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Global Perspectives on the Research-Practitioner Nexus
Claudia Knobloch, Director, Endeva UGBerlin, February, 27, 2013
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2Overview 2
Actors in research and practice
Challenges of collaboration
Role of research
Solution: Useful research for practitioners
3Endeva works in research and implementation 3
building
sharing
applying
Independent institute
enterprise solutions to development challenges
4Overview 4
Actors in research and practice
Challenges of collaboration
Role of research
Solution: Useful research for practitioners
5Academia and companies seem to be worlds apart 5
• Look for hard facts in large samples over a longer period of time
• Set certain contextual parameters
• Design the best solution and cutting edge technology
• Look for funding from companies
• Rather new business models with little track record
• Flexibility and „try and error“ due to lack of experience
• Serving the poor needs reliable quality at a low price
• Little financial and human resources for research
Academia & research institutions
Social & inclusive businesses
6Overview 6
Actors in research and practice
Challenges of collaboration
Role of research
Solution: Useful research for practitioners
7Challenges of co-operations are cumbersome
• Clash of cultures
• Priorities
• Confidentiality
• Timing
• Financing
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8Overview 8
Actors in research and practice
Challenges of collaboration
Role of research
Solution: Useful research for practitioners
9Research can play a vital role for companies 9
•Put topics on the agenda of companies, the public and governments•Learn from best practice •Enable students to familiarize with companies and practice
Start-up phase Implementation phase
Scale up phase
In general
• Help to measure results and provide evidence e.g. for investors
• Discover opportunities and risks in new markets
• Track operations, show success and failures and work on improving the business and products
• Develop out of the box solutions
• Provide models that help to think about business model design
• Provide market data
10Overview 10
Actors in research and practice
Challenges of collaboration
Role of research
Solution: Useful research for practitioners
11Collaboration on many levels 11
Business model, financing,
products and results
Market, clients and supply
chain
Business environment
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Business environment
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Market information
1414Business model
design
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Product & service design
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Results measurement
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BACKUP
19Designing an inclusive business model 19
2020
21Solutions for energy at the BoP
22Gathering information from more than 30 experts… 22
23… and 11 villages plus the slums of Tana 23
xxx
xxx xx
x
x
x
24Using interactive methods 24
25Modular approach – differentiate target group! 25
Commu-nication
Infor-mation
Electricity
Enter-tainment
•Taxiphone•Internet•Fax, copy, scan service•Typing service•Mobile money
• Charging of phones• Charging of lamps• Charging of large
batteries
•Cinema / TV•Karaoke•Music / Disco•Cold drinks
• Educational videos (health, farming etc.)
• Portal for farmers (FTA) Access to information
• Programmes for students: free access on Wednesday afternoon (Airtel)
• Connecting class-rooms as exchange platform (UNICEF)
26Kiosk design 26
• 3 parts: storage, counter & cyber café
• 20 sqm
• Painted in bright green like logo
• Suitable for Malagasy climate: cyclone proof, humidity proof
• 1 kW solar panel
• Material: Steel & wooden planks
• Aimed costs: 4,000 Euro
• Status: first kiosk opend
27Constraints for Companies 27
Market Information
Physical infrastructure
Regulatory environment
Knowledge and skills
Access to financial services
28Adapt product and processes 28
Provide off-grid energy solutions rather than grid connection.
29Invest in removing market constraints 29
d.Light does awareness raising campagns to inform people about the advantages of solar lights.
30Leverage the strength of the poor 30
Barefoot Colleges trains illiterate women to become solar engineers.
31Combine resources and capabilities with others 31
Partner with MFI to get energy solutions financed like here a solar lantern for a small silk worm farm.
32Engage in policy dialogue with government
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Start dialogue with government to introduce regulation around renewable energies, eg feed-in tarifs