In the field of CTS, the same phenomenon can be analyzed from two different perspectives, therefore, the work that is carried out tries to demonstrate how in the UBPC Organopónico Vivero Alamar the application of science and technology through innovative methods has contributed to the obtaining satisfactory socio-economic results in the entity, taking into account that it arose in the middle of the 90s and has been able to overcome the traditional problems that underlie the Cuban agricultural sector. This is defended theoretically through the Marxist perspective.
At the same time, the scenario in which it unfolds shows us that the regulatory framework in which the UBPC is immersed constitutes a brake on its development, preventing its deployment according to its potentialities. The foregoing is consistent with the theoretical elements provided by Perspective 2.
In this sense, the search for new institutional integrations represents a fundamental element for the achievement of development objectives so necessary for the current conditions.
Taking these elements into account, some actions are recommended, both at the business and institutional level, that allow the articulation of knowledge and innovation and new strategies that are designed in such a way that this translates into true social development.
2.- A necessary introduction
The UBPC “Organopónico Vivero de Alamar” was founded in 1997 in the City of Havana, with an area of 800 m² and 5 cooperative members. This unit, attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, is part of the National Program for Urban Agriculture, one of the prioritized programs for the recovery of the agricultural sector in the face of the situation that arose in the 90s that is based on the technological principles of organic agriculture. with the support of MINAG's science and technical institutions.
The organizational structure of the UBPC at the moment is the following:
An administrator
Four fronts with one boss:
- EconomyProductionMaintenance and ServicesPhysical Protection
Seven production areas that are Cost Centers that respond directly to the administrator:
- Orchards and Growing HousesRotonda de CojímarPlanting HouseFruit and OrnamentalsCenter of Organic MatterSmall IndustryCommercial
Today it has 10.7 ha (6 ha under development) and at the end of July 2007 it had 133 workers, of which 36 women represent 27% of the total and 42 have technical qualifications (engineers and middle technicians) for 32% of the total of the workforce.
The structure between direct workers in agricultural work plus commercial and productive services (maintenance) and the rest of the areas is 74 and 26% respectively.
The evolution of the cooperative's workforce from its creation to the end of 2006 is shown in table 1.
Therefore, our research object will be knowledge and innovation for development at the UBPC Organopónico Vivero de Alamar.
Thus, the objective of the case study can be identified in the following way:
Identify the contribution of knowledge and innovation to the development of the UBPC Organopónico Vivero de Alamar.
Methods used:
Interviews: with cooperative members, the Board of Directors of the cooperative in question, and MINAG officials.
Visits to the Cooperative: to verify the information obtained.
Expert Criterion: exchanges with specialists on the subject.
Analysis and Synthesis: both the bibliography recommended during the course and the bibliography related to the object of study were analyzed to complement the theoretical framework to be treated.
3.- Approaching knowledge and innovation for development
In contemporary times, a set of processes related to knowledge and innovation have been taking place that have an impact on social life. These can be summarized in the following points (Nuñez and Castro, 2009):
The economic importance of knowledge grows.
A great acceleration of innovative processes is observed.
There is a close link between the importance acquired by knowledge and the acceleration of innovation and the growth of inequality between countries, groups and societies.
A remarkable approach to scientific research and innovation is observed.
In this sense, our country, far from neoliberal traditionalisms, has put knowledge and scientific-technological development at the service of individuals. Therefore, when the capitalist fetish indicates that knowledge is something given to all individuals in society - this being false because for some it is a prohibited resource - for Cubans it is a true and proven fact, both the possibility of access to higher education, such as the possibility of job placement in centers related to the professional training profile chosen by the individual.
As a consequence of the aforementioned trends, the different countries have conceived the National Innovation Systems from different perspectives (Nuñez and Castro, 2009). A first, which focuses attention on strategic innovative processes and the role of the institutions that generate it, and a second, which is, in our opinion, the most successful - at least for the case of our country - which highlights the socioeconomic relevance of innovation associated with learning processes, that is, it is aimed at promoting “learning by doing”.
