Network structures have drawn a lot of research interest in recent years. However, little is known about how the diversity, complexity, and structure of the multi-actor networks associated with a project shapes information exchange and linkages in different contexts. This study, conducted in 2017, addresses this deficiency by analyzing the social networks in three villages, and it was directly set up in response to operationalizing a smallholder dairy development project. Social network analysis was used to characterize the networks and to look into network configuration and information exchange dynamics. Data were collected through household-level interviews with the project’s participant farmers and key project stakeholders, supplemented with other Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques. Analysis focused on network visualization and estimation of specific network parameters for comparison. Results indicated that public sector actors were the key drivers in all these smallholder networks. Flow of information was favored both vertically and horizontally in the network, which was configured at a later stage, rather than in the project piloting stages, owing to unique actor alignment and multiplicity of ties. The networks were also found to vary in terms of some of the network attributes, signaling varying levels of network integration and brokerage potential. Better cohesiveness and information spread was observed in the network, which had the right mix of information acquisition and exchange networks. The study offers valuable lessons with respect to connectedness of network actors, need for multi-actor alliance, and implication of centrality measures in determining network dynamics.

中文翻译：

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社交网络的多样性、复杂性和结构：对小农乳制品项目的研究

近年来，网络结构引起了很多研究兴趣。然而，对于与项目相关的多参与者网络的多样性、复杂性和结构如何在不同环境中塑造信息交换和联系，我们知之甚少。这项研究于 2017 年进行，通过分析三个村庄的社会网络解决了这一缺陷，它是为响应小农乳业发展项目的实施而直接设立的。社交网络分析用于表征网络并研究网络配置和信息交换动态。数据是通过对项目参与者农民和主要项目利益相关者的家庭层面访谈收集的，并辅以其他参与式农村评估 (PRA) 技术。分析侧重于网络可视化和特定网络参数的估计以进行比较。结果表明，公共部门参与者是所有这些小农网络的关键驱动因素。由于独特的参与者对齐和多重联系，信息在网络中的纵向和横向流动都受到青睐，该网络是在后期配置的，而不是在项目试点阶段。还发现网络在某些网络属性方面有所不同，表明网络集成和经纪潜力的水平不同。在网络中观察到更好的凝聚力和信息传播，它具有信息获取和交换网络的正确组合。该研究为网络参与者的连通性、多参与者联盟的需求、