Showing papers on "Frugal innovation published in 2013"

Frugal Innovation: Core Competencies to Address Global Sustainability

Abstract: The call for global sustainability is echoed by societal, environmental, and economic needs across the globe. In answering this call, a design innovation process that properly considers the needs and context of citizens in the developing world is necessary in order to develop appropriate, adaptable, affordable, and accessible solutions, products and services. This process, called “Frugal Innovation,” is rapidly becoming a standard against which sustainable solutions are assessed. Through an exploration of Frugal Innovation Core Competencies (Frugal Innovation Lab, Santa Clara University), and corresponding case studies of field solutions, a model is presented to begin sustainably addressing global human needs.

Do Frugal and Reverse Innovation Foster Sustainability? Introduction of a Conceptual Framework

Abstract: The fields of frugal and reverse innovation as well as sustainability and its management have received tremendous interest in recent times. However, there is little literature on how both fields are related to each other. Hence, this paper gives an overview of research in both areas and provides a view of the relationship between frugal and reverse innovation, sustainability management and performance constructs. The link between frugal and reverse innovation on the one hand and sustainability performance on the other hand is established through a differentiated perspective on dimensions representing different fields of sustainability management, i.e. the sustainability of resources used in value creation, the sustainability of the actual value creation processes, and the sustainability of the outcomes of value creation processes. Moreover, we also argue for a positive link between the three dimensions of sustainability management and a company’s market performance.

How Can ‘Frugal Innovation’ Be Conceptualized?

Abstract: Although the concept of frugal innovation is gaining popularity in both practitioner and academic discourse, there is no theoretically embedded definition and there exist few if any conceptual models to base future research on. We fulfil both gaps by analyzing the concept of ‘frugality’ and ‘innovation’ separately first and then jointly around two perspectives – historical and current – together which reveal a theoretically embedded definition and conceptual models of ‘frugal innovation’. We use a historical perspective to show that while the terminology is new, the core idea behind frugal innovation is not new. Subsequently however through a current perspective we show how it has gained renewed interest in both emerging countries as well as developed ones. We offer suggestions for future research along these conceptual models and layout implications to research and practice.

The democratizing effects of frugal innovation

Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of frugal innovation in the fields of livelihood provision, education, infrastructure, and distribution networks on state-building in countries where a significant proportion of the population lives at the base of the pyramid (BoP). Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the literature on frugal innovation, democratization and state-building, offers practical examples in support of the conceptual arguments, and provides research propositions for empirical assessment. Findings – The paper provides support for the notion that the creation of more inclusive markets through frugal innovation contributes to socio-economic development, which in turn strengthens democratization and state-building. Practical implications – Multinational corporations can have a positive impact on democratization by offering for-profit products and services to serve BoP markets. Originality/value – The paper provides novel insights into the role that frugal innovatio...

Open innovation as a new paradigm for global collaborations in health

Abstract: Open innovation, which refers to combining internal and external ideas and internal and external paths to market in order to achieve advances in processes or technologies, is an attractive paradigm for structuring collaborations between developed and developing country entities and people. Such open innovation collaborations can be designed to foster true co-creation among partners in rich and poor settings, thereby breaking down hierarchies and creating greater impact and value for each partner. Using an example from Concern Worldwide’s Innovations for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health initiative, this commentary describes an early-stage pilot project built around open innovation in a low resource setting, which puts communities at the center of a process involving a wide range of partners and expertise, and considers how it could be adapted and make more impactful and sustainable by extending the collaboration to include developed country partners.

Frugality, Grassroots and Inclusiveness: New Challenges for Mainstream Innovation Theories

Abstract: Intriguing and provocative concepts such as frugal innovation, Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) innovation, empathetic innovation and inclusive innovation are attracting the attention of many scholars in emerging countries as well as raising concern in Western countries. These notions are often known as ‘below-the-radar innovations’. There are several reasons to believe that technical and social changes originating in the developing world will become major drivers of innovation in the near future. For those reasons, it is crucial to understand how innovation is planned, designed and deployed outside the comfortable territory of the Western paradigm. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the alternative innovation paradigms that are emerging in the developing world. This paper also aims to analyse the determinants and drivers that are at the base of below-the-radar innovation.

