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The Knowledge-based Agricultural Cooperative: A Validation from the Trentino Case

Author

Listed:
  • Eddi Fontanari

    (European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises (Euricse), Trento (Italy))

  • Silvia Sacchetti

    (Department of Sociology and Social Research, University of Trento (Italy))

Abstract

The new agri-food market is considered a detrimental factor for the competitiveness and financial equilibria of agricultural cooperatives. According to this view, as a result of market saturation and globalisation processes, shifting investments to supply chain forward activities (e.g., for brand development or for research and development activities) would represent a serious threat to the cooperative model. Taking a contrasting view, this paper aims at demonstrating that the cooperative model continues to play a strategic role in the current competitive environment. In particular, the adoption of the knowledge-based theory of the firm combined with the “open innovation” approach permits a renewed interpretation of the role of modern agricultural cooperatives as knowledge developers and disseminators, for the benefit of members and their communities. This theoretical approach will be tested by studying a sample of agricultural cooperatives operating in the province of Trento, in North-East Italy.

Suggested Citation

  • Eddi Fontanari & Silvia Sacchetti, 2019. "The Knowledge-based Agricultural Cooperative: A Validation from the Trentino Case," Journal of Entrepreneurial and Organizational Diversity, European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises, vol. 8(2), pages 46-70.
    • Handle: RePEc:trn:csnjrn:v:8:i:2:p:46-70
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Agricultural cooperatives; Agri-food sector; Innovation; Knowledge creation and transfer;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O35 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Social Innovation
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production

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