Inclusive business-a business approach to development

The idea of inclusiveness in business emerged in the 1990s with the introduction of Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) in developing countries. This paper reviews the conceptual development and discussions by scholars and practitioners around the notion of 'inclusive business'. It examines how market approaches attempt to tackle socio-economic challenges and include low-income communities in business chains. It introduces the concept of Comprehensive Inclusive Business Model indicators and elaborates its parameters from an inclusive development perspective. Even though existing inclusive business models focus on social inclusiveness through emphasizing human dignity, rights and economic sustainability, there is less emphasis on environmental or relational inclusiveness.