Networks Composition, a Relevant Factor to Their Resilience: Insights from Agricultural Innovation Platforms in Uganda

Management of project networks involves understanding the characterization of membership, in terms of breadth, depth, and motivations for joining. This study sought to assess the effect of network composition on resilience of project networks among agricultural innovation platforms (AIPs) in Central and South Western Uganda. Like any network, having the right number and value of members is critical in the formation and functioning of an innovation platform. The study was anchored on social network theory adopting explanatory research design grounded on positivistic research philosophy. The study population comprised of 220 actors with a stratified sample of 132 actors in the 22 AIPs in Central and South Western Uganda. Out of the 132 sampled actors, 103 were interviewed representing 78% response rate generally considered adequate for further data analysis. The study used SPSS to analyse data through descriptive and inferential statistics. All study variables were tested at a confidence level of 95%. Results revealed that network composition was moderately embraced among the AIPs but has a significant effect on resilience of project networks. Based on these conclusions, the study recommends that AIP leaders should put in place appropriate mechanisms, which encourage attraction and retention of members while according due attention to their individual interests. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing an empirical model, which can be easily adopted by AIPs as well as validating tenets of the theoretical framework by anchoring the study among agricultural based project networks.