Characteristics of modern food demand force retailers to acquire more information about product process along the food supply chain to ensure that product are in accordance with consumer preference. Therefore, the product process involves more information flows between buyer and supplier which requires collaborative efforts. These changes translate into several studies on the inter-organizational relationship in agri-food systems. Studies on inter-organizational relationships have been conducted in various academic disciplines, including sociology, psychology, law, economics, marketing, management, and combination of these. Inter-organizational relationships is an interaction between organizations which involved firms horizontally, as well as, vertically. In this study we deal with vertical, buyer-seller relationship which are sometimes referred to chain relationships. We define vertical business relationship in the agriculture-food based sector as “agri-food chain relationships”. The focus is on sustainable inter-organizational relationships in a way that they can be scientifically investigated. We study characteristics which ensure that a relationship is long-lasting and rewarding for all involved parties in the sardinian dairy. We test the theoretical model using structural equation modeling. The results suggest that the most important determinant for the relationships is technology and the price isn’t significant for the relationship governance. / In prima istanza è stato condotto un attento lavoro di literature review relativamente ai temi della relationship governance nelle agri-food supply chain. Le analisi hanno permesso di indagare le principale metodologie utilizzate valutazione della relationship governance, dall’approccio neo-istituzionale dei costi di transazione all’impiego di metodi statistici, quali le equazioni strutturali. Definito il campo d’indagine, ovvero il settore-lattiero caseario ovino sardo, sono state individuate le principali variabili che concorrono alla definizione delle relazioni tra i membri della Supply chain. Le analisi del settore hanno messo in luce un crescente bisogno di comprensione delle dinamiche relative alle relazioni di filiera. Una prima conoscenza del settore unita all’analisi bibliografica hanno permesso di strutturare il modello concettuale alla base dell’analisi empirica e le ipotesi sottostanti il progetto di ricerca. Su questo modello sono stati costruiti due distinti questionari per allevatori e trasformatori dediti alla produzione dei tre formaggi DOP : Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Sardo e Fiore Sardo. Successivamente sono state condotte una serie di analisi statistiche esplorative volte a testare l’associazioni tra variabili, ovvero prezzo e modalità di coordinamento, modalità di coordinamento e fiducia tra i partners. Successivamente è stato condotto il test delle ipotesi formulate attraverso l’analisi ad equazioni strutturali, costruendo il modello di misurazione (analisi fattoriale) e il modello strutturale, volto ad individuare i parametri di causalità tra le variabili latenti. Le analisi permettono quindi di individuare le determinanti della relationships governance nel settore lattiero caseario sardo, sia rispetto all’ambiente – inteso sia nell’accezione istituzionale che strutturale e culturale – sia rispetto alle caratteristiche del prodotto, tenendo presente la natura agro-alimentare e le connesse specificità. È stato quindi valutato l’effetto che la relationship governance, e quindi le dimensioni individuate che concorrono a definirla, ha su una delle dimensioni più critiche di performance, ovvero il prezzo del bene scambiato

One of the main problems recognized in sustainable development goals and sustainable agricultural objectives is Climate change. Farming contributes significantly to the overall Greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere, which is approximately 10-12 percent of total GHG emissions, but when taking in consideration also land-use change, including deforestation driven by agricultural expansion for food, fiber and fuel the number rises to approximately 30 percent (Smith et. al., 2007). There are two distinct methodological approaches for environmental impact assessment; Life Cycle Assessment (a bottom up approach) and Input-Output Analysis (a top down approach). The two methodologies differ significantly but there is not an immediate choice between them if the scope of the study is on a sectorial level. Instead, as an alternative, hybrid approaches which combine these two approaches have emerged. The aim of this study is to analyze in a greater detail the agricultural sectors contribution to Climate change caused by the consumption of food products. Hence, to identify the food products that have the greatest impact through their life cycle, identifying their hotspots and evaluating the mitigation possibilities for the same. At the same time evaluating methodological possibilities and models to be applied for this purpose both on a EU level and on a country level (Italy).

