Food System Dynamics (E-Journals)
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Mathematical Programming Models to Increase Land and Water Use Efficiency in Semi-arid NE-Brazil
Get PDFConstruction of the Itaparica dam and reservoir induced changes in the agricultural production systems of the Itaparica micro-region, at the lower-middle São Francisco river basin. Extensive traditional systems were replaced by e.g. irrigated fruit production. However, over twenty years after the dam construction, many farmers are still facing income insecurity. A survey, consisting of expert interviews and structured on-farm interviews, has been conducted to analyze current production systems. A Linear Programming farm optimization model was applied to determine optimal land allocation considering changing production conditions. Income depended strongly on low wages for day laborers, free irrigation water, and stable prices of the main crop, coconut. Diversification of production and improved market access can help to improve farmers’ income situation. Moderate water pricing can raise the awareness of water scarcity and lead to implementation of water saving production methods
Transparency in Food Networks ‐ Where to Go
Get PDFOne of the core requests in assuring competitiveness and sustainability in the food value chain is transparency. Food is a basic human need and as such of paramount interest to consumers. They expect retail to provide guarantees assuring that food is safe to eat and of the quality they request. Increasingly,interests of consumers reach beyond these basic needs but involve environmental or ethical aspects related to the production and distribution of food. The provision of the guarantees is communicated to consumers through claims that are expressed in messages (‘food is safe’), signals (‘food miles’), labels of various kind, or just clusters of information items (as e.g. ‘origin’). Appropriate communication provides transparency to consumers and allowed them to ‘make informed decisions’ that fit their needs.The complexity of the sector, the absence of focal players in the field, the complexity in the collection, processing and communication of information, and limitations in information and network technology have made it difficult to find concepts and solutions that could solve the transparency problem at consumers’ end. This is where the Future Internet provides opportunities that allowed to meet the challenge and to appropriately address the transparency problem.This paper introduces into the subject through a detailed outline of the transparency complexity of the food sector and the requirements on concepts and systems that could deal with it. This is followed by a presentation and discussion of a suitable concept, building on network elements of the Future Internet.The concept is based on a range of generic functionalities and system components that provide stability but also assure that the concept could easily be adapted to a broad range of sector scenarios in different product lines and food value chain organizations
A New Balance of Power Between Suppliers and Retailers in Finland
Get PDFThe last twenty years has witnessed substantial changes in retailing across most European countries.Private labels (PL) has become increasingly important strategic tool for European retailers to gain market share, loyalty of customers and reinforce the bargaining power toward suppliers and countervailing power against manufacturing brands. (Bonfrer and Chintagunta, 2004; Hansen et al., 2006; Groznik et. al. 2010 EU commission, 2011). The combination of recession and a retail food price spike during the last 5 years provides even more opportunity for PL growth as increasingly price-sensitive customers shift to PL alternatives.1(Volpe, 2011) According to statistics from Private Label Manufacturer Association (PLMA), the market share of PLs accounts for 17 to 48% of the groceries market in the EU in 2012
Supply Chain Design and Control Principles in Local Food Production: A Norwegian Case Study
Get PDFBased on an analysis of four local food producers this paper explores the relation between the supply chain design and control principles, and the strategic fit. Local food has arisen as a popular supplement to the traditional supermarket product range offered by retailers and restaurants. However it has been shown that local food struggles with the market access, and that the supply chain is one of the obstacles preventing local food producers to gain a solid market position. We analyse how the supply chain of food specialties could be designed and controlled in order to fit with the competitive features of local food producers. It identifies a number of features of the local food chain, analyzes the obstacles and discusses how the characteristics could be dealt with by adjusting design and control principles. It develops generic designs and control principles for local food producers
Business Collaboration in Food Networks: Incremental Solution Development
Get PDFThe paper will present an approach for an incremental solution development that is based on the usage of the currently developed Internet based FIspace business collaboration platform. Key element is the clear segmentation of infrastructures that are either internal or external to the collaborating business entity in the food network. On the one hand, the approach enables to differentiate between specific centralised as well as decentralised ways for data storage and hosting of IT based functionalities. The selection of specific dataexchange protocols and data models is facilitated. On the other hand, the supported solution design and subsequent development is focusing on reusable “software Apps” that can be used on their own and are incorporating a clear added value for the business actors. It will be outlined on how to push the development and introduction of Apps that do not require basic changes of the existing infrastructure. The paper will present an example that is based on the development of a set of Apps for the exchange of product quality related information in food networks, specifically addressing fresh fruits and vegetables. It combines workflow support for data exchange from farm to retail as well as to provide quality feedback information to facilitate the business process improvement. Finally, the latest status of theFIspace platform development will be outlined. Key features and potential ways for real users and software developers in using the FIspace platform that is initiated by science and industry will be outlined
Valuing Information on GM Foods in the Presence of Country-of-Origin Labels
