Abstract This paper presents a game-theoretical analysis of the internal governance of agricultural cooperatives, focusing on collective action problems associated with multiple principal–agent relationships between members, boards of directors and chief executive officers. In these relationships, informational asymmetries create opportunities for opportunistic behavior by self-interested actors (Easy-Riders). While collaboration-oriented actors (Hard-Riders) promote collective outcomes based on trust, they cannot enforce collaboration on their own. This paper identifies a mechanism of endogenous enforcement within cooperative governance, whereby Tough-Riders (a subset of Hard-Riders) alter incentive structures to restore collaboration under conditions of opportunism. Using stylized game-theoretical models, we demonstrate how Tough-Rider interventions enable interest alignment and the implementation of strategies that serve members’ long-term interests. The findings contribute to the literature on cooperative governance by identifying a key mechanism through which collective action problems can be mitigated and by highlighting the importance of governance structures that enable effective intervention.
Abstract This study examines food production dynamics under rainfall variability and agricultural investment in Vietnam. Food production dynamics are proxied by average food crop yield, capturing production efficiency per unit of harvested area. Using provincial panel data for 63 provinces and centrally governed cities from 2000 to 2024, the study applies CS-ARDL, CCEMG and CS-DL estimators. Rainfall variability is negatively associated with average food crop yield, while agricultural investment, irrigation coverage, and agricultural credit are positively associated with long-run productivity. The study shows that food production dynamics in Vietnam are jointly linked to climatic instability and economic-production conditions.
Abstract This study proposed an empirically informed multi-objective decision-support model for fresh fruit retail systems that balances profit maximization and waste reduction. Empirical postharvest experiments on apple, banana, mango, avocado, and orange were conducted to estimate deterioration rates and co-storage sensitivity under different storage conditions. These parameters were embedded into a shelf-space allocation model solved using a two-phase heuristic algorithm. The results reveal a clear trade-off between profit and waste, showing that ignoring co-storage interaction effects leads to systematic underestimation of deterioration. Moderate managerial preference settings achieve near-efficient solutions, maintaining competitive profit levels while significantly reducing waste, thereby supporting more sustainable fresh fruit retail operations.
Abstract Aquaculture is an increasingly important component of sustainable food systems, but in national input–output (IO) systems it is commonly represented in aggregate form, obscuring differences across production systems. This paper addresses that problem for Ireland by disaggregating the observed aggregate aquaculture sector within BIO2022 into five species-based sub-sectors: penned salmon, land-based finfish, suspended mussels, seabed mussels, and farmed oysters. Using a demand-driven IO framework, the analysis applies an incorporation algorithm to represent these sub-sectors separately while preserving accounting consistency. The paper compares species-level systems in terms of input composition, feed dependence, value-added structure, and economic linkages. It thereby shows how aggregate sectoral treatment can mask structural heterogeneity within aquaculture and limit interpretation of the sector’s economic role. By improving the species-level representation of aquaculture within BIO2022, the paper provides a more precise basis for analysing aquaculture within the Irish bioeconomy and within a lower-carbon food-system context.
Abstract This inductive case study examines the effectiveness of Triple Helix collaborations, linking universities, industry, and government, in addressing technical skills gaps and developing innovation capability in the Welsh food sector. Using a mixed-methods approach grounded in regional innovation system theory, the study evaluates two interventions delivering over 3298 training and mentoring hours to strengthen food industry capabilities. Findings reveal significant technical upskilling but highlight the need to embed entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary skills within future provision to build resilience. The paper contributes empirical evidence on Triple Helix applications in low-tech industries and offers actionable insights for policymakers designing collaborative, regionally tailored strategies.
Abstract International migration has reshaped Chile’s demographic landscape, particularly in the Antofagasta and Metropolitan regions. This study aimed to identify predominant food acculturation strategies (FAS) among Spanish-speaking migrants and examine their association with demographic and migration-related factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 382 adult migrants from Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela and Colombia using a validated FAS scale. Integration was predominant in the Metropolitan Region, while separation prevailed in Antofagasta. Significant differences were observed by nationality, age, and gender. These findings highlight regional and cultural variability in dietary adaptation and the need for culturally appropriate nutritional interventions.
Abstract This study examined the impact of food vlogging on restaurant visit intentions using the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), focusing on the central route (content quality, credibility, and expertise) and the peripheral route (visual appeal, popularity, and attractiveness). In the statistical evaluation we used 324 purposive sampling survey responses via partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The test results revealed that vlog content quality and credibility (central route) and visual appeal and attractiveness (peripheral route) significantly boost consumer involvement, which in turn strongly predicts restaurant visit intention, while expertise and popularity reported no effect. The study contributes into vlogging content research body of knowledge by ELM lese and study stressed the joint role of central and peripheral routes in shaping dining behaviour, offering practical insights for restaurant practitioners to collaborate with food vloggers who provide authentic, credible, and visually appealing content rather than focusing solely on popularity or expertise.
