Abstract
This paper contributes to the theoretical debate in agri-food economics on sustainable innovations. Specifically, it aims to define an interpretative model of sustainable innovation processes conceived at the supply chain level, and the determinants promoting these processes. The paper also proposes a best practice of sustainable collective innovation, namely the “Aureo” wheat supply chain. Sustainable collective innovation requires the commitment and involvement of all actors of the agri-food supply chain, while its effectiveness depends on the governance models adopted. The study findings validate the proposed theoretical framework, highlighting several economic, social, and environmental benefits that the process can provide. The results contribute to the debate on the topic, providing useful insights for practitioners and policy-makers.
Highlights
The economic and political-institutional environment and the deep social changes which took place at the end of the last century, encouraged companies to implement sustainable innovations [1] as a strategy of product differentiation [2,3,4,5]
The price difference of approximately 1.30 euros per kilo is a proxy of the value created by the sustainable collective innovation process and shared—through the contract—with all actors of the “Aureo” wheat supply chain
Since the process involved the whole agri-food supply chain, it is considered a process of sustainable collective innovation
Summary
The economic and political-institutional environment and the deep social changes which took place at the end of the last century, encouraged companies to implement sustainable innovations [1] as a strategy of product differentiation [2,3,4,5] This process affected the agri-food sector, which was struggling with issues related to: (i) the rising competitive pressure due to market globalization and liberalization; (ii) environmental pollution and climate change; (iii) the rising societal awareness of the link between food, health, and environment [6]. The current attitudes of consumers towards environmental, social, and public health issues have prompted them to evaluate the social costs associated with the production of goods and services purchased The latter are widely considered by citizen-consumers in their purchasing decisions. They define the uniqueness of a product as well as those of its production area
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