Emerging Business Networks in a
Developing Context
I do not plan to take the second half of the course at present.
Having lead the first-ever implementation of the AMR (Automated
Meter Reading) System in Bhutan, I have had multiple opportunities to analyze
the crucial metrics that impact the nature of the outcome of the solution
itself. The interplay between the diversely qualified stakeholders chiefly
based on the respective group-specific interests shape the trajectory of the complex
decision making processes that lead the idea to execution.
Background
Many of the previously labeled ‘developing’ countries are
stepping onto the next wave of transformation which is heralding fundamental
changes in the Utilities sector. This is the front-line for spreading the combined
benefits of Technology and Commerce for enriching and elongating the life of
the natural resources that are present within these nations. The Innovation-driven
and Need-based focus of the rising Entrepreneurial ecosystem in these regions (largely
lead by the youth of the population) acts as a catalyst for this change. I firmly
believe that the existing value chain, that which functions to create such
impact is being disrupted by these contextual factors.
Due to the primary involvement of third-party agencies such
as the Asian Development Bank there is a gradual increase in the amount of
regulation and participatory dialogue between the private sector and the
government. My goal is identifying and measuring those areas of convergence
that lead to overall growth.
Questions to Consider
What are the Key Performance Indicators
for ensuring success in the above scenarios? What is the criticality of the
measure of communication as a principal area of consideration in this regard?
Which are the stakeholder groups leading this conversation? What is the role (if
any) is played by the Host government to facilitate this discussion? What is
the extent of the role played by Social Media in this situation? How effective
is the participation of the nation’s Entrepreneurial Network to leverage these
connections?
Hypothesis
In accordance to my core
understanding of the evolving relations between the different groups of
participants, I foresee a strong trend of collaboration between the various
government bodies and the international institutions that roll-out the road map
for the end-user implementation. The degree of co-operative decision making processes
serves as a sign of the effective ‘lobbying’ tactics that will prove to be indispensable
from a entrant’s point of view. The unknown part of the equation remains the
extent of awareness and involvement by the rising startup network within this
scheme of things.s
Data
The design of the survey instruments
for Data collection will be a key determinant of the effectiveness of this
research. Although there is the presence of preliminary data artifacts that
could point to the pertinent questions that need to be addressed, the effectiveness
of the same must be determined. A lot of this information is no longer relevant
due to discontinued learning practices which has led to obsolete data sources.
The questions need to be reframed and re-presented to the parties for understanding
the present trends.
Principal Attributes: Region, Role,
Project Experience, Pre-Project Credentials, Frequency of Inter-Group
Conversation and finally the Level of Accepted Regulatory Procedures.
Methodology
1. Identify
the major individuals/organizations/participating governments that constitute the
end-to-end value chain which is fueling this pipeline of development projects. Here
the growing business community (largely startups) and all the other relevant
groups will be placed on either side.
2. Create
a common set of questionnaire which basically enumerates the frequency of conversation
coupled with individually customized reference queries for each of the stakeholder
sections. For instance, the host government’s ‘Utility Administration Departments’
need to understand their intrinsic level of acquaintance with pertinent
regional issues and the amount of ready expertise available to start tackling
them. It also needs to gauge the aid that is available as loans/grants and the
regulatory practices that are inherently tied with its utilization.
3. Analyzing
further I would aim to be guided by the principal criteria of frequency of
conversation that would lead me to segregate the principal actors. For
instance, the bigger question is the level of co-operation that exists between
these sides across regions. Building on top of the previous answer, I would
attempt to delve deeper into the primary groups (companies/international
bodies) that are co-existent across multiple regions.
4. Once
we can narrow down on the list of organizations that are driving growth
globally, we can look internally to ‘network’ identify the potential leaders
that are indispensable to the flow of communication as measured by their degree
of Centrality( Eigen-Vector and In-Degree/Out-Degree values)
5. Moving a step further, we can also attempt to understand
the fluidity of communication that emanates from these interest groups with the
corresponding governments to answer questions such as ‘Which are the Public-Sector
bodies that are at the front of this change and how are they communicating with
the participating bodies?’
Conclusion
The objective is to formulate a strategic framework built on
the foundation of social network measurements to not only understand the key
players in Development project-work but to also understand the larger trends that
are changing the game for future involvement and efficiency of operations.
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