Business model innovation in the water sector in developing countries

Gebauer, Heiko; Saul, Caroline Jennings

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.02.046

Cited by 46 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Instead, digital transformation is reported to be the actual foundation for sustaining the provision of services to BoP populations. For example, digital technologies have been reported to play a key role for sustaining the operation and growth of energy [32], financial [33], health [34], and water [35,36] services to BoP populations [37,38].…”

Section: Digitization In Bop Marketsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Transformation as an Enabler for Advanced Services in the Sanitation Sector

Saul

Gebauer

2018

Sustainability

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People in Base of the Pyramid markets still face difficulties when it comes to sanitation. Container-based Sanitation (CBS) services represent a promising advanced sanitation service. Despite the observed outcomes of CBS services, organizations face obstacles when providing these services. To overcome these obstacles, digital transformations of these services are being carried out. We rely on multiple case studies to understand these digital transformations. Our findings highlight (1) the challenges these case organizations faced before engaging in the digital transformation, (2) their individual digital transformation pathways, and (3) a general framework for digital transformations in BoP markets. Keywords:Container-based Sanitation; advanced services; Internet of Things; Base of the Pyramid; WASH; sanitation MotivationThe 4 billion people in the world who subsist on a few dollars a day are often referred to as the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) [1]. Much of the BoP population lacks access to necessary services [2,3] such as water, sanitation, and energy. Considering our empirical context of sanitation, 2.4 billion people do not have access to a toilet that is connected to a sewage system or vaults that are regularly emptied and serviced [4], 892 million of which practice open defecation [5]. In addition, the excreta of 4.5 billion people is not safely treated or disposed of properly [5]. To better serve the BoP population, organizations need to move beyond offering basic sanitation products to the BoP population.A typical illustration of a basic sanitation product is the building of pit latrines, without concern for the wider excreta management system. While this approach can be designed to be very affordable, scalable, and even suitable for rural areas, it is not suitable for densely populated, informal, urban areas. In such conditions, basic sanitation offerings do not guarantee how and where excreta enters a sanitation system; how and for how long it is contained on site; how it is transported to a treatment facility; how it is treated; and how it is finally disposed of or re-utilized [6]. A system-perspective is critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6.2 "... access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation" and 6.3 "... improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally" [7].Therefore, organizations should create advanced sanitation services. The idea of advanced services originates from the servitization discussion describing how product companies are increasingly transitioning from offering products to basic services, and from basic services to advanced services [8]. Advanced services are generally distinguished by their focus on outcomes and the tight links to the necessary capabilities for achieving these outcomes [8].Container-based Sanitation (CBS) ...

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Section: Digitization In Bop Marketsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Transformation as an Enabler for Advanced Services in the Sanitation Sector

Saul

Gebauer

2018

Sustainability

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“…Various business models are available for the provision of water-related services in low-income countries. In this case, a franchising model of service provision by local entrepreneurs based on a weekly or monthly fee was chosen (Gebauer and Saul, 2014). …”

Section: Design Principles Of the Blue Diversion Toilet And The Testimentioning

confidence: 99%

Early testing of new sanitation technology for urban slums: The case of the Blue Diversion Toilet

Tobias

O’Keefe

Künzle

et al. 2017

Science of The Total Environment

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The toilets used most in informal urban settlements have detrimental consequences for the environment and human health due to the lack of proper collection and treatment of toilet waste. Concepts for safe, sustainable and affordable sanitation systems exist, but their feasibility and acceptance have to be investigated at an early stage of development, which is difficult due to the high costs of building working models. In this paper, we present an approach to estimate acceptance in a valid and representative form with only one working model, and apply it to test an innovative zero-emission toilet with recycling of wash water. Four basic principles were specified for investigation and nine hypotheses formulated to test the feasibility and acceptance of these principles: source separation of urine and feces with subsequent collection for resource recovery; provision of wash water in a separate cycle with on-site recovery through a membrane bioreactor; a convenient and attractive overall design; and a financially sustainable business plan. In Kampala (Uganda), in 2013, data was collected from 22 regular users, 308 one-time users and a representative sample of 1538 participants. Qualitative data was collected from the users, who evaluated their likes, perceived benefits, social norms and expected ease of use based on verbal and visual information. Most of the hypotheses were confirmed, indicating the feasibility and acceptance of the basic principles. Source separation and on-site water recovery were found to be feasible and accepted, provided users can be convinced that the emptying service and water recovery process work reliably. In the survey, the toilet was evaluated favorably and 51% of the participants agreed to be placed on a bogus waiting list. However, some design challenges were revealed, such as the size of the toilet, hiding feces from view and improving the separation of urine and water.

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“…Moreover, cost transparency, cost reductions, business diversification, distribution channels, skills, and competencies are an important part of capacity building for creating even more business model innovations. They conclude that these contributions will create more awareness of the role of business models in scaling up water treatment technologies in the future (78,79).…”

Section: Comparative Studies On Water Disinfection Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clean Water for Developing Countries

Pandit

Kumar

2015

Annu. Rev. Chem. Biomol. Eng.

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Availability of safe drinking water, a vital natural resource, is still a distant dream to many around the world, especially in developing countries. Increasing human activity and industrialization have led to a wide range of physical, chemical, and biological pollutants entering water bodies and affecting human lives. Efforts to develop efficient, economical, and technologically sound methods to produce clean water for developing countries have increased worldwide. We focus on solar disinfection, filtration, hybrid filtration methods, treatment of harvested rainwater, herbal water disinfection, and arsenic removal technologies. Simple, yet innovative water treatment devices ranging from use of plant xylem as filters, terafilters, and hand pumps to tippy taps designed indigenously are methods mentioned here. By describing the technical aspects of major water disinfection methods relevant for developing countries on medium to small scales and emphasizing their merits, demerits, economics, and scalability, we highlight the current scenario and pave the way for further research and development and scaling up of these processes. This review focuses on clean drinking water, especially for rural populations in developing countries. It describes various water disinfection techniques that are not only economically viable and energy efficient but also employ simple methodologies that are effective in reducing the physical, chemical, and biological pollutants found in drinking water to acceptable limits.

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Business model innovation in the water sector in developing countries

Cited by 46 publications

References 26 publications

Digital Transformation as an Enabler for Advanced Services in the Sanitation Sector

Digital Transformation as an Enabler for Advanced Services in the Sanitation Sector

Early testing of new sanitation technology for urban slums: The case of the Blue Diversion Toilet

Clean Water for Developing Countries

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