ABSTRACT
The illustration of the results of the case study research is grouped around the bottom-up development elements and related questions. After some general observations on the bottom-up development perspective in the participating Base of the pyramid ventures, projects and initiatives of the represented companies in Latin America and the Caribbean, researchers dig into the exposure of the bottom-up development elements in the case studies. The companies participating in the in-depth case studies were all involved with private consumer goods. Companies usually approach a community indirectly; not via the leader, but via an existing local organisation. The experience of the participating companies in the indepth case studies shows that—even though leaving all power to the poor sounds preferable—a certain level of control is necessary; the poor can be very opportunistic. Ownership is given from the beginning if companies make links with existing initiatives in the respective communities.
