Estrategia de cooperación para potenciar la internacionalización de la asociación de productores cafetaleros Aprocel.

Abstract

In this research work a Case Analysis will be carried out, related to the cooperation strategies for the internationalization and promotion of coffee production. Nowadays. Ecuador has become one of the main coffee producers, in addition to having the privilege that two different varieties of coffee (Arabic and robust) are produced within its territory. The acceptance of Ecuadorian coffee is very large internationally, and it has become an important engine for the economy and development. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 thousand families benefit directly and indirectly from coffee cultivation, where production is in 20 of the provinces of Ecuador and the number of hectares cultivated exceeds 200,000. There are many factors that favor coffee cultivation, among which are the altitude of the crops, the composition that the soil presents, the shade that the trees receive, the type of harvesting carried out by the farmers, the process of treatment of the Grain, everything mentioned contributes to the quality of coffee and is so appreciated internationally. Among the provinces that have the best conditions for coffee production are Loja and El Oro. In the province of El Oro there are currently 1500 producers dedicated to the cultivation of coffee. These are located in the cantons of Las Lajas, Marcabelí, Piñas, Balsas, Portovelo, Zaruma, Atahualpa, Arenillas and Santa Rosa. The production of the canton Las Lajas stands out, most of its farmers are small, so many have found benefits in associating, in order to access certifications, which would allow them to adapt to quality standards, increasing their chances of entering to compete in international markets. The Association of Agricultural Producers and specialty coffees Bosque Petrificado de Puyango (APROCEL) is located in Las Lajas canton, province of El Oro, which emerged as an initiative by a group of farmers belonging to the sector because they found the need to associate and thus achieve better opportunities in the production and marketing of coffee. Among the main purposes of APROCEL is to manage several initiatives and projects with the character of research, production, marketing, advice and consulting for coffee farmers in the sector. The general objective of the work is to: Promote the production and internationalization of the Association of Coffee Producers APROCEL implementing cooperation strategies. While the specific objectives are: a) To determine the influence exerted by business cooperation networks to boost the internationalization and enhancement of APROCEL coffee production; b) Identify and analyze the characteristics of cooperation networks, and c) - Estimate the impact of cooperation strategies on the competitive level of producers. The present investigation responds to a case analysis. The case study is the study of the particularity and complexity of a singular case, to get to understand its activity in important circumstances The results obtained in the investigation demonstrate that the implementation of associative systems between companies that participate in equal or complementary sectors can become a valuable tool that allows small coffee farmers to enter international markets with their products. In this way internationalization has become an operational and strategic need of great importance.