Interorganisational Power Dynamics, Governance Structure, and Equity in Agricultural Supply Chains: Theory and Evidence from the Nigerian Cassava Processing Sector

This dissertation investigates interorganisational power dynamics, governance structure, and distributional equity in agricultural supply chains, with original theory and empirical evidence generated from the Nigerian cassava processing sector spanning Benue, Oyo, Cross River, and Imo States. Cassava is Nigeria's most widely consumed staple crop, processed and distributed through supply chains involving millions of smallholder farmers, primary processors, large-scale industrial processors, and retail distributors. Power asymmetries between chain actors, particularly between large processors and smallholder suppliers, are theorised to shape governance arrangements in ways that distribute supply chain value inequitably. Drawing on power-dependence theory, governance chain analysis, and supply chain equity frameworks, the dissertation constructs an original Structural Power-Equity Model proposing that power concentration at processing nodes mediates the relationship between chain governance formalisation and smallholder income equity outcomes. A mixed-methods multi-zone design is applied, combining quantitative value chain surveys of 350 chain actors with 40 in-depth interviews and 10 case studies of buyer-farmer contracting relationships across four states. Structural equation modelling and comparative governance case analysis are employed. Original theoretical contributions include the Structural Power-Equity Model, a power asymmetry index for agricultural supply chains, and an equity-adjusted governance evaluation framework. Findings are expected to demonstrate that formalised governance structures, when power-imbalanced, reinforce rather than reduce smallholder income inequality. Recommendations address agricultural policy makers, large processors, and smallholder cooperative associations on restructuring governance for equitable value distribution. Keywords: power dynamics, supply chain governance, equity, cassava sector, Nigeria.