Where honesty and hard work is the only stable strategy: design, evolution and pilot implementation of a support cum reward game in developmental economics.

We describe here the design, evolution and experimental implementation of a real life, game theory based system for supporting farmers suffering heavy crop damage by wild herbivores near protected areas. The system is community operated in which farmers self-report their produce, which is endorsed by neighbouring farmers. The average deficit in the productivity is compensated by an automated "support cum reward (SuR)" computation, which is directly proportional to the average productivity deficit of the group but also directly proportional to the individual farmer's produce. As a result, farmers are assured a 'support' against the average damage but at the same time a 'reward' for individual's productivity. The design of the game is such that only honest reporting gives maximum returns. An under-reporting farmer receives reduced benefit since the SuR amount is directly proportionate to his self-reported produce. If a farmer over-reports, other farmers of the community suffer a loss since the average deficit reduces. Therefore the endorsing farmers, for their own selfish interest, prevent over-reporting. The system involves multiple game situations, the combined result of which is expected to be a stable honest and hard worker strategy. A trial implementation with a group of 71 farmers over 6 cropping seasons showed that, after a few initial attempts to cheat, honesty prevailed in the entire group; the average crop productivity increased up to 2.5 fold, in spite of the risk of damage, owing to spontaneous increase in inputs by farmers. Apart from wildlife conflict resolution the model offers a promising alternative to crop insurance and a potential behavioural green revolution.

Understanding Social Business and Wellbeing at the BoP

The interest in poverty reduction has received scholarly attention from various academics studying developmental economics, the informal economy and the base of the pyramid (BoP). This chapter intends to engage with the BoP topic by reviewing research areas that are intertwined: the informal economy, the BoP and perhaps most importantly social business and wellbeing. The chapter introduces Algramo, a BoP venture from Chile that aims to reduce food poverty in Latin America. The focus of this chapter is on Algramo's activities in Colombia as a single case study to better understand the impact of three wellbeing aspects on the stakeholders involved. Although Algramo, a work in progress, is primarily focused on food poverty reduction; this chapter reveals that there are potentially much wider implications that are consistent with BoP literature. Wellbeing is important and merits further study when investigating BoP ventures. The chapter concludes with future research directions for BoP scholars and for those who are interested in the wider impacts of engaging with the BoP segment.

Understanding Social Business and Wellbeing at the BoP

The interest in poverty reduction has received scholarly attention from various academics studying developmental economics, the informal economy and the base of the pyramid (BoP). This chapter intends to engage with the BoP topic by reviewing research areas that are intertwined: the informal economy, the BoP and perhaps most importantly social business and wellbeing. The chapter introduces Algramo, a BoP venture from Chile that aims to reduce food poverty in Latin America. The focus of this chapter is on Algramo's activities in Colombia as a single case study to better understand the impact of three wellbeing aspects on the stakeholders involved. Although Algramo, a work in progress, is primarily focused on food poverty reduction; this chapter reveals that there are potentially much wider implications that are consistent with BoP literature. Wellbeing is important and merits further study when investigating BoP ventures. The chapter concludes with future research directions for BoP scholars and for those who are interested in the wider impacts of engaging with the BoP segment.

Gender and operations management

Purpose Work that is considered appropriate for only one gender by the indigenous culture is explored. The focus is on the operational issues that accrue due to the combination of what is deemed appropriate treatment to, and activities of, women. Global differences in the operational sub-categories of business location, layout, the implementation of process improvement programs, shift scheduling, operational compliance, the strategic capability of volume flexibility, and other issues are explored. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The literature from the disparate fields of women’s studies, anthropology, law, developmental economics, and management are synthesized. Findings There are extreme differences internationally in the viability of operational practices involving shift work, facility location, and other production issues. Particularly, research involving the implementation of quality management programs may be compromised due to gender effects. Practical implications A large number of practical issues are discussed. The viability and wisdom of many operational practices being copied from different cultures is addressed. Originality/value This work is a synthesis of the same subjects from widely disparate intellectual domains. The author informs management scholars and managers from unusual sources in medicine, women’s studies, anthropology, developmental economics, and law.

Formulating the Design Scope for the Base of the (Economic) Pyramid

Base of the (economic) Pyramid (BoP) represents a population living under severe resource constraint s. Design for BoP has crucial responsibility of achieving the well-being through fulfillment of specific needs. At BoP, design has to shoulder this additional responsibility due to absent or severely constrained mechanisms to translate the functional product into well-being. This paper proposes a design scope for the BoP using normative approach from developmental economics, and then compares it with the pervasive product centric scope. Author defines product centricity as a design scope that considers resultant product as sufficient outcome of design and evaluates the extent of product centricity in prevalent design approaches.