Abstract

This book looks at what a sustainable concept of prosperity that meets global social and environmental challenges might look like. Based on the hypothesis that small and medium-sized enterprises can make a significant contribution to quality of life and sustainable development at regional level, the interdisciplinary research team examines the social performance of an industry that plays a pioneering role: Companies involved in the production, processing and marketing of organically produced food. In particular, the social achievements of these companies, such as the transfer of knowledge and experience and their involvement in regional networks and associations, are being analysed. Taking into account the regional and institutional context and the findings on customer needs, the researchers formulate strategy recommendations on how the role of the organic food industry can be strengthened for sustainable regional development. The investigations and conclusions relate primarily to the Berlin-Brandenburg region - a study area that is extremely interesting due to the contrast between a dynamic conurbation with a diverse customer structure and the challenges of peripheral rural areas.
The "Regional prosperity revisited" project is inter- and transdisciplinary research that was carried out as part of the socio-ecological research programme of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This type of research is characterised by the continuous involvement of stakeholders from practice - in this case the organic food industry, associations and politics. The results of the project are therefore not only innovative scientific methods and findings, but also the testing of instruments with which the results could be promptly communicated to practitioners and fed into ongoing processes.

Authors