As the consulted bibliography correctly states “the CTS field is of extraordinary theoretical, methodological and ideological heterogeneity. Let's say that the element that links them is the theoretical concern for science - technology - society links. But these concerns are assumed from very different theoretical-methodological positions and with very varied purposes.
The meaning given to these studies is also diverse: some authors seem to attribute only academic interest to them, others see a practical side to them and try to use them for various purposes: as resources for social criticism, as a vehicle for the renewal of educational systems, as foundations of science and technology policies. " (Núñez and Figaredo, s / f).
For this case, we assume these studies in their practical sense, since in Cuban agriculture it is of vital importance that all the knowledge and innovation resulting from 50 years of experiences are definitively poured into the development of society in order to guarantee food sovereignty.
In keeping with the considerations referred to in the Budapest declaration, the teaching of science becomes fundamental for the full realization of the human being, in the current context; It also makes it possible to create an endogenous scientific capacity that allows for active citizens in the necessary transformation of society, since scientific research and its applications can have considerable repercussions with a view to economic growth and sustainable human development.
Clearly, this is a starting point but it is necessary to look for an adequate route - with new relationships between science and social development - that allows us to reach the final destination that is none other than the resolution of the pressing problems of society, such as food safety.
For developing countries, it is vitally important to reinforce the contribution of scientific research to the achievement of national development objectives and in particular for Cuba, which has a scientific potential that has been promoted since the revolutionary triumph. A synergy could be generated from the cooperation between universities, research organizations and the institutional framework; However, empirical evidence shows that a better articulation of the subjects involved must be achieved in order to make the most of the scientific potential available.
In this sense we have considered for the development of this work, the use of the two perspectives studied.
Perspective 1, to which the best of the Marxist tradition is linked and in which knowledge, science and technology are examined as social processes, that is, in their links with the economy, politics, culture, education, values, ideologies, historical traditions, academic trajectories and a long etcetera. (Núñez, Figaredo and Blanco, 2009).
And perspective 2 that the authors assume stems from contemporary theories on the social production of knowledge and innovation, and they insist that innovation processes require the concertation of a set of actors (companies, educational system, economic projects, economic system financial, information access systems, stimulus systems and many more) whose interactions allow knowledge to achieve desirable social goals. In it, a lot of importance is attributed to the institutional perspective, that is, although the importance of individuals is recognized, they are analyzed in the institutional contexts where they act; contexts that define roles, behavior patterns, etc. (Núñez, Figaredo and Blanco, 2009).
In reference to perspective 1 for the case at hand, we can see how this production unit in the midst of a hostile environment, conditioned by the current problems that the Cuban agricultural sector presents, where most of the UBPCs have had to innovate to achieve its efficiency, this one that concerns us has been on the rise since its inception, paying not only to report positive economic results for the cooperative, but also to guarantee certain conditions that are taxed to the community.
While from perspective 2 we can observe how the regulatory framework in which this UBPC is immersed does not allow it to develop to the level that its internal potential could, showing how the interaction between the different actors is essential for the achievement of the desired results.
According to the consulted bibliography, “The training of professionals links study with work and incorporates research training. The processes of creating careers, modifying study plans, conducting work placements, conducting student research, creating training spaces in companies and other organizations, and even creating universities, are very directly related to the solution of social, economic, cultural, environmental demands. In this way, the knowledge involved in the training of professionals is closely related to the development of the country. " (Núñez and Figaredo, s / f).
However, in our society we do not always act accordingly with this principle, because even when the entire complex mechanism of interactions between educational centers and society as a whole is geared towards the objective of guaranteeing that the training of qualified personnel contributes to social development, the objective is not always met. Thus, we can see how a country, where higher level graduates represent 6% of its population and 14.7% of its EAP, this figure is not reflected in the levels of development achieved, especially in agriculture, which is the case. that occupies us. Obviously there are reserves in terms of R&D that are not being used, and that could be a function of the development of our country.