7 – Frugal innovation

Abstract: : This chapter highlights the creative use of frugal innovation by South Asian organizations in their attempts to stay competitive in an intensely global environment. We discuss how globalization has affected South Asia, the ways in which South Asian organizations have responded to contradictory global and local challenges, and what MNCs can learn from the experience of South Asian organizations. Some of the lessons for South Asian organizations include developing partnerships regionally and internationally and for MNCs to venture into South Asian markets for business prospects with an open mind, in order to engage in learning so as to better address changing circumstances not only in South Asian markets but also in their respective home markets globally.

Local innovation: The key to globalisation

Abstract: The round table discussion draws the panellists to weigh in on how multinational enterprises from developed countries are innovating in and for emerging markets, the challenges faced, and lessons learnt. The key takeaways are that MNEs are increasingly innovating for the Indian market, alongside their contribution to global products. They are doing so by developing close relationships with field facing organisations, co-creating with customers, empowering engineers, and taking a clean slate approach to product development. This approach has given them dividends not only in the local market but also in the global market.

Understanding Jugaad: ICTD and the tensions of appropriation, innovation and utility

Abstract: This paper seeks to bring scrutiny to 'Jugaad' as concept of user driven innovation in the context of ICTD research. We collate and organize a variety of definitions denoting adoption and innovation of technology in constrained eco systems. We attempt to bring a nuanced understanding of contextual processes supporting or hindering use adoption and innovation of ICTs by probing the multi-meanings of Jugaad as ground-up processes of technology adoption

Globalization, Change and Learning in South Asia

Abstract: Globalization has changed business the world over. Financial crises in the West and parts of Asia have triggered a search for new models and ways of doing business. South Asia offers a novel perspective on these issues, both from an intra-Asia and international standpoint. Globalization, Change and Learning in South Asia is an edited collection focussing on analysis and review of contemporary business practices in South Asia. This title shows the importance of South Asia to business and management research, and the practice of business, highlighting the role of extensive learning in addressing the slew of challenges presented by globalization. An introduction by the editors highlights socio-economic aspects of South Asia to establish its relevance in the global economy. Six chapters then cover: gender issues, diaspora as catalysts of knowledge flows, anatomy of corruption, evolving nature of management and culture; corporate social responsibility perspectives, and the growth of frugal innovation practice in South Asia.Captures a balanced view of how organizations and leaders are coping with the pressures of globalizationIdentifies both challenges and notable practices facing organizationsProvides a useful template for companies managing change within South Asia and other emerging economies

Adopting Open Innovation to Stimulate Frugal Innovation and Reverse Innovation

Abstract: Frugal innovation and reverse innovation have very recently emerged as interesting concepts. Frugal innovation is based on cost constraints to serve low-income customers in developing countries. When frugal innovation comes to developed countries and becomes commercially successful it is considered as reverse innovation. Recently, many companies, such as GE, Siemens, Procter and Gamble, etc. have engaged heavily in frugal innovation and in reverse innovation. Open innovation, on the other hand, has not been considered in the context of low-income customers in developing countries. We argue that using open innovation concept in developing countries may boast frugal innovation and reverse innovation. Consequently, quality product with low-income will be widely available not only in developing countries but also in developed countries. Hence, western companies need to change their long hold business strategies and reshape their business models. This study aims to illustrate why western companies need to be aware of and take step to become successful in the turbulent business world.