Non esiste una definizione standard di spreco alimentare, così come non esistono metodologie uniformi per calcolarlo. Gli studi finora realizzati sullo spreco sono carenti, i dati raccolti spesso insufficienti. Il cibo viene sprecato ad ogni stadio della filiera alimentare, dal campo alla tavola. Nei Paesi Membri dell’Unione Europea, le famiglie – secondo dati elaborati da Eurostat- sono le principali responsabili dello spreco. Secondo la FAO, ogni europeo spreca ogni anno 179 chili di alimenti. Last Minute Market, spin off accademico che si occupa di ridurre e recuperare lo spreco, ha stimato che a livello domestico in Italia si sprecano mediamente il 17% dei prodotti ortofrutticoli acquistati, il 15% di pesce, il 28% di pasta e pane, il 29% di uova, il 30% di carne e il 32% di latticini. Da un punto di vista economico, lo sperpero alimentare significa una perdita di 1.693 euro l’anno per famiglia. Per inquadrare lo spreco alimentare domestico in Italia e gettare luce su dati contrastanti emersi da diversi studi finora realizzati, la tesi – dopo aver presentato stime a livello globale, europeo e italiano – si concentra sull’analisi dei dati emersi da un questionario sullo spreco domestico, compilato da 3.087 italiani tra il mese di novembre e quello di dicembre 2012. L’indagine socio-economica è stata realizzata in collaborazione con la Commissione Europea (DG JCR, Istituto per la Tutela della Salute dei Consumatori) e il Karlsruhe Institut für Technologie. Il questionario è stato posto sulla piattaforma online surveymonkey. La tesi ha avuto come obiettivi l’identificazione di dati quantitativi circa “quanto si spreca” , “cosa si spreca”, l’individuazione delle cause sociali, valoriali, comportamentali e di stile di vita, dello spreco alimentare delle famiglie italiane, l’impatto economico dello spreco sul budget domestico e l’elaborazione di profili di consumatori attraverso la cluster analysis. / There is no standard definition of food waste, as there are no uniform methods for calculating it. Studies carried out to date on food waste are lacking and the data collected are often insufficient. Food is wasted at every stage of the food chain, from farm to table. In the European Union families - according to Eurostat -are the main responsible for food waste generation. According to FAO, Europeans waste 179 kg of food every year. Last Minute Market, academic spin-off whose aim is to reduce and recover waste, estimates that in Italy on average 17% of fruit and vegetables purchased, 15% of fish, 28% of pasta and bread, 29% of eggs, 30% meat and 32% of dairy products are wasted at the domestic level. From an economic point of view, food waste means a loss of 1,693 euros per year per family. In order to analyze and quantify household food waste in Italy and shed light on dissimilar data which have so far emerged from various studies, the thesis focuses on the examination of data derived from a questionnaire that was completed by 3,087 Italians between November and December 2012. The socio-economic survey was realized in collaboration with the European Commission (DG JCR, Institute for Health and Consumers Protection) and the Karlsruhe Institut für Technologie. The questionnaire was uploaded on SurveyMonkey, an online platform that is particularly useful when it comes to examining self-selected samples. The main aims of the thesis are the identification of quantitative data about "how much is wasted " and " what is wasted ", the identification of social causes, values, behavior and lifestyle that lead to food waste, the economic impact of food waste on families’ budget and the development of consumer profiles through the cluster analysis.

