Understanding participation in modern supply chains under a social network perspective : evidence from blackberry farmers in the Ecuadorian Andes

In this paper, we use semi-structured interviews with firm representatives and original survey data to study the factors influencing farmers' participation in modern supply chains in the Ecuadorian blackberry sector. Previous research has emphasized the important role of farm size and non-farm assets enabling participation in these chains. Going beyond this scope of analysis, we argue that farmers' social networks can be an important avenue to facilitate inclusion. Using different probit model specifications, we find that individual farmers' social networks are important determinants for participation in modern supply chains in an environment characterized by a homogenous farm sector. Further research is needed to explore the specific pathways through which social networks exert their influence.