Use of social networks to explore smallholder’s adoption of technologies in dual purpose farms

Abstract

During the last decade, the interest in social network analysis (SNA) has grown considerably. Although the utilization of social network analysis to study smallholder innovation systems is still very limited, the aim of this paper is to review research themes concerning the application of SNA in livestock systems and related areas, from the focus of the dissemination of innovation and knowledge, to build a conceptual framework and benchmark to study livestock systems in tropical areas. The findings of this review suggesting that the methodology of social networks is an important tool to know the patterns of adoption and dissemination of technological innovation in the smallholders of dual-purpose cattle (DP). The importance of developing technological adoption patterns of each farmer through two-mode matrix is highlighted.