Citation
(2014), "2013 Awards for Excellence", World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, Vol. 11 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-04-2014-001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
2013 Awards for Excellence
Article Type: Literati awards From: World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, Volume 11, Issue 1.
The following article was selected for this year's Outstanding Paper Award for World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development
“Identifying, developing, and moving sustainable communities through renewable energy”
Andrea Santiago
Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines
Fernando Roxas
W. Sycip Graduate School of Business, Asian Institute of Management, Makati, Philippines
Purpose – Much of the resources for mitigating the impact of poverty found their way into new technologies or programs that aimed
to provide energy access to the poor in the “bottom of the pyramid” (BOP). Thus billions have been spent and will be spent
on projects such as expensive line extensions or solar panels to the poor living in “last mile” communities. The purpose of
this paper is to review the traditional responses to income and energy poverty, and describe a sustainable community model
to address the poor at the BOP.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper looks at the approaches that have been tried in making a dent in the poverty incidence in households living
in last mile, BOP areas in the Philippines and posits the critical question of why these approaches have failed despite successes
in the more economically positioned strata of society. After identifying the critical variables that militate against the
successful programs, the authors seek to proscribe a separate methodology for interventions in the BOP tiers of society.
Findings – The initial hypothesis garnered from examining the data suggests that BOP communities lack access to managerial and entrepreneurial
skills required to sustain relatively advanced technology applications when seeking to improve livelihood opportunities.
Research limitations/implications – The sources of primary data for this research work are interviews with community workers, energy project proponents and
BOP community leaders. Future research requires pilot programs where results can be measured and successes can be replicated
in other communities.
Practical implications – The insights derived from the research work will enable the design of better programs aimed at the BOP. Positive outcomes
can be expected to come from improved effectiveness and efficiencies of current approaches and possible new opportunities
for leveraging current efforts by governments and civil society with business.
Social implications – The most significant, possible outcome of this research would be to enhance the sustainability of current interventions
aimed at the BOP. Many corporate social responsibility activities are superficial, short-term initiatives, with time frames
corresponding to quarterly statements meant for the public and external stakeholders. Unfortunately, the BOP environment is
more structurally complex and requires systemic understanding.
Originality/value – Many of the existing interventions do not capture the needs of the BOP. This paper looks at this segment of the client
system and tries to identify gaps in the program design to focus on this segment.
www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/20425941211271487
This article originally appeared in Volume 9 Number 4, 2012 World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development
The following article was selected for this year's Highly Commended Award
"Availability and use status of plant genetic diversities from forests for food, nutrition and livelihood security: A case from Chepang tribal communities of Nepal"
Bed Prasad Khatiwada, Bhim Chaulgain and Surendra Osti
This article originally appeared in Volume 9 Number 2, 2012, World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development
Outstanding Reviewers
Professor Douglas Hensler and Professor Sonny Nwankwo