Jeremias Lachman and Andrés López
The objective of the paper is to learn about the enabling factors that fostered the development of the Agtech sector in Argentina. The authors analyze how the local ecosystem (S&T…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of the paper is to learn about the enabling factors that fostered the development of the Agtech sector in Argentina. The authors analyze how the local ecosystem (S&T institutions, incubators and accelerators, domestic clients, venture capitals and other actors) contributed to the emergence, consolidation and early internationalization of Agtech ventures.
Design/methodology/approach
Throughout 2020 the authors held 16 semi-structured interviews with experts, CEOs and managers of Agtech firms, incubator and accelerator managers, as well as with other stakeholders of the Agtech sector. All the interviews were recorded and then transcribed. The authors also undertook two case studies, one on a consortium of agricultural producers that created an Agtech incubator, and another on a successful Agtech venture. The selection of the case studies was based on the information collected during the interviews with local stakeholders (“snowballing technique”).
Findings
Linkages with the actors of the local ecosystem allowed Agtech ventures to validate their services and value proposition, identify business opportunities, improve and develop technologies, obtain funding, and reach out to new national and international customers.
Research limitations/implications
While a case study methodology does not allow for direct generalization to other experiences, the authors’ findings shed light on relevant factors behind the development of the Agtech sector in Argentina which cannot be easily captured through quantitative methods.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to achieve a better understanding of the factors that allow the emergence and consolidation of young ventures based on disruptive technologies in Latin America. Hence, it contributes to the advancement of knowledge in an emerging field: the generation and dissemination of 4.0 technologies in developing regions.
Details
Keywords
Jeremias Lachman, Ezequiel Tacsir and Martín Pereyra
The purpose of this paper is to study the lemon and citrus clusters in Argentina and Uruguay, in which the central role of public-private coordination in ensuring successful…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the lemon and citrus clusters in Argentina and Uruguay, in which the central role of public-private coordination in ensuring successful participation in global value chains. International agrifood markets are increasingly segmented in terms of quality, plant health and safety standards, requiring the implementation of reliable traceability systems and certifications of good practices. These requirements call for the alignment of various actors – including private companies, plant health organizations, science and technology institutions – behind a common interest.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a series of case studies to answer the research question. Thus, the study conducted 30 in-depth semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from different public and private organizations (18 for the Argentinean case and 12 for Uruguay). This fieldwork took place between June and November 2020, where all interviews were recorded.
Findings
The clusters studied here exemplify how these challenges can be successfully met. In turn, these achievements not only represent new export opportunities, employment generation, attraction of foreign direct investment (or the opening of subsidiaries in other countries by one of the local companies) but also the possibility for small producers to benefit from a novel array of sectoral public goods and institutions that have the potential to contribute to their growth.
Research limitations/implications
The adoption of a case study method limits the generalization of results.
Originality/value
This study sheds light on how public–private cooperation spaces and the provision of public goods might boost fruit exports.
Jeremias Lachman and Andrés López
The purpose of this paper is to study the factors that act as innovation obstacles in precision agriculture (PA) technologies in Argentina, one of the world leading exporters of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the factors that act as innovation obstacles in precision agriculture (PA) technologies in Argentina, one of the world leading exporters of cereals and oilseeds. The focus of this study is on the supply side, i.e. the factors that are perceived by PA firms as obstacles for the expansion of their market.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a survey to 67 firms that develop PA technologies in Argentina, this study examines the impact of different types of obstacles on firms’ growth and innovation activities. This analysis is complemented with the results that emerge from a series of interviews with different stakeholders (such as firms’ managers, policymakers and experts).
Findings
In this study, it was determined that market and cost factors negatively affect firms’ growth, while institutional obstacles reduce the amount of innovation efforts. In turn, knowledge barriers positively impact on the relevance firms assigned to R&D activities. This study helps identify different strategies that firms have put in place to overcome the barriers they face. Finally, policy implications of the results are discussed.