4.- The UBPC inside
For our analysis we will use perspectives 1 and 2 as conceptual frameworks. Analyzing the phenomenon from perspective 1 it is shown below how in this UBPC an adequate use has been made of the available human potential.
One of the priority programs for the recovery of the agricultural sector in the face of the situation that arose in the 90s, would be the development of the National Program for Urban Agriculture, based on the technological principles of organic agriculture with the support of the science and technical institutions of MINAG. In this context, the UBPC¨ Organopónico Vivero Alamar ¨ was founded in 1997 in the City of Havana, with an area of 800 m² and 5 cooperative members.
The first vital technological introduction for the development of the cooperative was the House of Postures in root ball, which constituted a revolution in the propagation of vegetables and greens; The construction of own wells was the second step to guarantee growth, allowing to have independent water supply sources, from which the irrigation systems were installed; The technology of protected and semi-protected crops also began to be developed, as well as the diversification of production.
The commercial productive activity of the cooperative had and has had a great social impact on the population that surrounds it, creating sources of employment, healthy food with solidarity prices, transformation of the environment, turning unproductive areas into a vegetable garden and a more direct contact of the new generations with agricultural productions.
Its administrator is an average agricultural technician, but he is also a very creative person with a broad vision, which has contributed positively to the development of the cooperative. In the 12 years since its creation, a great number of transformations have taken place that have turned the cooperative into a thriving business. Within this process, the productive diversification achieved is noteworthy, which has allowed it to expand its business volume and sources of income. Some results allow corroborating this aspect (Fernández, 2008):
In the production of vegetables and vegetables, the main line of activity of the UBPC, of about 20 t obtained in 1997 it reached 239 t at the end of 2006, more than 10 times;
The productions of fruit trees and ornamental plants also reflect a significant evolution. In the case of fruit trees from 1100 positions in 1997 to 10346 in 2006; and ornamental plants increased from 300 in 1997 to 19517 in 2006.
The root ball seedlings of some 473 thousand produced in 1997 were achieved by 3440 thousand in 2006.
Dry condiments, in great demand by the population, whose production began in 2000 with just 40 kg, today is of the order of 1.4 t.
4.1- Knowledge for development
All this has been achieved through the organic management of crops, for which purpose we have worked systematically in the creation of our own production base in order to guarantee the stability of the inputs associated with this technology, such as compost, worm humus and humic acid, from the use of harvest waste from the cooperative itself and the incorporation of bovine manure.
Also in the integrated management of pests and diseases, certain agronomic practices have been consolidated, enabling efficient phytosanitary control. Among these practices are:
Adequate crop nutrition Crop
rotation
The use of live barriers, repellent and attractive plants
Breeding entomophagous and entomopathogenic insects
The application of biodiversity
Preventive and focal application of natural and laboratory biopesticides
Color traps
Protection and access control to the production areas.
Daily observation of crops.
This UBPC is part of the Urban Agriculture Program, being served by the Horticultural Company of Havana City, although in this case it has a high degree of independence in its management, which has enabled the deployment of its relationships with suppliers. and other entities, while implementing multiple initiatives, although other activities have been studied in which the UBPC has the capacity and possibilities of carrying out, associated with the provision of services, the gastronomy possibilities and others, which could further enhance the competitiveness of the cooperative, helping to increase income and provide benefits to the community, but its introduction has been limited by the corporate purpose.
Due to the productive and economic results recorded, it has become a benchmark unit, not only at the national level, but also at the international level. Multiple international agencies have contributed to the development of different activities within the cooperative and it is a permanent object of visit for delegations, tourists and other foreign visitors, as well as leaders and officials of Cuban institutions.
