RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INNOVATION AND PERFORMANCE IN AGRIBUSINESS: A STUDY WITH ACTORS OF THE APPLE PRODUCTION CHAIN

Abstract

The constant changes in the organizational context have instigated scholars to investigate the factors that allows to reach higher levels of performance. In this context, innovation has been considered as a driving force for development and crucial for organizations to survive. Thus, the general objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between innovation and performance in the apple production chain of the Southern Region of Brazil from production links and packing houses. A quantitative-descriptive research was carried out, empirically investigated through a survey, with 166 actors from the apple production chain, from the production and packing-houses segments of the States of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. The data collected were analyzed using Modeling Structural Equations. The findings of the study supported the hypothesized relationship that established the positive influence of innovation on the performance of organizations in the apple production chain. Thus, this research provided a theoretical and empirical view that assists in a better understanding of the importance of innovation, both product and process, as a mean to improve the performance of organizations.