Agricultural knowledge and innovation system in Albania: innovation performance, universities and two arguments
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51599/is.2024.08.02.01Keywords:
AKIS, country’s innovation performance, universities and research institutes (URIs), institutions.Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of the article is to provide an assessment of the governance of the agricultural system in Albania, by analyzing the challenges for the future operation of Agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS) under the influence of two main factors, such as (і) the country’s innovation performance and (іі) universities and research institutions (URIs), for the rapid and effective adaptions of innovation and new knowledge.
Results. In the Balkan region, there is a rapid dynamic (according to the income group) of countries related to innovation (Bulgaria is the 2nd after China), and some of them (Slovenia, Croatia) have overtaken old members of the EU; we prove the importance of Albania’s innovation performance and URIs for competitiveness and future operation of AKIS. Innovation and the frequent variability of technologies and effects on producers, consumers and markets can accelerate growth and competitiveness but can create also undesirable effects. The economic decisions, governance of the agri-system and resources under the influence of the rapid developments require an adequate research-decision-making focus. Science-based-guided institutions are essential for improving the country’s innovation performance and the role of URIs for the efficient adaptions of innovation, new knowledge and techniques in agri-sector as two main pillars for the future of AKIS in Albania.
Scientific novelty. Most studies analyze the functioning of segments of the agricultural system (e.g. crop, livestock, etc.) or the value chain (e.g. producers, consumers) and identify the low presence of social capital in Albania, using the individual as the unit of analysis (e.g. farmer level) and the company (e.g. factors, sources). It is paid little attention to the renewal of social capital, especially in the context of current migration in Albania. Therefore, we provide an aggregate analysis of agricultural governance, by suggesting the efficiency of (formal) institutions for renewing (missing) social capital, improvement of innovation performance and the role of URIs to policy solutions and future AKIS.
Practical value. Through a functional AKIS, the problem of innovation, policy formulation in the agri-sector and centralization approach or centralized policies can be overcome, by creating premises for an efficient-scientific-entity and a smart-regional-approach, including new networks of researchers and the environment for business sophistication and innovation ecosystems.
References
Ahmedova, S. (2015). Factors for increasing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bulgaria. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 1104–1112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.155.
Alderman, H. (2002). Do local officials know something we don’t? Decentralization of targeted transfers in Albania. Journal of public Economics, 83(3), 375–404. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0047-2727(00)00145-6.
Alex, G., & Byerlee, D. (2000). Monitoring and evaluation for AKIS projects – framework and options. The World Bank. Available: https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/122582/records/6473660753aa8c89630ca99f.
Bachev, H. (2011). Water governance in Bulgarian agriculture. In A. Baba, G. Tayfur, O. Gündüz, K. Howard, M. Friedel, A. Chambel (Eds.), Climate Change and its Effects on Water Resources. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security (pp. 215–224), vol. 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1143-3_24.
Bachev, H. (2020a). State, development and efficiency of digitalization in Bulgarian agriculture. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3576025.
Bachev, H. (2020b). Identification of development strategy and intervention needs of AKIS in Bulgaria. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3584471.
Bachev, H. (2022). Governance of agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS) in Bulgaria. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4050617.
Baldwin, R., & Wyplosz, Ch. (2012). The Economics of European Integration. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Available at: https://books.google.al/books/about/The_Economics_of_European_Integration.html?id=UTYEywAACAAJ&redir_esc=y.
Birke, F. M., Bae, S., Schober, A., Gerster-Bentaya, B., Knierim, A., Asensio, P., Kolbeck, M. & Ketelhodt, C. (2021). Agricultural knowledge and innovation systems in the agricultural policy dialogue Germany – Western Balkans. Agricultural Policy Forum. Vrnacka Banja, October 20th, 2021. Available at: https://apf.seerural.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/1.-WG4-Tilman-Reinhardt-Agricultural-Policy-Dialogue-Germany-Western-Balkans.pdf.
Bourdieu, P. (1986). The Forms of Capital. In J. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education (pp. 241–258), Westport, CT: Greenwood. Available at: https://home.iitk.ac.in/~amman/soc748/bourdieu_forms_of_capital.pdf.
Burke-Shyne, S., Gallegos, D., & Williams, T. (2020). 3D food printing: nutrition opportunities and challenges. British Food Journal, 123(2), 649–663. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-05-2020-0441.
Coleman, J. (1994). Foundations of social theory. Harvard University Press.
