Testing the Effectiveness of Network Governance Mechanisms to Foster Ambidexterity of Agricultural Innovation Networks in East and Central Africa

Abstract

We tested three innovation network governance mechanisms for exploring and exploiting innovation opportunities. We analysed household-level panel data from agricultural innovation networks in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. We found that first-order governed networks fostered capabilities for exploitation as well as exploration, while second-order governed networks fostered specialised capabilities for exploitation. Meta-governed innovation networks were most effective in combining multiple capabilities for exploration and exploitation. However, our results indicate that governance alone is not a solution to ambidexterity of innovation networks and we recommend further research on the context as a mediating factor between governance and capabilities.