As can be seen in table 1, the increasing incorporation of the workforce, and especially of qualified personnel, constitutes an expression of the potential of this business model, when, as is the case of this UBPC, it offers attractions in the order economic and material capable of incentivizing man and fostering the increasing satisfaction of his expectations. Obviously, this achievement is not an inertial or passive result, but rather it derives from an efficient management of the cooperative. In this sense, multiple initiatives have been deployed and faced not a few obstacles and problems.
In any case, this strategy has served to underpin the development of the cooperative, since the development of all the aforementioned initiatives is only possible through the use of qualified FW
Also in relation to the skilled labor force, a high proportion of this category of worker has been observed since its foundation, one of whose possible readings is the spontaneous fulfillment of one of the general premises that are considered for the emergence of cooperatives that it is the existence of a group of people who agree to take on the cooperative challenge. The other premise is that cooperatives emerge as a result of crises in the other forms of property: private or state capitalist.
Equally unique in this area is the presence of a high degree of institutional sustainability, supported, among other factors, by a clear vision of its strategy and mission, a relevant managerial and technical capacity, as well as a high assessment of its performance by the local bodies, the Ministry of Agriculture itself and even international agencies, all of which give it considerable credibility as a socio-economic entity. Undoubtedly, what has been said regarding the qualified workforce is a particularity of this cooperative that has allowed it to have an institutional strength not present in other cooperatives with the same impact.
In the economic sphere, the evolution of income, costs and profits denote an upward efficiency in the management of the cooperative, which has become a determining factor in the success obtained and at the same time an expression of the consistent and sustained application of a set of basic principles on which the cooperative concept is based, especially with regard to participatory democracy, the economic interest of the group and above all the exercise of true management autonomy.
Table 2.- Admission dynamics
As can be seen, the dynamics of income is notorious taking the initial year as a reference, doubling the following year and since then it has grown continuously, currently being 8 times higher than that registered in 1997. Obviously a result of this magnitude, In addition to being exceptional, it is a determining indicator in the appreciation of business management and application of innovative methods, the achievement of which has been possible through growing diversification of production, proper management of marketing through the UBPC market itself and other complementary destinations., with competitive prices and low costs.
Table 3.- Average income per cooperative member (in pesos).
This increase in income pursues the stability of the labor force, as well as making the job attractive to young people and graduates from middle and higher levels, thereby advancing the development of the cooperative.
We also see how it is guaranteed, through participation in decisions, that there is a sense of belonging by its members, which guarantees a clear vision of the mission entrusted, as well as the strategy of the cooperative, its competitiveness as an economic entity and its relations with the environment.
The high level of qualification of its workforce allows technological innovation and the implementation of novel ideas that allow better economic performance.
Of course, up to now, this level of qualification of the workforce has allowed productive diversification, which has become a fundamental element, especially in a country like ours constantly besieged by adverse weather conditions, where the fact having multiple productions makes them less vulnerable to external shocks.
This diversification process undertaken by the UBPCs has allowed them to expand their productive nomenclature and gain in competitiveness, however, if the upward trend in activity levels continues as up to now, surpluses will be generated that could face difficulties in their realization.
An alternative to mitigate these risks and at the same time boost the economy of the cooperative is presented with the development of small-scale agro-industrial processing, an experience that the productive unit that concerns us has already put into practice.
This initiative can be developed both within the cooperative itself and in existing or newly created facilities in the municipalities and geographically close regions that process agricultural raw materials from the UBPCs, other cooperatives, farms and individual producers.
In addition, obtaining income from different concepts, especially in high value-added productions (dry condiments, tomato pulp, fruit sweets, etc.), contributes to raising the income of the cooperative with its consequent impact on the income of the cooperative members.
It has also allowed the application of different mechanisms of Integrated Management of Pests and Diseases, especially through the use of biological controllers, an element of vital importance to guarantee quality productions.
