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Author
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Madzinga, Rutendo F
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Title
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An Analysis of issue Networks and Policy Communities in Local Economic Development: the role of Informal Networks in Policymaking and Implementation in Masvingo city council.
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Abstract
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This qualitative research explores the dynamics of issue networks and policy communities within the context of local economic development (LED) in Masvingo City Council, with a particular focus on the role of informal networks in policy-making and implementation processes. Through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and participant observations involving key stakeholders such as council officials, local business leaders, community representatives, and non-governmental actors, the study uncovers how informal relationships and social ties operate alongside formal structures to influence decision-making and policy outcomes. The findings reveal that informal networks often serve as critical channels for information exchange, consensus building, and resource mobilisation, compensating for bureaucratic inefficiencies and gaps in formal governance mechanisms. However, the research also identifies challenges including issues of transparency, accountability, and exclusion, where reliance on informal networks may inadvertently marginalise certain voices or perpetuate patronage systems. The study further highlights the fluid and overlapping nature of issue networks and policy communities in Masvingo, illustrating how actors from diverse sectors converge around shared economic development goals but often with competing interests and varying degrees of influence. Informal networks, while enhancing flexibility and responsiveness, sometimes complicate formal policy processes, raising questions about legitimacy and equitable participation. Notably, the research points to the central role played by trusted individuals or “brokers” who navigate both formal and informal realms to facilitate policy negotiations and implementation, demonstrating the importance of interpersonal trust and social capital in local governance. Based on these insights, the study recommends that Masvingo City Council should formally acknowledge and integrate informal networks into its policy frameworks to leverage their strengths while instituting safeguards to enhance transparency and inclusiveness. This could involve establishing formalised consultation platforms that bridge formal and informal actors, capacity-building programmes aimed at fostering equitable stakeholder engagement, and clear guidelines to mitigate risks of exclusion and patronage. Additionally, strengthening documentation and monitoring of informal interactions could improve accountability without undermining the agility that informal networks provide. Ultimately, a balanced approach that values both formal structures and informal relations is essential for effective, inclusive, and sustainable local economic development in Masvingo.
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Date
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June 2025
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Publisher
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BUSE
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Keywords
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networks and policy communities
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local economic development (LED)
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Supervisor
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Dr. E. Siziba