Chang, Y. C., & Chen, M. H. (2004). Comparing approaches to systems of innovation: the knowledge perspective. Technology in Society, 26(1), 17–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2003.10.002.
De Boon, A., Sandström, C., & Rose, D. C. (2022). Governing agricultural innovation: A comprehensive framework to underpin sustainable transitions. Journal of Rural Studies, 89, 407–422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.07.019.
Diaby, A., & Sylwester, K. (2015). Corruption and market competition: evidence from post-communist countries. World Development, 66, 487–499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.09.003.
Dirimanova, V. (2014). AKIS and advisory services in Bulgaria. Report for the AKIS inventory (WP3) of the PRO AKIS project. Agricultural University Plodviv. Available at: https://430a.uni-hohenheim.de/fileadmin/einrichtungen/430a/PRO_AKIS/Country_Reports/Country_Report_Bulgaria_05_06_14_2_.pdf.
EU SCAR AKIS (2019). Preparing for Future AKIS in Europe. European Commission. Available at: https://scar-europe.org/images/AKIS/Documents/report-preparing-for-future-akis-in-europe_en.pdf.
FAO and World Bank (2000). Agricultural knowledge and information systems for rural development (AKIS/RD): strategic vision and guiding principles. Rome. Available at: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/367951468163168500/pdf/716590WP00PUBL0x370081B0AKIS0vision.pdf.
Fieldsend, A. F. (2020). Agricultural knowledge and innovation systems in European Union policy discourse: Quo vadis? Studies in Agricultural Economics, 122(3), 115–123. https://doi.org/10.7896/j.2055.
Fieldsend, A. F., Cronin, E., Varga, E., Biró, S., & Rogge, E. (2021). ‘Sharing the space’ in the agricultural knowledge and innovation system: multi-actor innovation partnerships with farmers and foresters in Europe. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 27(4), 423–442. https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2021.1873156.
Gava, O., Favilli, E., Bartolini, F., & Brunori, G. (2017). Knowledge networks and their role in shaping the relations within the agricultural knowledge and innovation system in the agroenergy sector. The case of biogas in Tuscany (Italy). Journal of Rural Studies, 56, 100–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2017.09.009.
Germundsson, L. (2021). What is AKIS? Available at: https://pub.epsilon.slu.se/26228/1/germundsson_l_211129.pdf.
Goetz, K. H., & Wollmann, H. (2001). Governmentalizing central executives in post-communist Europe: a four-country comparison. Journal of European Public Policy, 8(6), 864–887. https://doi.org/10.1080/13501760110098260.
Gouriveau, F., Jacquet, F., Anil, S., Hubert, B., & Bergeret, P. (2017). Recommendations to improve Mediterranean Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS). Available at: https://ideas.repec.org/p/hal/wpaper/hal-02787339.html.
Graczyk, M., Kułyk, P, Kaźmierczak-Piwko, L., & Augustowski, L. (2018). Ecological innovations in agricultural production as a pro-development factor of the economy. Multidisciplinary Aspects of Production Engineering, 1(1), 603–612. https://doi.org/10.2478/mape-2018-0076.
Global Governance Index (2022). Available at: https://solability.com/the-global-sustainable-competitiveness-index/the-index/governance-capital.
Global Innovation Index 2022 (2022). Available at: https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2022.
Hall, A. (2005). Capacity development for agricultural biotechnology in developing countries: an innovation system view of what it is and how to develop it. Journal of International Development, 17(5), 611–630. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.1227.
Hermans, F., Klerkx, L. & Roep, D. (2012). Structural conditions for dynamic innovation networks: a review of eight European agricultural knowledge and innovation systems. 10th European IFSA symposium. Available at: https://core.ac.uk/reader/29225450.
Holsapple, C. W., & Joshi, K. D. (2000). An investigation of factors that influence the management of knowledge in organizations. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 9(2-3), 235–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0963-8687(00)00046-9.
International Food Policy Research Institute – IFPRI (2020). Capacity development for agriculture innovation: a practitioners’ guidebook to a systems approach. Available at: https://www.ifpri.org/publication/capacity-development-agriculture-innovation-practitioners%E2%80%99-guidebook-systems-approach.
Jiuhardi, J., Hasid, Z., Darma, S., & Darma, D. C. (2022). Sustaining agricultural growth: traps of socio-demographics in emerging markets. Opportunities and Challenges in Sustainability, 1(1), 13–28. https://doi.org/10.56578/ocs010103.
