Applicability of the Cockroach Theory - a Case Study of the Healthcare Industry in India

Abstract

Healthcare is a major area of concern especially in developing nations at the base of thepyramid segments. In a country such as India, which is blessed as of this date with ademographic dividend needs to address healthcare as an area of priority. Healthy people areable to work harder and smarter hence they will be in a position to not only create betterliving standards for themselves thereby uplift their and the nation’s economic status andcontributing to societal growth and development. A major portion of the population of Indiaresides in rural and semi urban segments and there is an explicit dearth of quality healthcarein these areas. Incidentally, for our discussion of the base of the pyramid segments, it hasbeen evidenced that BOP consumers are seen to have limited or lack of access to healthcaredue to various issues ranging from affordability, literacy, awareness, prejudices and so on.The cockroach theory of organizational sustainability and scalability proposed the variouspostulates governing the theory and the pillars those very preconditions for the success oforganizations in creating sustained and scalable businesses in the BOP sectors. This paper is acase study approach to companies in the healthcare sector and the outlines the practices andbusinesses strategies of these companies that have made them successful or have failed atcreating a profitable business opportunity and growth.