Performance perceptions among supply chain members: A triadic assessment of the influence of supply chain relationship quality on supply chain performance Abstract Purpose: A good supply chain relationship quality (RQ) is a crucial precursor for any stable exchange relationship which ensures relationship continuity. Although empirical research suggests that strengthening RQ improves supply chain performance (SCP), most studies have focused on dyadic business relationships. To fully understand the relational behaviour of a firm embedded in a supply chain, we need to look beyond the dyad into triads. This paper investigates how SCP is influenced by RQ in a triadic agribusiness supply chain.Design/methodology/approach: Evidence is drawn from a quantitative survey of 150 agribusiness firms in the maize supply chain in Uganda. Data was collected in triadic context from 50 direct supply chains each composing of a supplier, focal firm and customer. Multigroup structural equations modelling (SEM) was used to assess the differences in perception on the influence of RQ on SCP amongst the supply chain members. Findings:Results provides empirical support for the positive influence of RQ on SCP. SEM reveals differences in perception between the upstream and downstream and amongst the supply chains members. While focal firms considered conflict, coercive power, commitment and trust to be important; suppliers considered trust, dependency and non-coercive power; and customers considered trust, dependency and coercive power to be important RQ factors affecting supply chain performance. Practical implications:For agribusiness managers to enhance business performance there is need to cultivate strong and mutual relationship with supply chain members. It is also important to know how to handle conflicts and use of power so as to realise the benefits of supply chain relationships. Originality/value: Our paper is novel in that it assesses SCP in a triadic context in an agribusiness sector from a developing country context. We used novel approaches including analysis of a triad, and multiple groups SEM to assess perceptions of each supply chain member's. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 there still remains some critical gaps in SCM literature that deserve critical attention.Firstly, most previous studies have focused on business-to-business (b2b) or businessto-consumer (b2c) relationships in dyadic settings (Athanasopoulou, 2009; Choi & Wu, 2009;Molnár et al., 2010;Nyaga et al., 2010). Analysing the supply chain at a dyadic level does not bring out the underlying dimensions of a supply chain (Kühne, Gellynck, & Weaver, 2013;Mentzer et al., 2001;Molnár et al., 2010;Rungtusanatham, Salvador, Forza, & Choi, 2003;Wu, Choi, & Rungtusanatham, 2010).Secondly, most studies used data derived using a focal firm approach. This approach is not devoid of t...

This paper assesses the marketing of edible insects with the aim of understanding the market opportunities, market players, and the value chain of edible insect products in the Lake Victoria basin. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data on edible insects marketing from 147 edible insect traders in Uganda and Burundi. Results showed that the most commercialised edible insect was Ruspolia differens. The marketing of edible insects was concentrated in urban areas, where they were considered a delicacy. Household collections were largely consumed within the homes and a small proportion was sold to neighbours. The marketing of edible insects was characterised by minimal value addition, lack of standardisation and adequate market information. We find that edible insects have high market potentials, with demand often outstripping supply throughout the year, and unit prices always higher than competing products such as beef, pork and poultry in the market. Marketing of edible insects therefore presents a livelihood opportunity and option for the communities in the Lake Victoria basin. However, for this to be realised there is need to explore options of adding value to edible insects as well as standardising their packaging, weighing and pricing.

Edible insects (EIs) provide an important food source in Africa, but their potential to improve livelihoods and environmental conservation is yet to be fully exploited. This study contributes towards enhancing the use of EIs in the Lake Victoria basin (LVB), with particular attention to local perspectives of the catalogue, ecology, management, collection, processing and consumption. The study was conducted along the LVB in Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda between 2012 and 2013 using a household survey and focus group discussions. Results revealed that up to 20 insect species were eaten in Uganda, 13 in Burundi, and six in Rwanda. In Uganda, the most consumed insects were a katydid grasshopper (Ruspolia differens), palm weevil (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) larvae and termites (Macrotermes), while in Rwanda and Burundi, Macrotermes species were the most consumed. The most common source of EIs in households was their own collection from the wild, although a number of insects were also bought from markets. Local communities reported various ways of collecting, processing and storing insects. Overall, most of these activities require technological interventions. Despite the high consumption of EIs, no deliberate efforts were reported on conservation and rearing of any of the insects consumed in the three countries. This raises serious questions pertaining to the sustainable consumption of EIs, especially in the face of climate change in this region.

African swine fever (ASF) is endemic in Uganda and considered a major constraint to pig production. In the absence of a vaccine, biosecurity is key for ASF prevention and control. To improve prevention and control on farm and community level there is need for more knowledge on current application of biosecurity practises, and better understanding of how pig value chain actors perceive prevention and control. To achieve this, a qualitative interview study involving focus group discussions (FGD) was conducted with actors from the smallholder pig value chain in northern Uganda. Six villages were purposively selected based on previous outbreaks of ASF, preliminary perceived willingness to control ASF, and the representation of several different value chain actors in the village. Results indicated that biosecurity practises such as basic hygiene routines including safe carcass handling, minimising direct and indirect contacts between pigs or between pigs and people, trade restrictions and sharing of disease information were implemented in some of the villages. Thematic analysis based on grounded theory revealed six categories of data relating to ASF prevention and control. Together these categories form a logical framework including both enablers and hindrances for ASF prevention and control. In summary participants mostly had positive perceptions of ASF biosecurity, describing measures as effective. Participants further possessed knowledge of ASF and its transmission, some of which was in line with known scientific knowledge and some not. Nevertheless, participants were hindered from preventing and controlling ASF due to biosecurity costs and a need to prioritise family livelihood over disease transmission risks, incompatibility of current biosecurity practises with local culture, traditions and social contexts and finally lack of access to veterinarians or, occasionally, low-quality veterinary services. The constraints could be addressed by applying participatory processes in designing biosecurity measures to ensure better adaptation to local cultural and social contexts.