Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: n.d. Title: Editoriale Abstract: Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:5-6 Volume: 11 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=36253&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2009-001001 Number: 1 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Arturo Casieri Author-Name: Bernardo De Gennaro Author-Name: Umberto Medicamento Author-Name: Luigi Roselli Title: Capitale sociale e performance economica: un?applicazione al sistema di produzione dell?olio extra-vergine di oliva biologico della provincia di Bari Abstract: Capitale sociale e performance economica: un?applicazione al sistema di produzione dell?olio extra-vergine di oliva biologico della provincia di Bari - Social capital and economic firm performances: an application to the organic extravirgin olive oil net-chain in the province of Bari The supply chains of niche market goods like organic products are rapidly evolving. Compared to the conventional supply chains, these are more risky andmarket oriented. Therefore, to build stable networks along and among the chains is becoming an increasingly valuable as a competitive factor. The firms use these networks to exchange tangible and intangible assets. Structural social capital embedded in business networks could influence the firms? competitiveness. In this perspective it can be worthwhile for the possible normative suggestion for policy makers to consider the control over strategic resources spread in the environment out of the firm, as a competitive advantage source, together with the firm?s internal resources. The external environment is characterized by a net of inter-firms relationships, which pertain to trade exchange, information exchange, shared norms and resources? association. The strategic resources inside the network, especially information, constitute an asset that companies need to improve their competitive advantage. The structure of relationships enabling the access to those resources, constitute the social capital (sc) which is revealed in the modalities with which firms place themselves in the net: higher the sc, the higher the economic performance. This study aims to show the significance of structural sc in influencing the firms? economic performances in agribusiness. We will try to test this hypothesis by analyzing the organic olive oil production system in the Province of Bari. In this study we refer to the form of sc linked to the firm?s position inside the net-chain and to the idea of structural holes. Specifically, we decided to measure sc in terms of network constraints - a more constrained entrepreneurial activity implies less structural holes and therefore less sc. As for the firm performance measures, there are several indexes that could be appropriate: from the well known roi (Return on Investment) and ros (Return on Sale), to revenue. Actually, we selected the last one (revenue). It in fact the results are easier to find, and the productive structure of the firms involved in the organic olive oil processing can be considered quite homogeneous. To measure the structure of the relational web we adopt the Social Network Analysis (sna), a method based on the analysis of the actors (individuals, firms, and institutions) involved in a particular context and on the relationships between them. The subject of the analysis is the extra-virgin organic olive oil net-chain in the province of Bari. A set of economic institutions and organizations both located in this province and out of this territory but involved in processing and in trading the extravirgin organic olive oil. The results obtained, show that also in agribusiness netchains, as the organic olive oil, firms gain a higher competitive advantage if the are able to be central in the network of relationships, both horizontal and vertical, assuming an intermediary role in the transactional and informational flows. Further studies are still necessary, since the analysis completely disregards some key factors of competitiveness (although recognizing their relevance), which are not directly connected to the structure of relationships of the netchain as the relational social capital (e.g. trust, norms and expectations) and cognitive social capital (e.g. shared view, common language).

JEL Code: L14

Key words: social capital, network analysis, netchain, economic performance, organic olive oil Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:7-23 Volume: 11 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=36254&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2009-001002 Number: 2 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Roberta Raffaelli Author-Name: Lorena Coser Author-Name: Geremia Gios Title: Esperienze di filiera corta nell?agro-alimentare: un?indagine esplorativa in provincia di Trento Abstract: Esperienze di filiera corta nell?agro-alimentare: un?indagine esplorativa in provincia di Trento - Experiences of short food supply chain: an explorative research in the province of Trento In the recent years there has been an increasing interest in the scientific literature for the so-called "Alternative Food Networks" which try to redefine the relationship between producers and consumers. Particularly interesting is the short food supply chain which allows both producers to get back some added value and consumers to have better food "with the farmers? face on it". Moreover, some part of the literature stressed that a shorter food supply chain promotes the rise of a new and more territorially based rural development. The investigation approach has been mainly sociological or geographical and mostly based on case studies. Little attention has been devoted to quantify the involved farmers? population. Since shorter food supply chains are becoming increasingly present in the Italian market, the aim of the paper is to contribute to deepen the knowledge about these experiences, starting from the specific context of the Autonomous Province of Trento. First of all, a census of the empirical variety of short food supply chains has been made. In addition to three farmer?s markets, one box scheme (Biocesta) and other similar initiatives, farmers open their farms to consumers and visitors. The integration of three different databases allowed us to estimate the number of farms involved in the short supply chain. It represents the 12,8% of the full time farms. In order to shed light on structural conditions, economic performance and farmers? perceptions, we surveyed a convenience sample of 36 farms involved in the most innovative forms of short food supply chain. The surveyed farms are of small dimensions; the farmers are well educated and they are fully involved in the short food supply chain. Most part of the farms is highly diversified: the average number of products is 4.4 and the diversification is strengthened trough some processing. Only 28% of the sample sells the whole production through the short supply chain: this confirms that the major part of farms does not abandon the conventional system when opting for a shorter supply chain. Investigating the motivations that draw farmers to move towards a shorter supply chain shows that a better valorisation of their products represents the most important one. Nevertheless, other non-monetary reasons enter into the decision and gain top ranking positions such the direct contact with consumers and the enhancement of professional competences. The option for a shorter supply chain seems to have very interesting consequences. Actually, it pushed the 72% of farms to increase product diversification; it induced some farms to switch to organic production, to recover unusual vegetables and antique fruit cultivars, to pay greater attention to the landscape, to offer new services inside the farm and to strength the relations with other farms and the territory. These results support the idea that the short food supply chain enhances the multifunctional role of farms.

