Innovation through knowledge sharing: Evidence from the informal sector in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This research sought to establish how knowledge is circulated among the informal sector innovators who develop innovations in the manufacture of de-haulers, an agricultural technology used to thresh seed. Questionnaires, in-depth interviews and observation methods were used in collecting the data for this study. The study findings obtained from this study indicate that small-scale farmer feedback loops and knowledge transfers occur in the development of innovation. The study concludes that innovation in the manufacture of de-haulers is enabled by knowledge fusion sharing involving both close and casual relationships among informal innovators, formal sector manufacturers and small-scale farmers.