ERIC Number: EJ1371030
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1389-224X
EISSN: EISSN-1750-8622
Farmers' Networks and the Quest for Reliable Advice: Innovating in Greece
Koutsouris, Alex; Zarokosta, Eleni
Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, v28 n5 p625-651 2022
Purpose: This paper seeks to better understand the dynamics of farmers' innovating processes by focusing on their sources of advice at various stages of their innovation process, specifically within the weak and fragmented Greek Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS). Design/methodology/approach: The study employed a mixed-method approach, drawing data from interviews with 112 farmers engaged in three innovation cases in Greece. Findings: Some farmers, despite the lack of advisory services, are engaged in innovating processes. They thus seek advice from various sources through networks which vary between farmers and stages of the innovating process. However, networking is not always successful and the knowledge acquired is not always valid. Practical implications: The study points to the need for advisory and innovation support services and facilitated networks in the quest for successful innovating paths. Theoretical implications: The paper underlines the complexity of farmers' sources of knowledge. Thus, the paper highlights the importance of untangling the innovating processes' stages and farmers' information and advice networks that underpin decisionmaking in each of these stages. Originality/value: ?he paper points to the diversity of configurations of advice pertaining to complex farmers' innovating processes, especially under adverse circumstances in terms of provision of innovation support services.
Descriptors: Extension Education, Agricultural Occupations, Social Capital, Foreign Countries, Innovation, Information Sources, Specialists, Networks, Access to Information, Agricultural Production
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Greece
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A