The dissertation shows why innovations are vital to succeed in the low-income market segment, i.e. the four billion people living on less than 8 USD per day. In particular, it explores the role low-income consumers can play in corporate innovation processes. The study tests and expands theoretical findings on user innovations and lead users in the Brazilian low-income context. The findings also aim to enhance the capacity of companies to develop new solutions for the so far untapped low-income market by leveraging the knowledge of their target group.

Aline Krämer obtained her doctorate at the School of Management of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). She currently works as managing director of an independent research and consulting institute focused on inspiring and enabling inclusive business models.