Social impact operations at the global base of the pyramid

In recent years, our field has seen an increase in research that explicitly emphasizes objective of social impact the most unprivileged parts world—the so-called global base pyramid (referring to 2.7 billion people living on less than $2.50 per day, largest but resource-poor economic group globally). This trend seems cut across traditional application areas OM and OR, it coincides with increased emphasis environmental governance (ESG) values industry, a greater prominence United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) increases other academic fields. this paper, we pull together representative examples from what consider as aimed at improving conditions pyramid. We first examine scale scope work published Production Operations Management over last 25 then provide broader summary spectrum within OR constitute stream literature. adopt stance should embrace current societal responsibility positive impact—and strive contribute pressing problems for those Although produced body addressing such problems, individual projects type are usually not viewed falling under broad umbrella Social Impact (SIO), rather classified part closest area. By providing initial overview wish celebrate contribution area, highlight common themes, catalyze dialogue among researchers perspective, identify opportunities future research. article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved