Knowledge@wharton

Can a company make money from the work of impoverished people in the developing world without taking advantage of them? For Patrick Byrne the answer is a qualified yes. Byrne believes that he has found a way for his company Overstock.com to benefit while it helps developing-world artisans connect with developed-world customers. But for Chuck Waterfield creator of Microfin -- a software program he wrote for microlenders -- the answer is a qualified no at least as it applies to Compartamos a well-known microfinance lender operating in Mexico. Both men spoke at this year’s University of Pennsylvania Microfinance Conference. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.