Capacidade inovativa dos produtores de leite em Goiás, Brasil

Abstract

This study investigates innovative capacity’s influence on dairy farmers’ competitiveness and productivity in Goiás. The research is based on Evolutionary Economics to understand how innovation impacts agribusiness companies. Four dimensions of innovative capacity were analyzed: development, operations, management, and transaction. The study follows a quantitative methodology and interviews 42 rural producers. The results indicate that operational and managerial capacity significantly impacts both competitiveness and productivity, highlighting the importance of efficient management and process optimization. Meanwhile, development capacity positively influences only productivity, suggesting that continuous investments in technology and organizational improvement lead to higher productive efficiency. On the other hand, transaction capacity did not show a significant impact, possibly due to the characteristics of the commodity market, where prices are externally regulated, limiting the influence of individual negotiations. This research contributes to the understanding of innovation in the agricultural sector. It reinforces the need for public policies and business strategies that promote managerial training and the modernization of production processes. For future studies, it is suggested that the factors that drive the innovative capacity of rural producers be analyzed.