BOP entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability

Nishana Bhogal and Ralph Hamann

Chapter 11 in Handbook of Research on Base of the Pyramid Entrepreneurship, 2026, pp 196-210 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: In this chapter we explore the dual potential of base of the pyramid (BOP) entrepreneurship to impact the environment positively and negatively, emphasising the need for further research in this area. We highlight the intersection of BOP and environmental entrepreneurship, noting the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in BOP contexts, such as limited consumer purchasing power, infrastructure, and institutional voids, which can influence environmental practices. We review case studies demonstrating innovative responses to these challenges, in the energy, water and sanitation, agricultural, and waste management sectors. We identify key themes, including the role of tensions between economic and environmental objectives, the importance of social inclusion, and the embeddedness of entrepreneurs in local contexts. This chapter also calls for more research on the connections between BOP environmental entrepreneurship and informality, suggesting that brokers can play a crucial role in linking informal actors with formal markets while avoiding exploitative practices.

Keywords: BOP Entrepreneurship; Environmental Sustainability; Resource Constraints; Social Inclusion; Innovative Business Models; Institutional Voids (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781802202137
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