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Study Of The Principles Of Innovation For The Bop Consumer — The Case Of A Rural Water Filter

Author

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  • V. C. S. PRASAD

    (Tata Research Development and Design Centre, 54B, Hadapsar Industrial Estate, Pune, 411013, India)

  • VIVEK GANVIR

    (Tata Research Development and Design Centre, 54B, Hadapsar Industrial Estate, Pune, 411013, India)

Abstract

It is now well known that the principles of innovation for the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) markets are different from those of the top of the pyramid. This paper discusses these principles taking the example of the development of a rural domestic water filter in India. Work related to two principles are highlighted, viz, product development based on deep understanding of functionality and price — performance focus. The former was achieved through the development of a realistic specification for the bacterial (Coliform) trapping level of filtered water by using DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) methodology. When the filters made by the villagers from the resulting process is introduced in a small village in India, significant reduction in the number of cases due to water-borne diseases is reported. The resulting reduction in medical costs is shown to far outweigh the initial and subsequent maintenance costs of the filter. A simple entrepreneurship model is outlined showing a win-win situation for the rural consumer as well as the rural entrepreneur.

Suggested Citation

  • V. C. S. Prasad & Vivek Ganvir, 2005. "Study Of The Principles Of Innovation For The Bop Consumer — The Case Of A Rural Water Filter," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 2(04), pages 349-366.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ijitmx:v:02:y:2005:i:04:n:s0219877005000587
    DOI: 10.1142/S0219877005000587
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    Cited by:

    1. Agarwal, Nivedita & Brem, Alexander & Grottke, Michael, 2018. "Towards a higher socio-economic impact through shared understanding of product requirements in emerging markets: The case of the Indian healthcare innovations," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 91-98.
    2. Varsha Khandker, 2023. "Two decades of the bottom of the pyramid research: identifying the influencers, structure, and the evolution of the concept," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(3), pages 1151-1178, September.
    3. Umesh Shrivastava & Amit Kumar Dwivedi, 2021. "Manifestations of rural entrepreneurship: the journey so far and future pathways," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(4), pages 753-781, October.

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