A Method for Social Entrepreneurs to Develop Value Propositions for Sustainable Development

Abstract

We hypothesize that sustainable development is a wicked problem since it is virtually impossible to solve on account of incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements. In this paper we introduce the Dilemma Triangle Method for social entrepreneurs to develop value propositions for sustainable development. The method is described and illustrated to further sustainable development of Kudagaon village, Odisha, India whose residents are at the bottom of the economic pyramid. The method is illustrated using the FOOD, ENERGY, and WATER Nexus construct. The method is applicable to framing wicked problems in general and identifying suitable value propositions. Our focus in this paper is on highlighting the method rather than the results.