Social Innovation in Rural Areas? The Case of Andalusian Olive Oil Co-Operatives

Abstract

Social innovations have been the subject of much academic discussion in recent years and have been approached from multiple scientific perspectives. This work sets out to determine whether innovations carried out by Andalusian olive oil cooperatives can be described in terms of social innovation and if they could run a main role as rural development actors preserving the competitive capacity of farmers and the living conditions in rural Andalusia. Through an analysis of the available literature, the use of municipal statistical data and the conducting of in-depth interviews, we show how cooperatives have been proposed as a solution to the problems that international competition poses for the production activity of olives and olive oil. At present, the most innovative cooperatives are undergoing a slow process of incorporating innovations, above all organisational and management ones, which reach beyond the entities themselves, given the social character that they have in the region, where they are considered a public good. Despite the problems that olive oil cooperatives have historically had in competing in the market, they can contribute to maintaining the population in the rural environment and improving the quality of life in the region, justifying the need for government support.

The Importance of Endogenous Resources for Internationalization: Competitive Advantages in the Olive Groves of Southern Spain

“…According to studies by Aznar et al [58] and Rodríguez-Cohard and Muñoz-Guarasa [59], in the region in which the study area is located (Andalusia), most endogenous development tools are activated through local initiatives to change the local productive system, so that cooperating and strengthening ties between local agents and those acting (or located) in the international arena adds positive effects to the region and its companies. Sánchez-Martínez et al [60] indicate that the strategic change initiatives carried out in the region must be in line with its institutional framework, since informal institutions are key in shaping a positive outcome from the changes implemented, so that they become processes of social innovation and endure over time, which contributes to improving the quality of life of the area's citizens. Specifically, the municipalities did not support the analyzed companies at the beginning of their processes (of expanding abroad), so coordination and cooperation between them and the olive sector is essential, since it is a strategic piece in the promotion of collective learning within the regional innovation systems, through the interaction among universities and research centers, external and local companies, and the public administration [61].…”

Museumization of olive oil mills: instruments for conservation of the heritage of the olive grove culture

“…As Selman and Knight (2006) points out, resource use and allocation comprises the main element involved in the conservation of ecosystems and the development of traditional agricultural products; as such, the objectives of landscape planning lie partway between the natural-cultural and the socio-economic. The degree of resource use has an exponential effect on the dimensions of innovation in the olive sector, ultimately allowing olive oil mills to set themselves apart at a competitive level (Sánchez-Martínez et al 2020). The implementation of technological elements and the processes of virtualization of these spaces is becoming common practice and essential to the interaction between the public and the content on offer (Rojas-Sola et al 2021).…”

Potential for Sustainable Development in the Southeastern Spanish Region of Guadix

“…Cooperatives, in addition to creating economic activity and employment, will contribute to increasing the resilience of the society, since they are flexible and capable of providing protection to their members when difficult circumstances of the socio-economic crisis arise. This protection makes it possible for cooperatives to be a sort of guarantee for the local economy, since their operation is not designed to take risks, and this reduces the fatal consequences of high exposure in times of crisis [57].…”