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Institutional entrepreneurship and social innovation at the base of the pyramid: the case of M-Pesa in Kenya

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  • Elsie Onsongo

Abstract

This paper explores the agency of multinational corporations that perform social innovation under conditions of institutional complexity and resource constraints. Insights are drawn from a case study of Vodafone Group Plc and Safaricom Kenya Ltd that engaged in mobile money innovation in Kenya. The paper identifies three types of institutional voids that entrepreneurs can exploit to implement a social innovation: market, policy and social voids. Legitimating the social innovation involves appealing to the instrumental needs of target users, early and sustained engagement with policy-makers and redefining meanings of both incumbent and new technologies. The paper argues that spanning institutional voids – which provide entrepreneurial opportunities – also provide contingent legitimation narratives that can be targeted at different audiences. By mobilising insights from institutional theory, this paper provides a fresh perspective of social innovation in a base of the pyramid context.

Suggested Citation

  • Elsie Onsongo, 2019. "Institutional entrepreneurship and social innovation at the base of the pyramid: the case of M-Pesa in Kenya," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(4), pages 369-390, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:indinn:v:26:y:2019:i:4:p:369-390
    DOI: 10.1080/13662716.2017.1409104
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    Cited by:

    1. Shufeng Xiao & Taewoo Roh & Pervez N. Ghauri & Moon Hwan Cho & Byung Il Park, 2024. "MNCs’ Social Innovation in Emerging Markets: A Stakeholder Perspective," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 64(4), pages 633-670, August.
    2. Nan Wang & Baolian Chen & Liya Wang & Zhenzhong Ma & Shan Pan, 2024. "Big data analytics capability and social innovation: the mediating role of knowledge exploration and exploitation," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Khaoula Behi & Nivedita Agarwal & Alexander Brem, 2020. "An Analysis of a Crowdfunding System in North Africa Based on the Actor-Network Theory," International Journal of Global Business and Competitiveness, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 23-34, June.
    4. Kabengele, Christian & Hahn, Rüdiger, 2021. "Institutional and firm-level factors for mobile money adoption in emerging markets–A configurational analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    5. Ricardo Rodrigues & Carla Susana Marques & Dulce Esteves & Rui Brás & Gina Santos & Ana Gouveia & Paulo Duarte & Paulo Pinheiro & Kelly O’Hara & Vanessa Marques, 2020. "Physical activity level as a booster of entrepreneurial intention: a social innovation approach," International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, Springer;International Association of Public and Non-Profit Marketing, vol. 17(1), pages 121-133, March.
    6. Osabutey, Ellis L.C. & Jackson, Terence, 2024. "Mobile money and financial inclusion in Africa: Emerging themes, challenges and policy implications," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    7. Hameeda A. AlMalki & Christopher M. Durugbo, 2023. "Systematic review of institutional innovation literature: towards a multi-level management model," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(2), pages 731-785, June.
    8. Holmström Lind, Christine & Kang, Olivia & Ljung, Anna & Rosenbaum, Paul, 2022. "Involvement of multinational corporations in social innovation: Exploring an emerging phenomenon," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 207-221.
    9. A. Erin Bass & Birgitte Grøgaard, 2021. "The long-term energy transition: Drivers, outcomes, and the role of the multinational enterprise," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(5), pages 807-823, July.

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