Channel Management and differentiation strategies: A case study from the market for fresh produce

The paper analyses the current differentiation strategies in the market for fresh produce. First a short review of the literature on channel structure and product differentiation is presented, in order to identify, on a theoretical grounding the incentives for differentiation strategies. Second, a case study is drawn of a UK channel intermediary organisation carrying out differentiation policies in the fresh produce category (on behalf of UK multiple retailer customers) supplied by a dedicated Italian grower. Results show that in the fresh produce industry there is room for product differentiation, but with contradictory welfare effects.fresh produce, product differentiation, channel structure and management, Agribusiness, Marketing,

Emotion and relatedness as aspects of severely learning disabled adolescents’ identities: contributions from ‘practice-near’ social work research

This paper considers social and personal/individual approaches to researching severely learning disabled adolescents’ identities; suggesting that vital components of emotionality and relatedness are largely missing from research and consequently from literature informing social care professionals. This leaves untapped, rich information and communication resources for research which may improve understandings of the experiences of a socially excluded group of young people. A psychosocial view of adolescent identity development, ‘subjectivation’, offers a way forward and a case study on ‘Billy’, drawn from a ‘practice-near’ observational study, helps to illustrate this. Observation allows the researcher to be sensitive to the subtle ways in which severely learning disabled young people’s identities are constructed, often with a sense of fragility and uncertainty. Continuities of experience between the young people and the rest of the adolescent community may be seen, but also the impact of living with impairment can be thought about in relation to the particular psychosocial circumstances of each young person. Knowledge of these processes enhances social work practice by encouraging workers to be sensitive to, and healthily curious about, the multiple ways in which severely learning disabled young people’s identities are shaped in relationship with those around them and the wider social field

‘Trying transitions’: researching the identity development of severely learning disabled adolescents; a psychosocial, observational study

At the heart of this project is the wish to forge a better understanding of the lives and subjective experiences of severely learning disabled people in adolescence. The thesis adopts an approach that starts with the subjective, lived experience of the young people and the study explores the social and emotional worlds which the young people inhabit. This takes shape as a psychosocial investigation of identity development in the young people concerned with the study. Observation, informed by psychoanalytic theory and practice, is the chosen methodology. The observer reflexively explores the relationships and emotions involved in the everyday lives of the young people concerned, within the social context of their families, enabling themes to emerge from which case studies are constructed. Relational maps are formed for each young person by bringing together the idea of ‘becoming a subject’ with the unconscious defensive structures employed by parents in stressful caring situations. These are considered in relation to broader social factors: social class, culture and ethnicity. Implications of the findings for policy and practice are described, highlighting technical and attitudinal issues. Relationship based practice and networking skills are indicated, to emphasise the nexus of care which is required by each young person and their family. This ensures that the stressful aspects of dependency are acknowledged rather than denied within contemporary discourse which idealises independence. Finally, infant observation methodology as both research tool and as an aid to practice is thought about; its important contribution in helping to uncover the subjective experience of other vulnerable and ‘hard to reach’ groups stated

Local Food Marketing as a Development Opportunity for Small UK Agri-Food Businesses

Local Food Marketing as a Development Opportunity for Small UK Agri-Food Businesseslocal food, marketing, small-business development, UK, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Production Economics, Risk and Uncertainty,

An exploration of the use of infant observation methods to research the identities of severely learning disabled adolescents and to enhance relationship-based practice for professional social work practice

This paper considers how infant observation methods may be adapted to explore and research the identities of severely learning disabled adolescents, a group of young people whose experiences are poorly represented in the literature. Through focusing on emotion and relationship, this ‘practice-near’ research method also offers a way for social workers to develop their reflective capacity in relation to the often hidden, uncomfortable emotions aroused by experiencing impairment and difference, but without the defences usually involved in assuming the professional role. The importance of taking time to get on a disabled child’s ‘wavelength’ is illustrated through extracts from the research which show how a young person’s agency and identity can be appreciated. The method also has the potential to develop social workers’ awareness of the powerful undercurrent of emotions apparent at times within families of severely disabled young people and tentative suggestions are made about the projective processes and hidden hostilities at work within one of the families observed as part of the research project. Professionals may be able to use this knowledge to become resilient and reflective practitioners and the observation method itself has something to offer by way of a containing experience for families

Opportunities for greater Lincolnshire's supply chains: summary report

A study of the key sector supply chains across Lincolnshire and the barriers and opportunities for growth