13 pages, via online journal, Purpose: This study examined knowledge sharing mechanisms in coffee IPs and their effect on actor linkages in four districts of Uganda.
Design/methodology/approach: Thirty one respondents from the public and private sector were interviewed using a qualitative approach. Data were analyzed using the Atlas ti qualitative software version 7.5.18 to generate themes for information sources, types and channels. Social network analysis was used to measure the actor centrality positions and influence in the IP network.
Findings: Results revealed seven main categories of actors in the Coffee IPs who shared information on coffee inputs, agronomic practices, processing and markets through three main channels. Level of cohesion was less than 10% which had negative implications on the knowledge flow, trust and collaboration among the actors. Influential positions were occupied by the processors and farmer leaders in IPs in the southern districts of Luwero and Rakai, while nursery operators were most influential in IPs of the western districts of Ntungamo and Bushenyi. Weak linkages within the social networks indicated that initiatives of the actors were fragmented, as each actor acted as an individual detached from the platform activities limiting inter-actor knowledge sharing.
Practical implications: Innovation intermediaries should focus on integrated systemic and innovative approaches to strengthen actor social linkages for knowledge sharing and better platform performance.
Theoretical implications: Actor positions and relationships in innovation networks are critical tenets for fostering knowledge exchange and performance. In an innovation platform, diverse actors are multiple sources for accessing information within a given social and institutional context.
Originality/value: The study contributes to existing debate and knowledge on institutional change in agricultural innovation systems.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 131 Document Number: D11317
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6 pages., Pages 37-42 in 27th annual meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society. Dominica, Volume 27., Authors recall some aspects of agricultural information before analyzing the problems of this information sector, the importance of which sometimes is unrecognized by agricultural administrators, researchers, extensionists, and producers. Perspectives for the development and better management and use of information resources are proposed through the use of new information technologies (databases, microcomputers, software, agricultural thesauruses, CD-ROMs, etc.), networks, and the sharing of resources through cooperation at local, regional, and international levels."
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 198 Document Number: D09696
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Online from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Paris, France. 3 pages., Case report of a successful and influential Indonesian River School Movement, which involves establishment of local river schools and activities.
Abstract and citation via Ebscohost.com., Focuses on the use of information and communication technology in the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture's five-year plan. put forward in September 2001. The "action plan" stated that within 3-5 years the network system for rural market information would be established across the country.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C23721
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Posted at: http://www.infodev.org/files/833_file_Learning_From_Experience.pdf -- Also see C23718-C23722, 100 p., A background paper for the infoDEV Annual Symposium, Dec. 9-10, 2003, Geneva, Switzerland
