Agri-food Sector Research Articles

Blockchain in the agrifood sector: From storytelling to traceability fact-checking up to new economic models

This paper aims to demystify a lot of misconceptions still widely circulating today about the alleged properties of blockchain and then illustrate the real opportunities that this technology offers for "food system" and how it must be correctly implemented for it to be truly useful, for producers and consumers, particularly in the agrifood sector. The concepts of blockchain opportunities and incompleteness of agri-food chain projects based on blockchain technology are then explained, setting out the minimum and necessary characteristics required to make the use of this technology useful and effective (Minimum Viable Ecosystem). The process governance levels for the development and maintenance of a blockchain traceability project are then illustrated, focusing on the role and responsibility of each player in the supply chain.Finally, the structure of a blockchain solution is described, focusing on a number of structural and technological solutions by outlining the concepts of consistency checking for the validation of input data with appropriate smart contracts, and of information frameworks for the subsequent scrutiny of data in audit operations and the assignment of levels of reliability.These are essential prerequisites for a collaborative blockchain data management to pursue the objective of actual reliability and transparency of information.

Agriculture 4.0 as Enabler of Sustainable Agri-Food: A Proposed Taxonomy

Global population growth, climate change, and food safety are some of the challenges that the agri-food sector is current facing. Addressing these in a sustainable way requires the adoption of sustainable-oriented innovations capable of developing new knowledge and reshaping production methods and business models. Digitalization and technological evolution in the agri-food sector, culminating within Agriculture 4.0 (A4.0), represent the latest revolution, as testified by the extant body of knowledge. The lack of a systematic model to map the body of knowledge in A4.0 and how it addresses the agri-food sustainability challenges represents the input of our review. We propose a systematic literature review to discover the research routes in A4.0, increasing the understanding of this paradigm as agri-food sustainability enabler. A taxonomy, composed of 566 terms grouped in seven categories representative of the extant research routes, is proposed: the names assumed by agri-food digitalization process, the main aims and issues of A4.0, the features of the agricultural sector, the parameters monitorable and calculable through A4.0, data, and technologies. It emerged that A4.0 absolve the role of enabler in sustainability agri-food providing to the company a set of data and technological sustainable oriented innovations able to solve, according to an interdisciplinary approach, environmental, social, and economic challenges. The findings identify research gaps and theoretical and practical implications for a wide range of stakeholders, such as engineering managers, agri-food companies, researchers, or companies involved in the web content analysis. Limitations and future research route complete the study.

Re-orientating agricultural research to address complex challenges: Legitimacy dynamics of a hybrid research organisation

Agricultural research organisations play a critical role in the agri-food system; not only through the provision of research and technologies, but also by brokering relationships with stakeholders throughout the research process to create impact. Yet over the past decade, as the focus has shifted towards such multi-actor innovation processes, the role and legitimacy of the agricultural research organisations world-wide has been challenged. Occupying an intermediary position in agricultural innovation systems means that agricultural research institute legitimacy is constantly under pressure from the rural community, academics, policy makers, industry, and general society as the institute attempts to be all things to all people. Here we present the outcomes of an organisational change programme within an applied agricultural research organisation, in response to a government-led agenda to increase impact for research users. By using institutional theory of hybrid organisation legitimacy, we shed light on the multiple institutional logics that co-exist within an agricultural research institute, and how these align with the external institutional environment. We show that with the introduction of a new multi-actor innovation logic, attempts were made to legitimise, externally and internally, knowledge co-production. Yet agricultural research organisations, and those who work within them, need dedicated time for learning and reflecting on the values, beliefs, and practices of the different actors in the innovation system, otherwise they only selectively adopt practices that maintain existing institutional logics. The main theoretical implications show how that change towards an impact culture is influenced by the existing logics, and how organisational legitimacy provides a framing for understanding the success (or otherwise) of introducing new modes of innovation in hybrid research organisations. Practically, space and resourcing are needed to experiment with new logics and deliberate strategies are required to increase the repertoire of research roles while maintaining internal and external legitimacy. The practical implications demonstrate the barriers and opportunities of re-orientating hybrid agricultural research institutes, agricultural innovation systems, and the roles of the researchers that work in them, to deliver to the complex societal challenges facing the agri-food sector.

