Identifying key network characteristics for agricultural innovation: multisectoral case study approach

This article identified network characteristics critical for successful agricutural innovations within networks, or a set of
interrelated organizations aiming at knowledge exchange for innovations. To explore key success factors, the research
questioned how networks cope with innovation characteristics and combined network characteristics with four innovation
characteristics in four agricultural sub-sectors. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with farmers and
network coordinators and from focus group discussions with farmers active in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium.
Factors particularly helpful for success in agricultural innovation networks include numerous contacts, integration of
knowledge providers in the network structure, face-to-face communication, a self-initiated coalition and surpassing
innovation beyond the mere agricultural level, through collaboration with people from outside the sector. The findings are
useful for academics, network coordinators and network members, possibly leading to a higher innovation performance
via networking.