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The agribusiness in Extremadura (Spain) is one of the main economic activities in the region. Within this industry, cooperativism stands out as a strategic component that influences the fixation of the rural population and the development of the territory. Likewise, innovation is fundamental for the competitiveness of companies. The aim of this study is to analyse the existence of a relationship between several business variables: strategy, culture, work climate, management, organisation and market orientation in the innovative performance of agri-food cooperative companies. Differences with other types of agri-food organisations are also analysed.

The authors proposed a conceptual research model, which aims to determine the influence of several business variables on innovative performance. A qualitative methodology was used through a multiple case study where five Extremaduran agri-food cooperatives were chosen to carry out the research.

The results show that the business variables are valued positively as factors that enhance innovative performance. Moreover, the peculiarities of cooperatives show several differences with respect to non-cooperative companies.

The results contribute to agri-food cooperatives' managers developing specific actions that improve the competitiveness and sustainability of agribusiness based on innovation.

La agroindustria en Extremadura (España) es una de las principales actividades económicas de la región. Dentro de esta industria, el cooperativismo destaca como un componente estratégico que influye en la fijación de la población rural y en el desarrollo del territorio. Asimismo, la innovación es fundamental para la competitividad de las empresas. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la existencia de relación entre diversas variables empresariales: estrategia, cultura, clima laboral, gestión, organización y orientación al mercado en el desempeño innovador de las empresas cooperativas agroalimentarias. También se analizan las diferencias con otros tipos de organizaciones agroalimentarias.

Se propuso un modelo conceptual de investigación, cuyo objetivo es determinar la influencia de diversas variables empresariales en el rendimiento innovador. Se utilizó una metodología cualitativa a través de un estudio de caso múltiple en el que se eligieron cinco cooperativas agroalimentarias para llevar a cabo la investigación.

Los resultados muestran que las variables empresariales se valoran positivamente como factores que potencian el rendimiento innovador. Además, las peculiaridades de las cooperativas muestran varias diferencias con respecto a las empresas no cooperativas.

Los resultados contribuyen a que los gestores de las cooperativas agroalimentarias desarrollen acciones específicas que mejoren la competitividad y sostenibilidad de la agroindustria basada en la innovación.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the students’ opinion on their proficiency in one or more foreign languages, and the importance they attribute to their foreign language competence because the adaptation to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) implies the promotion of the mobility of teachers and students.

A qualitative and quantitative approach conducted at the University of Extremadura in Spain. The method used was to triangulate the data resulting from three quite different procedures: promoting the participating students’ awareness of the issue through a seminar on the importance of mastering other languages and their relevance for graduate employability; inquiring into the students’ impressions when receiving an English class with a focus group; and a questionnaire on their opinions about the importance of proficiency in foreign languages.

The findings highlight how teaching in English in European universities could bring real opportunities for the development of the EHEA. Furthermore, the development of foreign languages competences have to be a priority line of innovation in higher education in order to build a more meaningful relationship between education institutions and the European project.

The study is a first attempt to analyse the need to teach in English in European higher education institutions. Results are not completely generalizable because the study has been conducted in one university, in the field of social sciences in the branch of Economics and Business, and it has been examined only the views of students.

The paper draws attention to the need for, and suggestions on how higher education institutions can be more aware to the needs of developing studentś English competences when designing programmes in the EHEA.