Informal Information-Exchange Networks in Rural Low-Tech Clusters

This chapter is about the role that knowledge exchanges through informal interaction play in innovation and learning in rural low-tech clusters. An empirical illustration based on a coir producing cluster demonstrates the significance of informal technological-information exchanges and the success of defensive strategies. We draw lessons from this and provide suggestions on how the policy discourse must appreciate and be sensitive to the role of informal learning. The findings and observations have implications not only for our conceptual understanding of learning in low-tech environments but also for pointers on technology prescription for rural low-tech clusters, to make innovation and learning a more inclusive process.