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focus on new, sustainable business models that encompass more links in the value
chain than primary production. This means that education and counselling to
businesses should focus on leadership, business development and innovation. The
dissemination of knowledge should be conducted through coaching, in order to
strengthen the competence and ability of the agri-entrepreneur.
5.9 Concluding Remarks
It is important for sustainable development to further emphasize the importance of
innovations in the agri-sector, not only for the agri-companies themselves but also
as a response to many of the challenges society faces. While social development has
benefited major cities and urban centres, rural areas and agri-companies have substantial opportunities and resources to contribute to the solutions to many of our
major social challenges today. These social challenges apply to several major and
comprehensive issues such as:
• Climate and environment
• Integration, diversity and gender equality
• Labour and employment
• Access to housing
• The degree of self-sufficiency of society
Agri-companies and agri-entrepreneurs are often situated in rural areas. They
can provide solutions to these challenges. Their owners are aware that their companies are connected to a village, a place. They are aware, sometimes intuitively, that
the family, the farm, the place and the company will exist in the future - even after
they leave business. Therefore, they have every reason to take care of relationships,
neighbours, companies, land and animals. Agri-entrepreneurs are aware of their
responsibility for future generations and have opportunities to contribute to environmental and climate solutions, which are some of today’s major issues. Their mindsets and value intentions ought to be spread in society in general. These
agri-entrepreneurs are stewards in the best sense of the word.
References
Adams R, Jeanrenaud S, Bessant J, Denyer D, Overy P (2016) Sustainability-oriented innovation:
a systematic review. Int J Manag Rev 18(2):180–205
Alston J (2010) The benefits from agricultural research and development, innovation, and productivity growth. OECD Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Papers, No. 31, OECD Publishing, Paris
Alston J (2018) Reflections on agricultural R&D, productivity, and the data constraint: unfinished
business, unsettled issues. Am J Agric Econ 100(2):392–413
Aspara J, Lamberg J-A, Laukia A, Tikkanen H (2013) Corporate business model transformation
and inter-organizational cognition: the case of Nokia. Long Range Plan 45(6):459–474
5 Development of Sustainable Business Models for Innovation in the Swedish…
focus on new, sustainable business models that encompass more links in the value
chain than primary production. This means that education and counselling to
businesses should focus on leadership, business development and innovation. The
dissemination of knowledge should be conducted through coaching, in order to
strengthen the competence and ability of the agri-entrepreneur.
5.9 Concluding Remarks
It is important for sustainable development to further emphasize the importance of
innovations in the agri-sector, not only for the agri-companies themselves but also
as a response to many of the challenges society faces. While social development has
benefited major cities and urban centres, rural areas and agri-companies have substantial opportunities and resources to contribute to the solutions to many of our
major social challenges today. These social challenges apply to several major and
comprehensive issues such as:
• Climate and environment
• Integration, diversity and gender equality
• Labour and employment
• Access to housing
• The degree of self-sufficiency of society
Agri-companies and agri-entrepreneurs are often situated in rural areas. They
can provide solutions to these challenges. Their owners are aware that their companies are connected to a village, a place. They are aware, sometimes intuitively, that
the family, the farm, the place and the company will exist in the future - even after
they leave business. Therefore, they have every reason to take care of relationships,
neighbours, companies, land and animals. Agri-entrepreneurs are aware of their
responsibility for future generations and have opportunities to contribute to environmental and climate solutions, which are some of today’s major issues. Their mindsets and value intentions ought to be spread in society in general. These
agri-entrepreneurs are stewards in the best sense of the word.
References
Adams R, Jeanrenaud S, Bessant J, Denyer D, Overy P (2016) Sustainability-oriented innovation:
a systematic review. Int J Manag Rev 18(2):180–205
Alston J (2010) The benefits from agricultural research and development, innovation, and productivity growth. OECD Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Papers, No. 31, OECD Publishing, Paris
Alston J (2018) Reflections on agricultural R&D, productivity, and the data constraint: unfinished
business, unsettled issues. Am J Agric Econ 100(2):392–413
Aspara J, Lamberg J-A, Laukia A, Tikkanen H (2013) Corporate business model transformation
and inter-organizational cognition: the case of Nokia. Long Range Plan 45(6):459–474
5 Development of Sustainable Business Models for Innovation in the Swedish…