Resumen de Development of a theoretical framework for innovation decisions in agrifood cooperatives: A stakeholder approach

Cristina Segovia López, Manuel Sánchez Pérez

• This study aims to fill the gap in innovation management literature, which has previously focused on innovation in investor-owned firms. Social organizations and agrifood cooperative firms in particular, are significantly different from investor-owned firms in terms of: (i) their governance structure; (ii) their relative lack of contact with the end-consumer; and (iii) their basic strategic orientation. These differences affect all aspects of the business strategy of social firms, including the development of innovation activities in order to secure a competitive advantage. The paper demonstrates that a gap exists between the actual strategic behaviour of cooperative firms with respect to innovation and the strategic orientation that they should assume. Using the stakeholder theory as base, this differential gap is explained by the structural and governance characteristics of agrifood cooperatives, their relationships with their main stakeholders, and the triadic role assumed by many members inside the cooperative (as suppliers, customers, and partners).