Abstract This paper examines the distinctive features of food small and medium -sized enterprises (SME s) regarding sustainable business models through the identification of relevant success factors and barriers for sustainability transition. Evidence from literature and empirical case data from 12 Spanish food SME s reveals the complexity of the nexus business model – sustainability and its high context dependency. Profitability, cooperation and innovation emerge as particularly critical for successful sustainability transitions in food SME s. Meanwhile, limited financial resources, regulatory compliance, and external shocks come out as major barriers. Evidence elicited from real-world examples facilitates the adoption of robust sustainability strategies in food business operations.
Abstract The solidarity economy, cultural heritage, and food sovereignty are interrelated concepts that can enhance the sustainability of food systems. The solidarity economy provides an alternative to the capitalist framework by prioritizing cooperation, social equity, and environmental sustainability. Cultural heritage is essential for preserving biodiversity and fostering ecological balance. Food sovereignty guarantees that food production and distribution honour cultural values and bolster local communities. This communication presents a critical analysis of components linked to the food sovereignty movement in the hill farming of Uttarakhand, India particularly concerning the solidarity economy and indigenous cultural practices.
The problem of Java long pepper’s availability and low productivity in Indonesia is caused by various factors, including climate, social, and lack of intensive cultivation. Strategies are needed to improve the quality and quantity of production to provide more significant economic benefits for communities. The research aims to develop a business operation model for Java Long Pepper (JLP) commodities to fulfill local and export demand by considering technical, social, and climate change factors. This research used a dynamic simulation model to build a simulation model of the JLP business process, starting from the cultivation and supply-demand analysis for local and export needs. Data was collected from historical data on the number of JLP supplies, farming productivity, regional and export needs, and the climate. The conceptual and simulation models built can describe the actual system of the Java Long Pepper commodity business process. The output can project the harvests or supplies of Java Long Pepper for the next ten years. The third scenario is the most effective and optimal one to implement in the Java Long Pepper availability system, which suggests that expanding agricultural land, applying the right technological advances, and using superior seed varieties will increase the output of Java Long Pepper plants. This study will enhance the previous research on medical plants, especially JLP commodities. This research provides a new comprehensive model simulation of the JLP Business process, which integrates social, economic, and environmental factors. This research provides a method for managing the JLP medical plant business process, which starts from cultivation intensification to logistics and distribution management processes. The commodity’s supply chain is described in a conceptual model, including the cultivation process, conservation land, marketing, supply-demand calculation, and profitability. Decision-makers or the government could apply the model to estimate and develop a Java long pepper availability strategy to fulfill the local dan export demand.
The practices employed in the husbandry of farm animals are a matter of public debate in Western societies. The media is held responsible by representatives of the industry for fostering critical attitudes toward intensive livestock farming. This prompts the question of the extent to which media frames are associated with the attitudes of the media audience. To investigate this association, a comprehensive online survey was conducted in Germany (n = 1,800) on the attitudes of media audience towards livestock farming. A battery of Likert-scale attitude items, derived from a previously published media frame analysis, was subjected to a principal component analysis (PCA) to infer respective media audience attitude factors. The identified factors were then qualitatively analysed for their association with the media frames found in the aforementioned media frame study. The results show that while there are similarities between media audience attitude factors and media frames, these associations are fuzzy. In contrast to the nine media frames identified in the previous media content analysis, the PCA yielded eight media audience attitude factors. Four media audience attitude factors are rather closely associated with four corresponding media frames. Three media audience attitude factors are associated with three or more different media frames, with only some overlap. The ‘down-playing’ media audience factor shows no association with any media frame. The media audience’s attitudes towards animal husbandry are not clearly associated with the preceding media frames. This suggests that the media audience interprets information provided by the media in slightly different ways. A more nuanced approach to explaining media audiences’ attitudes towards farm animal husbandry practices may therefore be warranted.
The article explores how failure of family farm succession is perceived by farm succession consultants in the context of the agricultural sector in Germany. After conducting semi-structured interviews with succession consultants, the transcripts were coded inductively. The data were categorized based on a framework of motives and outcomes of succession planning (Gilding et al., 2015). Three failure scenarios were identified: implosion of business and family, imposition of the incumbent’s will on successors, and selling the farm. The addition of a fourth scenario, the state of indecision about farm succession, is suggested. The study illustrates the complexity of generational relations.
The study utilized the gravity model and employed the Generalized Least Squares (GLS) approach to examine the factors influencing Vietnam’s export turnover to CPTPP countries during the period 2010–2022. These findings indicated that determinants of Vietnam’s exports to CPTPP nations included the partner country’s average GDP per capita, economic openness, investments in science and technology, and the presence of free trade agreements between Vietnam and its partner countries. This study significantly contributes to the limited empirical literature on the determinants of Vietnam’s goods exports to CPTPP countries, providing a robust methodological framework for future analyses in this area. Additionally, it offers valuable insights for businesses and policymakers aiming to enhance export performance to CPTPP nations.