Emerging Economies Drive Frugal Innovation: A Host of New and Reliable Low-Cost Medical Devices Specially Adapted to Needs of Low- and Middle-Income Countries Is on the Way, Driven by Increased Demand for Cost-Effective Health Care

Abstract: How do you do blood transfusions when you have no medical equipment, no donors and no blood? This is a question that comes up all too frequently in sub-Saharan Africa, where blood donations in many countries fail to meet the demand for transfusions and where clinics, particularly those in remote rural areas, are underequipped. In the absence of blood and equipment, patients in need of transfusion--such as women haemorrhaging as a result of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy--are forced to fall back on a crude form of auto-transfusion using kitchen equipment. Dr Kathleen Sienko, an assistant professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan in the United States of America (USA), explains: "Blood pools into incisions in the woman's abdomen, before a sterilized gallipot or soup ladle scoops it into a basin of anticoagulants. From there, it filters through a gauze-lined funnel, feeds into a blood bag and drips back into her body." Such crude measures, while doubtless saving some lives, underscore a failure or inability on the part of health authorities in the countries concerned to provide adequate health care. But these measures also reflect the global medical device industry's traditional focus on the needs of wealthier countries. According to Espicom, a United Kingdom-based company that gathers data and does market analyses of the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, global spending on medical devices in 2010 is estimated to have been around US$ 260 billion, the bulk of those sales generated by a handful of manufacturers based in high-income countries. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Medical device use is similarly concentrated in high-income countries, with just 13% of the global population accounting for 76% of global medical device use. In the past, when medical device companies did address the needs of low-and middle-income countries, they tended to remove the features from high-tech products that were designed for more developed countries to market them in poorer countries, an approach known as "glocalization". According to Denise Kruzikas, Director of General Electric's (GE) Healthymagination, a GE initiative committed to promoting health-care innovation, the industry is increasingly recognizing that stripping out the bells and whistles is seldom sufficient to adapt medical devices for health workers, who may lack training and technical skills and who are working in environments that aren't always equipped to handle the technology. For example, power-hungry devices--conceived to function in high-income countries with electrical power grids--can leave hospitals and clinics in poorer countries struggling to find generators or scavenging for batteries. Moreover, devices that are not designed to cope with heat, humidity and dust or to be used intensively are unlikely to last very long. These kinds of issues have contributed to a situation in which a large proportion of medical equipment in developing countries may be partly or totally unusable. In sub-Saharan Africa up to 70% of medical equipment stands idle, according to WHO's Guidelines for health care equipment donations. As companies begin to recognize the market potential in low- and middle-income countries, their approach looks set to change. Radha Basu, director of Santa Clara University's Frugal Innovation Laboratory in the USA state of California, believes that one of the big drivers of change is the increased demand for effective and robust low-cost medical devices from emerging economies, notably China and India. China's current five-year plan (201115) allocates US$ 41 billion to the development of new hospitals and the upgrading of the country's grassroots health service system, while India's latest five-year plan includes a commitment to increasing the government's share of total health-care expenditure by 2017. "The development of emerging markets brings new reasons to create appropriate, affordable and accessible medical innovations for low-income markets. …

Evolution of Innovation Management: Trends in an International Context

Abstract: List of Tables List of Figures Preface Acknowledgements Notes on Contributors Symbiotic Innovation: Getting the Most Out of Collaboration R.J.Thomas & Y.Wind Performance Measurement of Co-Creation Initiatives - A Conceptual Framework for Measuring the Value of Idea Contests V.Bilgram Measuring the Success of Open Innovation E.Brau, R.Reinhardt & S.Gurtner Can SMEs in Traditional Industries be Creative? J.M.Zabala-Iturriagagoitia Scenario-based Learning Architectures as a Management Tool N.Pfeffermann & H.Breuer Social Network Analysis - an Important Tool for Innovation Management G.Drexler & B.Janse The Evolution of Mobile Social Networks through Technological Innovation V.Ratten Exploring the Role of Early Customers in the Commercialization of Innovation F.Frattini, G.Colombo & C.Dell'Era Managing Communities of Practice to Support Innovation S.Borzillo & R.Kaminska Joining Innovation Efforts using both Feed-forward and Feedback Learning: the Case of Japanese and Korean Universities I.Oh Innovation Management Reflections: a Brazilian Market Perspective F.A.Salum, R.S.Reis & H.Ferreira Braga Tadeu The Global Importance of Innovation Champions: Insights from China A.Kriz, C.Molloy & B.Dennes Frugal Innovation P.M.Banerjee Flexible Working, Mobility and IT Innovation and ICT in 2012 - The Case of Flexible Working R.Costa-i-Pujol Creating an Environment for Successful Innovation - A Management Consultant's Perspective K.Klokgieters & R.Chu Conclusion A.Brem & E.Viardot

