Record Details

Smallholder value chains as complex adaptive systems: a conceptual framework

OAR@ICRISAT

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Field Value
 
Relation http://oar.icrisat.org/10442/
http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-03-2017-0031
10.1108/JADEE-03-2017-0031
 
Title Smallholder value chains as complex adaptive systems: a conceptual framework
 
Creator Orr, A
Donovan, J
Stoian, D
 
Subject Smallholder Farmers
Smallholder Agriculture
Value Chains
 
Description Purpose – Smallholder value chains are dynamic, changing over time in sudden, unpredictable ways as they
adapt to shocks. Understanding these dynamics and adaptation is essential for these chains to remain
competitive in turbulent markets. Many guides to value chain development, though they focus welcome
attention on snapshots of current structure and performance, pay limited attention to the dynamic forces
affecting these chains or to adaptation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper develops an expanded conceptual framework to understand
value chain performance based on the theory of complex adaptive systems. The framework combines seven
common properties of complex systems: time, uncertainty, sensitivity to initial conditions, endogenous
shocks, sudden change, interacting agents and adaptation.
Findings – The authors outline how the framework can be used to ask new research questions and analyze
case studies in order to improve our understanding of the development of smallholder value chains and their
capacity for adaptation.
Research limitations/implications – The framework highlights the need for greater attention to value
chain dynamics.
Originality/value – The framework offers a new perspective on the dynamics of smallholder value chains.
 
Publisher Emerald Publishing
 
Date 2018
 
Type Article
PeerReviewed
 
Format application/pdf
 
Language en
 
Rights —
 
Identifier http://oar.icrisat.org/10442/1/Conceptual%20Framework.pdf
Orr, A and Donovan, J and Stoian, D (2018) Smallholder value chains as complex adaptive systems: a conceptual framework. Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, 8 (1). pp. 14-33. ISSN 2044-0839