Inclusive Marketing Strategy as an Instrument for Empowering Marginalized Groups in Economic and Social Development
Keywords:
inclusive marketing, social inclusion, empowerment, marginalized groups, economic participation, community strategy, social legitimacyAbstract
This article examines the contribution of marketing practices in reinforcing social inclusion and the empowerment of marginalized groups by analyzing the economic and social dimensions of inclusive marketing strategies. The primary focus is directed toward understanding how marketing can serve as a strategic instrument to enhance the participation of marginalized groups through market access, social representation, and the strengthening of economic capacities. The strategies analyzed encompass co-creation, alternative distribution, pricing innovation, and the utilization of digitalization as a marketing medium that expands market access. The findings of the study indicate that marketing functions as an empowerment mechanism when it is designed with a participatory and community-based orientation. The involvement of marginalized groups in chain broadens value their economic bargaining power, while simultaneously strengthening the social legitimacy of enterprises. Moreover, marketing strategies that integrate inclusive narratives in brand communication are capable of reducing social stigma and fostering a sense of ownership within the community. Community-based marketing approaches have been shown to establish collaborative networks that enhance collective capacity and drive economic participation. Overall, inclusively designed marketing plays a significant role in creating a more just and balanced business ecosystem. This article underscores the importance of integrating marketing strategies with social agendas to achieve sustainable development. Thus, marketing should not be viewed solely as a business function but also as a social instrument that contributes to the welfare of marginalized groups
References
Adkins, N. R., & Ozanne, J. L. 2005. The Low Literate Consumer. Journal of Consumer Research, 32(1), 93–105. https://doi.org/10.1086/429603
Alamin, S. R. L., Nurmalasari, D., Darmawan, D., & Arifin, S. 2021. Comprehensive Relational Value Marketing Framework. Journal of Social Science Studies, 1(1), 299–304.
Anderson, J., & Billou, N. 2007. Serving the World’s Poor: Innovation at the Base of the Economic Pyramid. Journal of Business Strategy, 28(2), 14–21. https://doi.org/10.1108/02756660710732611
Anderson, L., Ostrom, A. L., & Bitner, M. J. 2011. Surrounded by Services: A New Lens for Examining the Influence of Services as Social Structures on Well-Being [Working Study].
Arksey, H., & O’Malley, L. 2005. Scoping Studies: Towards a Methodological Framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616
Arnould, E. J., & Thompson, C. J. 2005. Consumer Culture Theory (CCT): Twenty Years of Research. Journal of Consumer Research, 31(4), 868–882. https://doi.org/10.1086/426626
Birchall, J., & Simmons, R. 2004. What Motivates Members to Participate in Co‐operative and Mutual Businesses? Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, 75(3), 465–495.
Darmawan, D., & Grenier, E. 2021. Competitive Advantage and Service Marketing Mix. Journal of Social Science Studies, 1(2), 75–80.
Denga, E. M. 2023. Digital Marketing through a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lens: Embracing a New Paradigm for Success. In I. V. Pereira, P. B. Pires, & J. D. Santos (Eds.), Advances in Marketing, Customer Relationship Management, and E-Services (pp. 123–142). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-8984-0.ch007
Desmond, J., & Crane, A. 2002. Societal Marketing and Morality. European Journal of Marketing, 36(5/6), 548–569.
Donner, J., & Escobari, M. X. 2010. A Review of Evidence on Mobile Use by Micro and Small Enterprises in Developing Countries. Journal of International Development, 22(5), 641–658. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.1717
Grier, S. A., & Kumanyika, S. 2010. Targeted Marketing and Public Health. Annual Review of Public Health, 31(1), 349–369.
Jamali, D., & Karam, C. 2018. Corporate Social Responsibility in Developing Countries as an Emerging Field of Study. International Journal of Management Reviews, 20(1), 32–61. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12112
Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. 2010. Users of the World, Unite! The Challenges and Opportunities of Social Media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2009.09.003
Kavaratzis, M., & Hatch, M. J. 2013. The Dynamics of Place Brands: An Identity-Based Approach to Place Branding Theory. Marketing Theory, 13(1), 69–86. https://doi.org/10.1177/1470593112467268
Kitchenham, B., Pearl Brereton, O., Budgen, D., Turner, M., Bailey, J., & Linkman, S. 2009. Systematic Literature Reviews in Software Engineering – A Systematic Literature Review. Information and Software Technology, 51(1), 7–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2008.09.009
Kolk, A., Rivera-Santos, M., & Rufín, C. 2014. Reviewing a Decade of Research on the “Base/Bottom of the Pyramid” (BOP) Concept. Business & Society, 53(3), 338–377.
Kotler, P., Kartajaya, H., & Setiawan, I. 2017. Marketing 4.0: Moving from Traditional to Digital. Wiley.
London, T., & Hart, S. L. 2004. Reinventing Strategies for Emerging Markets: Beyond the Transnational Model. Journal of International Business Studies, 35(5), 350–370.
Otaokpukpu, J. N. 2024. Digital Market: Tool for Poverty Alleviation. International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Research, 9(11), 250–256. https://doi.org/ 10.56201/ijssmr.v9.no11.2023.pg250.256
Prahalad, C. K. 2004. The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty through Profits. Wharton School Publishing.
Ramaswamy, V., & Ozcan, K. 2018. What Is Co-Creation? An Interactional Creation Framework and Its Implications for Value Creation. Journal of Business Research, 84, 196–205.
Ruiz-Roqueñi, M., & Retolaza, J. L. 2012. Stakeholder Marketing: A New Orientation in the Discipline and Practice of Marketing. Journal of Modern Accounting and Auditing. Journal of Modern Accounting and Auditing, 8(6), 811–826.
Sarasvathy, S. D., & Venkataraman, S. 2011. Entrepreneurship as Method: Open Questions for an Entrepreneurial Future. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 35(1), 113–135.
Sheth, J. N., & Sinha, M. 2015. B2B Branding in Emerging Markets: A Sustainability Perspective. Industrial Marketing Management, 51, 79–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2015.06.002
Sheth, J. N., & Sisodia, R. S. 2012. The 4 A’s of Marketing: Creating Value for Customer, Company and Society. Routledge.
Simanis, E., Hart, S., & Duke, D. 2008. The Base of the Pyramid Protocol: Beyond Basic Needs Business Strategies. Innovations: Technology, Governance,Globalization, 3(1), 57–84.
Snyder, H. 2019. Literature Review as a Research Methodology: An Overview and Guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
Varman, R., Skålén, P., & Belk, R. 2012. Conflicts at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Profitability, Poverty Alleviation, and Neoliberal Governmentality. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, 31(1), 19–35.
Verbytska, A., Lysenko, I., Babachenko, L., & Kraskivska, N. 2023. Inclusive Social Marketing: Representation and Diversity in Brand Campaigns. Marketing and Branding Research, 10, 45–58. https://doi.org/10.32038/mbr.2023.10.01.04
Viswanathan, M., Rosa, J. A., & Ruth, J. A. 2010. Exchanges in Marketing Systems: The Case of Subsistence Consumer–Merchants in Chennai, India. Journal of Marketing, 74(3), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.74.3.001
Wood, L. 2000. Brands and Brand Equity: Definition and Management. Management Decision, 38(9), 662–669. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251740010379100

