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Off‐farm work is a widespread, two‐edged, phenomenon that can help both the survival and the demise of small‐ and medium‐sized agricultural exploitations. Given the prevalence of poverty in rural areas, nonfarm income has been credited with helping farmers to survive. But the observed shrinking of rural areas has also raised the question of whether off‐farm work is pulling farmers permanently away from farming. This paper explores the impact of farmer characteristics on the decision to work off‐farm in developing countries where this phenomenon has been largely neglected. A review of theory and prior empirical work suggests four main hypotheses which we test empirically. The results suggest that while some farmer characteristics appear to be universal, others appear to be country‐ or culture‐specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of organizing the diaspora within and between networks has led to great interest among the scientific community. The literature has shown the existence of a real body and cohesion amongst the members of diasporas in the same country either at a regional or at a global scale, which organize, cooperate and act with the country of origin. This has led to some considerable material and immaterial advantages for the countries of origin. This state of affairs illustrates an inter-connection of the networks among the members, scattered over the four corners of the planet, but does not shed any light on the arrangement and functioning of the same networks within the country of origin. This research highlights the establishment of the Algerian business diaspora for the development of the entrepreneurship in Algeria. Beyond the business opportunity and the development of investment, there is also evidence of a clear involvement in extra-professional associative activities aimed at supporting entrepreneurship in Algeria and more particularly the innovative entrepreneurship. This qualitative research is based on the interviews of 36 entrepreneurs. The analysis of the interviews shows the existence of an innovative organization of networks and a hard core that is active in several forms of associations (Diaspora associations, Think-Tank, Business Angel, etc). This innovative organization of networks plays a significant role in the development of entrepreneurship in Algeria, in particular, the innovative entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing the innovative capacity of societies is well recognized. As the main producers of knowledge, they contribute directly and indirectly to economic growth. Yet, little is known on the engagement of universities in developing countries with their social and economic environment. This article adopts a quantitative approach to identify the main factors affecting the role of Algerian HEIs in promoting and cooperating with their economic and social environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses issues relating to the policy shift in developing countries aimed at making universities increasingly relevant to the socio-economic milieu by promoting the 'triple helix culture' as a sustainable basis for innovation and technological progress. The role of universities in creating, disseminating and sharing knowledge is highlighted. Using the experiences of Malaysia and Algeria, the article explores evidence to show the extent to which the triple helix system of relationships between university, industry and government could be expected to enhance the relevance of universities to developing countries as active agents of innovation and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the post-independence industrialization experience of Algeria, this paper explores the need for and the challenges and prospects of shifts of policies and strategies from central planning to decentralization and liberalization; from a heavy industry-dominated scenario to one dominated by SMEs; and from reliance on technology transfer to the development of a culture of innovation and technological learning. The paper highlights the business incubation system as an aspect of the triple helix model of innovation in which universities, industry, government and non-government organizations feature as principal actors in the national innovation system. The paper notes the need for both technology transfer and the development of the triple helix culture in developing countries. It also underlines the need for policy in developing countries to ensure that the former played only a residual role, while the latter took the lead in providing for the development of a culture of innovation. The culture of bureaucracy and institutional fragmentation has been a major factor militating against initiatives for technological capability development; and the conventional technology transfer practice has reinforced this culture. A major policy initiative is needed in developing countries to put the national system of innovation in place and remove the constraints on the development of the triple helix culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]