This thesis provides a vital empirical framework for understanding how emerging economies can leverage the agri-food processing subsector to drive inclusive economic growth, reduce post-harvest losses, and generate sustainable employment

Key Research Components & Findings1. The Internal Dynamics: Intangibles Over TangiblesBuilding upon the Resource-Based View (RBV) framework, the study evaluates 435 Tanzanian agri-food processors. The Power of Intangibles: Intangible resources (such as organizational culture, market understanding, and strategic networks) contribute significantly more to firm performance variations than physical, tangible assets. Management Practices Matter: Successful firm performance is heavily driven by proactive management routines, explicitly:Working capital management. Target setting.Rigorous performance monitoring.Demographic Nuances: The operational age of the enterprise and the specific age/experience profile of the manager are strong performance predictors. Conversely, the formal level of education of the manager and basic firm size are not significant standalone predictors of success.

2. The External Ecosystem: A Holistic Requirement :The research establishes that internal competence alone cannot guarantee sustainable growth in emerging markets. Firm performance is bound tightly to external ecosystems:Access to Finance: Remains a crucial bottleneck; customized financial subventions yield better results than blanket MSME credit lines.Strategic Inter-Firm Collaboration: Horizontal networks (peer-firm clusters) and vertical supply chain relationships help mitigate the vulnerabilities of "smallness." Institutional Support: Tailored policy interventions and practical business training programs have a direct, positive correlation with firm survival rates.

3. Learning Orientation & Market Response :A secondary emphasis highlights that learning orientation—specifically a commitment to learning, shared internal vision, and open-mindedness—dramatically improves how these processing MSEs adapt to shifting customer preferences and volatile local markets. Actionable Implications For Policymakers Shift from General to Specific: Move away from generalized MSME policies. Design agri-food-specific interventions that support localized industry clusters and specialized agri-business training.Financial Access: Establish distinct Agro-Processing Development Funds that prioritize working capital flexibility over rigid asset-backed loans.For Industry Practitioners & Entrepreneurs Invest in Routine Practices: Focus heavily on internal structural habits like performance tracking and efficient working capital management.Leverage Alliances: Actively participate in strategic inter-firm collaborations to boost bargaining power, share market insights, and combat competition from larger importers.

Thesis (PhD).- Ghent University. Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, 2026.

Includes references

eng.