THEORETICAL APPROACH ON SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVENESS OF AGRICULTURE

Abstract

Agriculture faces the dual challenge of achieving higher productivity while preserving the ecosystems on which it depends. Traditionally, competitiveness has been understood in terms of short-term outcomes, with little attention given to environmental degradation or long-term resilience. This creates a gap in how competitiveness of agriculture is framed under increasing ecological pressures. The aim of this paper is to develop a theoretical concept of sustainable competitiveness of agriculture by synthesizing insights from agricultural economics, sustainability science, and strategic management. The study contributes by (i) clarifying how sustainable competitiveness differs from related concepts such as green competitiveness and environmentally adjusted productivity, and (ii) identifying key determinants of sustainable competitiveness in agriculture using an adapted Porter’s Diamond Model. The presented determinants of sustainable competitiveness highlight the shift from short-term efficiency toward long-term resilience, where resource regeneration, sustainability-driven demand, supportive networks, strategic innovation, and policy alignment together define the ability of farms to remain competitive under ecological and socio-economic pressures. The study relies on a review and synthesis of peer-reviewed literature, institutional reports, and policy documents. This contribution provides a foundation for empirical research in the field of sustainable competitiveness of agriculture.