JEL Codes: Q12, Q13

Key words: short food supply chain, farmers? survey, structural and economic characteristics, Trentino Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:25-42 Volume: 11 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=36255&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2009-001003 Number: 3 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Stefano Grando Title: Esperienze di diversificazione qualitativa degli alimenti: la ri-localizzazione dei circuiti produzione-consumo Abstract: Esperienze di diversificazione qualitativa degli alimenti: la ri-localizzazione dei circuiti produzione-consumo - Quality diversification in food production: initiatives of re-localisation of production-consumption networks In an era characterized by a tendency towards globalisation of food supply chains and standardization of consumption habits, many rural areas are witnessing initiatives based on the re-discovery of local food traditions and productions, and on their promotion towards distant markets. These initiatives mainly regard areas where a local food culture is still present, and some local supply chains have survived even in recent decades. In some other rural areas, on the contrary, standardization of food production and consumption led to a completely export-oriented primary sector and to the disappearance of almost any sort of local supply chains. In some of these areas, mainly in Northern European countries, grass root initiatives of re-localisation of the food supply chains have recently emerged, aiming at promoting the local consumption of locally produced food. This entails strengthening (or re-creating) local food productions, creating local markets and encouraging local consumption of the products . This phenomenon emerged also within the eu funded research "corason - A cognitive approach to rural sustainable development - the dynamics of expert and lay knowledges", in which about 30 case-studies of local food production from twelve countries have been investigated. Five of them represent initiatives of relocalisation: Cahir Farmers? Market in Ireland, Skye and Lochalsh Horticultural Development Association and Food Link Group in Scotland, Eldrimner project in Sweden, and Netzwerk Vorpommern in Germany. All these initiatives share some basic aims: social sustainability at community level, environmental sustainability, local culture valorisation. Shortening the distance that food travels means sustaining local producers income and, often, delivering better quality food to consumers. At the same time it encourages diversification of agriculture, it supports environmental protection, and it provides opportunities for the revitalization of rural communities. Other evidences arise from a comparative analysis of these experiences. A relevant role of civil society has been noticed. Further, a strong ideological component is sometimes present, with initiatives promoted by actors belonging to, or inspired by, social movements. All the initiatives show a high degree of selfgovernance, with a central role played by pro-active local actors. There is a re-definition of food quality. Emphasis is given to localness, as a key attribute in itself as well as a condition influencing other attributes. An emphasis is also given to the positive relational and social aspects related to the establishment of local networks. These initiatives require specific knowledge dynamics, in particular the rediscovery of a traditional food culture (varieties, cultivation methods, recipes) that had been forgotten among local communities.

JEL Codes: Q13, Q56, R12

Key words: local networks, food quality, food supply chains, traditional knowledge, Northern Europe Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:43-59 Volume: 11 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=36256&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2009-001004 Number: 4 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Antonio Seccia Author-Name: Antonio Stasi Author-Name: Giuseppe De Blasi Author-Name: Domenico Carlucci Title: I fattori del successo imprenditoriale delle imprese vinicole pugliesi Abstract: I fattori del successo imprenditoriale delle imprese vinicole pugliesi - Competitive determinants of winegrowers in Apulia In recent years, Apulian wine sector has begun a process of renewal that is allowing a coming out of potential originality and distinctiveness of Apulian wines, so that for some enterprises, it is turning out remarkable competitive advantages. Some winegrowers have improved their marketing strategies quickly adapting to the new competitive scenario characterized by: the Common Agricultural Policy review, increasing of international trade liberalization, declining in wine consumption in traditional countries producers, changing in consumers preferences and, finally, adoption of aggressive strategies by the so-called "new countries producers". The aim of this work is to identify the main competitive determinants for Apulian winegrowers belonging to the so-called strategic group leader. To such purpose, an econometric model has been built and estimated. More precisely, a qualitative response model (Logit) has been used to determine the probability of high competitive performance, given several explanatory variables. Such variables concern both structural characteristics of enterprises and marketing strategies which include the set of management and planning activities, promotion and distribution. Data for estimating the model have been collected by interviews, carried out using questionnaires, to a sample of Apulian winegrowers. This study, therefore, might be useful to a better understanding of determinants that affect competitive performances of Apulian leader winegrowers. In particular, the results obtained have allowed to outline an identikit of the Apulian winegrower which has high probability of competitive success. Such enterprise has a medium or large size; it is a company or an individual firm; its core business is represented by wines with origin denomination or geographic indication; it invests in communication/promotion activities more money than the average of its regional competitors and, it directly interacts with the main chains of food distribution in order to increase its own sales on foreign markets.

