A Network Analysis for Environmental Assessment in Wine Supply Chain

In the agri-food sector, the Life Cycle Assessment method (LCA) is used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product. Within agri-food products, wine is among the most analysed products, not only for its economic importance but also for the environmental impact of its activity. The paper aims to identify the main trends in the wine sector revolving around environmental evaluation using the LCA method in the academic literature. The aim is to investigate the literature on life cycle assessment analysis of grape and wine production through the systematic grouping of papers into clusters of research. So, the purpose is to discuss the gaps and insights identified by the study in order to aid in the development of a comprehensive state of the art on the topic. Scopus and Web of Science were used to search all articles following a clear and replicable protocol. The results (keywords) were subjected to co-occurrence analysis using VOSviewer, after which the articles were further analysed. Through a bibliographic coupling analysis, the research results were grouped through a network analysis that allowed identifying the research trends on the topic. Three clusters were identified containing the main lines of research on the subject. The results show that nowadays the literature is focusing on concerns related to climate change and consumer awareness on sustainability issues and certifications as well as environmental impacts generated mainly in the production phase in the vineyard. The research results are of interest for future research on LCA analysis in the wine sector in order to contribute to the discussion on the current model in the global wine sector

Factors affecting purchasing process of digestate: evidence from an economic experiment on Sicilian farmers' willingness to pay

Abstract In this study, we evaluate from the perspective of the theory of commitment costs if the level of farmer understanding about digestate attributes could influence the willingness to pay (WTP) for it. For this purpose, we carried out a research on a sample of 223 Sicilian farmers to correlate their WTP for digestate with a set of eight attributes which usually characterise organic soil conditioners. An experimental design was set up so that participants were given different waiting times to decide on their WTP and different levels of information on the attributes of organic soil conditioners. The results highlight a positive WTP, but farmers are strongly influenced by how much information is available on digestate. Without it, farmers' WTP decreases drastically probably due to phenomena correlated to what economic theory calls commitment costs

What's in organic wine consumer mind? A review on purchasing drivers of organic wines

Consumer interest in organic wine is growing, but the effects of organic label, consumer quality perception and the support for the benefits claim of organic wine are not yet fully understood and at times doubtful. The literature shows a very heterogeneous picture regarding consumer behaviour and preferences for organic wine. This study seeks to understand the link between organic wine and consumer' purchasing drivers. Using a systematic literature review, the paper explores the characteristics of consumer of organic wine, the motivation on consumer behaviour and preferences for organic wine, as well as the sensory quality and the presence of additives when evaluating wine quality and in shaping consumers' attitudes. The results show how socio-economic and psychological characteristics of consumer as well as quality perception affect their behaviour for organic wine. Little consensus on the benefits in terms of improved sensory quality of organic wine compared to conventional one. Among sensory qualities, taste has been found to be both a key driver and barrier to organic wine consumption. Based on literature studies, consumers have positive opinions toward organic wine, which is perceived as healthy and environmental friendly. However, despite the growing market interest in wine, scientific information about the organoleptic differences between conventional and organic remains scarce and the topic requires more in-depth analysis. Understanding the profile of consumer and the factors that influence consumer' behaviour provide information to the organic wine industry

The role of credence attributes in consumer choices of sustainable fish products: A review

This review aims to assess consumer choices of sustainable fish products, considering a number of attributes that have been considered in the academic literature on this topic. In order to examine the effectiveness of sustainable labels, the research question was focused on the relation between sustainable fish labels and consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP). The findings showed how, overall, consumers have positive perceptions regarding sustainable fish products and show a willingness to pay a premium price for the attribute of sustainability. According to the results, the country of origin attribute was found to be the most important attribute in relation to consumer choice. The results indicated a high WTP for local fish products, relative to imported alternatives. Consumers prefer wild-caught fish for its perceived quality, better safety and health aspects, and taste perception than the farm-raised option. As for animal welfare, the results show that consumers are willing to pay a moderate premium price for products that have an improved fish welfare or those that avoid by-catch, such as products with eco-labels like “turtle safe”. With regard to organic labels, the studies identified a positive organic price premium for fish products. However, organic labels do not play a major role in consumer choice, when compared with other attributes

Trends in consumers’ preferences towards fresh-cut vegetables during the Covid-19 pandemic

The fresh-cut sector has shown a positive trend in recent years, due to the “ease of use” and the increasing innovation in the quality and safety features of these products. However, in Italy, a negative trend was observed during the lockdown Covid-19. The objective of this study is to investigate consumer preferences for fresh-cut products and to identify the sensory and extrinsic attributes that influence consumer choice. It also examines whether consumer behaviour has changed during the lockdown Covid-19. An online questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 427 consumers. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to identify preferences for specific types of fresh-cut products; then, a factor analysis was conducted to highlight key socioeconomic variables and product attributes. Finally, a cluster analysis was conducted to identify homogeneous consumer groups. The results indicate that some attributes, including “ease of use”, “texture” and “colour” show a high level of interest and appreciation by consumers. The outcomes also reveal that there has been a change in consumer attitudes during the lockdown Covid-19, mainly for reasons related to the difficulty in food procurement, the fear of contagion during purchasing occasion, and higher prices. The findings of this research contribute to the knowledge of consumers’ behaviour towards fresh-cut products in the period of lockdown Covid-19