Blockchain technology is increasingly applied in agricultural supply chains but remains underutilized in fair trade contexts. This research explores how blockchain technology can help (re)establish or strengthen the connection between fair trade producers and consumers despite multiple intermediaries and significant geographical distances. Through a literature review to identify consumer expectations regarding fair trade products and a case study in Bolivia on the producer level, this study introduces the concept of a “long-short” supply chain enabled by blockchain technology for agricultural fair trade networks. The paper also discusses managerial implications and potential applications of this approach.
This paper examines the role of networking service activities in fostering sustainability-oriented innovations in agriculture and in the agri-food sector. It focuses on case studies from Cameroon, Madagascar, and Burkina Faso. While existing current research on networking for innovation has focused on management and business issues, this study introduces and uses the novel concepts of “service situation” and “Innovation Support Services (ISS)” to analyse the role of networking service activities in agri-food innovation processes. The findings reveal that networking activities were not prioritised as key services by service providers instead, the focus was on resource access and capacity-building services. Additionally, institutional support for niche innovations and demand articulation services were observed to be lacking. The study underscores the necessity for a more comprehensive service portfolio that extends beyond technical training, advocating for the deliberate incorporation of networking, institutional support, advisory, consultancy, and backstopping services into innovation processes. The study further proposes a categorisation of networking activities into two distinct types: managed (intentional) and informal (unintentional). This categorisation is intended to facilitate a more precise assessment thereby enhancing their role in promoting innovation. The paper further postulates that networking services, although invisible, are pivotal for the success of innovations by providing adaptable support throughout different phases. By strategically delineating networking approaches for each innovation phase, service providers and beneficiaries can enhance the effectiveness and outcomes of innovation efforts in the agri-food sector.
This paper presents a System Dynamics analysis of the diffusion of innovation in a mature sector, using the Italian bakery industry’s transition away from palm oil as a case study. Triggered by growing health concerns and scientific evidence, the diffusion process began with a first-mover strategy targeting health-conscious consumers. The subsequent bandwagon effect, amplified by media coverage and distributor support, led to the rapid adoption of palm oil-free products across the industry. The study explores the reinforcing and balancing feedback loops that shaped the transition, contrasting the strategic behaviour of early adopters and resistant incumbents. The findings show that innovation diffusion in mature markets can be driven by consumer values, cultural dynamics, and communication strategies. The paper concludes with recommendations for simulation-based modelling to improve our understanding of the co-evolution of demand, firm behaviour, and innovation adoption dynamics.
This article identifies the main links, commonalities, and future interdisciplinary topics between business model innovations and sustainable development in agribusiness. A systematic bibliometric analysis of the literature on business model innovations related to sustainable development in agribusiness was carried out using RStudio – Biblioshiny for Bibliometrix. Two hundred and fifty-one documents published in journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science were analyzed between 2001 and 2023. Business model innovations and sustainable development in agribusiness are seen as ways of responding to social, economic, and environmental challenges. The research also reveals that when sustainable development is the topic, innovations in business models tend to incorporate practices that seek profitability and minimization of environmental and social impacts, promoting corporate social responsibility and long-term sustainability. There is a growing consensus that purely profit-focused business models have considerable limitations in neglecting social business activities and environmental impacts. About the question, “What are the innovations in business models that can improve sustainable development in agribusiness?”, the literature provides no practical answers. The next steps, therefore, are to identify and analyse successful case studies.
This paper explores the cross-fertilisation of literature between the food sector and climate change fields by performing a bibliometric analysis. In total, 3714 papers were retrieved from the Scopus database. Bibliographic coupling identified sixteen literature streams and their compositions. Co-authorship network analysis explored scholarly social communities. Comparing clustering results from both analyses assessed whether the intellectual closeness of communities was also social. Findings reveal that authors who mostly contributed to the two fields often participated cross-sectionally, touching upon various literature streams. Even when authors mainly dealt with one topic, they did so within heterogeneous research groups. Implications include directions for future research agenda.
This study examines agricultural food price instability in Bangladesh, which is driven by market manipulation, regulatory inefficiencies, and external environmental and economic pressures. The research evaluates the regulatory framework governing Bangladesh’s agricultural food supply chain, focusing on key legislations and their limitations. Using a qualitative methodology, the study analyzes legal frameworks, scholarly literature, and media reports to assess regulatory effectiveness. It proposes a responsive approach that combines initial persuasion with strict enforcement and penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the paper explores the persistence of agricultural food price instability despite the recent transition to an interim government in Bangladesh, highlighting the need for systemic reforms beyond political shifts. The research offers valuable insights into the relationship between regulatory effectiveness and market dynamics in ensuring agricultural food security.
Agri-food supply chains face significant challenges in managing product, information, and financial flows, leading to economic, environmental, and social inefficiencies. This research explores the interrelationships within fresh food supply chain design and how configuration decisions impact sustainability indicators. Using system dynamics, the study analyses the entire supply chain’s behaviour, highlighting decisions with the greatest influence on sustainable performance. A key finding is the ripple effect of strategic network decisions, which affect not only economic performance but also environmental and social dimensions. This emphasizes the need for stakeholders to adopt a sustainability-focused approach in supply chain design to meet diverse objectives.
