BRICOLAGE AS A MEANS OF INNOVATING IN A RESOURCE-SCARCE ENVIRONMENT: A STUDY OF INNOVATOR-ENTREPRENEURS AT THE BOP

Paula Linna ()
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Paula Linna: Department of Management and International Business, School of Business, Aalto University, PO Box 21230, 00076 AALTO, Finland

Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), 2013, vol. 18, issue 03, 1-23

Abstract: The aim of this study is to gain an insight on how bricolage is used as a method of innovation in a resource scarce context. Previous studies of entrepreneurship have emphasized the significance of bricolage especially as a way to mobilize resources. Although seen to be essential when entrepreneurs are facing resource constraints, no attention has been paid to bricolage in the context of local entrepreneurs in developing countries. This study is based on the analysis of innovation processes of Kenyan innovator-entrepreneurs who are designing low-cost renewable energy solutions for rural people at the Base of the Pyramid (BOP). In this study, three different types of bricolage were especially recognized: a social mindset combined with resourcefulness; making do with resources at hand; and improvization as way of proceeding. This research provides empirical evidence on how bricolage is used in different parts of the innovation process. The paper contributes significantly to the emerging discussion on innovation and entrepreneurship in the context of a developing country.

Keywords: BOP; low-cost innovation; business model; resource-scarcity; bricolage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (30)

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DOI: 10.1142/S1084946713500155

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