Base of the pyramid markets in Latin America : innovation and challenges to sustainability

"This book focuses on the Base of the Pyramid (BOP) in Latin America and examines the role of the markets in serving low-income populations as consumers, distributors and entrepreneurs. Deep inequalities, violence and urbanization characterize the region. Despite the reduction of poverty observed during the first two decades of the 21st century, Latin America is the most unequal region in the world. Outside active war zones, the region has the highest homicide rate in the world; and both elements-violence and inequality-are deeply intertwined. Markets have a crucial role to play in closing this gap and offering job and income opportunities, especially to the unemployed youth, paving the way for a safer, more peaceful and sustainable development. In this book, the authors present a collection of cases in which the private sector (mainly large corporations) have attempted to close the gap in access to goods and services, all with diverse outcomes. The book also offers a theoretical reflection on the role community enterprises that manage common-pool resources and who can play a role in serving markets and creating income opportunities for the rural poor."