Statistical Surveys, Knowledge Economy in the Agri-Food Sector: A Lever for a Competitive Economy in Algeria

Abstract

In the context of economic diversification in resource-dependent economies, statistical surveys play a strategic role in transforming dispersed information into structured knowledge that supports competitive development. This study examines the contribution of statistical surveys to the knowledge economy within Algeria’s agri-food sector, using a field survey of 110 SMEs in the province of Blida. Beyond descriptive analysis, the study applies inferential statistical methods, including Chi-square tests and logistic regression modeling, to identify structural relationships between managerial human capital, territorial knowledge infrastructure, and sectoral specialization. The findings reveal a statistically significant association between education level and participation in technologically intensive agri-food activities. Logistic regression results further confirm that higher education, accumulated sectoral experience, and proximity to research laboratories significantly increase the likelihood of technological upgrading. These results demonstrate that statistical surveys function not merely as data collection instruments but as institutional mechanisms enabling rational decision-making, territorial intelligence, and competitive positioning. The study contributes to the literature on knowledge-based development by empirically linking micro-level firm characteristics to broader structural transformation processes in Algeria’s agri-food economy.