Jung, D. I., Chow, C., & Wu, A. (2003). The role of transformational leadership in enhancing organizational innovation: hypotheses and some preliminary findings. The Leadership Quarterly, 14(4-5), 525–544. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1048-9843(03)00050-X.
Karini, A. (2013). Aid-supported public service reform and capacity development in post–communist Albania. International Journal of Public Administration, 36(7), 469–481. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2013.772634.
Kimengsi, J. N., Owusu, R., Djenontin, I. N., Pretzsch, J., Giessen, L., Buchenrieder, G., Pouliot, M., & Acosta, A. N. (2022). What do we (not) know on forest management institutions in sub-Saharan Africa? A regional comparative review. Land Use Policy, 114, 105931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105931.
Knierim, A., Boenning, K., Caggiano, M., Cristóvão, A., Dirimanova, V., Koehnen, T., Labarthe, P. & Prager, K. (2015). The AKIS Concept and its Relevance in Selected EU Member States. Outlook on Agriculture, 44(1), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.5367/oa.2015.0194.
Knierim, A., Kernecker, M., Erdle, K., Kraus, T., Borges, F., & Wurbs, A. (2019). Smart farming technology innovations-Insights and reflections from the German Smart-AKIS hub. NJAS-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 90, 100314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2019.100314.
Krugman, P. (2022). Does chatGPT mean robots are coming for the skilled jobs? New York Times. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/06/opinion/chatgpt-ai-skilled-jobs-automation.html.
Kutlača, D., & Živković, L. (2022). Western Balkans research and innovation infrastructure roadmap. Publisher Regional Cooperation Council. Available at: https://www.rcc.int/pubs/149/western-balkans-research-and-innovation-infrastructure-roadmap.
Lamprinopoulou, C., Renwick, A., Klerkx, L., Hermans, F., & Roep, D. (2014). Application of an integrated systemic framework for analyzing agricultural innovation systems and informing innovation policies: comparing the Dutch and Scottish agrifood sectors. Agricultural Systems, 129, 40–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2014.05.001.
Laurent, C., Nguyen, G., Triboulet, P., Ansaloni, M., Bechtet, N., & Labarthe, P. (2022). Institutional continuity and hidden changes in farm advisory services provision: evidence from farmers’ MicroAKIS observations in France. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 28(5), 601–624. https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2021.2008996.
Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (2022). Measurements of aerosol profiles above Tirana have started. Available at: https://www.tropos.de/en/current-issues/press-releases/details/messungen-von-aerosolprofilen-ueber-tirana-haben-begonnen.
Libohova, Z., Adhikari, K., De Mendez, M. D., & Dharumarajan, S. (Eds.), (2023). Digital soil mapping for agri-environmental management and sustainability. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/land/special_issues/82ARQ3G6Q3.
Liu, Y., Chan, C., Zhao, C., & Liu, C. (2019). Unpacking knowledge management practices in China: do institution, national and organizational culture matter? Journal of Knowledge Management, 23(4), 619–643. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-07-2017-0260.
Luthans, F., Peterson, S. J., & Ibrayeva, E. (1998). The potential for the “dark side” of leadership in post communist countries. Journal of World Business, 33(2), 185–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1090-9516(98)90005-0.
Mandemaker, M., Bakker, M., & Stoorvogel, J. (2011). The role of governance in agricultural expansion and intensification: a global study of arable agriculture. Ecology and Society, 16(2), 8. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26268884.
Martens, K., & Zscheischler, J. (2022). The digital transformation of the agricultural value chain: discourses on opportunities, challenges and controversial perspectives on governance approaches. Sustainability, 14(7), 3905. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073905.
Michelsen, H., & Hartwich, F. (2004). University-based agricultural research: a comparative study in Sub-Saharan Africa. ISNAR Research Report 26. The Yague, ISNAR. Available at: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/319639/?v=pdf.
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Albania (MARD) (2019). The knowledge and innovation system in agriculture, AKIS is organized for the first time in Albania. Available at: https://followbusinessalbania.com/the-knowledge-and-innovation-system-in-agriculture-akis-is-organized-for-the-first-time-in-albania.
Moss, T. (2004). The governance of land use in river basins: prospects for overcoming problems of institutional interplay with the EU Water Framework Directive. Land Use Policy, 21(1), 85–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2003.10.001.
