Drivers for eco-innovation in the agro-industrial sector: the case of olive oil

Spain is the world's foremost producer of olive oil, with an annual production average of 1,374,260 tonnes. Despite the sector's paramount significance, it confronts substantial challenges, notably concerning its market orientation and sustainability practices. In light of this, eco-innovation is likely to become a key factor in enhancing the sector's competitiveness and sustainability. The objective of this paper is to analyse the degree of eco-innovation in the sector and identify the factors that contribute to its development. A computer aided web interviewing (CAWI) survey with computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) reinforcement was conducted in olive oil mills located in the region of Andalusia, which produces most of Spain's olive oil. The final sample consisted of 164 cases. The results indicate that companies in the sector exhibit a low degree of eco-innovation and that a significant proportion of them are primarily driven to adopt eco-innovative processes due to the pressure exerted by environmental regulations.