Beyond knowledge brokerage: An exploratory study of innovation intermediaries in an evolving smallholder agricultural system in Kenya
Kilelu, Catherine W., Klerkx, Laurens, Leeuwis, Cees and Hall, Andy (2011). Beyond knowledge brokerage: An exploratory study of innovation intermediaries in an evolving smallholder agricultural system in Kenya. UNU-MERIT.
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Sub-type Working paper Author Kilelu, Catherine W.
Klerkx, Laurens
Leeuwis, Cees
Hall, AndyTitle Beyond knowledge brokerage: An exploratory study of innovation intermediaries in an evolving smallholder agricultural system in Kenya Publication Date 2011 Place of Publication Maastricht Publisher UNU-MERIT Pages 41 Abstract The recognition that innovation occurs in networks of heterogeneous actors and requires broad systemic support beyond knowledge brokering has resulted in a changing landscape of the intermediary domain in an increasingly market-driven agricultural sector in developing countries. This paper presents findings of an explorative case study that looked at 22 organisations identified as fulfilling an intermediary role in the Kenyan agricultural sector. The results show that these organisations fulfill functions that are not limited to distribution of knowledge and putting it into use. The functions also include fostering integration and interaction among the diverse actors engaged in innovation networks and working on technological, organisational and institutional innovation. Further, the study identified various organisational arrangements of innovation intermediaries with some organisations fulfilling a specialised innovation brokering role, even as other intermediaries take on brokering as a side activity, while still substantively contributing to the innovation process. Based on these findings we identify a typology of 4 innovation intermediation arrangements, including technology brokers, systemic brokers, enterprise development support and input access support. The results indicate that innovation brokering is a pervasive task in supporting innovation and will require policy support to embed it in innovation support arrangements. The paper is not normative about these arrangements. Keyword Smallholder agriculture
Innovation intermediaries
Agriculture innovation
Knowledge brokers
KenyaJEL L26
L32
N5
N57
O13
O19
O31
O32
O55
Q12
Q13
Q16Copyright Holder UNU-MERIT Copyright Year 2011 Copyright type Creative commons -
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