Moving towards circular bioeconomy: Managing olive cake supply chain through contracts

Abstract Circular bioeconomy represents a recent political vision expected to contribute in tackling the main challenges faced when sustainable industrial transition trajectories are to be implemented. Coordination and interdependence among actors are crucial steps for value creation when developing new sustainable supply chains. Current study is based on a choice experiment devised with contract design theory applied to a specific supply chain in which a circular bioeconomy strategy is implemented. It investigates the propensity of Sicilian millers to participate in a novel supply chain in which feedstuff is produced by processing a by-product, namely olive cake. Furthermore, millers contract attributes' preferences are analysed. The results from two econometric models reveal that 71% of the interviewed entrepreneurs would participate in the proposed supply chain while the propensity to participate is positively related with firm size and millers' attitudes but decreases if millers experienced previous investments or have previously participated in cooperatives. Moreover, respondents prefer shorter length of contract, with a minimum guarantee price, with a renegotiation option, and without the obligation of a minimum volume of product to be supplied. Contract agreements, when contract characteristics are designed ad hoc, are proved to be effective tools for circular bioeconomy supply-chain development

Assessing the Effects of the Environment on Consumers' Evaluations for Wine

In the wine sector, experiential marketing is becoming increasingly important since the success of a wine hinges on "experiential" attributes that include hedonic and symbolic values associated with emotions. An aspect not yet fully explored in the scientific literature concerns the extent to which emotions aroused by the environment where wine is consumed are able to influence consumers' evaluation of wine. To this end, we conducted an economic experiment in Italy in the territory of Mt Etna, Sicily and through a non-hypothetical experimental auction we assessed the effects of 10 emotions related to the environment of Mt Etna on consumers' Willingness to Pay (WTP) for Etna wine. The results of this study show that the values of consumers' WTP for wine are affected by emotions aroused by the experiential environment of Mt Etna

TUTELA E VALORIZZAZIONE DELLE RISORSE AMBIENTALI DEL PARCO DELL'ETNA (PATRIMONIO UNESCO): UN MODELLO DI GESTIONE PARTECIPATA SOSTENIBILE

The vision of protected areas as natural environments to be protected in a conservative manner has been transformed into a vision of a place where knowledge and intervention techniques are integrated, according to a global ecological approach. Alongside interventions to safeguard natural resources, planning and management actions are now recognised as necessary for the sustainable use of natural resources, for the development of traditional activities and to ensure the socio-economic and environmental well-being of the local population. Participatory planning supported by multi-criteria analysis represents an innovative methodology to contribute to the sustainable management and use of natural resources. The proposed methodology is based on an integrated approach between participatory planning techniques and the NAIADE method, which has made it possible to integrate the ease and speed of application with the flexibility to the specificity of the territorial reality, which in the case of protected areas is characterised by complex systems, with a variety of landscapes, territories and populations. Etna Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013) is the case study in which this integrated participatory assessment approach was applied, with the aim of experimenting with innovative ways of defining management strategies for protected areas

Circular economy models in agro-food systems: A review

Around the world, interest is growing in the circular economy in response to the current unsustainable model of production and consumption based on increased use and depletion of resources. This paper provides a review of the academic literature on the circular economy in agri-food systems, with the aims of understanding its main characteristics and perspectives, and summarizing and discussing the literature in this field. This review provides a deeper understanding of the opportunities provided by the circular economy as a solution to the current need to reduce the environmental impacts of business-as-usual economic systems and the state of the art of the circular economy in the academic debate. The results are discussed based on the chosen topiccore investigated in this review: business model and organization management, food loss and waste along the supply chain, analytical tools for the circular economy, stakeholder acceptance of the circular economy, and mitigation strategies and political approach. The findings show the need for the implementation of cleaner production models and consequent increases in stakeholder responsibilities and awareness, from both producers and consumers, as well as the need for the implementation of suitable policies and tools

Eco-Innovations Transition of Agri-food Enterprises Into a Circular Economy

Eco-innovations that reduce the environmental effect of manufacturing and consumption are seen as critical components of sustainable development and a critical component of the transition to a circular economy. Food systems address the issue of food waste, which is generally acknowledged as a cost to the economy, the environment, and society. Eco-innovations seem to be critical for the food system’s transformation to a more circular model centered on sustainable food production and processing. The goal of this paper was to determine the variables that influenced the introduction of product, process, organizational, and marketing innovations in European Union agri-food enterprises between 2012 and 2014. According to a preliminary analysis of the data, 57.40% of agribusinesses did not implement any form of innovation, which prompted the authors to study the difficulties surrounding innovation development over the 3-year reference period. Several key factors emerge as significant influences on the introduction of product innovations (0.055∗∗); contractual requirements as significant influences on the introduction of process innovations (−0.081∗∗∗); and environmental incentives as significant influences on the introduction of marketing innovations (0.062∗∗∗). Additionally, product (0.704∗∗∗) and process (1.051∗∗∗) innovations tend to have a greater influence on enterprises’ views of circular benefits. The investigation also demonstrates how enterprises and end users interpret the effect of various forms of innovation differently. Indeed, end users, in contrast to how enterprises understand it, believe that organizational (0.611∗∗∗) and marketing (0.916∗∗∗) innovations are critical in pursuing circular benefits