Keywords: apulia, supply chain, competitiveness, logit, strategies

JEL Code: Q13 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:61-76 Volume: 11 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=36257&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2009-001005 Number: 5 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Anna Gaviglio Author-Name: Alberto Pirani Author-Name: Pedol Martina Licitra Title: Innovazione e competitivit? nella trasformazione di prodotti da agricoltura biologica: il caso delle imprese artigiane agro-alimentari lombarde Abstract: Innovazione e competitivit? nella trasformazione di prodotti da agricoltura biologica: il caso delle imprese artigiane agro-alimentari lombarde - Innovation and competitiveness of organic food artisan enterprise in Lombardy The present work is inspired by the observation that today "innovation" is frequently a key word for Italian food industry. It seems that this is the only way to successfully face global market. We can see that the food industry is following two different strategies: on one hand there are enterprises, more and more specialized, industrial production oriented whereas on the other hand there are enterprises oriented towards high quality, value added and niche productions. The aim of this work is to investigate behaviour of organic artisan enterprises in Lombardy and to take it as an example of how much innovation helps to increase small enterprise?s competitiveness. Particularly the study regards two of the main regional supply chains, dairying and cereal from organic agriculture. It tries to determinate new ways to get good economic performance and, consequently, new ways to take part in the strategic choices. The work tries to check also acquisitions of innovation and which role innovation plays in a business strategy based on an upgraded concept of differentiation. This means, therefore, to focus the attention on the strategic nature of innovative choices and to define what each artisan enterprise is able to do: in an exclusive way; distinguishing it from the contenders; showing it to costumers; maintaining a special position in the market. The method of survey to define resources and ability of each organic artisan firm of the sample, is the Dynamic capabilities approach. The study evidences the key-resource and the key-capabilities combination on which is based the introduced innovation and it describes the main course of this particular sector. The data reveal a prevailing asset: marketing ability is the opportunity that a lot of enterprises efficiently use to differentiate the own distributive system - export is an example - and also to satisfy different customers. This attitude shows a resources and capability configuration more complex than the other. A systematic approach toward innovation in small enterprise, involving all the actors of the supply chain, could carry best economic improvements. Organic market, despite of the conventional one, is a new sector and it offers several opportunities to successful marketing initiative. New products, new services, new communications can attract more customers at all levels.

JEL Codes: Q13, L10

Key words: innovation, competitiveness, firm strategy, agricultural and food-artisan Enterprises Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:77-96 Volume: 11 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=36258&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2009-001006 Number: 6 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Marcella Rizzo Author-Name: Filippo Mazzamuto Title: La vendita diretta dei prodotti ortofrutticoli un?esperienza siciliana Abstract: La vendita diretta dei prodotti ortofrutticoli un?esperienza siciliana - Fruits and fresh vegetables direct selling: case from a Sicilian experience A specific producer?s organization based on cooperative governance system that operates in the Province of Catania, primarily in the citrus fruit sector, has promoted in the first part of nineties a network of retailer stores, located in the northeast of Italy and directly managed by the cooperative members. This network of agricultural 118 producers has subsequently involved an increasing number of cooperatives and points of sale, structuring a policy based on a supply of citrus fruit linked with others fresh vegetables. This phenomenon is still growing, taking advantage of several new laws (the "Orientation law", the reformed Commercial law, and the 2007 State Financial Budget law) that simplify administrative and fiscal regulation on selling procedures. This law innovation process has also created new rules to make retailing activity easy and favourable (especially from the fiscal point of view) to direct selling run by the agricultural entrepreneur. This research takes in to account the economic results of this particular retailing activity, through an exploratory investigation conducted during 2005 and 2006, which underlines the added-value, generated by this specific formula used as a marketing tool. Furthermore, through this study it is possible to put in evidence, from the strategic point of view, some relevant characteristic constitutional elements and strengths or weaknesses system of this Sicilian producer?s organization model. The study results show the importance of an innovative organizational and managerial model for local agriculture, and how it is possible to compete in the market and guarantee sale flows and a interesting added-value level for the producers. The evidence of the study, concerning this specific network formula, introduces two different advantages. The first one is to protect agriculture and to guarantee the sale of the annual production, when there is a large volume of production. The second one is connected to the possibility of regulating sale flows and price level thanks to the extremely elastic structure of sales points, characterised by low investments and low fixed costs. Moreover, goods supply on command at sale points, enable a "just in time" shipment, optimizing logistics and goods collection in the company. The determination of the Unit Gross income obtained by the company production direct selling, has put in evidence the great amount of operative margins of the examined distributional channel. It has to be remarked that these margins can even increase if the company production gets integrated with associated organisations that are controlling complementary goods production. In other words, the recent law which encourages these integrations enable producers to increase their gains

JEL Code: Q13

Key words: direct selling, citrus, organization, supply, value-added Classification-JEL: Keywords: Note: Pages:97-123 Volume: 11 Year: 2009 Issue:1 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=36259&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2009-001007 Number: 7