Inovação social e sustentabilidade em arranjos produtivos locais de agroindústria familiar

Abstract

Social challenges drive the search for solutions. Taking it into consideration, innovation is as an alternative to face society demands. Technological innovation, which is easier to identify, has allowed people new experiences, new products and services. However, the access to most of these innovations is limited to a small part of the population which lacks most basic goods and services. These goods and services need attention and present themselves as opportunities that lead to social innovations. The main objective of this study was to analyze and understand the social innovation and sustainability in a Family Agro-industry Local Cluster. The first phase of the research was based on an extensive documentary research and direct observation regarding the local cluster of the Family Agro-industry and Diversity of Médio Alto Uruguai and Rio da Várzea located in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) – Brazil. The second phase consisted of structured interviews with members of the cluster governance. The third phase involved structured interviews operationalized by a survey with forty-nine owners of family agro-industries in the region covered by the cluster. Convergent lines of research based on different sources of evidence were searched with the use of the triangulation strategy. The main conclusion of the research indicates that local cluster of Family Agro-industry and Diversity of Médio Alto Uruguai and Rio da Várzea can be considered as a social innovation resulted from society collective with induction of public power. Social innovation is a collective learning process that provides new solutions to satisfy social demands and needs. In cluster studied, collective learning was developed throughout its history by its culture, which is linked to small subsistence-producing property. These organizations, which have been losing space for multinationals and industrialized products, they have been re-signified by consumption pattern and habit changes and gentrification of rural life style. The central assumption, which relationships between social innovation and sustainability dimensions in the local cluster studied provides positive results in economic, social and environmental aspects, can be confirmed. Based on research evidence we observed that there is a prioritization of sustentability economic aspects in spite of the fact that survey results indicate a balance between economic, social and environmental dimensions. Focusing on the economic bias with income generation allows other achievements to be achieved as those related to social and environmental. This result in a social reorganization focused on well-being and a better life quality families. Finally, a number of practical implications are identified for APL, government and universities, which should institutionalize governance mechanisms and, in particular, foster leadership.