Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Domenico Regazzi
Title: Presentazione
Abstract:
Classification-JEL:
Keywords:
Note:
Pages:7-8
Volume: 13
Year: 2011
Issue:3
File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=44491&Tipo=Articolo PDF
File-Format: text/HTML
Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2011-003001
Number: 1
Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Gervasio Antonelli
Author-Name: Maurizio Canavari
Author-Name: Annalisa De Boni
Author-Name: Concetta Nazzaro
Title: Editoriale
Abstract:
Classification-JEL:
Keywords:
Note:
Pages:9-13
Volume: 13
Year: 2011
Issue:3
File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=44492&Tipo=Articolo PDF
File-Format: text/HTML
Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2011-003002
Number: 2
Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Gaetano Chinnici
Author-Name: Biagio Pecorino
Author-Name: Salvatore Bracco
Author-Name: Mario D'Amico
Title: Analisi economico-gestionale del comparto vinicolo siciliano attraverso indici di bilancio
Abstract: Sicily is the fourth biggest wine producing region in Italy; a total vineyard area of 125,000 hectares produces an annual average of around 6 million hectolitres. However, in recent years, the international economic crisis has also hit the island?s economy, slowing down the economic performance of the whole regional wine industry. The aim of this paper is to analyse the wine industry sector in Sicily, taking into account its economic and managerial outlook, by means of an evaluation of financial ratios (2008-2009) of wine-producing businesses. In particular, an analysis using balance sheet ratios has been carried out in order to evaluate both effectiveness and efficiency in the sector.
Classification-JEL: L66, Q19
Keywords:
Note:
Pages:15-36
Volume: 13
Year: 2011
Issue:3
File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=44493&Tipo=Articolo PDF
File-Format: text/HTML
Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2011-003003
Number: 3
Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Danilo Gambelli
Author-Name: Francesco Solfanelli
Author-Name: Raffaele Zanoli
Title: Un sistema di certificazione risk-based per i controlli in agricoltura biologica: un?applicazione tramite Bayesian networks
Abstract: The existing method of certification in the organic agriculture system, which requires periodic inspection of all operators, is inefficient due to the high cost of these controls. A risk-based decision support system, which could assist the inspection body during the planning of the annual inspection visits, is advocated as being more cost-effective and efficient. The risk-based decision support system is constructed as a Bayesian network; the models incorporate the factors that influence risk of irregularity and analyse their effects by determining probability of noncompliance. Empirical findings, using a sample of Italian data regarding inspection of organic farms, support the idea that the current risk categories used by control bodies in Italy are reasonable, but could be recursively updated by using a Bayesian network model and incremental inspection evidence.
Classification-JEL: C41
Keywords:
Note:
Pages:37-56
Volume: 13
Year: 2011
Issue:3
File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=44494&Tipo=Articolo PDF
File-Format: text/HTML
Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2011-003004
Number: 4
Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Giovanna Sacchi
Author-Name: Cesare Zanasi
Author-Name: Maurizio Canavari
Title: Modelli alternativi di garanzia della qualit? dei prodotti biologici alla luce della teoria delle convenzioni
Abstract: In recent years, parallel to the growth of the organic sector, we have witnessed an increasing interest in alternative ways of guaranteeing the integrity and authenticity of organic food. The mainstream approach to organic certification is useful for consumers in that it provides guarantees regarding production processes and food quality. However, it is less accessible to small-scale producers and poorer consumers, particularly in developing countries. Groups of smallholders and local communities worldwide have started implementing alternative approaches in order to cope with problems associated with third-party certification. These practices are known as Participatory Guarantee Systems (pgs). The Participatory Guarantee is based on International Organic Standards issued by ifoam. It takes place at community level and involves a wide variety of stakeholders along the supply chain (from producers to consumers). It aims to minimize bureaucracy and costs by employing simple verification procedures and incorporating elements of environmental and social education, improving quality for both producers and consumers. Pgs models are based on the idea of voluntary quality assurance and a diffused control approach. Currently, they are mostly used in developing countries and in economies in transition such as Brazil, India, New Zealand, Costa Rica. The adoption of pgs makes organic food affordable even to the poorest consumers mainly through relying upon direct selling and direct trust formation mechanisms. These reduce transaction costs and grant a higher share of added value to farmers. The basic common elements of several pgs projects worldwide are: a participatory approach, a shared vision regarding quality, transparency, trust building and reinforcing mechanisms and a non-hierarchical relationship between the stakeholders. The pgs approach has been observed empirically, however a theoretical framework to interpret this phenomenon has not yet been identified. This framework is necessary to correctly set up empirical research aimed at analysing the factors which determine or hinder its success. The development of participatory guaranteed organic food can be influenced in several ways, depending on the location of the consumers, for example (at a local rural community level or a non-local level) where different levels of trust and social control could influence their behaviour. The aim of this study is to provide a conceptual framework for the analysis of pgs, and aims to contribute to an investigation into consumer attitudes towards organic foodstuffs guaranteed through pgs. The Theory of Conventions has been widely adopted in the study of Geographical Indication products but it has not yet been applied to pgs projects. Pgs and gi products and value creation mechanisms share a broad range of common features, mainly related to the fact that they all deal with credence attributes of high quality foods. The "Theory of Conventions" approach considers that the control of product quality is guaranteed mainly by solid network arrangements. This is achieved by developing close relationships based on trust, thus mainly involving a local dimension and socially relevant mechanisms which go beyond a framework of individual preference analysis. The analytical framework should allow the setting up of an empirical model aimed at measuring the factors influencing the consumption of pgs-certified organic products in different market locations. This allows the identification of a series of variables related to the different conventions which are able to influence consumer behaviour in different market locations.