The “Frugal” in Frugal Innovation

Abstract: Frugal innovation is a new paradigm for appropriate design in developing markets like India. As India becomes a rising source of global innovation, the practice of frugality in innovation has become an important development in the field of innovation and technology management for academics, practitioners, and policy makers. Govindarajan and Ramamurti (2011, p. 191) write: “poor, emerging markets no longer just borrow innovations from developed countries; from time to time they also contribute innovations to the rest of the world, including developed countries.” Frugal innovation captures the economic, physical, emotional, and experiential realities of domestic markets in emerging economies by creating affordable, basic innovations that every person can use (Kumar & Puranam 2011). Frugal innovation has been examined as the India Way (Cappelli et al. 2010) and India Inside (Kumar & Puranam 2011).

The investigation of the practice of frugal innovation across cultures and the introduction of an instructional model for streamlining the design process

Abstract: .................................................................................................................................................................................v TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................................... VI LIST OF EQUATIONS ....................................................................................................................................................... VIII LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................................... IX CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................1 1.1 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................................................2 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ...................................................................................................................................3 1.2.1 POLLUTION ..............................................................................................................................................................3 1.2.2 ENERGY ISSUES ......................................................................................................................................................6 1.2.3 CURRENT SOLUTIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ......................................................................8 1.3 STATE OF OUR SOCIETY ............................................................................................................................................8 1.3.1 SOCIAL: THE NEEDS OF MANY .........................................................................................................................8 1.3.2 SOCIAL: PROBLEMS OF MANY .........................................................................................................................9 1.3.3 SOCIAL: SOLUTIONS FOR THE MASSES .........................................................................................................10 1.4 STATE OF THE ECONOMY ........................................................................................................................................10 1.4.1 ECONOMICS: ROLE ............................................................................................................................................11 1.4.2 ECONOMIC: INFLUENCE ..................................................................................................................................12 1.5 CURRENT DESIGN PROCESS ...................................................................................................................................12 1.5.1 LIMITATIONS .........................................................................................................................................................13 1.6 SUSTAINABILITY .......................................................................................................................................................15 1.6.1 LIMITATIONS: .....................................................................................................................................................16 1.8 LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT .........................................................................................................................................18 1.8.1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS ...................................................................................................................18 1.8.2 COST ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................................................19 1.8.3 SOCIAL LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................19 1.8.4 LCA LIMITATIONS ..............................................................................................................................................20 1.9 PROBLEM STATEMENT ..............................................................................................................................................20 CHAPTER 2: FRUGAL INNOVATION ...................................................................................................................................22 2.1 FRUGAL INNOVATION: LOW COST BUT HIGH PERFORMANCE .....................................................................22 2.2 FRUGAL INNOVATION: REMODELING NOT DE-FEATURING ............................................................................24 2.3 FRUGAL INNOVATION: LOW COST NOT LOW TECH ...........................................................................................24 2.5 FRUGAL INNOVATION: ECONOMICS ......................................................................................................................28 2.6 FRUGAL INNOVATION: SOCIAL ...............................................................................................................................29 2.7 FI AND THE ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................................................................................31 2.8 FI EXAMPLES ................................................................................................................................................................31 CHAPTER 3: LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................33 3.1 BACKGROUND OF LCA ...............................................................................................................................................33 3.2 LCA: DESIGN PROCESS ...............................................................................................................................................34 3.3 LCA: ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................................................................................34 3.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT CATEGORIES: ............................................................................................................37 3.4.1 QUANTIFICATION OF GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL AND OZONE DEPLETION ..............................38 3.5 LCA: ECONOMIC ...........................................................................................................................................................39 3.6 LCA: SOCIAL ..................................................................................................................................................................40 3.7 LCA: PRODUCT COMPARISON ..................................................................................................................................42 CHAPTER 4: LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................................................................44 4.1 CONVENTIONAL DESIGN OF PRODUCTS ...............................................................................................................44 4.2 LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENTS: SOCIAL ......................................................................................................................51 4.3 LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT: ENVIRONMENT .........................................................................................................54 4.4 LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT: ECONOMIC ..................................................................................................................56 4.5 FRUGAL INNOVATION ................................................................................................................................................57 vii CHAPTER 5: METHODOLOGY ..............................................................................................................................................58 5.1 UNDERSTANDING FRUGAL INNOVATION ...........................................................................................................59 5.2 DEVELOPMENT OF A DESIGN PROCESS ...............................................................................................................60 CHAPTER 6: WHY INDIA IS “HOME” OF FRUGAL INNOVATION .................................................................................63 6.1 FRUGAL INNOVATION COUNTRY COMPARATIVE ............................................................................................64 6.2 BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................................................65 6.2.1 INDIA ....................................................................................................................................................................65 6.2.2 BRAZIL ..................................................................................................................................................................65 6.3 COMPARISONS ............................................................................................................................................................66 6.3.1 INEQUALITY ........................................................................................................................................................66 6.3.2 DEMOGRAPHICS .................................................................................................................................................67 6.3.3 EDUCATION ........................................................................................................................................................69 6.3.4 ECONOMIC .........

