Information for the research community

Overall research approach

The methodological approach used is a generally proven and tested combination of qualitative and quantitative empirical research elements, involving a wide range of data and knowledge sources. After a review of the scientific literature inworkpackage 1 (WP1), qualitative industry-expert interviews have been conducted in workpackage 2 (WP2). The second WP also reviewed relevant secondary data sources. In workpackage 3 (WP3) a quantitative cross-country, multi-commodity survey of farmers, processors and retailers will be conducted, followed by yet another series of (qualitative) interviews to back up selected findings from the cross-country survey. The evaluation of results and the derivation of policy and business implications/recommendations in workpackage 6 (WP6) will then make use of all the results obtained by querying all those different data and knowledge sources.

WP1 - Literature review and theoretical framework

Consulted concepts & theories:

Executive Summary

WP2 - Review of agri-food chains

Desk-based research is largely used; however it is supplemented by at least three depth-interviews for each commodity chain conducted during Summer/Autumn 2005. Interviewees were selected because of their ability to comment on the organisation and functioning of their sectoral chains and comprised representatives from farmers, processors and retailers. In total 40 experts were interviewed. These were largely senior executives or directors of representative or trade associations and some were senior personnel in significant enterprises in the respective countries.

Face-to-face interviews were the preferred data collection method, however telephone interviews were used where the preferred method was impracticable for logistical reasons or not possible due to constraints on the part of the interviewee. Semi-structured interview guides were developed by each partner to allow for the varying information requirements of each partner (this is dependent on the available secondary data in each country); however these were derived from standard guidelines developed by the lead team for WP2. On average each interview lasted an hour. In the majority of cases interviews were recorded and transcribed.

Executive Summary

WP3 - Cross-country, multi-commodity survey of farmers, processors and retailers

The main aim of this WP3, the core empirical package of 7 WPs within FOODCOMM, was to collect representative quantitative data to analyse the role (prevalence, necessity and significance) of economic relationships and communication in selected European food chains and to identify the economic, social and cultural factors that influence co-ordination in selected commodity chains. In total, data on farmers, processors and retailers for 13 agri-food chains were obtained: 3 cattle to beef (Ireland, Poland and the United Kingdom (UK)), 2 barley to beer (Germany, the UK), 3 cereals to bakery products (Finland, Germany, Spain), and 5 pigs to pigmeat/pigmeat products (Finland, Germany, Ireland, Poland and Spain). A total of 1,443 interviews have been conduced using a structured questionnaire . As far as local survey condition allowed, the survey had been conducted online. However, in many cases, either face to face, telephone or mail interviews were used.

Executive Summary

WP4 - Analysis of survey data and identification of issues for country-specific research

The objective of workpackage 4 (WP4) was to generate insights and understanding about the role (prevalence, necessity and significance) of economic relationships and communication in selected EU food chains, and to identify the economic, social and cultural factors which influence relationships and communication. To achieve these objectives, data obtained from the representative cross-country, multi-commodity survey of farmers, processors and retailers in WP3 were analysed. Statistical methods have been applied to examine the collected data. In particular uni-, bi- and multivariate techniques were used to analyse 1,443 valid responses. To test hypotheses regarding factors influencing the choice of governance structure and nature of economic relationships and communication, more appropriate statistical dependence techniques were employed. Governance structure analysis was performed by using a discrete choice model. Structural equation modelling was applied to test the hypotheses on factors influencing the nature of economic relationships and communication.

While the full dataset was analysed by UNI BONN in order to generate general, cross-country results, the data for individual countries were analysed by the respective country teams. Each country team interpreted their empirical country results in individual country chapters. The results of this analysis are a key source for the identification of country-specific research issues for workpackage 5 (WP5).

Executive Summary

WP5 - Country-specific, in-depth research of selected issues

The objective of WP5 was to conduct, in addition, to the quantitative survey carried out in WP4, complementary in-depth analysis of selected food chains, with a focus on economic relationships and communication, in all participating countries. The methodology employed in this workpackage consisted of face-to-face interviews aimed to collect information of important issues identified in WP2 and WP4 which, however, could not be addressed satisfactorily by means of a standardised cross-country survey. In this sense, the work performed in WP5 qualitatively enriched the data collected in earlier workpackages and helped to further strengthen and widen findings of the whole project. The topics addressed in WP5 concentrated on trust and communication, though other topics were taken up as well as the following overview reveals:

Executive Summary

WP6 - Evaluation of results and derivation of policy and business implications/recommendations

During WP6 we evaluated project findings from the cross-country survey in WP4 and the country-specific research in WP5, and identified means of improving food chain performance with particular focus on communication and sustainable economic relationships. Building upon SWOT-analysis, statistical analyses concerning chain performance and statements from the consultation panel, we derived recommendations for possible EU policy development and actions to be taken in order to enhance well-functioning relationships and communication within selected EU food chains.

In particular, the theoretical framework outlined in WP1 served as the conceptual basis for the evaluation. The detailed cross-country analysis in WP4, and the country-specific research in WP5, helped to evaluate the variables which influence communication and economic relationships in the selected European food chains. A number of evaluation levels were considered, such as the relevance of the findings for food chain companies, SMEs, and policy-makers.

Executive Summary

WP7 - Dissemination of research findings

The dissemination activities are based on the workpackage schedule of the Project.

The objectives are mainly designing series of dissemination activities to inform different types of audiences about the project itself and of project results. Dissemination activities can be divided in two levels:

These activities may include press and electronic publications, workshops and seminars, other forms of personal interaction with business representatives, institutional and private audiences.

The project website (www.foodcomm.eu) has been an ongoing dissemination instrument available to the general public. All project background information as well as up-to-date news and results can be accessed through the website. In addition to visiting the project's website, interested users have the opportunity to subscribing to an email newsletter which is sent out (starting from January 1 2006) to all registered people on a regular basis. A first scientific dissemination activity was accomplished with a presentation of a contributed paper ("Factors Influencing Trust-supporting Mechanisms in European Agri-food Chains") at the 99th Seminar of the European Association of Agricultural Economists (EAAE), Bonn, Germany, February 2006. The overall results from the FOODCOMM project have been made available to the interested general public (in particular policy makers, scientists, businesses and universities) in two types of media at the beginning of 2008:
• an electronic guide
• a printed book.

At the start of 2008, the EU Commission received the Final Project Report and the results were presented on a workshop in Brussels. Regular publications and presentations on the generated project results have been made to both scientific and professional audiences.

Full list of all dissemination activities

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