Habitus of informality in small scale society agrifood chains – filling the knowledge gap using a socio-culturally focused value chain analysis tool

Abstract

Western business management literature tells us that agrifood market systems are based on formalised (e.g. contract-based), economic and demand-driven supply and value chain approaches and that in developing economies, growth and development need to be similarly underpinned. Social sciences literature, on the other hand, recognises the existence of small-scale, informal, socio-culturally driven societies in which local livelihoods dominate. In these communities, economic growth and development are based on informality. In an era where agrifood market development in developing countries is a focus of international aid agencies, an understanding of the dichotomy of formality and informality in doing business in a socio-cultural context is critical for agencies to ensure their aid is effectively targeted.

In this study, horticultural product chains in two South Pacific nations (Tonga and Solomon Islands) were studied to address the informal/formal dichotomy associated with ‘doing business’ in small-scale societies. A multi-methods approach was used, featuring a Hybrid Value Chain Framework (HVCF) to ‘capture’ socio-cultural norms that exist in these small-scale societies when dealing with food production and marketing. It was found that a strong and well developed ‘habitus of informality’ underpins sustainable economic systems in these communities. We conclude that being aware of, and understanding, the habitus of informality that exits in small-scale societies is essential in aid design to ensure the sustainability of aid projects past their completion.

Keywords:

• Habitus of Informality
• hybrid value chain framework
• South Pacific
• Tonga: Solomon Islands

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the assistance of interviewees in Solomon Islands and Tonga; the research assistance provided by Milton Moloka and Anne Maeda in Solomon Islands; and the help of The Tonga Community Development Agency (TCDA) and Papiloa Bloomfield in Tonga. Gerhard Hoffstaedter, Kristen Lyons, Graham Baines and Michael Spann commented on earlier drafts of this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 The term ‘livelihoods’ is defined as the capabilities, assets and activities needed to make a living that meets individual, household, and community needs including social, economic, cultural, and spiritual requirements (Carney 1999; Chambers and Conway 1992; Singh 1996).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by a Small Research Grant from the PARDI (Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative) Program of the ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research) grants scheme.

Notes on contributors

Kim P. Bryceson

Professor Kim Bryceson is Professor of Agribusiness Technologies at The University of Queensland researching the use of disruptive technologies across Agrifood chains. She has significant experience in modelling and analysing agrifood chains from a value adding and risk mitigation perspective.

Anne Ross

Dr Annie Ross is an Honorary Associate Professor at The University of Queensland where she continues a long career in cultural heritage and anthropology research