R&D Collaboration, Competitiveness Development, and Open Innovation in R&D

Abstract

The competitiveness of the agro-industrial sector depends not only on its specific performance but also on the character and degree of the innovation performance, vital to added value development and differentiation in the biobased value-chain. This work intends to show, how through research and development (R&D), collaboration is possible to improve agri-food companies’ competitiveness, helping them to integrate biotechnology and offer innovative products. The method used to support the R&D collaboration model developed involves a diagnosis of biotechnological tools use, for developing appropriate solutions from food safety to food quality, improving health, and achieving new ingredients and/or food products within an agri-food Association partners survey results were integrated into the study of R&D collaboration practice. Results show that the companies (wine culture, fruticulture, and olive culture subsectors) inquired do not develop biotechnology research. They were all micro-business with a low volume of commercial billing, and only 27.3% claimed to have developed research activities in partnership with external research centres, but were not associated with higher education institutions. The barriers to the implementation of biotechnology techniques considered more relevant by respondents were access to capital and specialized human resources, which led to reinforcing the R&D collaboration strategy design.

Evaluation of the Economic Profitability of Using Renewable Energy Sources in Agro-Industrial Companies

“…It was found that there is a steady relationship between the introduction of RES in the activities of companies, the level of their competitiveness, and energy conservation costs. Hence, the study confirmed the importance of RES in the socioeconomic progress of agro-industrial enterprises in the context of ensuring their competitiveness (Paiva et al 2020).…”

Open-Innovation Practices: Diversity in Portuguese SMEs

“…However, their knowledge and resources are limited, which makes it more difficult for companies to explore new technologies on their own. Therefore, universities and R&D centers are becoming knowledge providers for industries [40][41][42]. However, as stated in Jonsson et al [43], since researchers are more interested in the scientific results of research and less in its market value and have a different perception of time, this can pose an added challenge for companies.…”

The Influence of Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialization (RIS3) on University-Industry Collaboration

“…European research policy underlines the effectiveness of the proximity approach for local university research centres to innovation to local businesses and small firms to improve knowledge and technology transfer [88][89][90].…”