Workpackage 1 (WP 1)

Objectives

To elaborate a definition of the terms 'sustainable economic relationship' and 'food chain communication' as a reference system. To construct a theoretical framework, which will elaborate basic research propositions with respect to the role of communication and economic relationships in the food chain and the factors that impact upon them, including limited market intervention as deployed within the reformed CAP. To identify potential social, cultural, economic and political factors influencing communication and economic relationships both at the stage of farmers, processors and retailers. Consideration will also be given to consumers, their communication needs and their role in establishing economic relationships along the food chain.

Description of work

The basis of this WP1 will be a review of theoretical and methodological literature, relating directly to the research question of the project.

This review will lead to the design of a theoretical framework using findings and approaches of several disciplines with relevance to food chain analysis, economic relationships and communication such as theories of industrial organisation, institutional economics, theory of social networks, communication theory, supply chain management, efficient consumer response (ECR) as well as theory of markets and consumer behavior. Complementary theories from sociology and psychology, such as culture theory and convention theory, will complete the set of approaches used to derive a coherent theoretical framework. To ensure an applied dimension, the work will also draw on consultations with researchers and other specialists and will consider the outcome of interviews conducted with industry/trade associations for WP2.

An additional core task of WP1 will be to establish a definition of the terms 'sustainable economic relationships' and 'food chain communication' and then, based on these definitions, to identify factors that may influence the relationships and communication. These factors will be proven by the empirical analyses in the course of the project, at the stage of farmers, processors and retailers.

A main emphasis will be placed on key propositions that will give direction and focus to subsequent research tasks, especially hypothesizing circumstances under which sustainable development of economic relationships within food chains can be achieved, and the role which communication might play in this.

Deliverables

WP1 will culminate in Report 1 (D1). The report will include the literature review, integrate different disciplinary perspectives and present the theoretical framework which forms the overall basis of the project.

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