Fair Trade Systems Research Articles

Assessment of agricultural sustainability - a study of farmers growing basmati rice under conventional and fair-trade systems in India

The agricultural sustainability at grass root level in India is under increasing debates, discussions and demonstrations with reasonable evidence towards economic vulnerability, environmental degradation as well as social disharmony. Initiatives like fair-trade are bringing agri-produce of organised farmer groups on premise and proclamation of making greater contributions towards sustainability. This research paper endeavours to identify most relevant factors and indicators for assessing the sustainability and compare for farmers growing basmati rice under fair-trade as well as conventional system. Primary data was collected on a self-administered questionnaire based on identified four factors of sustainability, i.e., economic, environment, social and governance, from farmers growing basmati rice under both, conventional and fair-trade systems. Data was analysed through descriptive statistics, structured equation modelling and discriminant analysis. Findings suggest that performance of fair-trade system on factors of sustainability is significantly better than conventional system and governance is most discriminating factor.

Assessment of agricultural sustainability - a study of farmers growing basmati rice under conventional and fair-trade systems in India

Assessment of agricultural sustainability - a study of farmers growing basmati rice under conventional and fair-trade systems in India

Ambidextrous organizations for sustainable development: The case of fair-trade systems

In a fair-trade system, intermediate organizations act as a bridge between highly different contexts.Several studies have shown the role of these organization, but the literature has still not dealt with their specific role from a strategic perspective.Adopting ambidexterity theory, the aim of this research is to investigate: (a) whether the intermediate organization is ambidextrous, simultaneously pursuing exploration and exploitation activities and sustainability and profitability related goals; (b) the modalities in which explorative and exploitative competences are transferred within the fair-trade system.The study adopts a qualitative approach based on the analysis of seven organizations belonging to the fair-trade system.Results show that the intermediate organization engages in ambidexterity within the system, but the balance between exploration and exploitation inside the intermediate organization is still to be achieved.The research, as first time, applies ambidexterity theory to the fair-trade system. In addition, direct managerial implications can be derived.

Governing the Governors: The Global Metagovernance of Fair Trade and Sustainable Forestry Production

To promote environmentally sustainable corporate behavior, a complex system of global private governance operates where civil society groups play dominant roles. We argue that the concept of “metagovernance” developed in the public administration literature helps scholars and practitioners make sense of the constellation of actors, structures, and processes that have emerged in the field of global private governance. This article advances the metagovernance research agenda by providing a comparative application of the concept to two global private governance schemes: the fair trade and sustainable forest product certification systems. We examine the key organizations, arrangements, and relationships that constitute these systems to demonstrate that metagovernance in this sphere is produced heterarchically: multiple organizations within global private governance schemes are mutually responsible for their own coordination. We argue that employing metagovernance as an analytical tool enables the identification and appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of complex systems for “the governance of governance” from a holistic perspective. Related Articles Alejo, Antonio. 2019. “Contemporary Diplomacy, Global Politics, and Nongovernmental Actors: Dilemmas of the Multistakeholder Mechanism of Participation in Mexico.” Politics & Policy 47 (1): 105‐126. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12284Bance, Philippe, and Angelique Chassy. 2017. “The Rollout of the Multilevel Governance System: A Source of Reworking the Contingent Valuation Method?” Politics & Policy 45 (6): 1080‐1107. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12236Burau, Viola, and Carole Clavier. 2018. “Understanding Gaps in the Coexistence between Different Modes of Governance: A Case Study of Public Health in Schools in a Multilevel System.” Politics & Policy 46: 604‐629. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12269 Related Media FLOCERT. N.d. “How it Works.” https://www.flocert.net/solutions/fairtrade-resources/how-it-works/Forest Stewardship Council. N.d. “Who We Are.” https://ca.fsc.org/en-ca/about-usfsc‐watch.com. 2016. “Jari Certificate Suspension: Why Was it Ever Certified in the First Place?” https://fsc-watch.com/2015/12/22/jari-certificate-suspension-why-was-it-ever-certified-in-the-first-place/

Comparison of conventional and fair trade systems on dimensions of sustainability: a study of basmati rice procurement in India

Conventional procurement at farm level, as starting point of the supply chain and a crucial link to farmer livelihoods and impact on sustainability, remains specifically ineffective in India. Initiatives like Fair Trade, in domain of 'alternative trade' mechanisms, have made inroads in global agricultural trade bridging the ethical consumers of the west to marginalised farmers in developing countries like India. This research paper explores indicators on all the dimensions of sustainability through literature as well as through exploratory factor analysis on primary data collected from Indian farmers who follow either conventional system or Fair Trade system to dispose their produce (basmati rice). The study also compares these systems on all indicators and dimensions of sustainability. It also explores the strength, weaknesses, suggestions to improve and reasons for formers to remain in the system. Findings suggest that Fair Trade system is better on almost all dimensions of sustainability than conventional system.

