Innovative business models in European agrifood systems: governance issues in an era of digitalization, societal demand and environmental challenges
Résumé
In recent time, European agrifood systems are witnessing tremendous changes which affect the way traditional
businesses are organized. Among these trends one can recognize three sets of factors. The first is digitalization,
resulting in a recombination of transactions and new players entering the agrifood chains. This phenomenon
is seen concomitantly at the agricultural level, at the food processing and at the retailing levels, inducing
the emergence and expansion of innovative governance structures, including those that enable the active
participation of consumers and small holders, but at the same time provides some reinforcement of global
or traditional players.
The second category of factors is societal demands: inclusion of small holders, territorial equity, closure of
the income gap, organizational and business model innovations for social inclusiveness, nutritional aspects,
etc. This brings society, and its challenges, to the heart of agrifood systems, putting forward the right to
access to safe, affordable and culturally acceptable food as a fundamental right.
The third one is environmental, with its multiple components: climate change, biodiversity, energy, circular
economy, waste management etc. These societal and environmental challenges open new opportunities for
innovative governance structures, in terms of types of contracts, scope of decision rules, characteristics of
transactions, control and incentive mechanisms, which are usually seen at ecosystemic and/or more local levels.
Domaines
Sciences de l'Homme et Société
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)