Kevin McKague

Dr. Kevin McKague is the Canada Research Chair in Social Enterprise and Inclusive Markets and Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the Shannon School of Business, Cape Breton University.

He is an internationally experienced researcher on growing inclusive markets and scaling social enterprise. His research has been published in Organization Studies and featured in Stanford Social Innovation Review, Impatient Optimists, the Huffington Post and other news media.

He is currently researching how social franchises scale and social enterprise models for community health workers in Africa.

Kevin is also a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Peace, Democracy and Development at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, a Research Fellow with the Centre for Excellence in Responsible Business at the Schulich School of Business in Toronto, and a Visiting Researcher with the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University.

Research interests:

Social Enterprise, Inclusive Markets, Social Entrepreneurship, Poverty Alleviation, Sustainable Development

Books

• McKague, K. & Siddiquee, M. (2014). Making Markets More Inclusive. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Refereed Journal Articles

• Horel, B. and McKague, K. (2018). Community Contribution Companies and Access to Social Finance. Journal of Sustainable Development, 11(5).

• McKague, K., Wong, J. and Siddiquee, N. (2017) Social Franchising and Rural Entrepreneurship. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, special issue on Rural Entrepreneurship Theory in the Developing and Developed World, 18(1): 47-56.

• McKague, K. & Oliver, C. (2016). Network Bricolage as the Reconciliation of Indigenous and Transplanted Institutions in Africa. Africa Journal of Management, 2(3): 300-329.

• McKague, K., Zietsma, C. & Oliver, C. (2015). Building the Social Structure of a Market. Organization Studies, 38(8), 1063–1093.

• Camenzuli, A. & McKague, K. (2015). Team microfranchising as a response to the entrepreneurial capacity problem in low-income markets. Social Enterprise Journal, 11(1), 69–88.

• McKague, K. (2014). Impact measurement for companies sourcing from smallholder farmers in their value chains. Food Chain, 4(2), 160–170.

• Atari, O. & McKague, K. (2014). South Sudan: Stakeholders’ views of technical and vocational education and training and a framework for action. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 67(2), 169–186.

• Karnani, A. & McKague, K. (2014). Job creation in the Mozambican poultry industry. European Financial Review, 50–53.

• Karnani, A., McKague, K. & Shenoy, M. (2014). How helping disabled youth get good jobs makes business sense. European Financial Review, 3, 52–54.

• McKague, K. Morshed, S. & Rahman, H. (2013). Reducing poverty by employing young women: Hathay Bunano’s scalable model for rural production in Bangladesh. Innovations, 8(1–2), 69–88.

• McKague, K. & Oliver, C. (2012). Enhanced Market Practices: Poverty Alleviation for Poor Producers in Developing Countries. California Management Review, 55(1), 98–129.

• McKague, K. & Tinsley, S. (2012). Bangladesh’s rural sales program: Towards a scalable rural sales agent model for the distribution of socially beneficial goods to the poor. Social Enterprise Journal, 8(1), 16–30.

• McKague, K. (2011). Dynamic capabilities of institutional entrepreneurship. Journal of Enterprising Communities, 5(1), 11–28.

• Wheeler, D., McKague, K., Thomson, J., Davies, R., Medalye, J. & Prada, M. (2005). Creating sustainable local enterprise networks. MIT/Sloan Management Review, 47(1), 33–40.

Chapter Publications

• Bell, C. and McKague, K. (2017). Fairness, uncertainty, trust and benevolence: Social construction of a market in an emerging economy through the perceptions of value chain transaction partners. In Moliner, C. Cropanzano, R. & Martínez-Tur, V. (Eds.), Organizational Justice (pp. 181-204) New York: Routledge.

• McKague, K., Wheeler, D. & Karnani, A. (2015). An integrated approach to poverty alleviation: Roles of the private sector, government and civil society. In V. Bitzer, R. Hamann, M. Hall, & E. W. Griffin-EL (Eds.), The Business of Social and Environmental Innovation (pp. 129–145) New York: Springer.

• McKague, K., Menke, M. & Arasaratnam, A. (2014). Access Afya: Micro-clinic health franchise designed for scale. In Ilan Alon (Ed.), Franchising for Social Innovation (pp. 61–79). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

• Ruebottom, T. & McKague, K. (2014). The legitimacy paradox: Opposing tensions in social entrepreneurship. In H. Douglas & S. Grant (Eds.), Social Entrepreneurship and Enterprise: Concepts in Context (pp. 114-131). Melbourne: Tilde University Press.

• Branzei, O. & McKague, K. (2008). A model of clean energy entrepreneurship in Africa: E+Co’s path to scale. In R. Hamann, S. Woolman & C. Sprague (Eds.), 15 Managing the Business of Sustainable Development in Africa: Human Rights, Partnerships, and Alternative Business Models (pp. 322–343). Pretoria: UNISA Press.

• McKague, K. & Branzei, O. (2007). City water Tanzania. In J. Hamschmidt (Ed.), Case Studies in Sustainability Management and Strategy (pp. 185–223). London: Greenleaf.