Therefore, it is necessary to emphasize that all the achievements previously raised have been possible to a great extent, due to having the adequate workforce to put new ideas into practice. This resource that they have managed to stabilize thanks to the property stimulation policies put into practice by a board of directors that also shows solid knowledge and creative capacity to implement successful business development projects.
4.2- Institutional Framework. Incentive or brake on development?
Although it is true that the achievements of this cooperative are impressive in relation to the results shown by its peers, it should be noted that this path has not been without obstacles. If we do an analysis of the case from perspective 2 studied, this case shows how the institutional framework can enhance or slow down development, since it affects the implementation of the new ideas that are generated.
With the study carried out, it was evidenced that, with regard to the regulatory framework, not always the relations between the state company responsible for the attention to the productive base and the UBPC itself flow harmoniously, now because of the known material limitations that condition the In general, the logistics of agricultural production, prays for the prevalence of mechanisms and restrictions of an administrative nature that hinder the normal performance of production relations.
The former is manifested more visibly in the case of the supply of inputs associated with production, where the purchasing power is established in CUC in proportion to sales to the State. However, according to testimonies of the administrators and members of the UBPC, such an offer is never reached, reducing to only 2 or 3 lines in most cases, even with very poor quality.
As an example of the second, the links between the UBPC and the suppliers or providers of resources for production outside the MINAG system can be cited, for which the intermediation of the company that attends it is imposed, since the UBPC These can be accessed directly, even with sufficient financial funds. This mechanism on many occasions hinders access to resources, since the company's intermediation management, which sometimes only limits itself to endorsing checks, for which it receives 5% of the value of the transaction, has the disadvantage of that if the company has debts with the supplier not attributable to the UBPC, the latter does not execute the delivery of the demanded resource until it is settled.
Relations with Acopio also present difficulties at times, reflecting non-compliance by the marketing companies in the reception of the contracted productions due to transportation problems, packaging, market saturation, etc., which cause product and financial losses to UBPCs, as the latter lack the degree of freedom necessary to carry out these productions in other commercial destinations.
These situations lead to a structural problem that requires an organizational definition. Although the General Regulations in force for the UBPCs of the MINAG system grant them legal powers and prerogatives, which equate them in autonomy with companies in progress, their recognition by institutions and entities still places them in a structural duality that oscillates between the company State agricultural company from which they emerged or were subsequently assigned, and the cooperative as a new type of business entity.
The recognition of the UBPC as a new type of cooperative-owned social enterprise could constitute an important step in achieving the autonomy granted to it by the four basic principles of the Political Bureau and ratified in the approved Regulation.
It is also necessary to promote the structuring of synergies on a local scale between the different production entities, which not only provide a solution to the absorption of surpluses, but also allow a greater addition of value to the productions, allow an increase in the supply of employment, both by within the UBPCs as well as in the territory and very especially contribute to the increase of municipal food self-sufficiency, the latter as a way to achieve independence of those territories with more productive potential from the national supply system, largely dependent on imports.
This implies the strengthening of institutional ties between the recently created municipal agricultural delegations and the governments of the territories, which will have to assume new roles in relation to the agricultural sector. The integration of agro-industrial production chains at a local scale is presented as a way compatible with the new scenario of the agricultural sector and more affordable to the operational conditions of the national economy at present.
This structural problem linked to the growing aging of the population, which is not only limited to the UBPC segment, but also manifests itself on a national scale, demands special attention in the specific case of the agricultural sector, where it is essential to implement incentive policies economic and material, including social aspects, that reduce the gaps between agriculture and other economic sectors, allowing to achieve the strategic objective of "sowing men and women" as a premise for the further growth of production.
The sense of belonging cannot be conceived as a slogan, but rather as the result of a growing improvement in the standard of living of cooperative members and agricultural workers, only achievable through effective policies that promote the elevation of self-esteem and the growing satisfaction of economic needs., social and spiritual of the workers.
