Mapping Technology Transfer Networks in the Agroindustry: A Social Network Analysis of Peru, Colombia, and Mexico

Abstract

Technology transfer within the agroindustry is essential for improving productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness, particularly in emerging economies. In Latin America, collaborative networks linking researchers, institutions, and countries serve as primary channels for disseminating innovations and fostering inclusive development. This study applies Social Network Analysis (SNA) to examine citation networks in agroindustry-related research from Peru, Colombia, and Mexico. Three interconnected layers---authors, organizations, and countries---were analyzed using metrics including degree centrality, betweenness centrality, clustering coefficient, and network diameter. The results identify highly cited actors, key institutional hubs, and leading countries in knowledge dissemination, alongside cohesive clusters and bridging entities. The findings highlight both opportunities and structural gaps in regional collaboration, offering insights for strengthening strategic alliances, guiding funding policies, and promoting balanced participation in innovation systems. This network-based evidence provides a basis for decision-making by policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders seeking to enhance technology transfer in the agroindustrial sector.