Emerging Production Systems in Conventional Development: Experience of the jua kali Economy in Kenya

Abstract

This paper is focused on emergent production systems and how they are viewed by conventional development theory (CDT). The literature reveals that conventional development theory disregards the innovativeness, creativity, values, and philosophies of emergent production systems. CDT sees development occurring only when informality is or will be transformed. This paper gives examples of emergent production organization that deals with the realities of every day life in Kenya. The paper demonstrates the integratedness between the individual, the family and community in emergent production systems.