Uncovering the Challenges and Cornerstones for the Governance of an Innovation Ecosystem in Organic and Agroecological Agriculture

Cristiane Barreto, Ana Clara Carlos, Isabella Silva, Renata Nunes, Aline Lourenço and Sanderson Barbalho ()
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Cristiane Barreto: Center for Sustainable Development, University of Brasília, Darcy Ribiero Campus, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
Ana Clara Carlos: Center for Sustainable Development, University of Brasília, Darcy Ribiero Campus, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
Isabella Silva: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Brasília, Darcy Ribiero Campus, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
Renata Nunes: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Brasília, Darcy Ribiero Campus, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
Aline Lourenço: Post-Graduation Program in Mechatronic Systems, Technology College, University of Brasília, Darcy Ribiero Campus, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
Sanderson Barbalho: Post-Graduation Program in Mechatronic Systems, Technology College, University of Brasília, Darcy Ribiero Campus, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-21

Abstract: The concept of innovation ecosystems brigs to light a whole set of stakeholders that face an entire set of barriers to making new technologies change people’s lives. This research aimed to understand and analyze the innovation ecosystem in organic and agroecological production in the Federal District, Brazil, and its directly influenced area. The purpose was to analyze the role of each stakeholder in ecosystem governance and build strategies for boosting organic food value chains in the territory. A questionnaire was applied to 27 institutions identified as the potential backbone of the innovation ecosystem. The Gephi 0.10.1 software and the Force Atlas 2 network algorithm set up the relationship network. We verified a certain misalignment between expected roles and functions performed by 66% of the stakeholders. Low integration and dispersed relationships in the network were observed with a misalignment around the innovation concept in organic food production. This arrangement of the ecosystem is compatible with an initial stage, in which stakeholders and resources would be spread out and demobilized. Although shared governance is the most effective for an innovation ecosystem, the analyzed ecosystem demands centralized governance with a leading organization. Strengthening strategies were proposed to (i) define leadership, (ii) define roles or competencies, and (iii) strengthen community attributes.

Keywords: stakeholders; social network analysis; trust relationships (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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