Le Indicazioni Geografiche (IG) giocano un ruolo importante nella crescita economica e nello sviluppo territoriale rurale quando una determinata qualità di prodotto, reputazione o altra caratteristica del prodotto siano attribuibili essenzialmente alla sua origine geografica. In questa ricerca si è verificato la possibilità di valorizzare la regione del Brasile denominata Vale do Paraiba Fluminense, soprannominata “Vale do Café” e di mettere in luce le potenzialità del caffè come prodotto di qualità, sostenibile sotto il profilo ambientale e sociale: un vero e proprio patrimonio culturale che può rivelarsi una valida risorsa economica per il territorio. Nella prima fase dell'indagine è stata realizzata la ricerca a tavolino e sul campo fondata sulle fonti bibliografiche; nella seconda fase è stata applicata la Metodologia Partecipativa della FAO per identificare il collegamento dell’area di origine e del prodotto locale ed il suo potenziale di sviluppo con le risorse locali attraverso questionari on line. Nell’analisi qualitativa sono stati intervistati rappresentanti delle differenti categorie di stakeholder per arricchire il quadro sul contesto storico della regione. Infine, nella parte quantitativa sono stati applicati dei questionari ai consumatori di caffè del territorio. A conclusione della ricerca il territorio potrebbe reintrodurre un caffè storico, simbolo della ricchezza e decadenza di quella regione come elemento di potenziale economico locale, sfruttando la parte immateriale delle aziende agricole storiche, rilocalizzando il prodotto nella memoria locale, riavvicinando la popolazione alla sua storia e principalmente sensibilizzandola del valore del nome geografico “Vale do Paraiba Fluminense” o “Vale do Café” relazionata alla storia della regione, e del prodotto caffè che si propone rilanciare a favore del territorio, rilocalizzando il nome geografico. / Geographical Indications (GIs) plays an important role in economic growth and development in the rural area. Particularly in the area where the geographical characteristics and cultures highly contributes to a given product quality. This research aims to explore the possibility to evaluate the value of the region known as Vale do Paraíba Fluminense - Brazil or "Vale do Café" and to highlight the potential of coffee as a high quality product with environmental friendly and social responsibility features. The coffee from this area is a cultural heritage that may provide a valuable economic resource for the area. The first phase of the research was carried out by using secondary data and in the second phase we applied Participatory Methodology according to the FAO using on-line questionnaires to identify the connection among the origin area, the local products and the possibility to use its natural resource for the development. For qualitative analysis, we interviewed the representatives of the different categories of stakeholders to gain the context of the historical context of the region. Finally, we conducted a quantitative survey with coffee consumers using the questionnaire. The finding indicates that the territory could reintroduce a historical café as a symbol of wealth and decadence of that region and as an element of local economic potentials, exploiting the immaterial part of agricultural history, reintroducing the product in the local memory, drawing the population to get close to their history, particularly to raise their awareness of the value of the geographical name "Vale do Paraiba Fluminense" or "Vale do Café" affiliated to the history of the region, and the coffee product that aims to revive favor of the territory, relocating the geographical name. / As Indicações Geográficas (IGs) desempenham um papel importante no crescimento e no desenvolvimento econômico rural, onde um determinado produto de qualidade, reputação ou outra característica do produto é essencialmente atribuída a sua origem geográfica. Esta pesquisa explorou a possibilidade de valorizar o Vale do Paraíba Fluminense no Brasil, conhecido como "Vale do Café", e de destacar o potencial do café como um produto de qualidade, ecologicamente sustentável e social: um verdadeiro e próprio patrimônio cultural, que pode revelar-se um valioso recurso econômico local. A primeira fase da pesquisa foi realizada uma pesquisa documental e de campo baseando-se em fontes bibliográficas, e a segunda fase foi aplicada a metodologia participativa da FAO para identificar a conexão entre a origem do produto e seu potencial para o desenvolvimento dos recursos locais, através de questionário online. Na análise qualitativa, foram entrevistados alguns representantes de diferentes categorias de atores para enriquecer o contexto histórico da região. Finalmente, na parte quantitativa foram aplicados questionarios aos consumidores de café da área. Ao final desta pesquisa se poderia deduzir que no territorio poderia ser reintroduzido o café histórico, símbolo de riqueza e decadência da região como um elemento de potencial econômico local, aproveitando a parte imaterial da história de suas fazendas, relocalizando o produto na memória local, reaproximando a população de sua história, e principalmente sensibilizando-a do valor do nome geográfico "Vale do Paraíba Fluminense" ou "Vale do café" relacionado a história da região, e do produto café que tem como objetivo relançar a favor do território, a relocalização do nome geográfico.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

The country-of-origin is the “nationality” of a food when it goes through customs in a foreign country, and is a “brand” when the food is for sale in a foreign market. My research on country-of-origin labeling (COOL) started from a case study on the extra virgin olive oil exported from Italy to China; the result shows that asymmetric and imperfect origin information may lead to market inefficiency, even market failure in emerging countries. Then, I used the Delphi method to conduct qualitative and systematic research on COOL; the panel of experts in food labeling and food policy was composed of 19 members in 13 countries; the most important consensus is that multiple countries of origin marking can provide accurate information about the origin of a food produced by two or more countries, avoiding misinformation for consumers. Moreover, I enhanced the research on COOL by analyzing the rules of origin and drafting a guideline for the standardization of origin marking. Finally, from the perspective of information economics I estimated the potential effect of the multiple countries of origin labeling on the business models of international trade, and analyzed the regulatory options for mandatory or voluntary COOL of main ingredients. This research provides valuable insights for the formulation of COOL policy.

