Innovation and sectoral linkages in the agri-food system in the Valencian Community

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the innovative effort of the agri-food system (AFS) in the Valencian Autonomous Community (VC), Spain, estimating the intensity of innovation in each subsector of the AFS. The analysis distinguishes between the direct and indirect (or induced) innovation intensities incorporated by the acquisition of inputs from other subsectors produced in the VC or in the rest of Spain. The methodology employed is based on the inputoutput framework combined with data of technological innovation in enterprises. This methodology provides the novelty of been applied to a region -the VC-and not to a country as it is usually done. The results show that the weight of intersectoral flows in the total innovation effort of the AFS is significant with marked differences between primary and food industry. In most activities, embodied knowledge in inputs purchased from Spain is greater than embodied knowledge of inputs produced inside the region.Additional key words: embodied knowledge; food industry; input-output; intersectoral linkages; primary sector; Spain; Valencian region. Resumen Innovación y vínculos sectoriales en el sistema agroalimentario de la Comunidad ValencianaEste artículo analiza el esfuerzo innovador del sistema agroalimentario de la Comunidad Autónoma de Valencia (CAV), España, estimando la intensidad de innovación de cada subsector del sistema. El análisis distingue la intensidad de innovación directa y la intensidad indirecta (o inducida) incorporada en los inputs adquiridos por el sistema agroalimentario, indicando si es originada dentro o fuera de la región. La metodología empleada se basa en la utilización del marco input-output combinado con datos de innovación tecnológica en las empresas. Esta metodología aporta la novedad de ser aplicada a nivel regional -en la CAV-y no a nivel nacional, como se ha realizado hasta ahora. Los resultados muestran que el peso de los flujos intersectoriales en la innovación total del sistema agroalimentario es apreciable y muestra diferencias importantes entre la agricultura y la industria alimentaria. En casi todos los casos el conocimiento incorporado en insumos originados fuera de la región supera a los producidos dentro de la región.

Determinants of Agri‐food Firms’ Participation in Public Funded Research and Development

“…However, part of the competition effects can be subsumed in the firm size and the industrial district effects. The industrial districts are associated with the conditions for learning from competitors through horizontal cooperation in innovation, although some authors suggest that food manufacturers are less resting on competitors as a source for innovation than on information flows from customers (Copus et al, 2008) or suppliers (García Alvarez-Coque, et al 2012). Spatial conditions also influence R&D effects on productivity growth (Fernández & Rubiera, 2013).…”

“…Partnerships of agri-food firms with public institutions reduce the costs and risks of private R&D, produce social 1 There are, of course, other sources of innovation in agriculture as, for example, as an adopter of innovation through the acquisition of innovation intensive products or the adaptation of products and processes to customers (see Omta, 2002;Beckeman, M., & Skjöldebrand, 2007;García Alvarez-Coque et al, 2012).…”

The effect of population size and technological collaboration on firms' innovation

“…Moreover, organizations located in less populated areas can take advantage of their lower structural costs for developing specialized poles of innovation (Tödtling and Trippl, 2018). Indeed, firms located in rural regions could be as competitive as those located in more populated urban areas if they have access to qualified human capital and public and private R&D resources (García-Alvarez-Coque et al, 2012). Following this approach, those peripheral regions that host a university can provide similar resources for innovation as more populated areas (Eder, 2019).…”