Comparison of conventional and fair trade systems on dimensions of sustainability: a study of basmati rice procurement in India

Comparison of conventional and fair trade systems on dimensions of sustainability: a study of basmati rice procurement in India

Organic Agriculture and Fair Trade: A Happy Marriage? A Case Study of Certified Smallholder Black Pepper Farmers in India

Summary This study examines whether the joint adoption of organic and fair trade systems adds additional benefits to smallholders in developing countries. We use panel data collected from 300 smallholder rural black pepper growers in Kerala, India to assess household welfare impacts. We apply a multinomial endogenous switching regression model along with a counterfactual analysis to estimate certification effects. Results show that both certification systems have a significant impact on income compared to conventional black pepper farming. However, membership in fair trade marketing systems does not increase income of organic farmers, but has positive effects on asset accumulation of smallholder farmers.

Fair Trade and Organic Agriculture in Developing Countries: A Review

Fair trade regimes and organic agricultural systems are 2 innovations that increasingly play an important role for agriculture in developing countries. Whereas fair trade regimes have their origin in the developing countries, organic agriculture was started in the rich countries and has only recently become popular in the Third World. Both innovations can be mutually reinforcing as fair trade often combined with organic production standards opens up new market prospects. In this article we explore the opportunities and constraints of marketing organic products from developing countries under fair trade regimes. Based on available literature, we review evidence of the magnitude of organic production and fair trade systems in developing countries. We also propose a framework for studying the impact of fair traded organically produced commodities using the case of black pepper in India. The framework will generate testable hypotheses regarding the 2 innovations.

The Search for Value and Meaning in the Cocoa Supply Chain in Costa Rica

Qualitative interviews with participants in the cocoa (Theobroma cacao) supply chain in Costa Rica and the United States were conducted and supplemented with an analysis of the marketing literature to examine the prospects of organic and Fairtrade certification for enhancing environmentally and socially responsible trade of cocoa from Costa Rica. Respondents were familiar with both systems, and most had traded at least organic cocoa for some period. However, most individuals said that they were seeking better product differentiation and marketing than has been achieved under the organic and Fairtrade systems. Many suggested that more direct recognition of individual growers and the unique value of their cocoa throughout the production chain would be more helpful than certification for small companies in the cocoa supply chain. These findings suggest new marketing techniques that convey an integration of meaning into the cocoa and chocolate supply chain as a differentiation strategy. This involves integration of the story of producers’ commitment and dedication; shared producer and consumer values of social and environmental responsibility; and personal relationships between producers and consumers. This marketing approach could enhance the ability of smaller companies to successfully vie with their larger competitors and to produce cocoa in a more environmentally and socially acceptable manner.

Gender, health, labor, and inequities: a review of the fair and alternative trade literature

Although research into fair and alternative trade networks has increased significantly in recent years, very little synthesis of the literature has occurred thus far, especially for social considerations such as gender, health, labor, and equity. We draw on insights from critical theorists to reflect on the current state of fair and alternative trade, draw out contradictions from within the existing research, and suggest actions to help the emancipatory potential of the movement. Using a systematic scoping review methodology, this paper reviews 129 articles and reports that discuss the social dimensions of fair and alternative trade experienced by Southern agricultural producers and workers. The results highlight gender, health, and labor dimensions of fair and alternative trade systems and suggest that diverse groups of producers and workers may be experiencing related inequities. By bringing together issues that are often only tangentially discussed in individual studies, the review gives rise to a picture that suggests that research on these issues is both needed and emerging. We end with a summary of key findings and considerations for future research and action.

Narratives and Network Organization: A Comparison of Fair Trade Systems in Two Nations

The narratives that flow through networks can shed light on their organization. This analysis looks at the elaboration of fair trade networks in the United States and the United Kingdom, with a focus on the narrative control exercised by key gatekeeping organizations. Structural properties of the 2 networks reflect differences in centralization as measured through distance, closeness, and betweenness in relations among organizations. The analysis suggests that once a dominant story or entrenched opposing stories become established in a network, structural dynamics involving narrative choices, conflicts, and strategies can lead comparable networks to diverge even as they espouse the same cause. These differences affect the capacities of networks to mobilize for various kinds of activities.

