Bibliometric mapping on sustainable development at the base-of-the-pyramid. (25th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Du, Helen S.; Xu, Jiahong; Li, Zhanyao; Liu, Yang; Chu, Samuel Kai Wah
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 281(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-25
• Subjects: Sustainable development -- Bibliometric analysis -- Science mapping -- Base/bottom-of-the-pyramid (BoP) -- Text mining -- Data clustering; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125290
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Base-of-the-Pyramid (BoP) is a sustainable proposition that calls on private businesses to alleviate public poverty while fulfilling their own interests. Previous studies show the significance of BoP in the advancement of Sustainable Development Goals. Particularly, in the manner of cooperating with people at the bottom of socio-economic pyramid, multinational enterprises can alleviate public poverty and thus promoting sustainable development at the BoP regions. However, the general state and trend of sustainable development-related studies in the BoP domain are not clear; the popular keywords and theoretical orientations have yet to been determined. This study aims to address these issues by analyzing 273 high-impact articles in the related field from the Web of Science database between 2002 and 2018. A mixed review method is adopted, which combines quantitative bibliometric analysis with qualitative content analysis. The results show that an increasing number of sustainable development-related studies are emerging from the BoP domain, particularly concerning social and economic sustainability in developing countries (or regions). Four theoretical orientations are identified, namely subsistence market, sustainable solution, corporate social responsibility and inclusive business. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the related research area and at the same time calls for continuing scholarly exploration. Highlights: Subsistence market, sustainable solution, CSR, and inclusive business are central theoretical orientations in BoP field. Social and economic sustainability in the developing countries (or regions) are main research topics in BoP domain. Sustainable business model, social capital, and frugal innovation are crucial for achieving the SDGs. Collaborations among MNEs, local people, governments and NGOs are essential to sustainable development in BoP regions.