Business initiatives that overcome rural poverty and marginality through creating shared value

Abstract

This chapter examines the Creating Shared Value (CSV) approach to reach the poor through integrated social and business goals. Csv simply means that when making business decisions on future plans and investments, companies simultaneously consider what long-term value can be created both for society and for shareholders. The chapter describes how the approach has been applied in Nestlé’s international dairy programs and identifies three major results: including more small farmers in supply chains, reducing their poverty, and increasing the local availability of dietary calories, protein, calcium, and various micronutrients.