The coronavirus pandemic is having an economic impact, previously non-existent, on the world economy. The objective of this study is to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on agri-food companies in the region of Extremadura (Spain). A multiple-case study based on in-depth interviews was carried out in the period February 2020–January 2021. The results reveal the existence of negative and positive impacts, both financial (decrease in turnover; decrease/displacement in the demand for products; budget reduction in R&D projects; increase in certain product sales) and operational (difficulty in marketing activities, lack of staff, stoppage in company activity, and supply problems), depending, principally, on the nature of the products, the changes generated in consumer behavior, and mobility problems. Likewise, changes were observed in processes (search of clients in other markets, increased use of technology in communication and marketing activities, and development of new products) and procedures (reorganization of personnel activities, implementation of new health protocols) in companies to overcome the obstacles imposed by the new situation. In conclusion, the change in surrounding conditions, and the characteristics of the spread of the pandemic, have impacted on the strategies, behavior, processes, dynamics and results of organizations regardless of their size and the nature of their work product or service.

The objective of this study is to examine the relationships between market orientation, organizational culture, proactive management, organizational climate, and organizational structure on the innovative orientation (exploitative and exploratory innovation). Little research has been conducted to examine the relationship between these organizational dimensions and innovation orientation. This study offers this and provides a particular type of companies (agribusiness) and context (Extremadura, Spain). Quantitative approach, by using structural modelling equations, to analyze data from 151 innovative agri-food firms was used in this study. Then, using a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), was carried out to obtain additional insights. The main result find that market orientation plays a key role both in exploitative and exploratory innovation in agribusiness firms. Innovation exploitation is influenced by the firm’s organic structure. Results from fsQCA provide valuable findings showing that innovation exploitation and exploration result from distinct organizational configurations, thus providing valuable insights for decision and policy-making.

The agri-food industry plays an important role in the manufacturing industry in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura (Spain). The main objective of this study is to identify which business factors influence the success of the innovative performance in this regional industry. We proposed a novel theoretical model in which we analyzed the effect of six business variables. Using a multiple-case study, five in-depth interviews were carried out to measure the level of importance that managers gave to each of the variables. The study validated the proposed model in which all the contrasted variables (Management, Strategy, Structure, Culture, Climate, and Market Orientation) had a great weight for the achievement of the innovative performance. The study contributes to the promotion of the capacities and competences of the agri-food companies’ managers for the development of innovative activities favoring the knowledge, the external visibility, and the competitiveness of the companies. It is also useful for Public Administrations when developing policies to promote and encourage innovation in a sector of vital importance in the rural and regional development of this Spanish region.

This study focuses on the analysis of the innovation activity of agribusiness in Extremadura (Spain). Using as main variables the objectives of and barriers to innovation perceived by agri-food companies, its objective is threefold: (1) to analyse how the objectives of and barriers to innovation influence the companies’ willingness to innovate and competitiveness; (2) to investigate how innovation objectives (strategies) influence the type of innovation developed; (3) to study how barriers to innovation influence the demand for several public actions. The data used for this study were taken from an ad hoc questionnaire sent to agri-food companies from Extremadura during the months of February to April 2021. The results show the influence of the objectives and barriers on the variables analysed (willingness to innovate and competitiveness, types of innovation, and demand for government actions). Specifically, uncertainty and lack of knowledge are barriers that negatively influence the willingness to innovate. Innovative strategies aimed at reducing costs, respecting regulations and the environment, focusing on production and demand, and expanding the market have a positive influence both on the willingness to innovate and competitiveness. The types of innovation developed (product, process, commercial, organizational) were related to various innovative strategies based on the pursued objectives. Finally, evidence is provided by the barriers that lead companies to request specific actions from public administrations. These results may be useful both for managers of agri-food companies and for public administrations, especially at the regional level, in the design of public policies and actions aimed at encouraging innovation in this industry sector.

En las últimas décadas se ha producido un notable aumento en la concienciación del consumidor por alimentos de calidad, y producidos de una forma social y ambientalmente responsable. El ámbito agroalimentario presenta uno de los mayores mercados en lo que se refiere a este tipo de producción ética-sostenible, como el Comercio Justo, y abre nuevas oportunidades para los productores a través de otros sistemas como la producción social y ambientalmente responsable. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en determinar los condicionantes en el consumo de alimentos de Comercio Justo, además de la disposición a comprar alimentos social y ambientalmente responsable para la población de Extremadura (España). Para ello se ha aplicado un cuestionario a una muestra representativa (n=461) de la población extremeña en términos de edad y sexo. El análisis empírico consta de un análisis conjunto para determinar las preferencias hacia ambos tipos de producto y un modelo probit para determinar qué factores inciden sobre la probabilidad de consumo/disposición a consumir. Los resultados muestran que los consumidores prefieren los dos tipos de producción responsable a la convencional. Asimismo, el perfil de individuo que tiene una mayor probabilidad de consumir alimentos de comercio justo es mujer, con conocimiento previo acerca del Comercio Justo y con sensibilidad hacia los problemas laborales y ambientales. Finalmente, las mujeres, las rentas más altas, y los consumidores sensibilizados y que eran consumidores de Comercio Justo, son las principales características que influyen positivamente sobre la disposición a consumir alimentos social y ambientalmente responsables.