Blockchain Adoption in the Wine Supply Chain: A Systematic Literature Review

Blockchain offers decentralized, trustworthy and immutable data storage based on distributed ledger technology. Blockchain technology is recognized as an innovation enabler in many areas, with the food supply chain being one of them. This paper provides a systematic literature review of the current state of adoption of blockchain technology in the agri-food sector, specifically with a focus on the wine supply chain. Blockchain has the potential to improve the traceability and authenticity of the data provenance of wine products, increase consumer trust, and reduce fraud and errors. With these goals in mind, this study identifies the main research questions pertinent to the value proposition and competitive advantage of blockchain technology in the wine value chain and key players involved in the authentication and value chain recording. The PRISMA methodology was adopted to identify, screen and select only the relevant studies that were included in the analysis. This study also addresses the limitations and challenges for adoption, such as high implementation cost and lack of competences, and the need for standardized protocols and regulations. Finally, this systematic literature review includes an analysis of reports of blockchain applications in the wine sector and outlines the recommendations for future research to further explore the potential of blockchain-based solutions that could benefit all stakeholders across the wine value chain.

Agricultural policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the context of the integration potential of the EAEU

The goal is to explore the processes of regulation of integration initiatives and prospects for the development of agrifood sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Methods – economic-statistical, system approach, comparative analysis, expert-analytical. Results – the main directions of agricultural policy of interstate interaction of the EAEU member countries are considered. The mutual trade of Kazakhstan with the states of the Eurasian Economic Union, the share of foreign trade turnover and supplies of goods for export, import levels, and export quotas are shown. The authors reveal problems that indicate the low competitiveness of agricultural products in the domestic market of the republic: underdeveloped infrastructure of agro-industrial complex, small-scale agricultural entities, wear and tear of fixed assets, use of land resources that does not give the desired result, insufficient productivity in livestock sector. The authors note a reduction in flour production, sunflower seed processing, and underutilized production capacity of dairy industry enterprises. The situation is the same with production of butter. The article substantiates the need for the spread of food clusters, formation of cross-border integrated structures that allow direct convenient access to the markets of neighboring countries and create conditions for strengthening international trade. In turn, economic growth in these regions contributes to the organization of new jobs, qualitative transformations, optimization of the transport system and competitive advantages of regional economic entities, improving the living standard of the population, and providing a wide range of services. Conclusions – attention is focused on the importance of Eurasian integration. Proposals are given for the development of the domestic food segment, taking into account the integration potential of the EAEU; it is proposed to organize a joint association of food companies within the Eurasian Economic Union for the effective functioning of specialized production facilities, which will improve the quality of products by reducing production costs, promptly draw up a real balance of supply and demand for agricultural crops, determine the volume of domestic consumption and export potential. Instead of quotas, it is advisable to practice export monitoring. Should be modernize the logistics infrastructure, including on the basis of intermodal transport.

An Overview of Anaerobic Digestion of Agricultural By-Products and Food Waste for Biomethane Production

In a world facing increasing environmental and energy challenges, anaerobic digestion of agrifood by-products and food waste could contribute to the production of green energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Anaerobic digestion is a biological process capable of breaking down and stabilising organic matter in the absence of oxygen and converting it into a renewable source of energy, known as biogas. Biomethane production also enables the generation of electricity and produces digestate, a by-product of the digestion process that can be used as a soil conditioner or fertiliser. This review aims to highlight how substrate pretreatment, together with the optimisation of operating parameters, application of additives, recirculation of digestate and frequent feeding, can increase biogas production. An overview of the basics of the anaerobic digestion of agrifood by-products and food waste is provided, including feedstock characteristics (nutrient content, particle size and inhibitory compounds) and process parameters (process configuration, pH, temperature, total and volatile solids, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonium, chemical oxygen demand, carbon/nitrogen ratio, retention time, organic loading rate, etc.). In addition, recent studies in the field of processes, equipment and pretreatments that can significantly improve the anaerobic digestion process of agricultural and food wastes were classified and discussed. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of biogas production from the agrifood sector are addressed.

