Project Title: Exploring Sustainable Ecosystem Innovation
Name: Manuel Garcia-Nieto
Biography: Manuel is a PhD researcher studying how organisations in the agri-food sector frame and invest in sustainable innovations. More specifically, his research focuses on how companies use accounting control systems, such as budgets, reports, processes, and organisational culture, to guide investment decisions to turn innovative sustainability project ideas into tangible impact.
Businesses face growing pressure to address environmental and social challenges, yet there is often confusion about what sustainability actually means across different stakeholders of the agri-food supply chain. This confusion prevents innovations to be fully effective on fighting climate change or improving social welfare. By examining how organisations align these diverse views and allocate resources effectively, his research contributes to the bigger picture of making sustainable practices practical, scalable, and impactful.
Prior to starting his PhD, Manuel worked as a trainee accountant in the financial department of an agri-food organisation based in southern Spain, where he gained expertise on investment decision-making. Out of research, his interests are travelling, music and volunteering.
Teagasc email: manuel.garcia@teagasc.ie
University email: manuel.gnieto@umail.ucc.ie
Teagasc Research Programme: Rural Economy and Development Programme
Teagasc Research location: Ashtown
University: University College Cork
Teagasc Supervisor: Prof Maeve Henchion
University Supervisor: Dr Seamus O’Reilly, Dr Michael Farrell, Dr Orlagh Reynolds
Funder: Teagasc