Elongating the causes of social vulnerability: Historical analysis of social sustainability dimensions in the Ivorian cocoa sector
采用比较历史分析方法，分析科特迪瓦可可产业中社会可持续性的优先事项、现状和差距，揭示增加生产者脆弱性的结构性因素，如基础设施薄弱、结构性贫困和制度衰退。
• Knowledge and methodological gaps exist concerning less tangible social sustainability dimensions that unfold over time in complex ways. • Structural factors that increase vulnerability in the Ivorian cocoa sector are not yet addressed by policymakers and value chain actors. • Cocoa producers are highly vulnerable to price shocks and production-related risks, ultimately unable to achieve a decent standard of living. • Social sustainability is complex and multifaceted, manifesting across diverse dimensions, levels, and temporal scales. • Methodologies and approaches required to facilitate a nuanced, historical, and contextualized analysis of social sustainability dimensions. Despite efforts by governments, industry, civil society and other key stakeholders to ensure fairer farmer incomes, eradicate child labour, and address causes of cocoa-related deforestation, results on the ground in Côte d’Ivoire are limited. Given the less tangible social dimensions that evade quantitative methods and unfold over time in complex ways, knowledge and methodological gaps remain. Using Comparative Historical Analysis (CHA), this study analyses social sustainability priorities, statuses, and gaps in the Ivorian cocoa sector, providing a contextual reflection of current social outcomes. Findings highlight underlying social structures that (a) show slow progress (e.g., weak infrastructure, disparities in access to basic services, especially in rural areas); (b) amplify (e.g., structural poverty magnified by demographic changes, power held by a few firms); and (c) erode (e.g., institutional decay dynamics). Analysis shows that structural factors that increase vulnerability in the Ivorian cocoa sector are not adequately addressed. Thus, cocoa producers are highly vulnerable to price shocks and production related risks, ultimately unable to achieve a decent standard of living. Addressing research and knowledge gaps while making complex social issues a more explicit part of the policy and practice agenda is crucial for successful long-term multi-sectoral and multi-actor planning.