Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the link between innovation technology (IT), relationships which affect the relational capital (RC), and intangible value for the environment, focusing on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of agro-food sector (AFS) in which these topics are prominent.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a qualitative research methodology, based on a multiple case study. The empirical data were obtained from interviews designed to reveal the determinants of the Paoloni's CAOS model (characteristics, ambience, organization, start-up) useful to analyze the relational capital from the firm's perspective. The content analysis shows the most important factors influence the relationships of the companies analyzed.

Findings

The empirical analysis highlights the strong link between tradition and innovation in the AFS and its positive effects on corporate sustainability and company relationships as well as in enhancing knowledge. The introduction of ITs and the positive effects it produces in terms of efficiency, product quality, environmental sustainability and new communication channels is an important factor that influences business's relationships.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the RC literature by stressing how ITs improve not only the executive process and performance of SMEs, but also the intangible resources of the territory. Accordingly, it provides both triggers for future research in the AFS, as well as suggestions to SMEs decision-makers to enhance their competitiveness. Furthermore, the paper offers insights to push policy makers in adopting policies that favor ITs investments in the AFS.

中文翻译：

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传统，创新和关系：意大利农业食品行业的新兴概况

目的

这项研究的目的是分析创新技术（IT），影响关系资本（RC）的关系和对环境的无形价值之间的联系，重点是农业食品领域的中小企业（AFS） ），其中这些主题很突出。

设计/方法/方法

本文采用基于多案例研究的定性研究方法。经验数据是从访谈中获得的，这些访谈旨在揭示Paoloni的CAOS模型的决定因素（特征，氛围，组织，创业），可用于从公司的角度分析关系资本。内容分析表明，影响分析公司关系的最重要因素。

发现

经验分析强调了AFS中传统与创新之间的紧密联系，以及其对公司可持续发展和公司关系以及对增强知识的积极影响。IT的引入及其在效率，产品质量，环境可持续性和新的沟通渠道方面产生的积极影响是影响业务关系的重要因素。

创意/价值

本文通过强调IT如何不仅改善中小企业的执行流程和绩效，而且改善该地区的无形资源，为RC研究做出了贡献。因此，它既为未来在AFS中进行研究提供了诱因，也为中小型企业的决策者提供了增强其竞争力的建议。此外，本文提供了一些见识，可以推动决策者采用有利于IT在AFS中进行投资的政策。