The Role of mediator organisations in the making of innovation systems in least developed countries. Evidence from Tanzania

This paper examines the linkages and interactive learning processes between foreign and local actors in an innovation system in Tanzania. Specifically, the importance of a mediator organization to absorb and transfer knowledge from the foreign to the local sector is examined. The potential application of emerging knowledge spillovers to wider local users is thus evaluated. Empirical evidence suggests that although the potential exists for the wider application of technology and knowledge spillovers, a number of key constraints partly hinder the achievement of this potential and the proper functioning of an innovation system.