A Buddhist economics approach to innovation and capacity building: The case of Siam Hands
A Buddhist economics approach to innovation and capacity building: The case of Siam Hands
Author(s): Wanna Prayukvong, James HoopesSubject(s): Economy
Published by: Akadémiai Kiadó
Keywords: Buddhist economics; innovation; capacity building; Thailand
Summary/Abstract: The prevailing view of capacity building is summed up in the adage: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” In other words, simple compassion is counterproductive; utilitarian measures of effectiveness are the best standard for evaluating a social innovation. This paper will explore the alternative possibility that practicing simple compassion as the highest virtue, as did the Buddha, can be so productive that the aphorism should be: “Give a woman a fish, and she may help you build a fish farm.” This argument is illustrated by an exploratory case study of a Thai firm, Siam Hands. The company exemplifies a Buddhist economics approach to social innovation and capacity building, as opposed to mainstream Western utilitarianism.
Journal: Society and Economy. In Central and Eastern Europe ǀ Journal of the Corvinus University of Budapest
- Issue Year: 40/2018
- Issue No: 4
- Page Range: 553-570
- Page Count: 18
- Language: English