Assessment of climate impact on grape productivity: A new application for bioclimatic indices in Italy

Italy is a world leader for viticulture and wine business with an export valued 7 billion of euros in 2021, and wine being the second most exported product within the national agri-food sector. However, these figures might be threatened by climate change and winegrowers call for more reliable local information on future impacts of climate change on viticulture.The study aims to understand the impact of climate on wine production in Italy using grape productivity data and bioclimatic indices. Using temperature and precipitation observations from the E-OBS gridded dataset, a set of bioclimatic indices recommended by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine guidelines is calculated and correlated with grape productivity data at the regional scale (Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics, NUTS, level 2) over the last 39 years (1980-2019). The study investigates how both long-term change and natural variability of the bioclimatic indices impacted on grape productivity. Both single and multi-regression approaches are applied to assess the portion of grape productivity variability explained by the selected indices.When the single-regression approach is applied, the correlations between bioclimatic indices and grape productivity explain up to the 45 % of total production variability, however they are statistically significant only in few regions. Conversely, the multi-regression approach improves the proportion of variance explained and gives statistically significative results in region where the single regression is not statically significant.The multi-regressive approach shows the added value of considering the interplay of different bioclimatic indices in explaining the overall variability of productivity. The possibility of using bioclimatic indicators as a proxy for grape productivity provides a simple tool that grape growers, wine consortia and policy makers can use to adapt to future climate.

Aligning Agri-food Business with Sustainable Development and Quality of Life in Rural Areas: Stakeholders' Perspectives from Greece

The present study examined how the agri-food enterprises in Greece affect the socio-economic life of rural areas and contribute to ensuring food security. It sought the extent of their contribution to the revitalization of the local community and residents’ quality of life. Furthermore, it focused on the policy measures needed to ensure that their operation protects the environment and reduces their environmental footprint. Additionally, this research explored agri-food enterprises’ impact in addressing the problems of rural societies in the context of their social responsibility. Qualitative research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with twelve central government and local self-administrative executives who formulate policies that shape or influence the agri-food sector and agri-food enterprises The study revealed that agri-food businesses play a major role in the rural economy. At the same time, they are a key factor in linking sustainable development to the well-being of citizens. It was also highlighted that agri-food enterprises in Greece continue to leave a large negative environmental footprint and therefore a change in the framework of existing policies is needed to make the latter effective. In this regard, measures are needed to support agri-food enterprises with certain financial instruments in order to enhance the reduction of their environmental footprint. Finally, the research indicated the need for further strengthening of agri-food enterprises' social responsibility toward rural residents. The contribution of this research has both theoretical and empirical value. It responds to the recent calls for greater investigation of agri-food enterprises and their contributions to sustainable development and rural residents’ quality of life as well. In this respect, the present primary study adds evidence to the international literature regarding the role of agri-food enterprises in the socio-economic life of rural areas by shedding light on various aspects while the findings can be used by the institutions (European, state, and local authorities) that are responsible for policy-making in the agri-food sector and agri-food enterprises respectively. Moreover, the findings can also be a valuable tool for the business world of agri-food entrepreneurship.

Nanotechnology and Food System: Assessing the European Union Regulatory System

Over the last twenty years, the field of nanotechnologies has been affected by enormous investments in research and innovation all over the world. Proponents of nanotechnology praise their benefits; however, the risks may far outweigh the purported benefits. In the agri-food sector, many nano innovations have been introduced so far. Nevertheless, within the European Union (EU), the accelerated rate of innovation has not been met by adequate regulatory interventions. The study provides an assessment of the current EU food nanotechnology regulatory framework using the classical five benchmarks for defining a “good regulation.” The results of the assessment highlight that technical-scientific and economic considerations, which refer to the expertise and efficiency criteria, have been largely used by European policymakers. Criteria of legislative authority, accountability, and due process have been largely overlooked, which may explain the inadequateness of the regulatory effort. The study offers useful insights for understanding and improving the EU regulatory process in the field of nanotechnology.

METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE DETERMINATION OF STRUCTURAL DISPROPORTIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY

