English (United Kingdom)FrenchEspañol(Spanish)
Topics PDF Print E-mail
The different topics take into account the main factors (economic, geographic, social, political, technical, cultural etc.) influencing the localization and globalization of food production and their consequences in terms of sustainability and consumer welfare. The first topic analyses what is happening in the agri-food systems and why; the second topic considers more specifically the socio-environmental impact of agri-food spatial dynamics on rural development; the third topic discusses the role played by local resources in the development of food systems, both as opportunity for localized agri-food systems and for globalized firms/networks; the fourth topic focuses on the governance of food systems spatial dynamics; the fifth topic discusses on-going progress in methodological approaches useful to analyze the localization and globalization of food production and their consequences in terms of sustainability and consumer welfare. In more detail:

1)  The current state of spatial dynamics in agri-food systems in terms of production, distribution and marketing strategies:
  -   Trends of spatial dynamics in different socio-economical contexts;
  -   Supply chain structure and organisation;
  -   Networks dynamic and strategy;
  -   Food consumption, globalisation and localisation;
  -   Modern distribution strategies and effects on spatial dynamics;
  -   Quality control, standards, traceability and quality assurance systems;
  -   Alternative food networks, zero food miles and localisation strategies;
  -   Consumers welfare implications;
  -   Logistic pattern and needs.

2)  Socio-environmental impact of agri-food systems on rural development:
  -   Effects on rural dynamics;
  -   Effects on sustainable development, biodiversity and the environment;
  -   Agri-food restructuration and local territorial synergies;
  -   Links with rural tourism and food culture;
  -   Peri-urban agri-food production and rural development.

3)  The role of local resources in agri-food systems:
  -   Local food quality and local specific resources (human and natural);
  -   Territorial labels and designations of origin;
  -   Local resources and localized food systems;
  -   The role of local resources in localization strategies of multinational firms.

4)  Governance and public policies of local agri-food systems (LAFS):
  -   Institutions and stakeholders: role and effectiveness;  
  -   Collective action and collective organizations;
  -   Public policies and policy instruments;
  -   Quality issues and public policies;
  -   Innovation and extension service;
  -   Good practices in governance actions.

5) Progress in methodological approaches for analyzing agri-food systems spatial dynamic
  -   Innovations in GIS tools;
  -   Measuring bargaining power and effect;
  -   Measuring supply chain and network efficiency;
  -   Developments in economic geography.