Use of Renewable Energy as a Strategic Action for Companies in the Agricultural Sector

Objective: To describe the use of renewable energies in companies in theagricultural sector in order to associate their use to competitiveness variables and todetermine if their incorporation has an impact on the competitive performance of thecompanies.Design/Methodology/Approach: An instrument was designed aimed at managersand owners of companies in the agricultural sector based on the theory of industrialorganization and competitiveness. The information was coded, and association testsas well as comparative cluster analysis were performed.Results: The use of renewable energy by the companies addresses economic andcommercial strategies. Of the twelve competitiveness variables used to comparecompanies, nine were linked to the use of renewable energies. The companies usingrenewable energy demonstrated superior results in competitiveness.Study Limitations/Implications: The results are applicable to companies in theagricultural sector within the region analyzed. Financial and energy consumptionvariables should be considered if the method of analysis is to be replicated.Findings/Conclusions: The use of renewable energy is a strategic behavior thatallows companies to improve their market position. Companies that use renewableenergy as a strategic behavior are more competitive.