Understanding key factors in social enterprise development of the BOP: a systems approach applied to case studies in the Philippines

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive perspective on social enterprise development, leading to enhanced understanding of the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) marketplace.Design/methodology/approach – General systems theory is applied to case studies drawn from the Philippines, enabling the authors delineate system actors and their interrelationships, system objectives and strategies, key success factors and outcomes.Findings – The BOP social enterprise development process can be modeled from a systems perspective. The resulting model provides valuable information to marketing managers and others.Research limitations/implications – Model development would be enhanced by its adaptation to a broader range of cases, including those involving large national corporations and MNCs in the Philippines and elsewhere.Practical Implications – Three major implications for marketing managers and others who aspire to serving the BOP marketplace are revealed: BOP consumers and producers are intertw...