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Social network analysis of multi-stakeholder platforms in agricultural research for development: Opportunities and constraints for innovation and scaling
- Source :
- PLoS ONE, PLoS ONE, Vol 12, Iss 2, p e0169634 (2017), PLoS ONE, 12(2), PLoS ONE 12 (2017) 2
- Publication Year :
- 2017
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science, 2017.
-
Abstract
- Multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) are seen as a promising vehicle to achieve agricultural development impacts. By increasing collaboration, exchange of knowledge and influence mediation among farmers, researchers and other stakeholders, MSPs supposedly enhance their 'capacity to innovate' and contribute to the 'scaling of innovations'. The objective of this paper is to explore the capacity to innovate and scaling potential of three MSPs in Burundi, Rwanda and the South Kivu province located in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In order to do this, we apply Social Network Analysis and Exponential Random Graph Modelling (ERGM) to investigate the structural properties of the collaborative, knowledge exchange and influence networks of these MSPs and compared them against value propositions derived from the innovation network literature. Results demonstrate a number of mismatches between collaboration, knowledge exchange and influence networks for effective innovation and scaling processes in all three countries: NGOs and private sector are respectively over- and under-represented in the MSP networks. Linkages between local and higher levels are weak, and influential organisations (e.g., high-level government actors) are often not part of the MSP or are not actively linked to by other organisations. Organisations with a central position in the knowledge network are more sought out for collaboration. The scaling of innovations is primarily between the same type of organisations across different administrative levels, but not between different types of organisations. The results illustrate the potential of Social Network Analysis and ERGMs to identify the strengths and limitations of MSPs in terms of achieving development impacts.
- Subjects :
- Male
lcsh:Medicine
Social Sciences
010501 environmental sciences
01 natural sciences
Social Networking
Geographical Locations
Learning and Memory
Sociology
Order (exchange)
Psychology
Cooperative Behavior
lcsh:Science
Social network analysis
Industrial organization
Multidisciplinary
Social Research
Value proposition
Physics
Environmental resource management
Agriculture
04 agricultural and veterinary sciences
Professions
Knowledge
Social Networks
Technologie and Innovatie
Physical Sciences
Knowledge Technology and Innovation
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kennis
Agricultural Workers
Female
Network Analysis
Research Article
Adult
Computer and Information Sciences
Burundi
Biophysics
Exponential random graph models
ddc:330
Life Science
Learning
Humans
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Government
Organizations
business.industry
Research
lcsh:R
Rwanda
Cognitive Psychology
Biology and Life Sciences
Models, Theoretical
Private sector
Mediation
People and Places
Africa
040103 agronomy & agriculture
0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
Position (finance)
Cognitive Science
lcsh:Q
Population Groupings
Business
Kennis, Technologie and Innovatie
Neuroscience
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 12
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....14e48fa2cc7d54855cb149f663cfa8a8