A conceptual multi-stakeholder model of social micro-franchising: building resilient communities of waste pickers in Latin America

Purpose Multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations, social entrepreneurs, local for-profit businesses and local authorities can partner with successful cooperatives of waste pickers, in Latin America, to jointly develop social micro-franchising of proven business models as a way to extend them to informal waste pickers and emergent cooperatives of waste pickers in the region. Based on stakeholder theory, this research presents a conceptual multi-stakeholder model of social micro-franchising that combines both local and global knowledge to achieve greater resilience of currently vulnerabilized communities of waste pickers. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual research draws from academic literature on social micro-franchising and waste pickers. Through analysis and collaborative discussions, the authors developed a conceptual model whereby multinationals and other stakeholders can help successful cooperatives of waste pickers (franchisors) replicate their proven business models via social micro-franchising to support informal groups and emergent cooperatives (franchisees) of waste pickers in Latin America. Findings Despite the growing numbers of cooperatives of waste pickers and some promising results; many still operate independently and in precarious conditions. Social micro-franchising can facilitate replication of successful models, promote resilience, social impact and economic development while reduce urban environmental degradation. Originality/value This research pioneers the application of social micro-franchising to cooperatives of waste pickers in Latin America and puts forward a conceptual multi-stakeholder model that advocates for improving disadvantaged communities from within. The conceptual model sets the successful cooperative of waste pickers as the focal firm and uniquely combines social micro-franchising principles with stakeholder theory tenets.