Functions of an "inter-organizational intermediary" in cooperation among agricultiire, commerce, and industry

Abstract

The important features defining the functions of an "inter-organizational intermediary" in studies of cooperation among agriculture, commerce, and industry are the following: roles an "inter-organizational intermediary" plays in promoting the cooperation among agriculture, commerce, and industry, and conditions in a local community; and roles of various supporting organizations involved in agriculture, commerce, and industry cooperation. This study analyzed roles and actors based on a case example.
The "study group" in the case example has promoted various exchange and cooperation efforts among industry, government, academic institutions, and other organizations, aimed at preserving chili peppers, a local specialty, increasing farmers' incomes, and developing new products for commerce and industrial workers.
The study revealed that the functions of the "study group," representing the "intermediary" in this case example, include internal functions such as creating places of information exchange, implementing joint actions, and establishing value-based connection, and external functions such as developing the sense of trust and security in a community through the participation of universities and governments, supporting governments by various means, executing joint projects with governments, and carrying out activities using the media. Furthermore, the study group helps improve the image and evaluation of chili peppers.