Topicality. In the economy of Ukraine, there are macroeconomic, inter- and intra-sectoral, regional disparities, the appearance of which is due to the existing structure of the economy, the focus on raw material exports, low-tech production, uneven inter-sectoral development, the discrepancy between the needs of the regions and their returns, and many other reasons. The presence of these disparities not only slows down the development of the economy, but also threatens the economic security of Ukraine.Aim and tasks. Taking into account the specified strategic directions, the following tasks are set in the work: to determine the factors influencing the economy and its sectors, which lead to the emergence of structural disparities, to determine the peculiarities inherent in the agro-industrial sector, to identify and systematize the influencing factors in order to develop a strategy and management system based on resilience, to develop methodological approaches to identifying structural disparities in the agri-food sector of the economy.Materials and Methods. Identification of structural disparities, assessment of their effect and depth was carried out using methods of analysis and synthesis, scientific abstraction and statistical grouping, which made it possible to analyze the nature of the process of formation of disparities, to determine the most persistent violations of proportionality at all levels of development of the agro-food sector with the aim of targeted application of preventive prevention measures their negative impact and constructive way out of crisis situations.Research results. From the point of view of the axiomatic of the theory of complex systems, the mechanism of the emergence of structural disparities has been clarified, as a response to a high level of complexity, a rapid change in influencing factors that determine the dynamics of the development of the agro-food sector of the economy, and numerical risks caused by uncertainty, which provokes the emergence of conflict between individual subsystems of the agricultural sector. Priority zones of disproportionality were determined by studying the structure of the population according to individual characteristics.Conclusion. Ensuring sustainable development of the country and its economic security is achieved by the ability to resist the action of external and internal factors, existing and newly created at any economic level of disparities. The peculiarities of the strategy for the development of economic sectors on the basis of resilience are determined. It is shown that the implementation of such a strategy, for any sector of the economy, is based on a well-founded objective and the conclusions of the analysis of modern challenges and the intersection of the interests of market players.

A systematic review of the literature on agri-food business models: critical review and research agenda

PurposeThe aim of this study is to identify the way in which research on new business models in agri-food sector has been developed, in order to identify the main lines of work followed and determine a future research agenda in this field.Design/methodology/approachA systematic review of the literature is carried out, by applying the PRISMA method to identify and classify the main articles published on agri-food business models in journals included in the Web of Science Core Collection database.FindingsThe systematic literature review has identified three main forms of business models in the agri-food sector: sustainable business models, technology-based business models and cooperative business models. The three types of new business models are complementary and can sometimes be adopted together. The identification of these types of business models and the variants included in each of them is a valid starting point for new developments in this field.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this study are those typical of any literature review and derived from the methodology used. The establishment of criteria relating to time, language, type of publication or database chosen means that this review may have left out relevant studies in this field of research. It is therefore recommended that new reviews be carried out with different criteria in the coming years in order to supplement the results obtained in this study.Originality/valueSome research gaps were identified that should be further explored in the future. First, the relationship between digitisation and technological innovation in agri-food business models and the level of implementation of sustainable objectives in these business models has not been researched thoroughly. In addition, and despite the fact that the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted innovation in agri-food business models, the authors have detected a lack of papers focused on solving problems arising from the shortage of raw materials or labour, possible energy crises or external dependence on local markets when it comes to meeting demand. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the limitations of international markets, mainly the European market, when it comes to dealing with problems arising from this type of crisis.

The Competitiveness of the Romanian Agri-Food Sector in the Context of Sustainable Development

The Competitiveness of the Romanian Agri-Food Sector in the Context of Sustainable Development

Making management decisions in the social and economic system of development of innovation-investment and personnel potential of agri-food enterprises in conditions of digitalization

The organization of management decision-making in the system of socio-economic development of innovation-investment and personnel potential of agri-food enterprises is significantly updated in the conditions of digitalization. The purpose of the study was to study management decision-making in the system of social and economic development of innovation-investment and personnel potential of agro-food enterprises in the conditions of digitalization. Modern aspects of the formation of innovation-investment and personnel potential of agro-food enterprises in the conditions of digitalization are analyzed. Innovation and investment policy is recognized as a catalyst for effective transformations in the agri-food sector. The innovation-investment and personnel potential of integration structures as a system of innovation-investment factors that create opportunities for a synergistic effect have been studied. The procedure and criteria for making managerial decisions in the design of socio-economic development of innovation-investment and personnel potential of agri-food enterprises in the conditions of digitalization, provided that a particular scale of production is observed, are analyzed. Proposals regarding the formation of an innovation-investment program for the development of enterprises in the agro-food sector were provided. The key factors affecting the process of innovation and investment ensuring the sustainability of the development of agri-food enterprises in the conditions of digitalization are determined. It has been proven that increasing the effectiveness of the formation and implementation of innovative investment and personnel potentials of enterprises in the agro-food sector can be achieved thanks to the creation of prerequisites for the rapid and effective introduction of technical innovations in all spheres of activity, the preservation and development of scientific and technical potential, the result of the necessary material conditions for the conservation of highly qualified scientific personnel of the innovative sphere. Keywords: management decision-making, system, social and economic development, innovation and investment potential, personnel potential, agro-food enterprises, digitalization.

