VDM Yordy, C: Information Search Costs in Two Artisanal FishingV

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.