Innovation Strategies in Latecomer Environments: Alternatives for Firms in Small Open Economies

Abstract: This paper is aimed at presenting and discussing the varieties of organizational strategies for innovation in the underdeveloped economic-institutional contexts. It is questioned whether the emphasis on institutional innovation systems (e.g. NIS, RIS), popular with policy makers, represents the key instrument for achieving innovation-driven growth in the latecomer economies and their firms. The latecomer environment can stimulate certain types of innovation strategies. However, to be sustainable in a longer run, they need to be supported by formal or informal institutions of the innovation system. The paper argues the need to combine institutional (top-bottom) and entrepreneurial (bottom-up) approaches, especially in the emerging innovation systems. Three sets of organizational innovation strategies are discussed in the latecomer context. Each innovation strategy has its potential strengths and weaknesses in the specific contexts, presented in the paper. Based on various cases of firms and empirical observations from the latecomer context, the paper concludes that entrepreneurial dynamics is not in the position to replace an institutional dimension of innovation system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ss.81.3.5795

Various Corporate Citizenships in Bop markets. An Interdisciplinary Approach

Abstract: Of recent origin, the concept of 'Bottom of the Pyramid markets' (Prahalad, 2010), close to concepts such as 'social innovation', 'inclusive innovation' (Mendoza & Thelen 2008 ; Mair & Marti 2009) or 'frugal innovation' (Bhatti & Ventresca 2012; Sehgal & al. 2010), describes a set of initiatives taken by private investors, and among them by multinational companies, linking the development of innovative products/services to the fight against poverty (Dalsace & Menasce, 2010 ; Mair & Marti, 2009). Although they are assimilated to a market strategy that does not require financial aid, most of the firms' BoP projects are developed in the framework of CSR policies. Based on in-depth empirical research in partnership with Schneider Electric, the analysis follows how actors of a BoP project face various political concerns in the multiple demands for reconciling responsibility and mass consumption, ecological norms and low-cost criteria, sustainable development and poverty.

