Resumo

PIMENTA-ALONSO, Andrea Mara  e  LUCAS, Maria Raquel. Are the policies to promote cooperation and agglomeration effective for the competitiveness of the agribusiness? The case of Galicia. Rev. de Ciências Agrárias [online]. 2023, vol.46, n.3, pp.21-30.  Epub 04-Maio-2023. ISSN 0871-018X.  https://doi.org/10.19084/rca.31657.

The formation of cooperation networks (clusters) is one of the main strategies of European and global territorial policies to promote sustainable and efficient rural territorial development. In this sense, initiatives such as Portugal 2020 or 2030 and ESHORIZONTE 2020 or 2030, as well as organizations such as FAO or Fontagro, encourage the organization in clusters as the best alternative to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized agri-food companies. The cluster concept should be understood as a form of smart economy, supporting the participating companies, in order to bring to them, innovation, business strategies and technical support, thereby increasing their competitiveness. However, there are few research works directed to the agrarian enterprise as such, most researchers have dedicated themselves to understanding the function and benefits of clusters for the region as a whole. To fill this gap, this paper analyses the effectiveness of participating in a cluster for agrifood companies, using the case of Galicia as an example. This region is a major producer in the food sector, and through the formation of an AEI - “Agrupación Empresarial Innovadora” (denomination of clusters in Spain) seeks to boost local industry and differentiate its products in the national and international market. The results obtained through the analysis of the evolution of variables such as financial profitability and number of workers of the companies participating in the cluster compared to the companies of the region as a whole and the OECD, show that the cluster organization improves the performance of companies in general, and that cooperation and support between entrepreneurs, public and educational institutions generate positive synergies, creating new jobs and bringing sustainable development to the sector, since it promotes the use of innovative and environmentally friendly techniques.

Palavras-chave : agroindustrial cluster; agrarian enterprise; AEI; rural development.

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