Distributive Enterprise
Introduction
A Distributive Enterprise is a social enterprise that focuses on open economic development. In particular, it is a transparent enterprise which maintains the open replication of such an enterprise - independently by others - at the core of its operational strategy. As such, this differs from a traditional franchise - in that the Distributive Enterprise has no strings attached. The goal is to create an economic system that promotes not only production of wealth, but also, its distribution. The goal of Distributive Enterprise is to bring about true 'enlightened self-interest' into the economic playing field - by an a priori assumption that economic self-interest is promoted most deeply when business is done with everybody in mind.
The goal is to address the issue of artificial scarcity and Disparity of Wealth as related both to peoples' lifestyles and to global geopolitics. Another goal is to embody a Higher Purpose in material production and in lifestyle choices.
To test the usefulness and purpose of its results - a distributive enterprise dogfoods its own products. Participants in distributive enterprise aim to blend their lifestyle with their work - as an expression of consistency between one's values and one's actions. This leads to a connection of the economy to addressing pressing world issues.
The Distributive Enterprise concept builds upon the notions of appropriate scale proposed by E.F. Schumacher, upon the concept of economic swadeshi proposed by M.K Gandhi - and it is updated by bringing it into the digital age where information can be shared readily. The Distributive Enterprise model is an expression of human-centered economics of collaborative production - where people regain their autonomy in a complex world.
Open Source Ecology Case
We are an incubator dedicated to training Distributive Enrepreneurs. Our intent with this is viral replication of complete economy kernels - as embodied by the GVCS. For example, the OSE Microfactory + derivative, collocated enterprises can serve as economic revitalization centers in many communities around the world. These are founded on access to technology and knowhow for re-invigorating a community's economy via relocalized production.
Such an enterprise follows OSE Specifications for Distributive Economics, and focuses on optimization as its key to economic significance and to scalability. This means that the enterprise, in its essential design, has a mechanisms for continuously optimizing design, documenting its process and results, and training producers for enterprise replication. This process is based on the Philosophy of Open. Factor e Farm is an example of a facility that performs all of these functions. We are currently developing a practical training option - where distributive entrepreneurs-in-training help in production runs in exchange for our training.
In summary, a Distributive Enterprise
- Is open source
- Distributes its business model openly
- Dogfoods its products
Our Scaling Strategy for Impact
A distributive enterprise focuses on replication of iteself as the core of its operational strategy. By definition, this involves a documentation and training component in its work.
Therefore, the process looks like this:
- Open Source Ecology (OSE) and Factor e Farm develop a platform for rapid development of the GVCS tools - called the Distributive Enterprise Platform.
- OSE develops the GVCS as a result of the Distributive Enterprise Platform.
- These tools are evaluated for their robustness, and the GVCS v1.0 is modified to produce the smallest, most robust set of modular tools for creating complete economies.
- Future versions of the GVCS improve the quality and scope of the tools contained in the set to achieve an appropriate technology basis for all of humanity.
- As the complete GVCS kernel is developed in
By definition: Factor e Farm is the world's first dedicated Distributive Enterprise.
Note
Our preferred business model is collaborative development of product design, whereby each participant can gain benefit from such collaboration by engaging in real production. The goal is that we truly remove material constraints from determining the well-being of humans, as production is no longer an issue of control and power.
The simple numbers are to demonstrate clearly that the power of such a distributive enterprise is easily $100k/person/year, whether in Missouri, Brooklyn, or Gabon. We are well on our way to demonstrating this in practice at Factor e Farm.