Professional Publications

• Harji, K., McKague, K. & Jackson, T. (2015). Youth at Work: Building Economic Opportunities for Young People in Africa. Toronto: MasterCard Foundation.

• Karnani, A., McKague, K. & Shenoy, M. (2013, August 29). Disabled youth get quality jobs. [Blog post]. Stanford Social Innovation Review.

• McKague, K. (2012). In Profit and out of Poverty: The Business Case for Engaging with Poor Farmers in Bangladesh’s Dairy Sector. London, UK: CARE Learning & Policy Series Briefing Paper.

• McKague, K. (2010). Private Sector Engagement and Inclusive Value Chain Development. London, UK: CARE International.

• Atari, D. O., Abdelnour, S., McKague, K. & Wager, R. (2009). Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurial Capacities in Southern Sudan. Toronto: Centre for Refugee Studies, York University.

• Cassinath, N., McKague, K. & Lesau, O. (2009). Microfranchise Toolkit. Toronto: Street Kids International.

• McKague, K. & Cook, J. (2007). Four Corners Energy Enterprise Initiative. Bloomfield, NJ: E+Co.

• Branzei, O. & McKague, K. (2007). Green thinking. Corporate Knights, 6(1), 30–32.

• McKague, K., et al. (2006). Making a Difference on the Ground: What IFC client companies are doing for their economies, their communities and the environment. Washington: International Finance Corporation.

• McKague, K. (2006). Compendium of Ethics Codes and Instruments of Corporate Responsibility. Toronto: Schulich School of Business, York University.

• McKague, K. (2005). Sustainable Enterprise in Water and Sanitation in Africa: Tanzania Country Report. Washington, DC: International Finance Corporation.

• Gould, A. & McKague, K. (2005). Design for sustainability. Corporate Knights, 4(1), 12–19.

• Wheeler, D., Valente, M., McKague, K. & Dilamarter, K. (2005). Working to Meet the Needs of People at the Base of the Economic Pyramid through Private Sector Investments. Washington: International Finance Corporation.

• McKague, K. (2004). Canadian designs for sustainability. In Business, 26(3), 14–16.

• McKague, K. (2004). The Private Sector and Development: Scan of Activities and Research. Ottawa: International Development Research Centre.

• McKague, K., Prada, M., Davies, R. & Wheeler, D. (2004). Sustainable Business Approaches for Solar Energy Enterprises in Developing Countries: Key Success Factors and Lessons Learned from Bangladesh, Honduras and Vietnam. Washington, DC: International Finance Corporation / Global Environment Facility.

• Wheeler, D., McKague, K. & Thomson, J. (2003). Sustainable Livelihoods and the Private Sector: CIDA’s role in Strengthening Sustainable Local Enterprise Networks. Ottawa: Canadian International Development Agency.

• McKague, K., Mulherin, L. & Yap, M. (1999). Hudson Bay Polar Bear Park Expeditions: Strategic Analysis. Toronto: Canadian Executive Services Overseas.

Refereed Conference Presentations

2018 “Scaling Social Franchises.” Administrative Sciences Association of Canada, Toronto.

2018 “Preliminary Findings from the Atlantic Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Study.” Atlantic Schools of Business conference, Moncton, NB

2015 “Social Enterprise Approaches to Health Care in South Sudan.” Community Innovation and Social Enterprise Conference, Cape Breton University.

2015 “Reducing Poverty through Employment: Digital Jobs for Disadvantaged Youth.” Academy of Management, Vancouver, British Columbia, with A. Karnani.

2015 “Leveraging Partnerships around Disruptive Technologies for Systems Change.” SEEP Network Annual Conference, Arlington, Virginia, with S. Merrill, N. A. Siddiquee, T. R. Mollick.

2014 “Key Business Model Factors for Reducing Poverty through Employment in the Business Process Outsourcing Sector.” Academy of Management, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with A. Karnani.

2014 “Making Markets in Least Developed Economies through Institutional Opportunity Recognition.” Academy of Management, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with C. Oliver.

2013 “Building the Agricultural Enterprise Ecosystem in Sub-Saharan Africa.” Creative Community Business Conference, Shannon School of Business, Cape Breton University.

2013 “The Role of Entrepreneurial Education in Sustainable Entrepreneurship: The Case of South Sudan.” Academy of Management, Orlando, Florida.

2012 “Making Markets in Less Developed Economies: Dynamic Intermediation Capabilities and Institutional Leveraging in an NGO Intervention.” The Fourth Subsistence Marketplaces Conference: From Micro-Level Insights to Macro-Level Impact, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, with C. Oliver.

2011 “Private Sector Engagement for Inclusive Value Chain Development.” SEEP Annual Conference, Arlington, VA.

2011 “Realizing Socially Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprise: Future Prospects.” The Business of Social and Environmental Innovation Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, with D. Wheeler and M. Adams.

2010 “Justice, Power and Uncertainty in the Bangladesh Dairy Value Chain.” International Society for Justice Research Conference, Banff, Alberta, with C. Bell.

2010 “Culture’s Role in Entrepreneurial Activity in South Africa: An Exploration.” International Society for the Study of Work and Organizational Values Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, with H. Rosen and L. Hakak.