Classification-JEL: Q010
Keywords:
Note:
Pages:57-80
Volume: 13
Year: 2011
Issue:3
File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=44495&Tipo=Articolo PDF
File-Format: text/HTML
Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2011-003005
Number: 5
Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Pamela Lombardi
Author-Name: Roberta Spadoni
Author-Name: Maurizio Canavari
Title: Impatti dell?adozione del BRC Global Standard for Food Safety nelle imprese agroalimentari italiane
Abstract: The adoption of private food standards (e.g. British Retail Consortium - brc Global Standard for Food Safety, globalgap, ifs) recommended by European retailers is gaining importance and getting coverage all over the world. These standards are used to qualify food suppliers, such as food processors or primary producers and may improve the business-to-business relationships between food processors and retailers (Fulponi, 2006; Karipidis et al., 2008). The literature review describes qualitative and quantitative studies which suggest some research hypotheses (Arfini and Mancini, 2004; Gawron and Theuvsen, 2009). Nevertheless, literature is lacking more valuable surveys which could analyse the effect of private food standards on food operators. The aim of this research is to evaluate the implications of adopting private food standards in the food supply chain; in particular it focuses on the impact on Italian food processors of brc Global Standards. The specific objectives are: to detect the factors (e.g. economics, management, cultural issues) involved in the analysis concerning the impact of the standard and to evaluate the impact of each factor, on the basis of Quality Managers? perceptions; Firstly, we carried out a qualitative research based on seven in-depth interviews, addressed to Quality Managers (qms) from Italian brc-certified food-processing companies. The purpose was to extract the key variables to be used in the second stage of the research. Secondly, based on variables which emerged from the literature review and qualitative research, a survey questionnaire was created. This questionnaire was sent out to 386 food processors (selected through probabilistic and random sampling methods) and a sample of 192 replied. Data was elaborated with descriptive statistical techniques (univariate and bivariate analysis). Descriptive analysis of the survey shows that QMs agree with the majority of the assumptions regarding the impact features of the brc food standard. The most important assumptions agreed on are: haccp efficiency, traceability efficiency, control procedures, employee training, more effective management of noncompliant process and product, and better implementation and understanding of other certified Quality Management Systems (qms). Some features of the interviewed companies, such as geographic location, size, type of processing and situation regarding iso 9001 certification, seem to affect different perceptions between food companies. In conclusion, the brc Food standard, initially adopted for purely trade purposes, has actually brought some benefits. This information could help those involved in the certification process to design appropriate marketing strategies. Further analysis of this data could consider the segmentation of the Italian market according to attitudes towards food safety certification. The adoption of private food standards (e.g. British Retail Consortium - brc Global Standard for Food Safety, globalgap, ifs) recommended by European retailers is gaining importance and getting coverage all over the world. These standards are used to qualify food suppliers, such as food processors or primary producers and may improve the business to business relationships between food processors and retailers (Fulponi, 2006; Karipidis et al., 2008). The literature review describes some qualitative and quantitative studies which suggest some research hypotheses (Arfini and Mancini, 2004; Gawron and Theuvsen, 2009). Nevertheless, literature is lacking in more valuable surveys which analyse the effect of private food standards on food operators. The aim of this research is to evaluate the implications of adopting private food standards in the food supply chain; in particular it focuses on the impact on Italian food processors of brc Global Standards. The specific objectives are: to detect the factors (e.g. economics, management, cultural issues) involved in the analysis concerning the impact of the standard and to evaluate the impact of each factor, on the basis of Quality Managers? perception; Firstly, we carried out a qualitative research based on seven in-depth interviews, adressed to Quality Managers (qms) from Italian brc certified food processing companies. The purpose was to extract the key variables to be used in the second stage of the research. Secondly, based on variables which emerged from the literature review and qualitative research, a survey questionnaire was created. The questionnaire has been sent out to 386 food processors (selected through probabilistic and random sampling methods) and a sample of 192 replied. Data was elaborated with descriptive statistical techniques (univariate and bivariate analysis). The descriptive analysis of the survey shows that QMs agree with the majority of the assumptions regarding the impact elements of the brc food standard. The most important assumptions agreed on are: haccp efficiency, traceability efficiency, control procedures, employee training, more effective management of process and product not compliances, and better implementation and understanding of other certified Quality Management Systems (qmss). Some features of the interviewed companies, such as geographic location, size, type of processing and situation regarding iso 9001 certification, seem to affect different perceptions between food companies. In conclusion, the brc Food standard, initially adopted for purely trade purposes, has effectively brought some benefits. This information could help those involved in the certification process to design appropriate marketing strategies. Further analysis of this data may regard the segmentation of the Italian market according to their attitudes towards food safety certification.