Food Security has become an important issue in the international debate, particularly during the latest economic crisis. It relevant issue also for the Mediterranean Countries (MCs), particularly those of the southern shore, as they are is facing complex economic and social changes. On the one hand there is the necessity to satisfy the increasing and changing food demand of the growing population; on the other hand it is important to promote economic growth and adjust the agricultural production to food demand in a sustainable perspective. The assessment of food security conditions is a challenging task due to the multi-dimensional nature and complexity of the matter. Many papers in the scientific literature focus on the nutritional aspects of food security, while its economic issues have been addressed less frequently and only in recent times. Thus, the main objective of the research is to assess food (in)security conditions in the MCs. The study intends to identify and implement appropriate theoretical concepts and methodological tools to be used in the assessment of food security, with a particular emphasis on its economic dimension within MCs. The study follows a composite methodological approach, based on the identification and selection of a number of relevant variables, a refined set of indicators is identified by means of a two-step Principal Component Analysis applied to 90 countries and the PCA findings have been studied with particular attention to the MCs food security situation. The results of the study show that MCs have an higher economic development compared to low-income countries, however the economic and social disparities of this area show vulnerability to food (in)security, due to: dependency on food imports, lack of infrastructure and agriculture investment, climate condition and political stability and inefficiency. In conclusion, the main policy implications of food (in)security conditions in MCs are discussed.

Concerns of Thai consumers on food safety have been recently increasing, especially in urban areas and for fresh produce because food safety scandals, such as chemical residues on fresh produce (e.g., cabbage) still frequently occur. The Thai government tried to meet consumer needs by imposing in the domestic market a stronger regulation aimed at increasing the baseline level of food safety assurance and by introducing a voluntary standard (based on Good Agricultural Practices or GAPs and known as Q-GAP) and the related food safety label (i.e., Q mark). However, since standards and regulations are weakly implemented in the domestic market compared to exported products, there is still a lack of Thai consumers’ confidence in the safety of local food products. In this work the current situation of GAPs adoption in Thai fresh produce production is analysed. Furthermore, it is studied whether Thai consumers place value on food safety labels available on the market, to know whether consumer demand could drive the market of certified safer products. This study contains three essays: 1) a review of the literature, 2) a qualitative study on stakeholders' perception toward GAPs adoption and 3) a quantitative study, aimed at analysing consumers' preferences and willingness-to-pay for food safety labels on fresh produce using a discrete choice experiment. This dissertation contributes to the economics of quality assurance and labelling, specifically addressing GAPs and food safety label in the fresh produce supply chain. Results show that Q-GAP could be effectively used to improve food safety in Thai domestic market, but its credibility should be improved. Stakeholder’s awareness toward food safety issues and the delivery of reliable and sound information are crucial. Thai consumers are willing to pay a premium price for food safety labelled produce over unlabelled ones. Implications for both government and business decision-makers are discussed.

