The role of local knowledge in sustainable development programmes:the need for new modes of knowledge production and exchange

Bunders-Aelen, J.G.F. [Promotor]Zweekhorst, M.B.M. [Copromotor]Regeer, B.J. [Copromotor

Representation of academics from developing countries as authors and editorial board members in scientific journals: Does this matter to the field of development studies?

Patterns of publication in the field of development studies are examined, based on analysis of the affiliations of authors and editorial board members for a sample of 10 'well-known' (Sumner and Tribe, 2009, p. 32) academic journals. Data were collected from the Web of Science (WoS) database for the period 2012-2014 and from journal websites. Some 43 per cent of the authors of the 2112 articles in the sample are located in the USA and UK, 43 per cent are from other developed countries, while only 14 per cent are from authors in developing countries. Of the 329 editorial board members, 62 per cent are located in the UK and the USA, 31 per cent are from other developed countries, while only 9 per cent are located in developing countries. From the perspectives of equity, responsibility and diversity, and in recognition of the endogenous nature of the development process, the field of development studies should make efforts to address this underrepresentation of academics from developing countries as authors and editorial board members

The private sector as the ‘unusual suspect’ in knowledge brokering for international sustainable development: a critical review

Although the private sector’s engagement in sustainable international development is receiving increasing emphasis, its role in knowledge brokering has probably not yet received enough attention. Drawing on the Glegg and Hoens’ (2016) meta-framework of knowledge brokering we analysed the role of the private sector in knowledge brokering in Europe and Africa. Of the 702 records identified, 13 studies, representing 44 case studies and two surveys were included. The private sector’s roles are versatile, extending beyond connecting research evidence to potential users, to connecting researchers to funding opportunities and to other researchers, and to hosting platforms for using identified journal articles from 5 bibliographic databases collaborative research and policy making. The private sector actively invests resources to facilitate knowledge uptake, however this is to a large extent driven by self-interest. Perceived self-interests remain a barrier to knowledge brokering with the private sector not always being a trusted partner. Our results demonstrate that ‘lobbying and advocacy’ should be an additional role included in the meta framework of knowledge brokering

Producing social capital as a development strategy: implications for the micro-level

This article considers how social capital can contribute to poverty alleviation at the micro-level, based on an analysis of the documentary evidence provided by theoretical perspectives and empirical studies. Across countries and contexts, micro-credit, agricultural production and marketing, environmental protection and knowledge networking are linked to productive social capital. Four mechanisms to strengthen social capital are identified: structural opportunity to meet, ‘know-how’ of social interaction, sense of belonging and an ethos of mutuality. We envision that opportunities within the development practice exist to foster such mechanisms, and recommend in-depth studies to enhance our understanding of social capital production mechanisms