Disruption of agri-food value chains: NGOs path to stakeholder orchestration

This paper explores the evolving role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as focal actors in the innovation ecosystems in the agri-food sector. We investigate how NGOs are transitioning from traditional advocacy roles to becoming focal actors driving sustainability transitions. Adopting a synthesized perspective built on the theory of disruptive innovation, dynamic competition, the role of intermediaries in sustainability transitions and innovation ecosystems, we conducted a case study of GFI, which operates across multiple regions and has significantly influenced the cultivated meat innovation ecosystem development. We examined 38 in-depth interviews with internal and external GFI actors to unpack the non-linear stages of innovation. Our research identified three key phases in the cultivated meat innovation ecosystem: (i) conceptualization, (ii) new product development, and (iii) early-stage commercialization. Throughout these stages, GFI has played a central role in driving research initiatives and increasing commercial awareness and thus building the cultivated meat innovation ecosystem. Our findings contribute to the evolving literature on intermediaries in sustainability transitions by highlighting the pivotal role of NGOs in accelerating sustainable innovation, fostering dynamic competition, and supporting the creation of new sustainable industries.