Il presente lavoro trae origine dagli obiettivi e dalle relative misure applicative della riforma dell’OCM zucchero del 2006 e nello specifico dal Piano nazionale per la razionalizzazione e riconversione della produzione bieticolo-saccarifera approvato dal MIPAF nel 2007. Lo studio riguarda la riconversione dello zuccherificio di Finale Emilia (MO), di appartenenza del Gruppo bieticolo-saccarifero Co.Pro.B, in un impianto di generazione di energia elettrica e termica che utilizza biomassa di origine agricola per la combustione diretta. L'alimentazione avviene principalmente dalla coltivazione dedicata del sorgo da fibra (Sorghum bicolor), integrata con risorse agro-forestali. Lo studio mostra la necessità di coltivazione di 4.400 ettari di sorgo da fibra con una produzione annua di circa 97.000 t di prodotto al 75% di sostanza secca necessari per l’alimentazione della centrale a biomassa. L’obiettivo é quello di valutare l’impatto della nuova coltura energetica sul comprensorio agricolo e sulla economia dell’impresa agricola. La metodologia adottata si basa sulla simulazione di modelli aziendali di programmazione lineare che prevedono l’inserimento del sorgo da fibra come coltura energetica nel piano ottimo delle aziende considerate. I modelli predisposti sono stati calibrati su aziende RICA al fine di riprodurre riparti medi reali su tre tipologie dimensionali rappresentative: azienda piccola entro i 20 ha, media da 20 a 50 ha e grande oltre i 50 ha. La superficie di entrata a livello aziendale, se rapportata alla rappresentatività delle aziende dell’area di studio, risulta insufficiente per soddisfare la richiesta di approvvigionamento dell’impianto a biomassa. Infatti con tale incremento la superficie di coltivazione nel comprensorio si attesta sui 2.500 ettari circa contro i 4.400 necessari alla centrale. Lo studio mostra pertanto che occorre un incentivo superiore, di circa 80-90 €/ha, per soddisfare la richiesta della superficie colturale a livello di territorio. A questi livelli, la disponibilità della coltura energetica sul comprensorio risulta circa 9.500 ettari. / The European reform of the sugar industry has led to the closure of several sugar plants; in Italy nine of them should be reconverted into biomass power plants. In this scenario the present study wants to show the contribution of the implementation of several reconversion projects from sugar sector to bio-energy sector. In total the biomass fuelled power plants will have 191,23 MWe nominal capacity with 1,47 TWh production for year. The result of this study show: 0,323 Mtoe equivalent power, 96.650 hectare energy crops will be grown, 988.500 t/year of biomass dry matter and 56.000 t/year of vegetable oil. Energy crops will be grown: 66,2% oilseed, 21,4% short rotation forestry, 11,3% fibre cereals, 1,1% fodder cereals; moreover the main biomass furniture result 57,2% of short rotation forestry. In this analysis CO2 emission reductions from electricity produced from bio-energy may be quantified in slightly more than 1 Mt CO2. The scope of the study is to verify the sustainability of agro-energy sectors that will form above in terms of competitiveness with the agro-food chains. With the modelling of the linear programming the study also provides the identification of the farm impact including agro-energy crops cultivation in the farm planning.

The objective of the research is to analyze the functioning of the fruit and vegetables cooperatives at regional level (Emilia Romagna), with particular reference to the mutuality purpose that distinguishes them, the institutional structure and the management. On the one hand the research intends to provide a definition and an explanation of the real operation/functioning of the mechanism of the mutualism and governance and on the other hand, to study the internal managerial mechanisms and the levels of functioning of the fruit and vegetable cooperatives with the purpose to provide significant indications on their real economic performance. Following a brief analysis of the market context in which the agricultural cooperatives operate, the works will proceed with a deep analysis of a sample of cooperatives regarding the structure and the forms of organization of the members and those aspects can be connected to the following dynamics: - valorisation of the social contribution (effective levels of internal mutuality); - economic efficiency (and consequent economic-financial trends); - levels of internal efficiency and productivity. The applied methodology is based in a first phase on the reclassification, elaboration and analysis of the balance of the sample enterprises. In this phase the research will give a first insight into the economic-financial and capital investment situation of the fruit and vegetable cooperatives trying to concentrate on the implemented and on the possible financing mechanisms and on the levels of efficiency and effectiveness of the productivity achieved. Subsequently the works will proceed with the realization of a direct survey in form of questionnaires to submit to the responsible persons of the sample cooperatives, in order to highlight/emphasize the critical points in respect to the three main arguments of research: mutuality, governance, management.