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

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  • Matias Ramirez
  • Ian Clarke
  • Laurens Klerkx

Abstract

This paper analyses intermediary organisations in developing economy agricultural clusters. The paper critically engages with a growing narrative in studies of intermediaries that have stressed the ownership structure of intermediaries as a key driver for enabling knowledge transfer, inter-firm learning and upgrading of small producers in clusters. Two case studies of Latin American clusters are presented and discussed. The study suggests that in addition to ownership structure, cluster governance and the embeddedness of intermediaries in clusters are critical factors that need to be taken into account in understanding the influence of intermediaries in the upgrading of small producers in clusters.

Suggested Citation

  • Matias Ramirez & Ian Clarke & Laurens Klerkx, 2018. "Analysing intermediary organisations and their influence on upgrading in emerging agricultural clusters," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 50(6), pages 1314-1335, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:50:y:2018:i:6:p:1314-1335
    DOI: 10.1177/0308518X17741316
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    Cited by:

    1. Xinyu Yang & Weidong Liu, 2022. "Agricultural Production Networks and Upgrading from a Global–Local Perspective: A Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Gaitán-Cremaschi, Daniel & Klerkx, Laurens & Aguilar-Gallegos, Norman & Duncan, Jessica & Pizzolón, Alejandro & Dogliotti, Santiago & Rossing, Walter A.H., 2022. "Public food procurement from family farming: A food system and social network perspective," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    3. Hrosul, Viktoriia & Kruhlova, Olena & Mkrtchyan, Tatul & Zubkov, Serhii & Timchenko, Olha, 2021. "Enterprise integration and formation of cluster structures in the field of food sector," Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, vol. 7(2), June.
    4. Jan Van der Lee & Laurens Klerkx & Bockline Omedo Bebe & Ashenafi Mengistu & Simon Oosting, 2018. "Intensification and Upgrading Dynamics in Emerging Dairy Clusters in the East African Highlands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-24, November.
    5. Jiaxin Wang & Qinghong Xie & Xinyu Geng, 2024. "Exploring the Effects of Multi-Governance Mechanisms throughout the Dynamic Evolution of the Cooperative Innovation Network," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-27, February.
    6. Annemarie Groot-Kormelinck & Jos Bijman & Jacques Trienekens & Laurens Klerkx, 2022. "Producer organizations as transition intermediaries? Insights from organic and conventional vegetable systems in Uruguay," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(4), pages 1277-1300, December.

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