Also important are the relationships with the community that contribute first to the development of the UBPC, through voluntary contributions made by the community to the productions and in turn the UBPC contributes to the development of the community.
Receive support from Research Institutes for the introduction of new techniques, as well as support from NGOs to obtain productive inputs, there is no doubt that it is a weighty factor to consider.
Maintaining good relations with the company is extremely important. In this sense, it is important that the company limits itself to the role that has been assigned to it in the UBPC legislation and respects its autonomy, without trying to influence the decisions of the same.
The support of external organizations is also important especially in the sense of training, here they play a decisive role, the Bank for credit management, the Insurance Company to insure productions against disasters, Collective Law Firms for advice legal, etc.
The practical application of state control over UBPCs has been controversial and complex. These attributions of the company must be similar to those of the Directorate of Attention to the Peasant Sector (DASC) of the Ministry of Agriculture with respect to small farmers and CPA.
Among the functions of the DASCs have been to plan the production of small farmers and CPAs as well as to nominalize the required resources. The supplies of inputs, provision of technical services and other productive support were in the hands of specialized companies for the non-state sector.
Practice has revealed that the notion of state control has been distortedly interpreted and applied, because the old methods of management and organization of agriculture prevailing in the nineties were fixed for thirty years in the minds of men as the dominant ideas; neither the grassroots workers in the UBPCs could immediately act as collective owners nor would the leaders of different levels of all agriculture shed their flawed leadership styles. State control is not "order and command" or indifference with respect to the UBPC, it is to help channel the activity of this organization according to the social interests and of that group by the paths and principles outlined by the Political Bureau.
However, under the new conditions, the company, a commercial organization, which is the object of state control, assumed the latter as a function with respect to the UBPC. There is no doubt that there are contradictions in the fact that the company acts as a seller of inputs, other material resources and services and at the same time acts as an institution of state control. It cannot act as a company and as a state at the same time, and it cannot compete with the UBPC for obtaining resources. In this confused duality of functions, a part of the brakes to the development of the UBPC has been present, its autonomy has been hidden. Even some UBPCs have not yet had the presence of a senior executive from the companies at their monthly workers' assemblies.
At present, the decapitalization of all the institutions of the agricultural, business and non-business sector and the loss of many of their highly qualified cadres would have to hinder the execution of all these functions in favor of the UBPCs. Some business and ministerial cadres of middle and higher qualification level have lacked experience in the new management that would be introduced in agriculture, they did not know how to link the man to the area or how to associate income with the final result of production, therefore so much so that they were not in a position to teach the new worker cooperatives something in this matter.
The General Regulations of the UBPC of the Ministry of Agriculture establishes that “The General Assembly of is the highest governing body of the UBP Cooperative, it is integrated with all the members of the latter and will elect its administrator and Board of Administration for a term of five years".
She has the following powers.
Approves the internal regulations of the organization; approves the admission or final separation of the members; elects members who will participate in different improvement programs; it approves the different ways of linking man to the area. their income and the regulation of incentives.
It establishes the amount of the advances in correspondence with its economic-productive situation; knows and approves the financial balance and cost reduction programs; knows the results of the inspections and audits carried out at the UBPCs and the plans of measures to eradicate the deficiencies and violations found.
Approve the use of the reserve fund, taking care to establish a minimum amount for contingencies.
The UBPC can, among other faculties:
Sell in the State Agricultural Market the volumes and assortments of the productions of its fundamental line, not committed to the collecting entities and other entities.
Exchange non-contracted products of its fundamental line or other productions, necessary for self-supply, through purchase and sale with other UBPCs.
Demand compliance with the contracts signed with the collecting, supplying and service rendering entities, claiming and demanding the economic damages suffered.
Develop other secondary productions.
The UBPCs have many more powers and prerogatives than companies in business improvement and their regulations are comparable to those of the CPAs. They are authentic worker cooperatives, they decide their production plan, and their members, by contributing their work collectively, equally appropriate the product and the income obtained.
