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Business as a development agent: evidence of possibility and improbability

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  • Michael Blowfield
  • Catherine S. Dolan

Abstract

An emphasis on making markets work for the poor has thrust companies into the role of ‘development agents’ – organisations that consciously seek to deliver outcomes that contribute to international development goals. This paper examines what business as a development agent means in terms of the promise, the conceptualisation and the developmental outcomes of several initiatives engaged in ‘bottom billion capitalism’. It argues that, while these initiatives are hailed as a solution for poverty, the benefits of such engagement must be weighed against other factors, including exclusion, the emphasis on capital assets and the reinterpretation of positive outcomes. The paper presents an alternative model of business as a development agent that better meets the criteria for a genuine development actor.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Blowfield & Catherine S. Dolan, 2014. "Business as a development agent: evidence of possibility and improbability," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 22-42, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ctwqxx:v:35:y:2014:i:1:p:22-42
    DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2013.868982
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    Cited by:

    1. Kumar, Avinash & Kumra, Rajeev & Singh, Ramendra, 2022. "Base of the pyramid producers’ constraints: An integrated review and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 115-129.
    2. Yuka Fujimoto & Jasim Uddin, 2022. "Inclusive Leadership for Reduced Inequality: Economic–Social–Economic Cycle of Inclusion," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 181(3), pages 563-582, December.
    3. Robert Gharios & Bashar Abu Khalaf, 2024. "Digital Marketing’s Effect on Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Banks’ Success: Unleashing the Economic Potential of the Internet," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-20, September.
    4. Adam Moe Fejerskov & Erik Lundsgaarde & Signe Cold-Ravnkilde, 2017. "Recasting the ‘New Actors in Development’ Research Agenda," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 29(5), pages 1070-1085, November.
    5. Vestergaard, Anne & Langevang, Thilde & Morsing, Mette & Murphy, Luisa, 2021. "Partnerships for development. Assessing the impact potential of cross-sector partnerships," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    6. Harald Strotmann & Jürgen Volkert & Melinda Schmidt, 2019. "Multinational companies: can they foster well-being in the eyes of the poor? Results from an empirical case study," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 1-14, December.
    7. Alvaro Mendez & David Patrick Houghton, 2020. "Sustainable Banking: The Role of Multilateral Development Banks as Norm Entrepreneurs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-21, January.
    8. Syed Abidur Rahman & Azlan Amran & Noor Hazlina Ahmad & Seyedeh Khadijeh Taghizadeh, 2016. "Enhancing the Wellbeing of Base of the Pyramid Entrepreneurs through Business Success: The Role of Private Organizations," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 127(1), pages 195-216, May.
    9. James Wangu & Ellen Mangnus & A.C.M. (Guus) van Westen, 2020. "Limitations of Inclusive Agribusiness in Contributing to Food and Nutrition Security in a Smallholder Community. A Case of Mango Initiative in Makueni County, Kenya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-23, July.
    10. Sharon McLennan & Glenn Banks, 2019. "Reversing the lens: Why corporate social responsibility is not community development," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(1), pages 117-126, January.
    11. Kimberly N. Hill‐Tout & Roberta Hawkins, 2023. "Accessorizing development: Fundraising bracelets for International Development as a New Development Responsibility," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(7), pages 2046-2066, October.
    12. Küblböck, Karin & Staritz, Cornelia, 2014. "Private sector development: Business plan or development strategy?," Working Papers 51, Austrian Foundation for Development Research (ÖFSE).
    13. Palash Kamruzzaman, 2017. "Understanding the Role of National Development Experts in Development Ethnography," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 35(1), pages 39-63, January.
    14. Siobhan McGrath & Fabiola Mieres, 2022. "The Business of Abolition: Marketizing ‘Anti‐slavery’," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 53(1), pages 3-30, January.
    15. Küblböck, Karin & Staritz, Cornelia, 2015. "Private sector development: Business plan or development strategy?," Policy Notes 14/2015, Austrian Foundation for Development Research (ÖFSE).
    16. David Ollivier de Leth & Mirjam A. F. Ros-Tonen, 2022. "Creating Shared Value Through an Inclusive Development Lens: A Case Study of a CSV Strategy in Ghana’s Cocoa Sector," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 178(2), pages 339-354, June.
    17. Milind Kumar Jha & K. Rangarajan, 2020. "The approach of Indian corporates towards sustainable development: An exploration using sustainable development goals based model," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(5), pages 1019-1032, September.

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