Social space and industrial development in East Africa: deconstructing the logics of industry networks in Mwanza, Tanzania

This study analyses the processes through which business networksare constructed and maintained by manufacturers in the rapidlygrowing city of Mwanza, Tanzania. Emphasis is placed on identifyingand describing the key conventions, norms, routines, understandings,identities, trust mechanisms, and sources of power managersand entrepreneurs use in pursuit of financing, a better reputation,and novel information. The findings demonstrate some of thelimitations on transaction-cost based explanations for the developmentof industry networks, highlight the importance of trust andpower in shaping interfirm relations, and provide support formore agency-centered approaches to studies of industrializationin East Africa.