The Dynamics behind the Likelihood of Adopting Inclusive Agrarian Innovations in Disadvantaged Central American Communities

Abstract

Although innovation studies form a consolidated field in developed countries, the same is not true in disadvantaged countries especially in agriculture, despite the importance of innovation in generating wealth and inclusiveness. With this study, we aim to contribute to the knowledge of the processes of adopting innovation in agrarian contexts of poverty. Thus, we examined the main factors that influence the probability of accepting a new product, and their interrelationships in a Central American community. Based on a qualitative methodology, we held 42 in-depth interviews with small-scale producers. All the information collected was the subject of a discursive and content analysis, with support from the NVivo 12 software programme. The results show how key factors such as culture, the market, networks, attitudes, expectations, and social references are interrelated and enhanced or hindered by other social dynamics. These findings underline the idea that the entrepreneur’s relationship with innovation is a dynamic reality where the probability of acceptance is the outcome of combining cultural, individual, institutional, and organisational factors. Any innovation support policy that arises in these contexts should be based on more systemic approaches if the acceptance of inclusive innovation is to be improved.

Keywords

• inclusive innovation
• disadvantaged communities
• agrarian sector
• qualitative research
• systems