Nemes, G., & Augustyn, A. (2016). The role of organisational and relational dynamism in the innovation performance of alternative food networks – a new framework for analysis. Available at: http://repo.aki.gov.hu/2686/1/S2_2_Nemes_ERDN2016_Budapest-2.pdf.
Osmani, M., Kodra, K., & Salko, D. (2021a). Has Albania’s economic development stalled? Investigating the role of institutional factors in Albania’s economic performance. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 10(4), 114–129. https://doi.org/10.36941/ajis-2021-0103.
Osmani, M., Kolaj, R., Borisov, P., & Arabska, E. (2021b). Competitiveness between figures and metaphors: are farmers’ apple producers enough competitive? Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 27(1), 31–43. Available at: https://www.agrojournal.org/27/01s-05.html.
Osmani, M., Kolaj, R., Borisov, P., & Arabska, E. (2022). Why agricultural policies fail and two cases of policy failures in Albania. Agricultural and Resource Economics, 8(2), 86–104. https://doi.org/10.51599/are.2022.08.02.05.
Ostrom, E. (2000) Social capital: a fad or a fundamental concept? In P. Dasgupta, I. Seragilden (Eds.), Social capital: a multifaceted perspective (pp. 172–214). World Bank, Washington, DC. Available at: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/663341468174869302/pdf/multi-page.pdf.
Poppe, K. J. (2012). Agricultural knowledge and innovation systems in transition: Findings from the EU SCAR collaborative working group. Available at: https://www.redinnovagro.in/pdfs/C9KPoppe.pdf.
Putnam, R. D., Leonardi, R., & Nanetti, R. Y. (1992). Making democracy work: civic traditions in modern Italy. Princeton University Press. Available at: https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691037387/making-democracy-work.
Renard, D., & Tilman, D. (2019). National food production stabilized by crop diversity. Nature, 571(7764), 257–260. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1316-y.
Röling, N. (2019). The agricultural research-technology transfer interface: a knowledge systems perspective. In D. Kaimowitz (Eds.), Making the link (pp. 1–42). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429044410.
Rijswijk, K., Klerkx, L., & Turner, J. A. (2019). Digitalization in the new Zealand agricultural knowledge and innovation system: initial understandings and emerging organizational responses to digital agriculture. NJAS–Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 90–91, 100313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2019.100313.
Skreli, E., Kolaj, R., & Osmani, M. (2011). Factors determining collective action in Albanian agriculture: the case of apple producers in Albania. Albanian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 10(3), 35–41. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284837668.
Sohn, S. Y., Kim, D. H., & Jeon, S. Y. (2016). Re-evaluation of Global Innovation Index based on a structural equation model. Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 28(4), 492–505. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2015.1104412.
Sokoli, O., Xhoxhi, O., Skreli, E., Imami, D., & Doluschitz, R. (2021). Willingness to cooperate in the context of post-communist economy – why do local rules matter? World Development Perspectives, 22, 100314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2021.100314.
Sunding, D., & Zilberman, D. (2001). The agricultural innovation process: research and technology adoption in a changing agricultural sector. Handbook of agricultural economics, 1, 207–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1574-0072(01)10007-1.
Sutherland, L., Adamsone-Fiskovica, A., Elzen, B., Koutsouris, A., Laurent, C., Stræte, E. P., & Labarthe, P. (2023). Advancing AKIS with assemblage thinking. Journal of Rural Studies, 97, 57–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.11.005.
Schnebelin, E., Labarthe, P., & Touzard, J. M. (2021). How digitalisation interacts with ecologisation? perspectives from actors of the French agricultural innovation system. Journal of Rural Studies, 86, 599–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.07.023.
Schreiner, L. (2017). Farmland preservation using agricultural systems planning: lessons from Oregon for the Greater Golden Horseshoe of Ontario. Available at: https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/items/60021fa5-05dc-4cbf-9b13-9d7aa65af086.
Tainter, J. A. (2006). Social complexity and sustainability. Ecological complexity, 3(2), 91–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecocom.2005.07.004.
The Global Economy.com (2021). Innovation index – Country rankings 2021. Cornell University, INSEAD, and the WIPO. Available at: https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/gii_index.
World Bank (2012). Agricultural innovation systems: an investment sourcebook. World Bank, Washington, DC. Available at: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/pt/140741468336047588/pdf/672070PUB0EPI0067844B09780821386842.pdf.
Zhllima, E. (2022). Introduction to Albania Roadmap on AKIS. Available at: https://seerural.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/4.-AKIS-roadmap-Albania-Edvin-Zhllima.pdf.