Reboot Systems: bridging digital divide – the green way

Abstract: Subject area Emerging markets – marketing and business strategy; social entrepreneurship; opportunity identification; frugal innovation. Study level/applicability MBA; marketing management; specialis ed courses such as entrepreneurship and international marketing. Data rich case, but analytical difficulty is only moderate. Case overview Reboot Systems was conceived as a reverse engineering/refurbishing company for used computers when Rahul Chowdhury and Subbarao came in contact with Anand Tater who had started a small business in the used computer market. The team recognised the potential of the refurbished computer market in India, which was largely unorganised with penetration of personal computers pegged at less than 5 per cent. They identified the opportunity to address the digital divide, caused by lack of affordability and accessibility, by providing inexpensive “as good as new” used computers to those who aspired to own a computer. Additionally, in extending the life of used computers on a large-scale through “frugal innovation”, they hoped to reduce the extent of e-waste generated in the economy. This case provides a rich description of an emerging market characterised by market heterogeneity, social-political governance with poor policy measures, unorganised markets, chronic shortage of resources and inadequate infrastructure. Entrepreneurs hoping to address social issues must tackle these problems at the grass-root level and come up with improvised solutions that address the unique needs of the heterogeneous and resource constrained market. Some of Reboot Systems pressing challenges were in building a viable strategic approach to the market and ensuring scalability in a sustainable way. Expected learning outcomes An understanding of the characteristics of an emerging market from a macro (environmental) as well as micro (industry specific) perspective, an appreciation of opportunity identification and improvisation in emerging markets as well as differentiating “frugal” innovation from the idea of “Jugaad”, an understanding of the role of strategic vision and mission in accomplishing social and business objectives, an understanding of how to develop sustainability and competitive advantage from a social as well as business perspective. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Contextual innovation and social engagement : from impact factor to impact : : commentary

Abstract: The terms 'frugal innovation' and 'frugal engineering' have recently been applied to practices that produce contextually appropriate and desirable technologies, especially in emerging countries such as India. Frugal innovation minimises the use of expensive and scarce resources, or leverages them in new ways, resulting in low-cost products and services. It therefore often has a social mission. Frugal innovations are cheap, use local materials, are robust in harsh environments, are easy to use and repair, and are often adaptations of existing technologies to new uses. Yet they can incorporate cutting edge science and technology. A famous example of a low technology frugal innovation is the Jaipur foot - a cheap, mass-produced rubber prosthesis suitable for uneven terrain and developing country conditions. Higher up on the scale of technological sophistication is a low-cost ultrasound device developed by GE's operations in China specifically for this market. There is also the Tata Nano, promoted as the world's cheapest car, originating in and intended for India. These examples have also found markets elsewhere. Frugal innovation is considered relevant also in developed economies, where it may mitigate escalating costs and revitalise tired innovation processes. It has been characterised as the 'holy grail' of innovation.

Emerging solar stars: Insights of Chinese multinationals in Africa

Abstract: Over the past few years, emerging market multi-nationals have exerted competitive pressure on developing country multi-national companies not only on their home turf, but also in other developing countries. However, our understanding of these firms and their operations in emerging economies, in general, and Africa, in particular, is limited. This article seeks to shed light on the activities of China’s “emerging solar stars” in the solar photovoltaic industry in Africa. Our analysis uncovered that home-country factors such as subsidies and tax relief, and host countries’ conditions such as new market opportunities and renewable targets have combined to influence their recent expansion into the African market. In addition, firm-specific factors such as frugal innovation and low cost-base have facilitated their outwards strategy. In addition, the “new” China-Africa relationship has also become a major inducement in these expansions. We conclude by setting out the implications of the findings.

How Disruptive is Frugal

Abstract: Global warming and the recent financial crises have prompted a rethink among businesses on the production of cost-effective products and services. Frugal-innovations, with their genesis mainly in India, are accordingly becoming popular in emerging and developed economies due to their lower costs and no frills structure. By studying a variety of frugal-innovations, this effort brings out the features of these innovations and also examines their disruptiveness vis-a-vis other innovations. Furthermore, this paper has formalized the frugal-innovation process based on examples covered in this effort. Such a formalization will aid in the metamorphosis of an ordinary innovation into the frugal type.

Marketing Competitiveness: A Case on Launch of TATA Nano

Abstract: Marketing strategy can be a key enabler for an innovative product. This article attempts to study the launch, positioning and market segmentation of TATA Nano using the Situation-Actor-Process (SAP) - Learning-Action-Performance (LAP) model from a marketing competitiveness perspective. It also explores the subsequent changes in marketing strategy by TATA Motors. Considerable literature is available on the marketing and positioning aspects of Nano, but very little that focuses on the competitiveness and the corrective actions to be taken by TATA Motors to overcome the hurdles. This article is hence an attempt to bridge that gap. The case study helps present a comprehensive view of the problems, constraints and the measures taken by the management of TATA Motors to overcome the challenges faced by them.