Portuguese Agrifood Sector Resilience: An Analysis Using Structural Breaks Applied to International Trade

In the last two decades, Portugal suffered the effects of two global crises, the financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the Common Agriculture Policy reforms. These crises had a great impact on the Portuguese economy, but it is completely unclear how they affected the dynamics of the Portuguese agrifood sector. This study’s objective is to analyze the resilience of this sector to European and global socks, testing the effects on international trade. Secondary data from the Portuguese Statistics Institute were used for the exports and imports trade series of animal and vegetable products and food industries from 2000 to 2020. The methodology was based on the structural xtbreak model, stability analysis, and tests for structural breaks. Some volatility was observed in the trade series, particularly in imports, without consistency among years, trade sectors, or imports versus exports trade. In the case of exports, one or two structural breaks in the different sectors occurred in different years. The most relevant dynamics occurred after the sovereign debt crisis. It was concluded that CAP reforms and global crises seem to not have caused new relevant dynamics in the Portuguese international agrifood trade. This revealed the resilience of the sector to external shocks.

Can agrifood products generate tourist desire to visit a place? An empirical study of image transfer and self-congruity

Tourism relates to many other industries, such as hospitality, transport, and agriculture. In practice, a tourism destination or place has often been promoted together with local products, especially agrifood products. The co-marketing practice between tourism and agrifood products has faced challenges and one of them is consumer acceptance. Although the importance of local agrifood products in promoting a tourism place has been acknowledged in prior literature, little research has empirically examined the establishment of a strong product-place relationship. Using experimental designs, this study empirically investigated how image transfer and self-congruity influence tourists' evaluations of a co-marketing initiative between the tourism (place) and the agrifood (products) sectors. The study collected a sample of 662 potential tourists from China and data was analysed using Structural Equation Modelling. Results showed that an agrifood product's symbolic images can be directly transferred to a tourism place and subsequently generate stronger tourist desire to visit the place than any other product images. Functional images of an agrifood product can also be transferred to a place, but only indirectly through the process of self-congruity. Experiential images were unable to be transferred in a product-place context. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed with limitations and future research outlined.

Rethinking Agricultural Policy in Ecuador (1960–2020): Analysis Based on the Water–Energy–Food Security Nexus

Agriculture is the principal source for satisfying the growing global demand for food. However, current production patterns and socioeconomic and demographic pressures could lead to an unsustainable, inequitable food supply. Government interventions support technical advances designed to meet future needs following international trends while overcoming biophysical constraints. Those most often used are focused on augmenting land productivity through mechanisation and increased dependence on external inputs. To that end, public policies have emerged as engines of development in agriculture and the agri-food system. This article provides a chronological analysis of the relevant milestones in the agri-food sector in Ecuador (1960–2020). At first, agrarian reform focused on land distribution and tenure. Subsequently, the focus moved to the implementation of research, technological innovation and technology transfer programmes promoted by the state with support and financing from international organisations. For this article, we chose for our approach the water–energy–food nexus. Until now, insufficient study based on this approach regarding agricultural programmes has been conducted in Ecuador. It is essential to concentrate on this sector because it represents about 10% of the gross domestic product and is a principal source of employment for more than two-thirds of the economically active population in rural areas. However, land fractioning, the lack of project continuity and the focus on the application of technological packages identified in this analysis suggest the need to rethink public policies for a sustainable agri-food system.

Recent trends in agri-food Made in Italy exports

The agri-food sector is a key component of the Italian economy and the Made in Italy products are altogether the core of it with a strong export propensity. This paper analyses the recent export performance of the Made in Italy as a whole and at product level. The analysis is based on the conjoint measure of export specialization (RCA) and sophistication (Prody). Results show that the Made in Italy aggregate is performing well but, at the same time, which single products face significant difficulties. On the one hand, this is the case for those items for which Italy is improving its specialization, but international competition is increasingly based on price, thus reducing profitability (e. g. prepared vegetables, chocolate products, blue cheeses). On the other hand, there are products whose sophistication is growing, and remuneration perspectives rise with it, but for which Italy is eroding its comparative advantage (e. g. ice creams, pasta, grape and wine > 2lt).

