Collective efficiency and small enterprise in kenyA proposal to study the vehicle repair and fish processing industriesa

Abstract

A proposal for research into two clusters of small-scale activities in Kenya. The first is a group of auto repair businesses and related activities located in Nairobi and neighbouring Thika. The other consists of small-scale fisheries and related trading, services and processing activities around Lake Victoria.

The proposed research is part of an international study investigating the nature and dynamics of industrial clusters in developing countries. The study focuses on the clustering of enterprises and the competitive advantage which they derive from local external economies and joint action, captures in the concept of collective efficiency. The Kenya case study aims, at determining whether each of the two clusters has the characteristics associated with industrial districts elsewhere; assessingthe capacity of each cluster to both to opportun ities and shocks in their environment; and

and developing recommendations for strengthening each cluster. The research methodology will include a general and detailed studies of selected firms and their relationships with suppliers of inputs, buyers of outputs, firms with which they compete/cooperate, and institutions relevant to their businesses. Relationships to be studied include both economic and socio-cultural ties and gender differences in producers' networks.