IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - December 2017 - 58

space is full of a bewildering number of organizations from government agencies and nonprofits, to
large corporations and startups, to
a long list of emergent fourth sector
organizations. These organizations
have different kinds of resources
and they pursue different approaches to effect social change. They
comply with different legal, operational, and tax regimes across different countries.
For those who want to work with
larger systems, among the broadest actors are multilateral organi-

assistance following a disaster, promote human rights, and foster sustainable economic growth.
Nonprofits represent an enormous
force in the development sector, particularly as actors and executors of
development. Nonprofits include nongovernmental organizations, foundations, most universities, public K-12
schools, professional organizations,
catalyst and support organizations
(such as impact investing firms),
and certifying organizations (e.g.,
Fair Trade USA). However, some of
the biggest players in socioeconomic
development are act ually
for-profit organizations that
prioritize financial returns
but balance them with environmental and social bottom
Nonprofits represent an enormous
lines. For example, GE has a
force in the development
Global Research and Development Center that identisector, as actors and executors
fies technologies in their
portfolio that can address
of development.
unmet needs in developing
countries at scale and then
zations such as those in the United
identifies partners who can bring
Nations ecosystem. These organizacomplementary resources to bring
tions can mobilize resources from a
new products and services in the
multitude of countries on a regional
marketplace to address the probor global scale. For example, the
lem. Campbell Soup Company has
World Health Organization coma Corporate Social Responsibility
bats global disease and improves
program to ensure that the compapublic health while UNICEF works
ny is contributing positively to the
specifically to improve the lives of
world, socially and environmen children and mothers. Individual
tally - including by sourcing only
governments also play a variety of
100% sustainable palm that does not
roles in international and domestic
harm forest or peat lands and does
development, including as fundnot invade indigenous species or peoing sources, executors, regulators,
ple; making sure animals within their
and arbitrators. For example, the
supply chain are treated humanely;
National Science Foundation in the
and sourcing only tin that does not
United States funds research in funsupport any continuation of exploitadamental science and engineering
tion or war by way of conflict-mineral
and supports the scientific innovamining from suppliers.
tion ecosystem around the world.
Finally, the "fourth sector" encapThe United States Agency for Intersulates a wide range of hybrid organational Development (USAID) funds
nizations working at the intersection
projects around the world working
of the public (government), private
to increase agricultural productiv(business), and social (nonprofit) secity, combat deadly diseases, provide
tors. Organizations in this emergent

IEEE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY MAGAZINE

sector prioritize social value while
being increasingly independent of
charitable donations. In this hybrid
space, businesses take an active
interest in delivering social and environmental value while governmental
and nonprofit organizations operate in a more businesslike manner.
Organizations in the fourth sector
come in many different flavors and
have many different names, including but not limited to social enterprises, blended value organizations,
and public benefit corporations. For
instance, Aravind Eye Hospitals are
striving to eradicate cataract-related
blindness in India. By operating with
unparalleled efficiency and developing a sterling reputation, they are
able to attract India's more affluent
clientele and use those funds to
subsidize similar services for poorer
customers. With this hybrid model
of high-income customers proudly
paying for people who cannot afford
eye care, Aravind is able to eliminate
needless blindness for millions of
customers ... without relying on charity. As a founding member of an offgrid energy startup to power the One
Laptop per Child project, Mike Lin
gained an intricate understanding of the enormity of the energy
challenge in developing countries.
Mike's mechanical engineering background led him to the design ReadySet, a smart battery system charged
by a solar panel that is designed to
withstand harsh conditions like
high temperature, overloads, and
short circuits. His for-profit social
enterprise, Fenix International, allows customers to "lease to own"
ReadySet solar systems via a mobileenabled payment plan. This marketcentric approach creates income
generation and entrepreneurship
opportunities in Uganda and other
countries while reducing energy poverty with renewable energy.
Every kind of organization has a
role to play. Every organization has
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DECEMBER 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - December 2017