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Abstract
his paper aims to analyze the cooperation and learning processes
in the local system of vitiviniculture production of Serra Gaúcha’s region (Rio
Grande do Sul, Brazil), in order to characterize the dynamics of innovation of
the firms located there. In methodological terms, a non-probabilistic exploratory
study has been conducted. Field research in 20 wineries as well as interviews with
related organizations were carried out in order to understand which learning
mechanisms support innovative strategies adopted by enterprises. Since learning
processes are also the result of local interactions, it was necessary to understand
whether these interactions produced cooperative links
.
The results showed that
innovations made by the firms were basically incremental. To do so, they use their
intrinsic learning processes as well as external agents. These agents can be located
in the region or elsewhere. The geographical proximity becomes more relevant
for smaller firms. It was still possible to perceive the existence of cooperation in
both vertical and horizontal level. Most frequent actions of vertical cooperation
occur especially between firms and their suppliers. When horizontal cooperation
occurs between enterprises, it takes place particularly in international trading.