Research, innovation and transfer in the olive-oil sector in Spain: an analysis based on in-person expert panels

Abstract

The first objective of this research was to obtain a consensual picture of research, development, innovation and transfer issues and priorities in the national RDI system relating to the olive oil sector in Spain. A second objective was to design a structured series of strategic recommendations to improve that system. The results obtained from three in-person expert panels applied a sequence of social research techniques based on Metaplan methodology were analysed. Focus groups and strategic participation workshop techniques were employed to achieve these objectives. The three panels broached the following areas of knowledge: i) olive growing and olive oil by-products; ii) olive oil technology, health and new products; and iii) Agro-food Social Sciences. The experts concluded that there was a pressing need to remedy the current general lack of innovation and knowledge transfer from the National System to businesses ad farmers. They also agreed on the need to broach RDI activities from interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary angles.