The coronavirus pandemic is having an economic impact, previously non-existent, on the world economy. The objective of this study is to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on agri-food companies in the region of Extremadura (Spain). A multiple-case study based on in-depth interviews was carried out in the period February 2020–January 2021. The results reveal the existence of negative and positive impacts, both financial (decrease in turnover; decrease/displacement in the demand for products; budget reduction in R&D projects; increase in certain product sales) and operational (difficulty in marketing activities, lack of staff, stoppage in company activity, and supply problems), depending, principally, on the nature of the products, the changes generated in consumer behavior, and mobility problems. Likewise, changes were observed in processes (search of clients in other markets, increased use of technology in communication and marketing activities, and development of new products) and procedures (reorganization of personnel activities, implementation of new health protocols) in companies to overcome the obstacles imposed by the new situation. In conclusion, the change in surrounding conditions, and the characteristics of the spread of the pandemic, have impacted on the strategies, behavior, processes, dynamics and results of organizations regardless of their size and the nature of their work product or service.

The agri-food industry plays an important role in the manufacturing industry in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura (Spain). The main objective of this study is to identify which business factors influence the success of the innovative performance in this regional industry. We proposed a novel theoretical model in which we analyzed the effect of six business variables. Using a multiple-case study, five in-depth interviews were carried out to measure the level of importance that managers gave to each of the variables. The study validated the proposed model in which all the contrasted variables (Management, Strategy, Structure, Culture, Climate, and Market Orientation) had a great weight for the achievement of the innovative performance. The study contributes to the promotion of the capacities and competences of the agri-food companies’ managers for the development of innovative activities favoring the knowledge, the external visibility, and the competitiveness of the companies. It is also useful for Public Administrations when developing policies to promote and encourage innovation in a sector of vital importance in the rural and regional development of this Spanish region.

The agri-food industry plays an important role in the manufacturing industry in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura (Spain). The objective of this research is to identify which factors influence the success of the innovative performance in this regional industry. For this, a case study methodology was designed to analyze, from an organizational point of view, which elements contribute to the ability of various companies to develop an innovative strategy. This study validates the proposed model in which Management, Strategy, Structure, Culture, Climate and Market Orientation are factors that determine innovative Performance.

Local products are underappreciated by Angolan consumers. However, there are some pioneer cases of local agri-food products that are valuing their producers. In as far as studies related to the creation of local value in Angola go; there is still a scarcity of literature. In this sense, the objective of this research is to shed light on what is being done in the field of value creation in local agri-food products. This study is anchored on extensive field research and comparative case studies of three Angolan agri-food products. In-depth interviews to producers and retailers and field and product analysis were used to compare the strategies of value creation. This article provides an operationalization of a model to assess value creation strategies on local agri-food products in emerging economies. We also provide empirical evidence from Angola, a country lacking scholar research. Firms show some efforts to create value in the "information" dimension, materialized through careful packaging and labeling, conveying of a set of informative elements that strengthen local product benefits. The progress in the remaining four value creation sources is yet unclear. The 'product' benefits from more advanced production systems and customer relationships revealed a strong weakness due to the nonexistence of consistent work with the distribution channels. Keywords: Angola, agri-food; Value creation, Local products; Sources of value; Emerging economies; Africa. JEL: M31; M37; Q13; O55