Somewhere this dominant logic thing does not seem to operate in the market place alone. Very often I can feel a dominant logic operating in the class too. The lesser mortals, (the C and D graders, I mean) somehow can draw a parallel with the people at the bottom at the pyramid. This is pretty much visible during the formations of groups for the group assignments and the tasks, which are very much a part of any MBA course. I cannot say what happens else where, but it happens here. We lesser mortals, (yes, unfortunately, I am also one of the lesser mortals), somehow don’t seem to fit the bill of the A graders, intellectually. It won’t be tough to draw an analogy between the MNCs and the A graders. The MNCs think (that is what the book says), that the BOP market is not critical for any long term growth and the vitality of the MNCs and are at best, attractive distractions. Similar seems to the thinking among the A graders that the lesser mortals are not worth investing their time behind and are intellectually not critical enough in the formers’ pursuit of yet another A grade. Therefore it is better to leave the lesser mortals behind and form groups with A graders. After all, what can those duffers contribute any way? In b-school parlance, this is called cartelisation after that famous term in Economics. Economics? Yeah, I remember right.
The cartelisation begins even before the teacher announces that we are supposed to form the groups. And the lesser mortals are left at the mercy of the lesser lesser mortals, who chose to honour the former with a hallowed place in their own group. Everything said and done, the reports submitted and the presentations made and the results declared, the A graders score another A and the C graders remain happy with the C, giving rise to another aspect of Dominant Logic….They donot want to improve themselves.
As I prepare my presentation for tomorrow, waiting for another C (All of us in the group are C graders), I hope that some Mr. Prahlad drives home that we should not be looked upon as liabilities but as active informed and involved group members.
I am waiting for the book “Fortune at the bottom of the Class
P.S. Some things are best left unsaid
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ReplyDeleteanother very important point that Prof. agrawal made was that C.K. Prahlad suggests in this book to give titles of property to the BOP so that they can use their asset to generate revenue. Now if he/she does that he/she comes under the threat of losing it too coz his or her venture may not always be successful. but yes all and all a good read i shall recommend it to all those who have not read it.
ReplyDelete(And I shall take the luxury of excluding myself)
Bano..a very well written piece i must say!! now i know, what you keep writing in between those ardous presentation..!!
ReplyDeleteHowever, i would like to differ from you here and would also like u to challenge me..
By somehow being in the club of the accused and guilty ..i will try to present my side of the story.
The dominant logic which u so correctly talk about in formation of groups is not so much about exclusion as it is about inclusion. Everybody seems to prefer working with people whom they think they might be more comfortable with. They try to include those ppl and in the process end up excluding many. the excluded think that they are rejected, but why do they want to get accepted at the first place?? Don't we all know much better than the next person, if we try?
to give u an example, Priyang bhai was not the brightest of the bunch, but he was the most sought after person for groups. why because in the first term, when everybody tasted everybody in the groups, he made an impression of giving 200 percent and be a great worker. Based on similar logic and inferences drawn on everybody, people have now made strict pref. and they tend to stick with it. That is the reason, the things are the way they are.
And to call urself as the bottom of the pyramid would be a very long shot indeed? the people at the bottom of the pyramid didn't get the same opportunities as the ones who are at the top. the same cant be said for all of us in the class. We are equals, its just that some people dont realise it.
I would like to ask just one thing. Going by what you say, do the C graders dont give their 100% or they don't want to or are not able to?
ReplyDelete