The Prosperity Paradox

How Innovation Can Lift Nations out of Poverty

By: Clayton M. Christensen, Efosa Ojomo, Karen Dillon

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

Clayton M. Christensen, the author of such business classics as The Innovator’s Dilemma and the New York Times best-seller How Will You Measure Your Life, and coauthors Efosa Ojomo and Karen Dillon reveal why so many investments in economic development fail to generate sustainable prosperity and offers a groundbreaking solution for true and lasting change.

Global poverty is one of the world’s most vexing problems. For decades, we’ve assumed smart, well-intentioned people will eventually be able to change the economic trajectory of poor countries. From education to healthcare, infrastructure to eradicating corruption, too many solutions rely on trial and error. Essentially, the plan is often to identify areas that need help, flood them with resources, and hope to see change over time.

But hope is not an effective strategy.

Clayton M. Christensen and his coauthors reveal a paradox at the heart of our approach to solving poverty. While noble, our current solutions are not producing consistent results, and in some cases, have exacerbated the problem. At least 20 countries that have received billions of dollars’ worth of aid are poorer now.

Applying the rigorous and theory-driven analysis he is known for, Christensen suggests a better way. The right kind of innovation not only builds companies - but also builds countries. The Prosperity Paradox identifies the limits of common economic development models, which tend to be top-down efforts, and offers a new framework for economic growth based on entrepreneurship and market-creating innovation. Christensen, Ojomo, and Dillon use successful examples from America’s own economic development, including Ford, Eastman Kodak, and Singer Sewing Machines, and shows how similar models have worked in other regions such as Japan, South Korea, Nigeria, Rwanda, India, Argentina, and Mexico.

The ideas in this audiobook will help companies desperate for real, long-term growth see actual, sustainable progress where they’ve failed before. But The Prosperity Paradox is more than a business audiobook; it is a call to action for anyone who wants a fresh take for making the world a better and more prosperous place.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Clayton M. Christensen, Efosa Ojomo, and Karen Dillon (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

An excellent perspective into development

This book provides an excellent perspective into how poor Nations
should encourage innovation as a means to national growth rather than dependency on foriegn AIDS

Good!

Really good theory and practicality. Provided many cases and examples for us readers to draw inspiration from

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I will.

It describes a lot of stories of success in many different countries. I liked the idea of focusing on non consumption and help the country to be developed along with your growing business.

Compelling Thoughts

This book presents innovation in a very intriguing light. It fuels the desire In you to imagine being part of a change-bringing process.
I am certain to keep coming back to journey through certain pages for inspiration.

A must read!!

This is a must read for global humanitarians, international entrepreneurs, and government officials. Loved It!

Brilliant

Exceptional, Excellent and Brilliant! I now have a greater out look on innovation. Thank you so much!

Renewed Hope

I believe this book is a must for entrepreneurs/aspiring entrepreneurs/people interested in governance. Anyone interested in leaving a dent on the current challenges faced by their country/region should read this book. I have recommended it to most friends and family.

Thought provoking!

Wonderful examples of the free market at work. great analogy of pushing on or pulling in!

Good but stretched

The book is good overall. Some fillers here and there. Author could reach points with less words. But great inside about innovation and how it can reform and improve economies.

Required Reading for Social Entrepreneurs

I heard about this on NPR, and immediately had to have it. I've just finished listening to every word of it, and as an social entrepreneur, I find that the approach of this work applies perfectly to spurring innovation to address the needs of underserved American communities just as well as it does in developing nations. While driverless cars and Mars missions may grab headlines, truly impactful innovations that create jobs and lift up the poor - the focus of this book - are what should inspire today's students and business leaders.