Fair trade, corporate accountability and beyond: experiments in globalizing justice

Contents: Preface Introduction: Social governance in a global economy: introduction to an evolving agenda, Kate Macdonald and Shelley Marshall Part I Individual and Civic Action Through Fair Trade: Fair trade at the centre of development, Steve Knapp Developing markets, building networks: promoting fair trade in Asia, Claribel B. David and Hyun-Seung Anna Kim Mainstreaming fair trade brands and the problem of ownership, Anna Hutchens What gives fair trade its right to operate? Organizational legitimacy and strategic management, Alex Nicholls Voluntarism and fairtrade, Tim Wilson. Part II Responsible Consumers and Corporations: Corporations and global justice: rethinking 'public' and 'private' responsibilities, Terry Macdonald Corporate responsibility and stakeholder governance: relevance to the Australian garment sector, Emer Diviney and Serena Lillywhite CSR and policy incoherence, Peter Utting Fair consumption? Consumer action on labour standards, Gordon Renouf. Part III Mobilised Workers: Corporate accountability and the potential for workers representation in China, Anita Chan The threat posed by 'corporate social responsibility' to trade union rights, Jeff Ballinger Can CSR help workers organize? An examination of the lessons learnt and an exploration of a new way forward, Andrea Maksimovic Corporate accountability through community and unions: linking workers and campaigning to improve working conditions across the supply chain, Annie Delaney Triangular solidarity as an alternative to CSR and consumer based campaigning, Apo Leong, Chan Ka-wai and Anna Tucker. Part IV A Strengthened and Transformed Role for the State: Regional trade agreements in the Pacific islands: fair trade for farmers?, Nic Maclellan Crowding out or ratcheting up? Fair trade systems, regulation and new governance, Orly Lobel The regulatory impact of using public procurement to promote better labour standards in corporate supply chains, John Howe CSR is not the main game: the renewed domestic response to labour abuses in China, Sean Cooney. Conclusion: Experiments in globalising justice: emergent lessons and future trajectories, Kate Macdonald and Shelley Marshall Index.

Alternative modes of governance: organic as civic engagement

A major strategy in the creation of sustainable economies is the establishment of alternative market institutions, such as fair trade and local market systems. However, the dynamics of these alternative markets are poorly understood. What are the rules of behavior by which these markets function? How do these markets maintain their separate identity as “alternative”: apart from the conventional (“free”) market system? Building on Lyson’s notion of civic agriculture, we argue that alternative markets maintain themselves through civic engagement. However, we argue that the civically-engaged practices of alternative markets are poorly understood. We seek, therefore, to begin a conversation about the everyday forms of civic engagement in alternative practice and to do this we introduce a few useful conceptual tools. Building upon ideas in science studies about the collaboration of scientists (Hess, Alternative pathways in science and industry, 2007) we argue that civic markets have their own “market fields” and “modes of governance” (Bulkeley et al., Environment and Planning A 39:2733–2753, 2007), their own fields of social interaction in which rules of behavior become stabilized and determine how the market works. The creation of a social field also requires the demarcation of boundaries, referred to in the science studies literature as “boundary work” (Gieryn, Cultural boundaries of science: Credibility on the line, 1999). We apply the idea of boundary work to understand how alternative market actors maintain boundaries between alternative and conventional markets. Finally, studies of collaboration in science have often centered on the object created through these interactions, an object that is partially material and partially a product of knowledge, what (Rheinberger, Toward a history of epistemic things: Synthesizing proteins in the test tube, 1997) calls an “epistemic object.” We use this idea to understand that the creation of alternative objects of exchange, such as organic food, are epistemic objects in that they combine both particular materialities and particular ways of knowing. Using these concepts, we will carry out a close analysis of the mode of governance in the national organic market, looking specifically a recent governance crisis in organic agriculture known as the Harvey lawsuit.

Consumer involvement in fair trade and local food systems: delegation and empowerment regimes

Today, various types of fair trade systems propose new forms of relationships between producers and consumers. If several studies have provided accurate understandings of consumers’ motivations to buy fair trade products, the specific kinds of consumer involvement that are emphasized in those systems remain partly unknown. In France, controversies about the regulation and organization of fair trade with producers from Southern countries has led to broader debates about how consumers can best express their solidarity with producers. In these debates local food networks are often portrayed as good examples of fair trade and as having potential to redefine the role of the consumer in the marketplace (or in commercial relations). Based on examination of the type of mechanisms used to enrol consumers in local and fair trade networks, we have distinguished two main kinds of consumers’ involvement. The first one may be called “delegation” and is based on market mechanisms. The second one is called “empowerment” and is based on contractual mechanisms between consumers and producers and on the construction of collective choices. This latter kind of consumer involvement points out the capacity of alternative food networks to empower consumers in a more broadly political sense.