Leona: According to ISO 26000:2010 ‘Guidance on social responsibility’, a vulnerable group is a "group of individuals who share one or several characteristics that are the basis of discrimination or adverse social, economic, cultural, political or health circumstances, and that cause them to lack the means to achieve their rights or otherwise enjoy equal opportunities”. The concept of “consumer vulnerability” also depends on the specific external circumstances in which consumers act and operate, such as economic and financial conditions or social disadvantages.
This link reflects the need for consumer education, corporate social responsibility and the suggestion that sustainability may be an important consideration when developing innovations for emerging countries.