KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT IN AGRIBUSINESS

Abstract

The article is aimed at presenting the essence and determinants of knowledge and innovation management in agribusiness. The results of analysis indicate a need for a systemic approach to research into and actors involved in knowledge and innovation management and transfer as well as for cooperation of these actors. A specific role is played here by agricultural and science policies implemented by the state and various institutions operating in the agribusiness environment. The involvement of the state results from the unquestionable role of knowledge and innovation for the development of the economy and society but also from the specifics of agribusiness. In Poland, research on agribusiness is conducted by institutes and universities, most of which are public, hence their activities are financed from the state budget. Therefore, it is necessary to make the best use of research potential to achieve the set objectives of socio-economic and science policies and to finance new research and innovation consistent with these policies. Possible tools for knowledge and innovation creation in agribusiness include central, regional and local government programmes and projects focused on the implementation of specific goals and tasks (e.g. an agricultural innovation network), financial instruments as incentives to explore a particular research topic or undertake a particular innovation, and institutional instruments. For the efficient functioning of the entire system of generation, implementation and dissemination of research results, it is important, on the one hand, that information is acquired about the current needs of practice and, on the other hand, that the results of hitherto research are transmitted.