Originality/value
PA technologies may contribute to greening agricultural production and offer an opportunity for the emergence of domestic suppliers of innovative equipment and services based on the use of data science, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things. To the bets of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that explores the obstacles that prevent growth and impact on innovation activities of PA firms. The insights from this study are valuable for both researchers and policymakers aiming to foster emergence of high-tech clusters in developing countries.
Propósito
El propósito de este trabajo es estudiar los factores que actúan como obstáculos a la innovación en tecnologías emergentes, tomando el caso de la agricultura de precisión en Argentina.
Diseño/metodología/aproximación
Estudiamos el caso de la agricultura de precisión en Argentina combinando técnicas econométricas y análisis cualitativo. Sobre la base de una encuesta a 67 empresas que desarrollan tecnologías de agricultura de precisión en Argentina, examinamos el impacto de diferentes tipos de obstáculos en el crecimiento de las empresas y las actividades de innovación. Este análisis se complementa con hallazgos derivados de una serie de entrevistas con diferentes actores (gerentes de empresas, responsables de políticas, expertos, agricultores, etc.).
Resultados
Encontramos que los obstáculos de mercado y de costos afectan negativamente el crecimiento de las empresas, mientras que los obstáculos institucionales reducen la cantidad de esfuerzos de innovación. A su vez, las barreras de conocimiento tienen un impacto positivo en la relevancia que las empresas asignan a las actividades de I + D. También identificamos diferentes estrategias que las empresas han puesto en marcha para superar las barreras que enfrentan. Finalmente, discutimos las implicaciones de política de nuestros hallazgos.
Originalidad/valor
Las tecnologías de AP contribuyen a una agricultura sustentable y ofrecen una oportunidad al surgimiento de proveedores locales de equipamiento y servicios, basados en ciencia de datos, inteligencia artificial e Internet de las Cosas. Para los autores, este es el primer estudio que explora los obstáculos al crecimiento y a la innovación en firmas de AP. Las contribuciones de este estudio son relevantes tanto para futuras investigaciones como para hacedores de políticas interesados en promover el surgimiento de clusters high-tech en países en desarrollo.
Palabras clave
Obstáculos a la innovación, Política de innovación, Agricultura de precisión
Objetivo
O objetivo deste artigo é estudar os fatores que atuam como obstáculos à inovação em tecnologias emergentes, tomando o caso da agricultura de precisão na Argentina.
Design/metodologia/abordagem
O caso da agricultura de precisão na Argentina é estudado combinando técnicas econométricas e análises qualitativas. Com base numa pesquisa com 67 empresas que desenvolvem tecnologias de agricultura de precisão na Argentina, examinamos o impacto de diferentes tipos de obstáculos nas atividades de crescimento e inovação das empresas. Esta análise é complementada com as conclusões que emergem de uma série de entrevistas com diferentes partes interessadas (gestores das empresas, responsáveis políticos, especialistas, agricultores, etc.).
Resultados
Descobrimos que os fatores de mercado e custo afetam negativamente o crescimento das empresas, enquanto os obstáculos institucionais reduzem a quantidade de esforços de inovação. Além do mais, as barreiras do conhecimento impactam positivamente na relevância que as empresas atribuem às atividades de P & D. Também identificamos diferentes estratégias que as empresas implementaram para superar as barreiras que enfrentam. Finalmente, discutimos as implicações políticas de nossos resultados.
Originalidade/valor
As tecnologias de AP contribuem para a agricultura sustentável e oferecem uma oportunidade para o surgimento de fornecedores locais de equipamentos e serviços, baseados na ciência de dados, inteligência artificial e na Internet das Coisas. Para os autores, este é o primeiro estudo que explora os obstáculos ao crescimento e inovação nas firmas de PA. As contribuições deste estudo são relevantes tanto para pesquisas futuras quanto para formuladores de políticas interessados em promover o surgimento de clusters de alta tecnologia em países em desenvolvimento.
Palabras clave
Obstáculos à inovação, Política de inovação, Agricultura de precisão