Engaging stakeholders in traditional food products through dissemination of knowledge and innovation based in digital platforms

The agrofood sector has a wide sectorial and business dispersion, constituting, in parallel, a relevant space of the European and national economy. In addition to the economic and social impact, the growth of the sector is an opportunity for the development of rural areas and agriculture, particularly given Europe's shortages in raw food materials. Te need for continuous improvement, and market developments of this sector, require that innovation processes occur. Tese innovation processes have been facilitated by the development of information and communication technologies, and by the emergence of social networks that facilitate knowledge sharing. Te NEWFOOD — Food Technologies Valorization Project is framed in the feld of Knowledge and Technology Transfer and is oriented towards innovation in traditional food products. One of its objectives is to actively disseminate knowledge, skills and resources to the entities involved, including stakeholders from the relevant economic sectors. This paper aims to identify and describe the role of social networks and other digital platforms used to meet this goal and the impact achieved. This research involved a single exploratory case study, with a conceptual knowledge management model and included primary data collected through documents developed for the NEWFOOD project, social networks/digital platforms, and observations of some project actions. Several digital contents were developed and distributed to bring innovators and researchers to promote innovations in traditional food products and to raise sector stakeholder’s awareness about the potential of exploitation. Social media support tools associated with the project (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), and the platforms (Knowledge Portfolio, innovation platform) reached some 6000 followers/shareholders like students, entrepreneurs and other professionals in the sector. NEWFOOD project allowed the participation of 15 teams of stakeholders in an innovation program and contest and added innovation to 15 Portuguese traditional food products. Our results supported by the dissemination materials developed and by the social networks used contributed to promoting technological innovation and for generating of new ideas for products in this sector, and the alignment between stakeholders.