ANALYSIS OF ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY CONDITIONS BASED ON R&D PROJECTS

ABSTRACT Purpose: In this study, the notion of absorptive capacity (AC) and its configurations were adopted as a reference with the general goal of understanding the development stage of processes and routines of the acquisition, transformation and application of knowledge in the context of a public research company. Originality/value: One of the mobilizing factors in the agricultural sector in Brazil is the generation of new products and processes. In this case, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Agency (Embrapa) has played a role, especially in the absorption, internalization and generation of agricultural knowledge and innovations. In its processes, it involves its decentralized units and scientific and technological partners through research and development (R&D) processes. Identifying and systematizing the most effective forms and configurations in processes and routines associated with the dynamic of knowledge appropriation in a diverse and dynamic environment such as Embrapa constitutes a major challenge for scholars. However, recent studies have highlighted the growing diffusion of the debate on the AC construct. Design/methodology/approach: For this purpose, a case study was conducted involving Embrapa and three of its R&D projects. The study found evidence of intra-organizational and interorganizational alliances, as well as resulting important innovations. Findings: The principal contribution was identifying, in a public research company, the presence of routines and processes similar to those observed in the configurations of AC analyzed in the literature and the consolidation of routines and processes of knowledge absorption at the intra-organizational and interorganizational levels.

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Das globale Huhn

PROKLA Zeitschrift für kritische Sozialwissenschaft ◽

10.32387/prokla.v34i135.633 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 34 (135) ◽

pp. 263-285

Author(s):

Ulrich Petschow ◽

Anita Idel

Keyword(s):

Genetic Resources ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Breeding Systems ◽

Production Model ◽

Economic Interests ◽

International Policy ◽

Policy Agendas ◽

Traditional Breeding

The loss of agrobiodiversity is an upcoming field on international policy agendas. The case study “global chicken” reveals the causes of the loss of agrogenetic resources of chicken. This loss is caused by agricultural research linked with economic interests and property right systems as well as the enforcement of a fordist production model in the agricultural sector with immense distributional effects especially on agrogenetic resources. The hybrid chicken breeding industry destroys genetic resources by “outcompeting” traditional breeding systems.

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Forging researchers-farmers partnership in public social innovation: a case study of Malaysia’s agro-based public research institution

International Food and Agribusiness Management Review ◽

10.22434/ifamr2019.0119 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 579-597

Author(s):

Nur Hanis Mohamad Noor ◽

Boon-Kwee Ng ◽

Mohd Johaary Abdul Hamid

Keyword(s):

Social Innovation ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Innovation System ◽

Civil Society Organizations ◽

Public Research ◽

Research Institution ◽

Extension Agencies ◽

High Yields ◽

Agricultural Innovation System

This paper explores the effective roles of public research institutions (PRIs) in social innovation and understand the element of communal support in researchers-farmers partnership. The case study on Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) reveals that the partnership between researchers and farmers is limited. The only productive and formal channel for researchers to reach the farmers is through agricultural extension agencies. It found that there are three elements that drive sustainable social innovation in agriculture: (1) quality research by PRIs; (2) efficient extension agency in disseminating knowledge to farmers; and (3) productive farmers in delivering high-yields farming. This paper claimed that the presence of partnership between researchers in PRIs and farmers is the crucial pivot in ensuring innovation reaches the target group. The study also found the potential of civil society organizations to transform farmers into more active innovation actors in the agricultural innovation system.

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Relational capability: a study of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation

Revista de Administração Pública ◽

10.1590/0034-761220190329x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (5) ◽

pp. 1307-1333

Author(s):

Taísa Scariot Preusler ◽

Priscila Rezende da Costa ◽

Tatiane Baseggio Crespi ◽

Claudia Brito Silva Cirani

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Research And Development ◽

Strategic Management ◽

Empirical Evidence ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Document Analysis ◽

Public Research ◽

Research Corporation ◽

New Framework

Abstract The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) plays an important role in Research and Development (R&D) for generating innovations. Most innovations are generated through R&D alliances with external partners, stimulating relational capability (RC), that is, a construct of strategic management of alliances with propositions for procedures that have not yet been empirically verified. In this context, we investigated how relational capability processes contribute to generating innovations. We conducted qualitative research using a case study based on interviews, document analysis, and observation. Three strategic R&D alliances involving EMBRAPA and external partners constituted the analysis corpus. The main contribution to knowledge advancement is a multidimensional fraProgmework for generating innovations from strategic R&D alliances, based on the empirical evidence of processes of EMBRAPA relational capability and its external partners. This new framework sheds light on how a public research enterprise absorbs knowledge and uncovers the processes of institutionalization and relational capability spillover.

