Creating competitive advantage by serving marginalised communities: UK multinationals and inclusive development in Latin America

• Grant number: 22/08378-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Administration - Business Administration
• Agreement: ESRC, UKRI
• Principal Investigator: Jorge Manoel Teixeira Carneiro
• Grantee: Renan Henrique de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo (EAESP). Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/15656-2 - Creating competitive advantage by serving marginalised communities: UK multinationals and inclusive development in Latin America, AP.TEM

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to explore how Multinational Enterprises from advanced markets cancontribute to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals by addressing theneeds of underserved populations in emerging markets, while also providing expectations of long-termeconomic return to their shareholders. We aim to uncover the mechanisms and actions employed by thesecompanies to serve disadvantaged communities. To do so, we build from stakeholder theory, socialentrepreneurship and value creation literature, and offer a qualitative cross-country study in LatinAmerica. We will focus specifically on the experience of UK multinationals in Brazil and Colombia. We willcollect data through focus groups and in-depth interviews with multiple actors (such as multinationals'executives, Non-Governmental Organisations, underserved consumers, community leaders, localgovernment representatives, investment promotion organizations, and local entrepreneurs). We will usepattern matching and case comparison to analyse the data and draw conclusions. Based on our findings,we will provide guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and other stakeholders as to how inclusivedevelopment can be achieved. (AU)