Developing Innovation Using Entrepreneurial Strategies: A Case Study of Colombian Coffee Farmers

This chapter analyzes the entrepreneurial strategies that Colombian coffee growers develop in order to deal with adverse social, economic, and environmental conditions. These entrepreneurs are part of a long and rich heritage dating as far back as the end of the 19th century, when coffee became an important economic resource in Colombia. Constant variations, including coffee price volatility, instability of exchange rates, or environmental factors, such as climatic change and crop disease, are common conditions for coffee farmers. In order to survive during turbulent environments, coffee growers have adopted strategies such as the introduction of new services and final products; improvements in the production chain; horizontal and vertical cooperation; creativity and flexibility in order to be resilient to the changing market conditions. More than 560,000 vulnerable families in Colombia depend on coffee production as a main source of income, so studies to help strengthen their business are highly relevant.