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Capacidade relacional: um estudo da Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária

Revista de Administração Pública ◽

10.1590/0034-761220190329 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (5) ◽

pp. 1307-1333

Author(s):

Taísa Scariot Preusler ◽

Priscila Rezende da Costa ◽

Tatiane Baseggio Crespi ◽

Claudia Brito Silva Cirani

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Research And Development ◽

Strategic Management ◽

Empirical Evidence ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Document Analysis ◽

Public Research ◽

Research Corporation ◽

New Framework

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Absorption, combination and desorption: knowledge-oriented boundary spanning capacities

Journal of Knowledge Management ◽

10.1108/jkm-08-2017-0325 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (7) ◽

pp. 1425-1441 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

James Stephen Denford ◽

Allan Ferriss

Keyword(s):

Absorptive Capacity ◽

Integrative Model ◽

Content Type ◽

Organizational Goals ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Empirically Supported ◽

Multiple Case ◽

Knowledge Exploration ◽

Knowledge Absorption

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to theoretically develop and empirically explore knowledge absorption, combination and desorption within and between organizations. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of knowledge-based view and absorptive capacity, the authors have conducted a multiple-case study to develop a theoretically grounded and empirically supported model of intra- and inter-firm knowledge cycles. Findings Firms identify their knowledge gaps and stocks, both tacit and explicit, undertaking efforts to fill the latter and maximize the value of the former. The paper finds that knowledge exploration, integration and exploitation both within the firm and between firms relies on absorptive, combinative and desorptive capacities. Further, as such capacities are organizationally expensive to maintain, firms will often emphasize one capacity over the other and focus either internally or externally to meet organizational goals. Originality/value While there is extensive research into absorptive capacity and some into combinative capacity, there is little empirical investigation of desorptive capacity and none into the integration of the three concepts; this paper seeks to fill that gap. Moreover, the resulting novel integrative model allows managers and researchers to identify the various capacities in use and their applications within the firm and between firms.

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A Leadership Approach for the New Millennium: A Case Study of UCLA's Bruin Leaders Project

NASPA Journal ◽

10.2202/0027-6014.1134 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Charles L. Outcalt ◽

Shannon K. Faris ◽

Kathleen N. McMahon ◽

Philip M. Tahtakran ◽

Christopher B. Noll

Keyword(s):

Social Development ◽

Student Development ◽

Research University ◽

Leadership Theory ◽

Public Research ◽

Current Case ◽

Leadership Model ◽

Public Research University ◽

New Millennium

The current case study investigates the application of a non-hierarchical leadership model at an urban public research university. Following a review of recent contributions to leadership theory, especially with regard to student development, the authors balance discussions of the values on which the program under review is based with descriptions of the practical structure of the program. In addition, they suggest means by which other campuses can tailor this program to their resources, opportunities, and needs. The case study concludes with a discussion of the programs effect on students cognitive and social development.

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Foreign Aid and its Role in Maintaining the Exploitation of the Agricultural Sector: Evidence from a Case Study in Africa

International Journal of Health Services ◽

10.2190/ekb0-afnd-8gn3-ge72 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 33-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Claudio Schuftan

Keyword(s):

Rural Development ◽

Foreign Aid ◽

Local Governments ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

National Development ◽

The Other ◽

Sizable Proportion ◽

Using Data ◽

State Of Affairs

Today most foreign aid donors are genuinely committed to the idea that development in Third World countries should start with rural development. Therefore, a sizable proportion of their development funds are invested in rural projects. However, donors channel these funds through local governments (most often representing local bourgeois interests) that are not as committed to the principle of rural development. These governments are often also embarked in policies that are actually—directly or indirectly—expropriating the surpluses generated by agriculture and investing them in the other sectors of the economy. The peasants are therefore footing most of the bill of overall national development. This paper contends that, because of this state of affairs, foreign aid directed toward rural development is actually filling the investment gap left by an internal system of unequal returns to production in agriculture. In so doing, foreign aid is indirectly financing the development of the other sectors of the economy, even if this result is unintended. This perpetrates maldevelopment without redressing the basic exploitation process of peasants which lies at the core of underdevelopment. Evidence to support this hypothesis is presented using data from a primarily agricultural exporting country: the United Republic of Cameroon.

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Systematic Stakeholder Inclusion in Digital Agriculture: A Framework and Application to Canada

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13126879 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 6879

Author(s):

Hassan P. Ebrahimi ◽

R. Sandra Schillo ◽

Kelly Bronson

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Sector ◽

Food System ◽

News Article ◽

Test Case ◽

Stakeholder Groups ◽

Research And Innovation ◽

Article Analysis ◽

Digital Agriculture ◽

Responsible Research

This study provides a model that supports systematic stakeholder inclusion in agricultural technology. Building on the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) literature and attempting to add precision to the conversation around inclusion in technology design and governance, this study develops a framework for determining which stakeholder groups to engage in RRI processes. We developed the model using a specific industry case study: identifying the relevant stakeholders in the Canadian digital agriculture ecosystem. The study uses literature and news article analysis to map stakeholders in the Canadian digital agricultural sector as a test case for the model. The study proposes a systematic framework which categorises stakeholders into individuals, industrial and societal groups with both direct engagement and supportive roles in digital agriculture. These groups are then plotted against three levels of impact or power in the agri-food system: micro, meso and macro.

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