Competitive advantages of firms in agro-industrial clusters: Study of wine in Brazil and Chile

¹ Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Carvi – Centro de Ciencias Sociais e Educacao, Av. Alameda Joal Dal Sasso, 800, Bento Goncalves – RS, Brazil
² IFFS – Departamento de Economia, BR 158, Km 405 Laranjeiras do Sul – PR, Brazil
³ Universidad de Valparaiso – Departamento de Ing. Civil Industrial, Errazuriz, Valparaiso, 1834, Chile

^a Corresponding author: aamattia@ucs.br

Abstract

This study aims to explore two cases connected to the wine productive chain, emphasizing the process of competitive advantages creation under the logic of industrial clusters. The analyzed experiences deal with agglomerations of companies, where some are already established, while others are consolidated or under expansion: The Vale dos Vinhedos (Brazil), and Valle de Casablanca (Chile). The comparative study was based on the presence of territorial resources, analyzed in categories, of which we can highlight: denomination of origin (D.O.), tourism, economy, political situation and unique value. The analysis of both territories allowed the identification of similarities and potentialities, and the attachment of those with the construction of com- petitive advantages. The results show that the competitiveness of companies established on the Vale dos Vinhedos and Valle de Casablanca is determined by the competitiveness of the territory, meaning that the spaces under analysis perform a fundamental role in the process of creation of competitive advantages of the already installed companies.