Organizational structures of alternative food networks

fitting sharing economy principles.– Case studies from Valencia.

Supervisors: Domenico Dentoni and Stefano Pascucci

Author: Isabel Miralles Lorenzo

Wageningen, The Netherlands, 28th August 2014

MSc Thesis, MST Food Technology

Content Introduction Problem description Research questions Methodology Results Conclusion and discussion Questions

Introduction

Alternative Food Networks (AFNs)

Source: http://rosiecreekfarm.com/csa/

http://ccaa.elpais.com/ccaa/2014/01/10/madrid/1389388135_287043.html

Problem statement

Why are the sharing economy systems in the agricultural and food sector not emerging more rapidly?

Institutional bottlenecks, like the existing EU policy framework.

Unclear definition of the different AFNs concerning the internal organization, infrastructure, distribution and network options.

The high context-specificity of the distinct AFNs.

Research questions

What are the main types of AFNs fitting the principles of a sharing economy that exist in the urban and peri-urban area of Valencia, Spain, and their main commonalities and differences with regard to other EU models?

1. Which set of principles shape the sharing economy activities?

2. What are the main characteristics of the most extended AFNs in a European/Japanese context, based on a literature study?

3. What are the main organizational elements that characterize the different AFNs in the urban and peri-urban area of Valencia?

4. What are the main commonalities and differences among the organizational elements of the analysed AFNs in Valencia and the ones in Europe?

Methodology

Snowball sampling

Observation Pattern Hypothesis Model

• An inductive approach

• Case study method

• Selection of case studiesTheoretical sampling

• AFNs fitting the principles of a sharing economy.• AFNs settled in urban and peri-urban areas.

Data collection and analysis

612

1. Interview design

2. Data coding

Statistical Analyses Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) Hierarchical Clustering Principal Components

(HCPC)

Descriptive analyses AFNs in Valencia as sharing economy systems Resource sharing (which and when) Organizational structures categories

Results

Source: Husson et al., (2010) & (2013).

Variable p-value

Collective.Production 0.0001

Collectively.Purchase 0.0001

Distribution.decision.right

0.0001

Participatory.certification

0.0001

Food.transactions 0.0001

Own.consumption 0.0001

I. MCA and HCPC (“R” software)

II. Resource sharing in AFNs along the different stages of the food chain

III. Organizational structure characteristics of the AFNs in Valencia

Governance mode

Leadership / Ownership

initiative

AimMain

constraints

Origin

1. Create alternative food channels.2. Environmental concerns3. Build social cohesion4. Make profit5. Educational

1. Lack of members2. Lack of participation3. Resources scarcity4. Management difficulties5. Lack of consumer understanding

1. Consumer-led2. Producer-led3. Consumer/Producer partnership4. Government-led 5. Entrepreneurial-led5. Consumer/Producer-led

1. Radical movement2. Conscious citizens3. Governmental institution4. Create a business

1. Network2. Hybrid

Consumer groups

Commercial community gardens

Own consumption community gardens

Conclusion and discussion The researched AFNs in the urban and peri-

urban Valencia fit as sharing economy systems.

The main features of the AFNs in the urban and peri-urban Valencia are translated in a framework for further testing in the categorization of similar initiatives.

AFNs in Valencia and other European/Japanese models are comparable according to their organizational structures but further research is needed.

Valencia The Mediterranean arch

Comparing the main organizational characteristics of the AFNs in Valencia and other European/Japanese models.

Questions?

Thank you very much!

Collaborative

consumption

Pool of resources

& services

Distributed power

TrustInnovative use of assets

Small economic

actors

The sharing economy features