MicroFranchising: Creating Wealth at the Bottom of the Pyramid [Hardcover]

Jason S. Fairbourne (Editor), Stephen W. Gibson (Editor), W. Gibb, Jr. Dyer (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1847201083 | ISBN-13: 978-1847201089

Poverty remains one of the most intractable problems in the developing world. Microfranchising offers great promise in alleviating poverty by aiding in the foundation of locally owned businesses. Microfranchising is defined as small businesses whose start-up costs are minimal and whose concepts and operations are easily replicated. It involves the systematizing of microenterprises to create and replicate turnkey businesses for the poor. With the awarding of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Economics, attention has increased on this remarkable concept. This unique book provides an overview of the need to alleviate poverty and what methods have been used in the past to do so (e.g. microcredit). It then introduces the concept of the microfranchise and discusses how this business model can be used in poverty alleviation. Different models of microfranchising are reviewed and specific case studies highlighted to show how it has worked in different parts of the world. The book concludes with a discussion of the advantages as well as the potential problems and pitfalls that accompany microfranchising.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Microfranchising has clues and cautions to help create wealth and lift humanity from poverty by energizing communities, families and individuals to profit-making productivity in cooperation with guidance, education, and other resources from established businesses, financial institutions and philanthropists. Anyone interested in shrinking the bottom of the world's income and wealth pyramid to create real widespread sustainability and all the consequent social and health benefits should read this book.' - Joseph H. Astrachan, Kennesaw State University, US 'What do buying honey, renting mobile phones and fitting prescription glasses have in common? Answer: they are all activities that have expanded in low-income countries through microfranchising. This book brings together the ideas of researchers and social entrepreneurs at the heart of a movement to turn microfranchising into a mechanism for sustainable poverty reduction on a scale to match microfinance. A seductive mix of advocacy and realism, analysis and case-study provides readers with the ingredients to make up their own mind about the potential of microfranchising as a development tool.' - James G. Copestake, University of Bath, UK"

About the Author

Edited by Jason Fairbourne, Director, MicroFranchise Development Initiative, Center for Economic Self-Reliance, Brigham Young University, Stephen W. Gibson, formerly Senior Entrepreneur in Residence, Brigham Young University and W. Gibb Dyer, O. Leslie Stone Professor of Entrepreneurship, Marriott School, Brigham Young University, US --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: Edward Elgar Pub (July 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847201083
• ISBN-13: 978-1847201089
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,531,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Compelling Grassroots Solution to World Poverty, November 16, 2009

By 

D. Parkins (Bethesda, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MicroFranchising: Creating Wealth at the Bottom of the Pyramid (Paperback)

The book provides a fairly convincing and passionate case for re-thinking the macro solution to world poverty. The authors provide compelling evidence of the possibilities of using bottom-up or micro scaled solutions to tackle world poverty. They argue persuasively that more harm than good has been done by throwing large sums of money at the poverty problem.

What I found particularly compelling in the authors' arguments was the inherently simple business models used to support their microfranchising solutions. My limited economic education was never taxed. They provide thoughtful insights coupled with case histories of ongoing microfranchising experiments. Although a bit scholarly in style, the writing is clear and the research comprehensive.

In anticipation of the doomsayers, the authors also go to great lengths to highlight the myriad of challenges still facing microfranchising as a solution to bringing "wealth" to the financially oppressed.

After reading this book, I am convinced that variations of the microfranchising solutions could also be used to alleviate some of the same financial challenges facing the poverty line population in the United States. The franchise business model doesn't only exist on the grand scale. It can exist on a micro-business level. A business-in-a-box solution could be a great opportunity for Americans wishing to take the leap to self-employment.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good book, February 12, 2011

By 

becky - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: MicroFranchising: Creating Wealth at the Bottom of the Pyramid (Paperback)

It was the right book and it was in new condition and half the price the of the on campus store. Like the spine wasn't even brook. That's all you can ask for right? the only difference was that it wasn't hard back and that really doesn't matter when your saving like 20 bucks.