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:7-9 Volume: 14 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=46889&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2012-002001 Number: 1 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Emanuele Schimmenti Author-Name: Elli Vassiliadis Author-Name: Antonio Galati Title: Il ruolo delle Tecnologie Informatiche e di Comunicazione e della logistica distributiva sulla competitivit? del comparto ortofrutticolo siciliano Abstract: In recent years, the market globalization process has deeply altered the international competitive scene, leading, inevitably, to a revision of companies? strategies and organization structures. It is now widely accepted that Information and Communication Technology (ict) and supply chain logistics management, have an important role in increasing the competitive potential of each company and in the development of entire economic sectors. The importance of these factors for the business strategies of firms, has generated increasing research attention towards the study of their economic and social impact, concerning both the spread of modern information and communication technologies and logistics. This paper mainly proposes, through a direct survey conducted on a group of firms (production and commercial companies), working in the Sicilian fruit and vegetable sector - a strategic sector in the economic and social field for most of the region - to provide empirical evidence regarding the degree of diffusion of ict and its use, as well as on business relationships with the regional distribution logistics system, as they are two of the determinants that can influence companies? competitive potential. Through Multiple Correspondence Analysis (mca) it was possible to filter down the information from the available data and to identify two factors that describe and summarize how the surveyed firms behave. In particular, the analysis highlighted the close connection between the diffusion and use of ict and logistics distribution organization and the firms? physical and economic size. Specifically, the large-size companies, in this case represented by producer organizations and associations, have a medium-high degree of computerization and an efficient logistics organization, which allows them to interface with competitors both in the national and international market. Agricultural cooperatives and individual companies, on the other hand, though having well-developed infrastructure hardware and software, limit their use to basic functions, but above all have greater needs in terms of logistics structures, which are scantly distributed in the region, and this negatively influences the efficiency of fruit and vegetable produce distribution. In this context, the competitive potential of the fruit and vegetable sector, as regards the issues under investigation, is connected, on the one hand, to companies? recognition of the potential offered by ict and efficient logistics and, on the other, to government intervention aimed at overcoming the region?s infrastructure limits which are at the heart of inefficiencies in the distribution system. Classification-JEL: Q12, Q13, M15, R41 Keywords: Note: Pages:11-40 Volume: 14 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=46890&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2012-002002 Number: 2 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Marcella De Martino Title: La gestione della logistica nelle filiere agroalimentari: alcune evidenze empiriche in Campania Abstract: Southern Italy is an area with a rich and wide variety of Agri-food products, with high potentiality for growth and internationalisation for those products which are of high quality, have supply chain certification and are a well-known brand abroad. Nevertheless, with reference to logistics, there are several problematic issues that policy makers and business operators have to address. Considering that proper logistics management can improve the competitiveness of Agri-food firms in Southern Italy, this paper analyses three firms in the Campania region which are renowned for their excellence - specialising in various food categories (pasta, wine and mozzarella) - based on a theoretical framework of the relevant literature. Crossanalysis allows us to analyse the impact of some specific drivers regarding logistics outsourcing and to define a set of recommendations for the recovery of competitiveness for Agri-food supply chains. Classification-JEL: L200, L660, M200 Keywords: Note: Pages:41-62 Volume: 14 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=46891&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2012-002003 Number: 3 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Francesco Zecca Author-Name: Elisabetta Capocchi Title: Strategie e strumenti per la valorizzazione delle produzioni nella filiera bovina: il fattore genoma Abstract: The aim of the project was to examine the features involved in product quality and animal health for the purposes of genetic selection in order to achieve the best quality in each of the species and/or breeds under consideration. Among the tasks carried out the working group had to verify the socio-economic development of the most satisfactory end results as determined by the working set of genetic selections in the light of continuous advances in knowledge regarding the bovine genome. The analysis was limited to cattle as they were considered the most representative species for the purpose of the study. The study started with an analysis of the sector to investigate the proactive dynamics concerning the use of technology in the cattle industry The approach used is one which has become customary in studies examining issues in this sector related to the system of farming/livestock and which allows us to detect not only the most crucial quantitative but also qualitative aspects that exist and have been established among the various components of the system, with particular reference to the types of productive performance which are determined by the use of different technical patterns, especially those related to improvement and genetic selection. The study?s aim was to follow the analytical framework of the supply chain in order to highlight important conditions that contribute to an interpretation of the key economic characteristics for the selective breeding industry under analysis. All this is due to the gradual revelation of the genetic basis of biodiversity by means of genome sequencing. Thanks to genomics, subjects to be used for propagation can be selected in terms of the target characteristics to be achieved, such as greater energy efficiency, resulting in the ability to produce better cattle feed, more resistance to disease, or a reduction in environmental impact by reducing emissions of methane gas. Regarding the methodology adopted, an examination of the context is followed by an evaluation of the most suitable production factors for the enhancement of the cattle population and the article concludes with some suggestions for possible future interventions. Classification-JEL: L15, Q19 Keywords: Note: Pages:63-83 Volume: 14 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=46892&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2012-002004 Number: 4 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Antonella Di Fonzo Author-Name: Maria Angela Perito Author-Name: Carlo Russo Title: Gli standard privati di sicurezza alimentare: un modello di teoria dei contratti per l?analisi degli aspetti organizzativi e promozionali Abstract: In recent years, large food distributors poured