Power and the Analysis of the Food System

This paper stresses that in order to understand the current restructuring processes in the food system it is necessary to take explicitly into account the role of power as a driving organizational force. Agricultural economics, drawing pervasively on the walrasian model, has mainly analysed power in the form of market and bargaining power. Stemming from different definitions of power, the paper focuses on some definitions suggested by the new institutional economics and the network theory, showing their relevance to the analysis of the food marketpower, scale-free networks, new institutional economics

Food Safety and Social Capital: A Double Side Connection

The globalisation of the agri-food system and the growing variety of food products and technologies have made it increasingly difficult for nation-states to regulate food safety and quality practices, giving rise to a shift from public to private governance, essentially in the form of private standards and TPC. The paper suggests that the current shift from public to private intervention calls for a different approach to the analysis of food safety policy, on both descriptive and normative ground. Two different concepts of social capital, one of trust and the other of power, are used in order to assess the welfare effects of the newest trends in food safety policy. Through the lens of social capital it is clear that private standards and TPC are not merely an impartial technical tool able to foster food markets efficiency and safety. Rather they are the means by which powerful actors in the chain discipline people and things in order to accomplish their own objectives

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,

Social Capital and the Food System: Some Evidences from Empirical Research

The paper stresses that in order to understand the current re-organizational processes in the food system, two kinds of social capital should be taken into account, trust and network-based social capital. Stemming from a case study, concerning the Italian processing tomato industry, it demonstrates that while trust seems to enhance social welfare, by reducing transaction costs and promoting cooperative behavior, network-based social capital mainly affects firm competitive behavior, with unpredictable effects on social welfare.social capital, trust, networks, Institutional and Behavioral Economics,

Tailored Digitization for Rural Development

Abstract The widespread use of many digital technologies along the food supply chain might have negative effects on rural development and on small and medium farms. One conclusion of this paper is that in order for rural areas to exploit all the benefits from digitization, avoiding the associated risks, there should be more agricultural extension services to farmers and more open data portals and platforms. This is in order to develop technologies specifically tailored for the economic, natural and social environment of rural areas, and therefore to be able to promote their modernization without giving up their cultural heritages. View Full-Tex

INTRODUZIONE ALL'ANALISI ECONOMICA DELLA QUALITA' NEL SETTORE AGROALIMENTARE

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Challenges in Italian wine routes: managing stakeholder networks

Purpose – The aim of this article is to analyse how wine and tourism operators understand the concept of a wine route, in order to determine the impact that definition can have on the extent to which stakeholders working within distinct, but related sectors (namely wine production, tourism, food and hospitality) collaborate with each other and share knowledge. Design/methodology/approach – By adopting the theoretical lens of “boundary objects” (understood as tangible or intangible entities that allow the sharing of meaning to different groups and facilitate collaboration), this article uses a qualitative approach, based on semi-structured interviews of 20 informants working in three different wine routes in Italy. Analysis of data is carried out in order to highlight the similarities and differences between the wine and tourism (including identified associated service) industries. Findings – Wine routes can be considered boundary objects that, if clearly defined by local stakeholders, can facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration. Problems in collaboration could be explained by an initial mis-definition by stakeholders of what a wine route and its remit are. Research limitations – Since the theoretical lens of “boundary objects” was applied for the first time to wine routes and tourism, further research is necessary in order to validate its application. Practical implications – It is suggested that managers of wine routes involve all stakeholders in discussions to achieve a common understanding on what a wine route is and its role in the promotion of “place” (geographical context of the wine route). Only if this is done successfully, is it possible to achieve collaboration. Originality/value of the paper – This article uses the concept of “boundary objects” (a concept traditionally applied to the study of innovation) to the analysis of wine routes, and provides further theoretical and managerial insights concerning networking between wine and tourism sectors, taking a supply-side perspective