Information search costs constitute one of the most
fundamental aspects of the theory of transactions
costs, yet there have been few studies which have
documented search costs empirically in developing
economies. In order to gain a better idea of the
nature of search costs in rural production systems,
it is helpful to trace the impacts of specific
technologies on the availability of market
information and market knowledge. This study finds
that market information disseminated via community
radio reduces information search costs for rural
producers, particularly for rural women in the
communities sampled. This study evaluates changes in
search costs in two ways: first in assessing changes
in the costs of accessing market information, and
second in assessing how changes in search costs are
linked to enhanced market choices, bargaining power
and opportunism.
fundamental aspects of the theory of transactions
costs, yet there have been few studies which have
documented search costs empirically in developing
economies. In order to gain a better idea of the
nature of search costs in rural production systems,
it is helpful to trace the impacts of specific
technologies on the availability of market
information and market knowledge. This study finds
that market information disseminated via community
radio reduces information search costs for rural
producers, particularly for rural women in the
communities sampled. This study evaluates changes in
search costs in two ways: first in assessing changes
in the costs of accessing market information, and
second in assessing how changes in search costs are
linked to enhanced market choices, bargaining power
and opportunism.