Innovation and Collaboration in the DNA of a Cultural Industry: Craft Beer in Baja California

Abstract

This chapter describes the structure and dynamics of the craft beer sector in Ensenada, Baja California. It identifies elements of innovation and collaboration in the way this cultural and creative industry has evolved into its current form. This is achieved through a quantitative study that is descriptive in scope, and in this sense, the innovation value chain model was adopted as an analysis framework. One major finding is that the highest degree of innovation is recorded in production processes and brand management. Also of special note is the fact that collaborative networks between actors in this industry are established naturally and organically, and therefore they become part of the industry’s DNA. The chapter provides first-hand insights into the field of cultural and creative industries, explaining key factors in its development process and identifying the challenges that this sector faces in becoming an entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in the CaliBaja region. Studying aspects of innovation and collaboration legitimizes craft beer as a cultural and creative industry, and also generates knowledge of a sector with economic potential in Baja California.