Abstract

The study sought to fill an information gap of streamlining productive processes in the implementation of differential advantage approach in Kenya OVOP projects. Since the adoption of One Village One Product (OVOP) movement has been faced with implementation challenges, inadequate resources, and capacities inhibiting its momentum in Kenya. Similarly, lack of political commitment, leadership and mutual cooperation among different actors in shared value of productivity, seems to be a major hindrance for OVOP drive in Kenya. It therefore suggest that lack of deep understanding of the critical role of productive processes for effective implementation of differential advantage approach was the study’s knowledge gap tried to fill. The overall objective of the study was to examine the role of productive processes on the implementation of differential advantage approach in OVOP projects with the view of deepening our understanding requisite conditions for successive implementation process of the approach. The study took place in three pioneer districts adopted OVOP project: Nyeri North, Laikipia West and Yatta. The study unit of analysis was OVOP projects based on convergence and social development theories. The study was a descriptive case design. A sample of 72 individuals was selected through quota sampling on the ground of pre-specified characteristics. Questionnaires, interviews guides, FGDs and observations were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. A literal replication analysis was also involved to confirm predicted propositions through pattern matching and generalizing results. The study recommended the establishment of county coordinating organ with chain champion and make Kenyan typical villages as OVOP units instead of current self-interest groups or projects. It was therefore hoped that the lesson provided may be useful for the implementation of rural development approaches to county governments and regional planners.

Key words: Industrial clustering, specialized industrialization, culture economy.