Classification-JEL: Q13
Keywords:
Note:
Pages:81-106
Volume: 13
Year: 2011
Issue:3
File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=44496&Tipo=Articolo PDF
File-Format: text/HTML
Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2011-003006
Number: 6
Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Paolo Cupo
Author-Name: Alessandra Borrello
Title: Simulazione dell?impatto economico delle innovazioni biologiche in aziende orticole meridionali
Abstract: This paper analyses the potential economic impact, at farm level, of introducing new varieties of vegetable crops in southern horticultural farms. Economic analysis is focused on the areas where the early adopters will probably be located, chosen by applying an economic statistics indicator, and preceded by a study of the structural characteristics of the farms in the areas in question, according to their ability to influence the rate of adoption of innovations. Moreover, a field survey was developed in order to discover the latent demand for these kinds of innovation also in terms of technical compatibility. The analysis is based on a quantitative evaluation by applying a budget simulation by means of which the elasticity coefficient of the main economic indicators with respect to yield is estimated. An assessment of price break-even point, quantity, variable costs and fixed costs completed this analysis of the economic impact. The results show that farmers are very interested in these types of innovation, which fit in nicely with how their businesses are structured. They appreciate the positive impact that the introduction of new varieties can have; on the one hand, reducing production costs while increasing net income in all three scenarios (conservative, intermediate and favorable), and on the other, offering wide margins between break-even point and the current levels of the variables most capable of influencing the economic performance of their businesses.
Classification-JEL: Q12, Q16
Keywords:
Note:
Pages:107-128
Volume: 13
Year: 2011
Issue:3
File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=44497&Tipo=Articolo PDF
File-Format: text/HTML
Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2011-003007
Number: 7
Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Gabriele Canali
Title: Possibili effetti sui consumatori di un sistema di qualit? nazionale della produzione integrata
Abstract: Integrated Production (ip) has evolved over time, from Integrated Pest Management (ipm) to a more comprehensive approach, introducing new features favouring sustainability. Since ip, unlike organic production, is not based upon eu regulations, large retail chains as well as regional authorities have introduced different ip standards, generating an increase in production costs without benefits for consumers. This paper presents the results of a survey aimed at evaluating the attitudes of consumers towards the introduction of ip national certification, which is now possible in accordance with reg. 1783/2003 (national quality schemes).
Classification-JEL: Q130
Keywords:
Note:
Pages:129-143
Volume: 13
Year: 2011
Issue:3
File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=44498&Tipo=Articolo PDF
File-Format: text/HTML
Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2011-003008
Number: 8
Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Susan Cholette
Title: Addressing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with food distribution: a case study of Californian farmers? markets
Abstract: American consumers? growing taste for locally produced food has resulted in the proliferation of farmers? markets in the U.S. While benefits abound, the very success of these markets has created an inefficient network; farmers drive long distances with small cargos multiple times each week. Not only does this increase costs, but on a per unit basis, the energy usage and resultant greenhouse gas emissions associated with supplying farmers? markets can be greater than those associated with the equivalent supermarket distribution. In this case study, we investigate the outbound journey of food from a farm to a farmers? market and compare it to corresponding conventional journeys, finding farmers? market distribution indeed produces greater emissions. We then model Northern California?s farmers? market network, solving a mixed integer transportation problem to quantify the aggregate distance travelled. We next insert a consolidation center. Farmers can transport goods either directly to the market or to this center for aggregation with other farmers? offerings. Solving the new model shows that significant savings are possible. While admittedly rife with implementation barriers, such a solution could allow small farmers to profit from economies of scale while still retaining their independence and preserving the diversity of the markets. We view this study as a first step towards reworking the system to enable consumers and producers alike to enjoy the benefits of farmers? markets while reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Classification-JEL: Q1, Q5, R4
Keywords:
Note:
Pages:145-169
Volume: 13
Year: 2011
Issue:3
File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=44499&Tipo=Articolo PDF
File-Format: text/HTML
Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2011-003009
Number: 9