Orchestrating a Multi-Stakeholder Supply Chain Network: The Case of Exporters in Cocoa Certification in Cote d’Ivoire

Abstract

Using a case study, this article uses the concept of network orchestration to examine the role of exporters in the implementation of voluntary cocoa certification in Cote d’Ivoire. To this end, data were collected from literature reviews, surveys of two exporters, and 20 cooperatives. Actor linkage matrix, actor linkage map and discourse analysis are used to understand the role of exporters in cocoa certification in Cote d’Ivoire. The findings show that exporters not only participate in the construction of a network of actors around the implementation of cocoa certification, but above all they pilot the network to facilitate certification implementation by actively participating in the mobility of knowledge and financial resources within the network and managing the certification process. However, although exporters play a key role in the implementation of voluntary certifications, their role as network orchestrator is dilemmatic. Indeed, they use their position as orchestrator to control sales of cooperatives’ certified cocoa and their premium.JEL Codes: O350, Q55