Exploring Responsible Research and Innovation in reputable agri-food cooperatives and the link to international orientation. An exploratory empirical case study in Spain

Abstract

This study aims to provide a preliminary estimate of the degree of implementation of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in agri-food cooperatives; to that end, it proposes an instrument for measuring RRI as a reflective construct. A secondary aim is to demonstrate the direct and positive relationship between RRI and international market orientation. Data were sourced from 60 managers from the top 100 reputable agri-food cooperatives in Spain. By conducting a descriptive statistical analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory tetrad analysis, and consistent PLS path modelling, it has been demonstrated that the RRI construct is reflective and unidimensional and has a direct relationship with the international orientation of cooperatives. While future research is required to refine the empirical application of RRI indicators to agri-food cooperatives, they can play a significant role in bridging the divide between theoretical RRI concepts and the development of pragmatic indicators for use in business environments.