The role of mediator organisations in the making of innovation systems in least developed countries: evidence from Tanzania

Abstract

This paper examines the linkages and interactive learning processes between foreign and local actors in an innovation system in Tanzania. Specifically, the importance of a mediator organisation to absorb and transfer knowledge from the foreign to the local sector is examined. The potential application of emerging knowledge spillovers to wider local users is thus evaluated. Empirical evidence suggests that although the potential exists for the wider application of technology and knowledge spillovers, a number of key constraints partly hinder the achievement of this potential and the proper functioning of an innovation system.Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Szogs, A. (2008) 'The role of mediator organisations in the making of innovation systems in least developed countries: evidence from Tanzania', Int.

Analysing intermediary organisations and their influence on upgrading in emerging agricultural clusters

“…In particular, Howells' (2006) typology of intermediaries in innovation activities drew attention to the varied and holistic role played by intermediaries than was previously recognised. In the area of both industrial clusters and agribusiness clusters, a range of studies (for example, Bell and Giuliani, 2007;Batterink et al, 2010;Caniels and Romijn, 2003;Clarke and Ramirez, 2014;Kilelu et al, 2013Kilelu et al, , 2017aMmari, 2015;Poulton et al, 2010;Shou and Intarakumnerd, 2013;Szogs, 2008;Szogs et al, 2011;Visser and Atzema, 2008;Watkins et al, 2015) have increasingly underlined the roles of intermediation, particularly in knowledge transfer. Intermediation also includes activities supporting local producers by improving vertical and horizontal coordination roles (Bolwig et al, 2011;Kilelu et al, 2017b;Poulton et al, 2010) and enabling the collective action of producers (Kilelu et al, 2017a;Poulton et al, 2010).…”

Strengthening agricultural innovation capacity: are innovation brokers the answer?

“…Consequently, they are attempting to reform and evolve their agricultural innovation arrangements to develop flexible and responsive capacities. This is particularly urgent in developing countries as agriculture remains a central element of the economy, and innovation is key to the agricultural growth needed to reduce poverty (Thomas & Slater, 2006;Bezemer & Headey, 2008 As public policy gets to grips with these new ideas, the importance of having intermediary organizations that sit between and connect different agents involved in innovation trajectories in developing countries is becoming increasingly apparent (Fisher & Vogel, 2008;Szogs, 2008), who fulfill boundary work (Kristjanson et al, 2009), and play a role in bridging, bonding, and linking social capital (Heemskerk & Wennink, 2004;Hall, 2006). This type of intermediary would not be the traditional intermediary in a one-to-one relationship, such as conventional agricultural extension, but a systemic intermediary as an in-between in a many-to-many relationship (Van Lente, Hekkert, Smits, & Van Waveren, 2003;Howells, 2006).…”

Characteristics of agriculture technology and application of an agricultural innovation system in Tanzania

“…However, with the exception of a few studies on multisectorial system of innovation (Malerba and Mani 2009), the focus of most studies on innovation systems is inclined towards industrial technologies, mainly effective knowledge sharing Lugano 2006, Szogs 2010), role of mediator organisations (Szogs 2008, Szogs et al 2011 and cluster initiatives (Diyamett 2009). …”