Applying economics to networks: What analytical insight do we gain?

A case is made for theoretical and empirical specification of agribusiness systems as networks or netchains. This primarily involves characterization not only of the actors in value chains but also of the links between them. Selected recent work on applications of network analysis methods and approaches to economics generally, and agribusiness specifically, is discussed and extended to an empirical study of smallholder and informal dairy value chains in Tanzania and Uganda. Results are discussed in terms of network-related indicators and their economic and gender-related implications. A logical progression of hypotheses about network-mediated development impact is presented.