Governance and social innovation in the production chain of certified cocoa in Brazil: path to the sustainability?

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to analyze if the structure of governance established in the production chain of certified cocoa (sustainability, organic and geographical indication) in Brazil, with respect to segments of agricultural production and processing have been favorable to the sustainability of the system in terms economic and transactions efficiency, productive, environmental and social. The complexity of the analyzed object requires the use of qualitative and quantitative approaches, with literature survey on the Transaction Costs Economics and Social Innovation (bases of research) and subsequently cocoa productive chain, Technological Innovation (with more systemic approach geared to agriculture). To meet the research objectives and in the case of a qualitative descriptive research, the method of field research also will be developed with cocoa farmers who possess certification (such as UTZ, Rainforest Alliance and Organic) and the geographical indication, located in the states of Bahia and Espirito Santo, and their buyers agents. To deepen the understanding of the sources of information for the improvement actions or technological innovations by producers agents will be used as tool the UCINET software that assists in the analysis and description of the interactions of producers and external agents. For the accuracy of the level of uncertainty in commercial transactions between producers and buyers agents, the quantitative method will be used through the application of a fuzzy rule-based system. Expected as contribution exploring "possible" arrangements of coordination between agents of productive chains and with practices more sustainable. Such models of production / coordination may serve as a reference for public and private organizations/ institutions in the stimulus for the coordination of agents in several Brazilian agribusiness production chains. (AU)