Sustainable agri-food value chains and bioeconomy
Information from the course leader
The agri-food value chain includes the decisions, the processes, the organizations and institutions, that begin from farm inputs and extend to the actors and linkages that are involved between the farm and the consumer's fork. With this course the students will develop an understanding of value chains and agribusiness in the agri-food industry and the bioeconomy. Sustainable domestic and global food chains, short and industrial chains, and networks will be analysed. Empirical examples from Swedish, European and international as well as agri-food value chains in developing countries are used as illustrations Theories and conceptual perspectives are drawn from microeconomics, industrial organisation, strategic management and behaviour, new institutional economics, transaction cost economics, agency theory and social network analysis.
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is not yet activated
The course evaluation is open between 2025-01-12 and 2025-02-02
Additional course evaluations for FÖ0466
Academic year 2023/2024
Sustainable agri-food value chains and bioeconomy (FÖ0466-20083)
2023-10-31 - 2024-01-14
Academic year 2023/2024
Sustainable agri-food value chains and bioeconomy (FÖ0466-20086)
2023-10-31 - 2024-01-14
Academic year 2022/2023
Sustainable agri-food value chains and bioeconomy (FÖ0466-20142)
2022-11-01 - 2023-01-15
Academic year 2022/2023
Sustainable agri-food value chains and bioeconomy (FÖ0466-20143)
2022-11-01 - 2023-01-15
Academic year 2021/2022
Sustainable agri-food value chains and bioeconomy (FÖ0466-20070)
2021-11-02 - 2022-01-16
Academic year 2020/2021
Sustainable agri-food value chains and bioeconomy (FÖ0466-20085)
2020-11-02 - 2021-01-17
Academic year 2020/2021
Sustainable agri-food value chains and bioeconomy (FÖ0466-20169)
2020-11-02 - 2021-01-17
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
FÖ0466 Sustainable agri-food value chains and bioeconomy, 15.0 Credits
Hållbara värdekedjor inom livsmedel och bioekonomiSubjects
Horticultural Science Business Administration Horticultural scienceEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| The Firm and the market | 1.5 | 0202 |
| Strategy | 3.0 | 0203 |
| Governance | 3.5 | 0204 |
| Networks | 1.5 | 0205 |
| Applications | 5.5 | 0206 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent of 120 credits, of which 90 credits in Social Science or 90 credits in Natural Science, and English 6.Objectives
At the end of the course the students have developed an understanding of agribusiness, and value chains in horticulture, and in other sectors of the bio-economy. Both domestic and global chains, and artisanal and industrial agribusiness will be examined. Empirical examples from Swedish, European and international horticulture value chains are used. Theories and conceptual perspectives drawn from literature on marketing management, strategy and behavior, transaction cost economics, agency theory, new institutional economics, network analysis and industrial economics.
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
-map and analyse a horticulture value chain in Sweden, Europe and developing countries,
-analyze linkages between nodes and understand governance structures in the value chain,
-analyze networks in horticulture and agri-food industries,
-apply tools for analysis of supply chain management and logistics,
-apply quantitative and qualitative research tools.
Content
Theory and methods based on scientific literature and industry material.
Method of instruction is based on both lectures and practical and hands-on work by students The course involves guest lectures, firm and farm visits, assignments, project work and written exam.
Course Modules/Content:
• Organization and governance in horticulture value chains
• Agri-business organization and management of horticulture firms
• Supply chain management and logistics
• Networks in horticulture and agri-food
• From Fork to Farm: Quality and the Consumer
• Innovation, quality and standards
• Coordination in value chains and the retail
• Global value chains, globalisation, climate change and development
Mandatory course activities and examinations includes: firm and farm visits, assignments and project work.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Passed on exam, passing grade on project/s and participation in obligatory events.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of People and Society
Further information
Litterature list
Bush, S.R.; Oosterveer, P.; Bailey, M; Mol, A.P. 2015. "Sustainability governance of chains and networks: A review and future outlook". Journal of cleaner production.
Barrett, C.; T. Reardon; J. Swinnen; and D. Zilberman. 2019. "Structural transformation and economic development: insights from the agri‐food value chain revolution". Cornell University
Carlton, D.W. and Perloff, J. M. 1994. "Modern Industrial Organization". 2nd ed. New York, USA, Harper Collins College Publihers. CHAPTERS 2, 3, 4
EU. 2018. “A sustainable Bioeconomy for Europe: strengthening the connection between economy, society and the environment". Updated Bioeconomy Strategy
EUROACTIV. 2021. "Agrifood Brief: A spoonful of sugar" https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture‐food/news/agrifood‐brief‐a‐spoonful‐ofsugar/?fbclid=IwAR1TTFwflxOPA‐ucmb1YLCEnWs0OblMC06VOrsaAOzEyjDXH2DN2CG5ULO0
FAO Food Price Index https://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/
FAO. Da Silva, C. A. and M. Ranking. 2013. "Contract farming for inclusive market access". FAO
FAO. 2019. "The State of Food & Agriculture: Moving forward on food loss and waste reduction"
Gereffi, G.; J. Humphrey; and T. Sturgeon. 2005. "The governance of global value chains. Review of International Political Economy 12.1: 78‐104.
JRC. Barathova, K. et al. 2020. "Pass‐through of unfair trading practices in EU food supply chains: methodology and empirical application"
Jeffrey Sachs ate the UN Food Summit 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ1xc491mnU
Kaplinsky, R. and Morris, M. 2001. "A handbook for value chain research". IDRC
Porter, M.E.; M. R. Kramer. 2006. "The link between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility". Harvard business review 2006 Vol. 84 Issue 12
Porter, M.E. 1998. "Competitive Advantage ‐Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance". New York, USA, The Free Press CHAPTER 1, 2
Sloane A.; S. O’reilly. 2013. "The emergence of supply network ecosystems: a social network analysis perspective". Production Planning & Control
Tomek, W.G; Kaiser, H.M. 2014. "Ch6 Marketing Margins". in "Agricultural Product Prices". 5th ed. Cornell University Press
Williamson, O. E. 2000. "The new institutional economics: Taking stock, looking ahead". Journal of Economic Literature 38(3), 595‐613.
Williamson, O.E. 2005. "Transaction Cost Economics". In C. Ménard and M. M. Shirley. "Handbook of new institutional economics". Springer 2005 Vol. 9
YOUTUBE. 2021. "The Shortages Are Going To Get Worse Later This Year As Global Supply Chains Increasingly Falter" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIrjwWxWRUU