These insights were made available thanks to the support of iDE Global, who are committed to the dissemination of knowledge for all.
Special thanks to Sophie Falshaw for preparation assistance
We would like to extend a special thank you to Sophie Falshaw, for their invaluable contribution in assisting the preparation of this research summary.
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Shampoo, saris and SIM cards: seeking entrepreneurial futures at the bottom of the pyramid
Cite this brief: Dolan, Catherine. 'Shampoo, saris and SIM cards: seeking entrepreneurial futures at the bottom of the pyramid'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/shampoo-saris-and-sim-cards-seeking-entrepreneurial-futures-at-the-bottom-of-the-pyramid/
Brief created by: Professor Catherine Dolan | Year brief made: 2022
Original research:
- M. J.-L., Dolan, C., & L. S., ‘Shampoo, saris and SIM cards: seeking entrepreneurial futures at the bottom of the pyramid’ 20(1) (pp. 33–47.) https://doi.org/10.1080/13552074.2012.663619. – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13552074.2012.663619?casa_token=Toe0Te-rzokAAAAA:T4Eu0qVvDBoG5PvO9a2evULtnCHNUwAuP3SErFkfHFQ9cxzx7HEEGcIUdK9clZ_1Pz7pgeRQ4kxW7Wo
Research brief:
This research found some clear material benefits for women who participated in the entrepreneurial project. This included improvements in their incomes and their ability to make purchases for themselves or their family. There were several non-tangible benefits too such as a greater sense of self-esteem and confidence.
The purpose of our research was to identify whether being enrolled in ‘Bottom of the Pyramid’ (BoP) projects was empowering for women. These entrepreneurial projects provide a new approach to economic development whereby markets are opened to those living in poverty. They entail multinational corporations partnering with development organisations to provide micro-entrepreneurs with products to sell door-to-door in their communities.
Findings:
Participation in this scheme seemed to enhance the women’s agency, in both their personal and familiar lives in their households.
But there wasn’t any kind of collective empowerment – it was still very individual.
There were some very positive aspects for women who were enrolled in this programme.
The women weren’t simply able to improve their incomes, but they also seemed to perceive themselves as having a better status in the community.
Advice:
Firstly, we need to design these projects where the organisation is centred around the needs of the women
- We need to think about how we can protect these women and provide them with fair deal in their work.
These projects could be adapted by letting women decide how the model is going to work and what could be sold
Another recommendation would be to incorporate women’s own production into the system for sale, as opposed to bringing in imported consumer goods
- This would allow someone who’s local to have the opportunity to sell their goods.
A warning for professionals working on these ‘Avon’ model schemes is to be aware of the cultural contexts in which the women will be working in
- For instance, in rural Bangladesh, the women in our research were living under the context of Purdah restrictions. This meant that women could not travel unaccompanied outside their home. Therefore, one of the things we were worried about was the backlash women could receive from participating in these projects which require them to move between villages independently without a male guardian.
Lastly, we need to move away from the problematic discourse that those who lives in poverty are able to be transformed into business people and create a life for themselves, if they are just given the opportunity
- I think it is problematic that this discourse has entered development as a way to look at poverty reduction and improving women’s lives.
These research findings are applicable to other forms of micro-finance and Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) projects developed by the private sector, NGOs and International Organisations across the global south