Capacity-Building Model to Promote Innovation and Sustainability in the Portuguese Agro-Industrial Sector

Abstract

The characteristics of the Portuguese agro-industrial sector limit the adoption and promotion of innovation. A business-sector characterisation was carried out to identify needs and business behaviour. Capacity, in terms of skills and knowledge, motivation and opportunities, is the main factor in innovation and sustainability adoption and the alteration of the behaviours of people or organisations. Collaborative business practices to enhance networking and knowledge sharing and the diversity of skills and competencies, along with several pedagogical methods, within innovation and sustainability training, were outlined. Throughout a benchmarking methodology that analysed various courses and pedagogies in this type of training, it was possible to incorporate reflexive practices and action-oriented training to engage in transformative actions and the work community’s capacity-building creation. Thus, a model was designed to be able to promote the capacity for innovation and sustainability in the Portuguese agro-industrial sector, with training activities targeting its specific characteristics. It is focused on problem solving, technical exercise, and task performance, aligned with the multidisciplinary perspective needed to achieve a vision based on systemic, critical, and reflective thinking and able to answer the future market demand. Therefore, it will be possible for the Portuguese agro-industrial SMEs to establish partnerships and networks that will induce the incorporation of innovation and sustainable practices.