2010 “Strengthening Dairy Value Chains in Bangladesh.” International Dairy Conference, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, with C. Oliver.

2010 “Justice, Power and Uncertainty in the Bangladesh Dairy Value Chain.” International Dairy Conference, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, with C. Bell.

2009 “Reconciliation of Institutional Logics: Bridging Across Institutional and Market Boundaries.” Oikos / UNDP Young Scholars Development Academy, Kaubad, Switzerland.

2009 “Sustainable Local Enterprise Networks: Network Bricolage as Institutional Entrepreneurship in Low-Income Economies.” Conference on Innovations, Institutions and Space, Edmonton, Alberta, with C. Oliver.

2009 “The Reconciliation of Institutional Logics.” Academy of Management, Chicago, Illinois.

2008 “Antecedents of Sustainable Local Enterprise Networks.” Ivey PhD Sustainability Academy, London, Ontario.

2008 “The Role of the Private Sector in Development: A Multi–Dimensional Approach.” Academy of Management, Anaheim, California.

2003 “Strengthening Sustainable Local Enterprise Networks.” Equator Initiative Entrepreneurship Conference, International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario.

2003 The Body Shop International.” World Resources Institute Business, Environment, Leadership and Learning Conference, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with D. Wheeler. “

2002 “Sustainable Enterprise as a Model of CSR.” CIDA/CME International Development Days Conference, Vancouver, BC.

2002 “The Role of Business in Development.” World Bank Annual Conference on Development Economics, Oslo, Norway, with D. Wheeler.

2001 “Growing a Sustainable Energy Company: Suncor’s Venture into Alternative and Renewable Energy and the Annual MBA Case Competition in Business and Sustainability.” World Resources Institute’s Business Environment, Leadership and Learning Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Invited Presentations

2018 “How Can a Gender Lens Enhance Maternal and Child Health Social Enterprises in Africa?” International Development Research Centre, Ottawa.

2018 “Scaling Social Franchises” Canadian International Food Security Research Fund, Nairobi, Kenya.

2018 “Gender and Health Social Enterprises.” African Population Health Research Council, Nairobi, Kenya

2018 “Incentives and Income Generating Opportunities to Support Community Health Workers, Technical Working Group on Maternal and Child Health, Kampala, Uganda

2017 “How Can a Gender Lens Enhance Maternal and Child Health Social Enterprises in Africa?” Innovating for Maternal and Child Health Mid-Term Meeting, Dakar, Senegal.

2017 “Social Enterprise Income Generating Models and Incentives for Volunteer Community Health Workers.” BRAC Research Day, Kampala, Uganda.

2017 “Social Enterprise Income Generating Models as Incentives for Community Health Workers.” International Development Research Centre, Ottawa.

2016 “Social Enterprise Models for Community Health Workers.” Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

2015 “Social Enterprise Approaches to Health Care in South Sudan.” Community Innovation and Social Enterprise Conference, Cape Breton University.

2015 “Leveraging Partnerships Around Disruptive Technologies for Systems Change.” SEEP Annual Conference, Washington, DC.

2014 “Making Markets More Inclusive.” Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, Ottawa, Ontario.

2014 “Making Markets More Inclusive.” St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

2014 “Social Enterprise Approach to Health Care in South Sudan.” Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia.

2011 “Youth and Social Enterprise.” UNESCO Youth Consultations, Toronto, Ontario.

2011 “Sustainable Pro-Poor Business Models,” Community and Corporate Responsibility Conference, Ottawa, Ontario.

2009 “Writing High Quality Case Studies.” UNDP Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative, Bratislava, Slovakia.

2009 “Identifying Cases: What Kind of Cases Do We Need Now?” Metrics from the Ground Up Workshop and Launch of the Aspen Institute’s Network of Development Entrepreneurs, Washington, DC.

2007 “PhD Students and Business Ethics.” Canadian Business Ethics Research Network Launch, Schulich School of Business, Toronto, Ontario.

2007 “Sustainable Local Enterprise Networks for Sudan.” Forum for Sustainable Enterprise Development, Ahfad University for Women, Khartoum, Sudan.

2006 “Key Attributes of High Quality Case Studies.” UNDP Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative, Paris, France.

2004 “Sustainable Business Approaches for Solar Energy Enterprises in Developing Countries: Key Success Factors and Lessons Learned.” World Energy Technologies Summit, UNESCO, Paris, France.

2003 “Sustainable Livelihoods and the Private Sector.” Base of the Pyramid Learning Laboratory, Kenan–Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.

2003 “Business and Sustainable Livelihoods.” World Business Council for Sustainable Development Working Group, Washington, DC.

2003 “Exploration of Opportunities for Canadian Private Sector Involvement in Development: Opportunities for Development Agencies to Strengthen Sustainable Local Enterprise Networks.” Canadian International Development Agency, Ottawa.

2002 “The Role of Business in Development Post-Johannesburg: New Strategies for Sustainable Livelihoods.” York University, Toronto.

2002 “Sustainable Livelihoods and the Private Sector: CIDA’s Role in Strengthening Sustainable Enterprise.” Canadian International Development Agency Private Sector Development Workshop, Ottawa.