Get PDFInformation on production methods (genetic modification (GM) or organic production) and locations (country of origin) are commonly found on food package labels. Both pieces of information may be used as a proxy for food safety and (perceived) quality by consumers. Our study investigates the interactive effects between information on production method and country-of-origin labeling (COOL) by conducting choice experiments in the European Union, United States and Japan. This study also investigates the effect of information about potential benefits of biotechnology on consumer acceptance of GM foods. Results indicate that consumers preferred GM foods produced domestically to GM foods imported from foreign countries, and individuals with information on consumer benefits, producer benefits, and environmental benefits were willing to pay more than individuals without information in some cases, but the effect of information varied by type of information, location, and the country of origin of the products
Innovation through Networking: The Case of the Agricultural Sector
Get PDFInnovation is widely recognized as being an important strategic tool for companies to increase their competitive advantage. Hereby, networks have become increasingly important as external sources for the necessary knowledge, ideas and financial resources. The main contribution of this paper is to shed light on how different network partners can explain or facilitate the different types of innovations in the agricultural sector. In contrast to other studies, we make a distinction between all four types of innovation: product, process, marketing and organizational innovation. Thus, this study has the objective to gain insight into the innovation process of farmers in terms of how they innovate, which network partners they consult in relation to innovation type, the obstacles they face, and where the network activities could be better aligned with the needs of the farmers, which could help to enable them to optimally support innovation and networking.The study is based on 36 in-depth interviews with farmers spread over five subsectors in Flanders (northern Belgium).Our most important findings are that the consulted partners and the observed barriers are different dependent on the innovation type. Hence, our study delivers a set of valuable insights and implications for farmers, network coordinators and policymakers. Farmers must be aware of the importance of partner suitability and network heterogeneity for the innovation type they are aiming at. Furthermore, farmers have to be aware of the fact that efficient networking is not the optimisation of single relationships independently of each other, but instead the management of synergies and coordination of all relationships in an efficient way. In addition, network coordinators should set up a clear strategy and communicate for which innovations their network can advise and help the farmer.These first conclusions should be further proven and supported by future research in order to draw general conclusions for the agricultural sector. As the sample of our study is limited to 36 respondents spread over five subsectors, it is necessary to conduct a quantitative study to achieve a representable sample and to include more subsectors. In addition, the study is limited to the Flemish region and literature in other countries about this subject is scarce. Hence, other researchers are encouraged to investigate if the results of Flanders can be supported by other regions in Europe and the world
´Opinions of Stakeholders and Consumers on the Sustainability of the Soy and Beef Supply Chain in Latin America and Europe
Get PDFLong, complex and globalised food chains often pose major challenges in terms of the sustainability of their environmental, economic and social impacts. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the sustainability of the beef and soy supply chains in Latin America and the European Union (EU). Within an FP 7 project called SALSA, we explored the attitudes towards, preferences for, and awareness of specific sustainability aspects of supply chains from the perspective of non-business and business stakeholders as well as consumers
An E-platform for Supporting Sustainability Developments with Special Reference to Latin America
Get PDFDue to raising pressures from civil society, consumers, businesses and public institutions, appropriate methodological, technological and organizational innovations acquired a central role for the establishment of global sustainable food supply chains. This paper presents an-line software able to support the implementation of sustainable policies for two highly traded products between Latina America and Europe that still raise environmental, social and economic concerns, namely soymeal and beef. The E-Platform propose itself as a synthesis of both scientific and management requirements, therefore combining complex analysis methods as life cycle analysis in the back-end and implementation and monitoring modules in the front-end. The system, currently in its test phase in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, has its primary objectives in facilitating the implementation of new sustainable production policies, in opening access to new markets and in complying with stringent requirements minimizing the certification costs and time investments for the actors of the supply chain
Factors Influencing the Performance of German Food SME Formal Networks
Get PDFThe food sector in Europe can be characterized as a complex, global and dynamically changing network of trade streams, food supply network relations and related product flows which offers a big spectrum for economic output and employment. Innovation is important for the competitiveness of the food industry that is to a large extent comprised of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). For them, innovation has grown extremely subordinate to interaction in networks. Network initiatives that could provide appropriate support involve social interaction and knowledge exchange, learning and competence development, and coordination (organization) and management ofimplementation. This paper is designed to assess the factors that affect the performance of German food SME formal networks. It also addresses the consequences at the network and macro level. The analysis was explored by using the laddering technique based on the means‐end chain theory. The findings will help to build up a “network learning toolbox” that is adapted to the particular requirements of the different target groups such as of SMEs, network managers and policy makers. The “network learning toolbox” should improve network learning, which is adriver for improvements in innovation, economic growth and sustainable competitive advantage for food SMEs