The Delphi technique for the validation of measurement scales: the variables innovation and reputation within cooperative oil mills

Abstract

Our study discusses the role of innovation in improving the strategic positioning of cooperative olive oil mills via reputation. The need for differentiation in the olive oil agri-food industry is considered a fundamental issue in its future. This justifies the need to design a scale to assess the cooperative innovation by understanding it as fundamental to improving the reputation of these companies and, by extension, to differentiate themselves in a market as complex as that of olive oil. The methodology used has incorporated two phases. The literature review has been fundamental for the creation of a conceptual model that links these two assets: innovation and reputation. As a second methodological phase, the Delphi Technique with experts in the field of innovation and cooperativism, has allowed us to adapt the previous literature to our specific case. Our results have validated a scale based on indicators, mostly non-financial, to approach the measurement of innovation and reputation variables, allowing through it both to help a more suitable management of innovation by the managers of olive oil mills and to make the most of it in reputational terms.