considerable effort in the definition of private standards of food safety for their products. Despite these efforts, medium and large retailers have yet to begin advertising to their consumers the adoption of such standards and, in doing so, do not actively pursue a diversification strategy for their products. This behavior seems paradoxical as large retailers would benefit from product differentiation. This article focuses on the role of standards in the coordination of the supply channels and proposes a theoretical model that gives an economic motivation to the current behavior of large retailers. The first objective of this study is to demonstrate how the adoption of standards is a rational choice for large retailers, even in the case in which consumers are not willing to pay for food safety. The reason is that standards can also be used to solve information asymmetry problems and organize the supply chain. Secondly, the theoretical model of contracts suggests that, investments related to the promotion of standards to the consumers, might, under certain conditions, undermine the profits of the large distribution. Classification-JEL: Q13, L14, L15 Keywords: Note: Pages:85-105 Volume: 14 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=46893&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2012-002005 Number: 5 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Claudio Bellia Author-Name: G. Fabiola Safonte Title: Problematiche concettuali ed aspetti economico-normativi della qualit? nel settore agroalimentare Abstract: Starting from an examination, with multidisciplinary approaches, of issues regarding the concept of food quality from semantic, economic and juridicalnormative perspectives, the aim of this paper is to develop a framework which takes into account, through analysis of the literature and empirical research, social, legal and economic questions concerning consumption behaviours, strategies, business models and the existing legislation. It is interesting to remark how the quality policy for agricultural products, as an integral part of the Common Agricultural Policy (cap), is central to how the affirmation of a quality agriculture is perceived. European Commission forecasts for the cap for 2013 identify, among other future challenges, the quality policy for agricultural products as a core requirement in order to diversify and enhance the competitiveness of farming activities in rural areas. Classification-JEL: D82, Q13, Q18 Keywords: Note: Pages:107-137 Volume: 14 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=46894&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2012-002006 Number: 6 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Elsa M. Rodr?guez Author-Name: Beatriz Lup?n Author-Name: Victoria Lacaze Title: Factors Affecting the frequency of fresh potatoes? purchasing: An urban study case in Argentina Abstract: When purchasing food, consumers make their choices by comparing prices and qualities. As a wide and subjective notion, food quality deals with different kinds of attributes. They could be either verified by consumers or not before or after purchasing food e.g., colour, taste/flavor, nutritional facts, added substances during the productive processes, risks perceptions, and retail channel preferences. The aim of this research is to examine consumers? preferences for fresh potatoes quality attributes and also to identify those factors associated to purchases of potato of better quality. Data come from a household survey conducted in Mar del Plata city, Argentina, in June 2009. A representative sample of the population included 500 randomly selected households. Related to potato nutrients, 50% of the sample mentioned at least one nutrient (carbohydrates 83%, vitamins 24%, potassium 16%, and fibre 12%). Households with many members have a higher probability to consume fresh potato more frequently than smaller households, and older respondents consume fresh potato more frequently than younger individuals. Households considering potato as a relevant component of a balanced diet are likely to consume fresh potatoes more frequently than households that did not emphasized the role of this product in their meals. Consumer perception about the relationship between price and quality showed that the higher educational level, the lower the number of respondents who declared that the price is a trustful sign of quality. Finally, when asked about willingness-to-pay for fresh potatoes of better quality, 34% of households were willing to pay a premium of 0.13 US$/kg and 19% were willing to pay a price premium of 0.26 US$/kg. Classification-JEL: D1, D12, Q13 Keywords: Note: Pages:139-152 Volume: 14 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=46895&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2012-002007 Number: 7 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Elena Caniglia Author-Name: Vera Teresa Foti Author-Name: Giuseppe Timpanaro Title: Analisi del comportamento del consumatore di acqua minerale in Sicilia Abstract: The high consumption of mineral water is part of that intense evolutionary process which has in the last few years seen increased demand for agri-food products, under the influence of social, demographic and economic phenomena. In particular, these developments are reflected in the user who expresses a need for consumption which is increasingly differentiated and varied over time and who bases his/her choices on diverse consumption criteria. All this assumes great significance also in the mineral water market, which is characterized by the presence of a large number of brands leading inevitably to "complexity of choice" for the consumer and, consequently, adjustment difficulties for the firms operating in this sector. This study arises from the need to improve knowledge about a sector of great interest to the national economic system and, in particular, on the demand for "mineral water". It was decided to carry out empirical research with the primary aim of outlining consumers? behaviour when choosing and buying the product and motivations for mineral water consumption. The first part of the work aims to carry out an analysis of national and international demand for mineral water drawing on various statistical sources, followed by some remarks on the applications and analysis tools used for better interpretation of the data. The second part focuses on description of the methodology and analysis tools used to characterize the mineral water consumers. The research was carried out with the aid of a questionnaire administered to a reasonably large sample of consumers (550) interviewed at various large-scale retail sales points. In the third part, the information obtained is subjected to multivariate analysis with the "principal components" method (Pearson, 1901 and Hotelling 1933) which is able to reduce the vast amount of evaluations collected into a small number of variables useful for succinctly describing the consumer?s habits concerning choice of mineral water. Finally, although this research is only a first contribution towards an analysis of consumer behaviour regarding mineral water, whose results will be enriched by yet further analysis, it may be an interesting starting point in guiding adaptation processes for the whole sector as well as being useful to firms in their introduction of appropriate strategies for product differentiation and promotion. Classification-JEL: C38, D12, M31 Keywords: Note: Pages:153-180 Volume: 14 Year: 2012 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=46896&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ECAG2012-002008 Number: 8