Between Tradition and Sustainable Innovation: Empirical Evidence for the Role of Geographical Indications

Abstract

The role of innovation without disrupting tradition is gaining importance within GI research. Next to maintaining competitiveness within niche markets, the topic of sustainability is put into focus by different GI stakeholders. This paper aims to shed light on the combination of tradition and innovation and their effects on long-term sustainability. A new framework was developed combining the concept of a GI entrepreneur, the TISyn model, and the Triple-Bottom line. It can be used for holistic research of GI agricultural productions while focusing not only on economic factors but also on social and environmental ones. Three protected designations of origin (PDO) products were researched as case studies using the framework: Stromberger Pflaume (Germany), Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna (Italy), and Vlaams Brabantse tafeldruif (Belgium). The selection of these cases was based on a qualitative content analysis of GI documents, with the possibility of comparing different national and institutional contexts, while using products belonging to the same product class (fruits and vegetables). Furthermore, the selection was refined by the available empirical material and the willingness and ability of GI stakeholders to engage in topics investigated here. The comparative case study approach allows us to qualitatively assess differences between the dimensions of sustainability within different contexts. Thus, it will help build a new theory around the synergy of tradition and innovation within the GI scheme. The results can support new GI policy designs and their implementation, which may benefit all the GI stakeholders in the long-run.

European Integration Processes in the EU GI System—A Long-Term Review of EU Regulation for GIs

“…Today the economic benefit analysis of GI protection is more interdisciplinary [23,24], and also more strongly related to its collective character [21,25], trade with third countries [26][27][28][29] and its innovation potential [30]. Additionally, the GI system is discussed scientifically in the context of rural development, location development or spatial and regional development, or in terms of regional value chains [25,[31][32][33], mostly case studybased [34][35][36].…”

Circular Economy in Mountain Value Chains: The Case of Three PDO Cheeses

“…Ref. [34] discusses that in certain GI cases around the world, innovation played an important role in adopting technological developments that lead to financial improvements to all stakeholders and the territory by ensuring environmental protection. These practices implemented side by side with tradition can help shape a sustainable VC and final product.…”

Magnifier or refractor? Exploring the impact of geographical indication on people’s perception of the value of cultural ecosystem services based on the SolVES model

“…For example, the typical GI-protected product in our study area, Beihai, is named Hepu Nanzhu, which greatly strengthens the connection between the GI-protected product and its origin. The overall study of GI products should focus not only on economic factors, but also on social and environmental factors (Gocci et al, 2020). The certification of GI-protected products covers a relatively wide ecosystem of origin, and local residents also benefit profoundly from this certification both economically and culturally (Yang, 2022).…”