Which global trends are changing Dutch horticulture? And how can horticulture benefit from this? These questions are key elements in the White Paper Challenge from TKI TU (Topsector Knowledge and Innovation – Horticulture and Starting materials).
Peter van der Sar is innovation broker at TKI TU and an independent consultant at Innovatief Ondernemen in Transitie (Innovative Entrepreneurship in Transition). His opinion is that horticulture focuses too much on the content of innovation, while success of innovation is mainly determined by the innovation process.
In his whitepaper ‘Increasing innovation capacity of entrepreneurs is the key to success’ he concludes that companies' lack of innovation capacity, insufficient cooperation and not being focused on innovation are the main reasons for the absence of successful innovations that are in sync with the developments, questions and needs from the market and society.
"The lack of coordination means that the opportunity of working together on the innovative capacity of the sector is being insufficiently used. That is a pity, because many entrepreneurs in horticulture are open to innovation. However, they are looking for a supportive approach in the conversion of ideas into products or services that customers (and society) ask for. In order to realize this, the involved parties (government, research, education, stakeholders, but also entrepreneurs themselves) are asked to look beyond their own position in this process and to take steps to come to a coordinated approach in order to be able to fulfill the societal challenges posed to the Dutch horticulture sector."
Van der Sar offers a concrete proposal to connect parties more intensively. An approach in which the various aspects of innovation (content and process) are taken into account, and working on the innovative capacity takes center stage, with the social challenges and demands from the market as a starting point.
Curious about Peter's vision and solutions? Read his whitepaper "Increasing innovation capacity of entrepreneurs is the key to success" (in Dutch).