The Tip of the Iceberg: The Quest for Innovation at the Base of the Pyramid

Abstract

Much of the world in Asia, Latin America, and Africa is at an early stage of economic development similar to what the United States and other developed countries experienced many decades ago. Yet, much as their needs for hard and soft infrastructure, effective business practices, and an educated workforce parallel similar needs that underlay earlier development in the West, replicating Western development would overlook the hallmarks of the current century: widely available information and communications technology; a set of electronic linkages among the world; and a global business environment, to name just a few. Consequently, it should be possible to allow developing countries to use ``leapfrog'' technologies that were inconceivable decades ago to support their development. One means of identifying these opportunities is by matching traditional development needs with novel support by connecting previously unrelated literatures. Equally interesting, the poor in many regions are compelled to seek innovative solutions that extend their resources and otherwise make their lives easier. These can include truly surprising hybrids (like washing machine - bicycles) that serve distinct local needs. Yet, these innovations have the potential to be of great value in West, either through direct commercialization or serving as a source of inspiration. These developing world innovations, too, can be linked to currently unrecognized needs or opportunities in the West by proper cross-fertilization. Again, literature-based methods may be an effective means to discover mutual benefits linking the developing and developed worlds.