Developing science, technology and innovation (STI) capacity through networks : the case of a development network organisation in Mozambique

Abstract

Science, technology and innovation (STI) is once again high on the international development agenda (Chataway et al, 2005; Leach and Scoones, 2006). Some authors have highlighted the role of new networked forms of organisation emerging in the field of development as mechanisms through which organisations in resource-poor contexts access useful knowledge and other resources not easily available in the local context (see Chataway et al, 2005). They have thus raised the question: Can these new networked organisational forms be utilised as mechanisms for accelerating STI-capacity development? What is new about these organisational forms is that they are mission-driven and are characterised by high levels of interdependence and interconnectivity. I call these new organisational forms 'development network organisations' (DNOs). In attempting to address this question, I encountered two problems: 1) a paucity of theoretical literature on DNOs and STI, especially in low-income countries in Africa, and 2) a lack of appropriate approaches for analysing these network organisational forms.