Organizational learning through participatory research: CIP and CARE in Peru

Abstract

Participatory research (PR) has been analyzed and documented from different points of view, with emphasis on the benefits generated for farmers. The effect of PR on organizational learning has, however, received little attention. This paper analyzes the interaction between a research and a development institution, the International Potato Center (CIP) and CARE in Peru, respectively, and makes the case that PR can contribute to creating a collaborative learning environment among organizations. The paper describes the evolution of the inter-institutional collaborative environment between the two institutions for more than a decade, including an informationtransfer period (1993)(1994)(1995)(1996), an action-learning period (1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002), and a social-learning period (2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007). Several lessons learned from each period are described, as are changes in institutional contexts and stakeholders' perceptions. The case shows that research and development-oriented organizations can interact fruitfully using PR as a mechanism to promote learning, flexibility in interactions, and innovation. Interactions foster the diffusion of information and the sharing of tacit knowledge within and between organizations, which in turn influences behavior. However, the paper also argues that long-term inter-organizational interactions are needed to facilitate learning, which can be used to influence the way organizations implement their interventions in a constantly changing environment.

Incentives and disincentives for stakeholder involvement in participatory research (PR): lessons from potato-related PR from Bolivia, Ethiopia, Peru and Uganda

“…Interactions were perceived as mechanisms for linking research and development organizations, which facilitated accessing information, knowledge, technologies and PR methodologies easily and more efficiently. This networking process is called 'learning alliances' by Lundy et al (2005), and PR can be a mechanism for promoting organizational innovation that would lead to farmer innovations at the community level (Lundvall et al, 2002;Gurung and Menter, 2004;Hall, et al, 2004;Ortiz et al, 2008, Douthwaite et al, 2009; and contribute to the sustainability of innovation and production systems (Millar and Connell, 2010).…”

“…Sustainability in innovation process is facilitated when organizations and other stakeholders interact and exchange information and knowledge more efficiently. Ortiz et al (2008) describe the evolution of the relationship between CIP and CARE-Peru over a decade of collaboration. The paper argues that PR can be a mechanism that brings research and development institutions together with the purpose of learning from each other.…”

Activation process analysis of the Localized Agri-food System using social networks

“…Informal relationships establish bonds that go beyond contracts and societies, as well as providers and clients. These relationships can result in the long and successful business relationships; but the innovation systems would work better when the interactive and inter-organisational learning is purposefully promoted through the collaborative projects (Kingsley and Malecki 2004;Ortiz et al 2008).…”

Breeding potato for high yields: A review

“…Technologies should be adapted to local conditions with active farmer participation for successful research and development. However, the link between research and farmers is very weak or absent in developing countries (Ortiz et al, 2008). This results in a failure to adopt new technologies.…”

“…In many cases when farmers were actively involved in plant breeding at various levels of the breeding process that led to successful adoption of new varieties. Participatory methods consider the value of farmers' knowledge, their preferences, ability and innovation, and their active exchange of information and technologies as was demonstrated during farmer field school approach at CIP (Ortiz et al, 2008). In the last decade at CIP, participatory research approach in potatoes provided a fruitful interaction on the benefits that can be generated to famers and thus promoted learning and innovation in many countries (Graham et al, 2001).…”