Conventions, Business practices and guidelines for economic development and territorial. The wine industry and footwer in the province of Zaragoza

Abstract

The paper analyses the relationship between the strategies of rural firms and the economic and territorial development. Two rural areas affected by economic restructuring processes are selected for the study: the Calatayud Protected Designation of Origin and the Aranda valley, specialised in footwear industries. The theory of conventions and the new paradigm of rural development provide the theoretical framework of this analysis, which includes the application of a survey aimed to assess the different strategies undertaken by firms and to allow comparisons between the two sectors. The results show, with nuances, the strong commitment of enterprises for innovation, the pursuit of quality and the internationalization of their markets. The demands of companies to improve their situation in the territory appear clearly highlighted as well. The article concludes with several proposals to design appropriate policies to the current challenges facing rural areas.