Core Practices:

• Development of appropriate technology.
• Conduct a down-market needs analysis.
• Develop more efficient supply chain models.

Synergies:

• Use market research to improve knowledge of resource availability.
• Develop appropriate technology to manage resources renewably.
• Research the potential of less coveted/more available resources.

Tensions:

• Be wary of over promising and under delivering.
• Research requires upfront investments and associated financial risks.

Synergies:

• Conduct ongoing market research to inform responses to emerging trends and opportunities.
• Use business performance monitoring and information management practices to improve risk analysis and implementation strategies.

Tensions:

• Be aware that temporary setbacks and risks inherent to the “trial and error” process central to research and innovation will trigger pressure to come back to a low-risk, more predicable charity mindset.

Synergies:

• Use market research to further understand root causes of social problem.
• Develop technology appropriate to social context.
• Develop processes that support the use of sustainable resources.

Tensions:

• One-size-fits-all technology can limit access to harder-to-reach clients.
• Risk of falling for the innovation smokescreen (“new is better”).