Article: Innovations for the poor by the poor Journal: International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development (IJTLID) 2012 Vol.5 No.1/2 pp.28 - 39 Abstract: The concern for inclusive or harmonious development is being articulated worldwide. There is a belated realisation that for extreme affordability, there is no choice but to learn from green grassroots innovators and traditional knowledge holders. Honey Bee Network began scouting, spawning and sustaining innovations by knowledge rich-economically poor people more than 20 years ago. A database of more than 140,000 ideas, innovations and traditional knowledge practices has been pooled mainly from 500 districts of India and some other parts of the world. Blending formal and informal science has become imperative. Several new models have been proposed such as long tailored innovations, Kho Kho (relay) model, empathetic innovations, inverted innovations, and grassroots to global (g2G) to illustrate different dimension of innovations for the poor by the poor. The policy implications of these models have been drawn briefly besides explaining the conditions, which must be met for inclusive innovations. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Innovations for the poor by the poor

Authors: Anil K. Gupta

Addresses: Honey Bee Network, Indian Institute of Management, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, 380015, India

Abstract: The concern for inclusive or harmonious development is being articulated worldwide. There is a belated realisation that for extreme affordability, there is no choice but to learn from green grassroots innovators and traditional knowledge holders. Honey Bee Network began scouting, spawning and sustaining innovations by knowledge rich-economically poor people more than 20 years ago. A database of more than 140,000 ideas, innovations and traditional knowledge practices has been pooled mainly from 500 districts of India and some other parts of the world. Blending formal and informal science has become imperative. Several new models have been proposed such as long tailored innovations, Kho Kho (relay) model, empathetic innovations, inverted innovations, and grassroots to global (g2G) to illustrate different dimension of innovations for the poor by the poor. The policy implications of these models have been drawn briefly besides explaining the conditions, which must be met for inclusive innovations.

Keywords: grassroots innovation; inclusive innovation; sustainability; sustainable development; knowledge rich people; economically poor people; harmonious development; affordability; traditional knowledge; green innovators; knowledge holders; Honey Bee Network; India; idea databases; formal science; informal science; long tailored innovations; Kho Kho models; relay models; empathetic innovations; inverted innovations; g2G; grassroots-to-global; poverty; policy implications; technological learning; technological development; development policies; R&D; research and development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTLID.2012.044875

International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, 2012 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.28 - 39

Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

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Title: Innovations for the poor by the poor

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