Exploring the Role of Knowledge Management and Communication in Driving Innovation in Multi-Stakeholder Networks in Eastern Africa: A Systematic Review of Trends, Enablers, and Barriers

Abstract

Climate change is one of the major defining issues facing the world today. The effects of climate change, extreme weather events like drought and floods, political instability in some regions and the unexpected effects of the COVID 19 pandemic have intensified the effects of food insecurity among local and global populations (FAO, 2021a; FAO et al., 2023; Mumuni et al., 2023). Agriculture Innovation networks have been acclaimed in the recent as platforms that comprise of diverse stakeholders whose partnership and integration has the potential to solve a myriad of developmental challenges which cut across multiple sectors (FAO, 2018; United Nations, 2015). The 2030 Sustainability agenda call for policies and programs that are integrated and transformational by considering intersectoral linkages, support cross-sectoral communication and support the collaboration between different sectors. Therefore, the integration and cross communication between sectors is vital for the productivity of the food and agriculture sector. Effective communication and knowledge management are critical enabling factors required for a healthy and productive agri-food innovation network. However, agricultural innovation networks are complex ecosystems comprising of multiple stakeholders, systems and frameworks. (Gardeazabal et al., 2023; Oluwole et al., 2016) Knowledge management and subsequently the communication frameworks within these networks must therefore recognize this complexity and support the integration of knowledge from different sources and lay the foundation for collaborative communication among the different stakeholders. The purpose of this systematic review of literature is to understand the role of communication and knowledge management in multi stakeholder innovation networks in the agricultural sector within the African context. It will further interrogate the enablers and barriers of effective communication and knowledge management in promoting innovation that promotes food security.