Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Steglich, Mirjam
Author-Email: steglich@merit.unu.edu
Author-Workplace-Name: LINK, UNU-MERIT
Author-Name: Keskin, Ekin
Author-Email: keskin@merit.unimaas.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: LINK, UNU-MERIT
Author-Name: Hall, Andy
Author-Email: hall@merit.unu.edu
Author-Workplace-Name: LINK, UNU-MERIT
Author-Name: Dijkman, Jeroen
Author-Email: Jeroen.dijkman@fao.org
Author-Workplace-Name: FAO
Title: Are International Market Demands Compatible with Serving Domestic Social Needs? 
	 Challenges in Strengthening Innovation Capacity in Kenya's Horticulture Industry 
Abstract: Agrifood stakeholders across the world are under ever-increasing 
	 pressure with globalization and new market demands, together with 
	 changing quality and safety requirements. The ability to respond to new 
	 challenges and opportunities is important not just for producers but 
	 also for industries in developing countries. This paper explores the 
	 horticulture sector of Kenya in order to gain a better understanding of 
	 what has most significantly contributed to its success in terms of 
	 innovation response capacity. This paper aims to present what 
	 "innovation response capacity" entails, especially for natural 
	 resource-based industries in a developing country context. It will also 
	 provide an analytical framework that draws elements from agricultural 
	 innovation capacity and the innovation systems framework. This is 
	 provided through case study research conducted in Kenya by exploring a 
	 prominent horticultural enterprise, Homegrown Ltd. The paper concludes 
	 that an important element of success in this case was the formation of a 
	 range of linkages that enabled a systemic sector response to challenges 
	 rather than isolated action of individual players. 
Classification-JEL: N57, O13, O31, Q13
Keywords: Innovation Response Capacity, Kenya, Horticulture, Globalization,
	 Smallholder Production, Policy
Series: UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Creation-Date: 2009
Number: 009
File-URL: http://www.merit.unu.edu/publications/wppdf/2009/wp2009-009.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 275 Kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2009009