Private initiative, project-based alliances, and platforms: 3 structures for systemic change
Companies can strengthen the ecosystems around them to enable inclusive business models to scale. The discussion paper Tackling Barriers to Scale: From Inclusive Business Models to Inclusive Business Ecosystems, written by Christina Gradl and Beth Jenkins, shows how companies can go about strengthening inclusive business ecosystems. These are networks of many players, from individuals to companies, and governments to private donors, who can help the model succeed. Using case studies, the authors explain that these strategies can be executed using three structures: private initiative, project-based alliances, and platforms.
This publication provides a simple framework for companies to think about strategic management of inclusive business ecosystems. It is part of an ongoing research work stream by the CSR Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School and will be followed up by in-depth studies.