XRF analysis searching for fingerprint elemental profile in south-eastern Sicily tomatoes

The implementation of analytical techniques able to certify food quality and origin in a fast and non-destructive way is becoming a widespread need in the agri-food sector. Among the physical non-destructive techniques, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is often used to analyze the elemental composition of biological samples. In this study, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental profiles were measured on tomato samples belonging to different geographical areas in Sicily (Italy). The purpose of this investigation was aiming to establish a protocol for in-situ measurement and analysis able to provide quality assessment and traceability of PGI agri-food products, specifically sustaining health safety and self qualifying bio-chemical signature. In detail, sampling was performed in one of the most tomato productive area of south-eastern Sicily (Pachino district), characterised by a relative higher amount of Organic Carbon and Cation Exchange Capacity, and compared with samples from other growing areas of Sicily, falling in Ragusa province and Mt. Etna region. Experimental data were analyzed in the framework of multivariate analysis by using principal component analysis and further validated by discriminant analysis. The results show the presence of specific elemental signatures associated to several characterizing elements. This methodology establishes the possibility to disentangle a clear fingerprint pattern associated to the geographical origin of an agri-food product.

Applying blockchain to quality food products: a marketing perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to enrich the knowledge about blockchain (BC) technology implementation in the agri-food industry by providing an interpretive framework of the key marketing opportunities and challenges, related to the adoption of BC for Geographical Indication (GI) products.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts an explorative qualitative research design through the cognitive mapping technique applied to the cognition of different market players involved in agri-food BC projects: farmers, distributors, companies and consultancies.FindingsThis study presents a comprehensive examination of the marketing impacts of BC across various marketing objectives, including product enhancement, brand positioning, consumer relationships, market access and supply chain relationships. It highlights the capability of BC to facilitate data-enabled ecosystems within the agri-food sector, involving supply chain actors and control agencies. Additionally, the study sheds light on the challenges (technological, collaborative, political, financial and organizational) associated with the implementation of BC in the marketing of agri-food products.Research limitations/implicationsThis work provides a comprehensive examination of the relevance of BC in the marketing activities of firms, particularly in the context of quality food products. It highlights the main areas of impact and effects and emphasizes the complexity of the phenomenon, which extends beyond its technical issues. Furthermore, it offers a systematic exploration of the challenges associated with the adoption of BC in marketing activities, thus contributing to a broader understanding of the implications of BC adoption in companies' marketing strategies.Practical implicationsThe practical implications for this work addresses both GI companies and policy makers. Implications for companies relate to the market benefits associated with the implementation of BC, which allow further strengthening of market positioning, relationships of trust within the supply chain and integration between physical and digital market channels. The study also systematizes the challenges underlying the implementation of BC projects. The implications for policy makers regard the role they have to play in BC projects at regulatory, financial and policy levels.Originality/valueStudies focusing on BC applications in marketing are still limited and characterized by a very narrow perspective (especially in the food industry). This study contributes to the conceptual design of the marketing applications of BC in the agri-food sector. The value of the study also lies in having framed the marketing impacts of BC in a holistic perspective, along with the technological and non-technological challenges that are related to the integration of BC in marketing strategy and operations.

Rural development and digital technologies: a collaborative framework for policy-making

PurposeThe paper aims to define a model for rural development, able to stimulate collaborations between actors involved in the agrifood chain and based on digital technologies as enabling factors for such collaborations.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory research, based on a qualitative approach, is conducted, using both constructivist grounded theory and Gioia methodology. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and roundtables administered to Italian key players.FindingsThe authors identify five actions (definition of territorial identity, involvement of internal and external supply chain actors, definition of quality standards, cooperation intra and infra supply chains, communication through technology) for collaboration in the development of rural areas that policymakers should encourage and actors in the supply chains must implement. The paper also entails both theoretical and practical implications. From the theoretical point of view, this study contributes to the literature on the relationship between agrifood, local development and the role of technologies. From the managerial point of view, this paper provides insights for policymakers to define strategies and actions aimed at developing collaborations between actors involved in the agrifood chain and leveraging digital technologies to support rural development.Originality/valueThe paper proposes a framework for the collaboration of the actors of the agrifood sector and related food tourism that could be the basis for the development of a digital platform able to connect all the subjects involved in rural development.