Profile of social innovation agents: Methodological proposal for the family farming segment

Abstract

This research outlined the professional performance profile of the 'social innovation agent' at Embrapa. This definition strengthens the social innovation actions in the Company and in the partner institutions, establishing the main roles to be played to promote socioeconomic development in the context of family farming. The research adopted the qualitative approach of the bibliographic review type. It was concluded that the exercise of the function of social innovation agent is comprehensive and involves a range of attributions that complement and interrelate each other. Three categories of roles were identified, considered essential to compose the professional profile of this function, namely: articulation, facilitation and management. The exercise of these roles does not require the development/acquisition of specialized technical and procedural knowledge (skills) that are the basis for the development of roles/competencies, and Embrapa should be the protagonist in the training of these agents to strengthen the Innovation ecosystem in family farming.