The Final Declaration of the XI National Meeting of UBPC, held in September 2006 in Bayamo, recognized the following regarding these problems:
”…. Moral stimulation is underused and political-ideological work is very weak.
All these elements largely explain, beyond the existing material deficit factors, the still weak economic-financial position of many UBPCs and are the key reasons why the available material, financial and labor resources are misused.
The restructuring of the UBPC and the remodeling of its operation emerge as part of the necessary improvement of this organization, in tune with the process of improvement of the business system and in order to express as accurately as possible its content as a new socialist-economic entity under the principles of cooperativism.
Treat the UBPC as a true cooperative company, place the ubepecista in the right place as the subject of production and management, open the field to the full expression of participation, eliminate all existing obstacles to the operation of these entities and It will be seen how resources will be used to the maximum, the economic-social efficiency will grow without interruption, and the UBPC will become what it is by nature: a great productive and social force in the construction of socialism. "
Therefore, the mere fact of creating the UBPCs should not be enough to overcome the crisis in the agricultural sector.
4.3- Institutional learning derived from the case.
- Having a qualified workforce is an undeniable strength of this cooperative, and that this reverts to development for the unit, has been the main commitment of this group of farmers. The continuous training of individuals has been another important factor in development. The degrees of freedom available to this UBPC, unlike its peers, have been a very important factor for the success to be achieved.The introduction of technologies undoubtedly contributes to obtaining favorable economic results, which in our case, mean at the same time contribute to the social development of the community in which it is located, as it is a fundamental source of food products.Not being able to operate a bank account has constituted a brake both to invest in new technologies and to receive financing from international organizations.The misinterpretation of the role that the state company should play in controlling the cooperative has caused unnecessary interference, which in short, has interfered with the proper implementation of new initiatives The direct intervention of MINAG is not necessary, unless the managerial and innovative capacity of the cooperative members so requires it.With the support of institutional policies, numerous initiatives can be developed that contribute, both to the good performance of the cooperative and the direct influence of these results on the community.Hence, maintaining close ties with the community is an element to be developed by all cooperative entities.
4.4- Recommendations
After the study was carried out, we were able to determine some elements that should be taken into account for the implementation of initiatives in other cooperatives.
- In the first instance, there must be policies to attract qualified workforce to work in cooperatives, which in the current context of the Cuban economy must be marked by strong economic incentives Maintain constant training of this workforce, in a theoretical-practical way, this being the fundamental link to carry out innovative practices that generate efficient economic results.The stability of the strength of the workforce -and its cadres- is essential to maintain adequate planning within the entity that is reversed in their final results Understand the UBPC, as true cooperatives and allow them to develop initiatives that promote the sense of belonging of their members,it becomes an essential element for the good performance of these production units. To develop within these units, development strategies consistent with the levels of knowledge and technological development available to them.
5.- Bibliography
Fernández, M. (2008): Analysis of the factors that have led to the successful performance of a group of selected UBPCs. Master's Thesis.
Fernández, P, Cruz, J and Arteaga, C. (2007): Four successful experiences at UBPC. Digital format.
Núñez, J; F. Castro (2009): "Social production of knowledge and role of higher education in innovation systems". In Knowledge and Innovation for Development. Part I. Digital Format.
Núñez, J; F. Figaredo; F. Blanco (2009): Methodology for the evaluation of the course "Knowledge and Innovation for Social Development", leading to scientific degrees and categories. Digital format.
Núñez, J and F. Figaredo (s / f): CTS in context: the social construction of an academic tradition. Digital format.
National Statistics Office (2008): Cuban Statistical Yearbook 2007.
UNESCO-ICSU (1999): "Declaration on Science and the Use of Scientific Knowledge." In Declaration of Budapest. World Conference on Science for the 21st Century: A New Commitment. July 1999. Digital Format.
