The post-Cold War period allowed the U.S. nuclear legacy of ecocide to be declassified and made public. The policy of nuclear secrecy, evident in Russia (see Mironova et al., this…
Abstract
The post-Cold War period allowed the U.S. nuclear legacy of ecocide to be declassified and made public. The policy of nuclear secrecy, evident in Russia (see Mironova et al., this volume), was not merely an eastern practice. Western nuclear releases were kept equally under wraps. In England, for example, the Windscale disaster was not fully disclosed until 1987.1 Likewise, releases from the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, in Washington State, and other U.S. nuclear sites were kept undercover until the same period. The irony was that Americans learned of many of the nuclear skeletons in their closet around the time that Russians learned of theirs (see Mironova et al., this volume). It would appear that glasnost was contagious.
Purpose – This study compares the arrival of large-scale dairy farming in two New Zealand regions since 1984 with a particular focus on the competition between sheep farming and…
Abstract
Purpose – This study compares the arrival of large-scale dairy farming in two New Zealand regions since 1984 with a particular focus on the competition between sheep farming and dairy farming.
Design/methodology/approach – The case study draws on qualitative interviews with 58 farmers in two regions.
Findings – We identify and compare the changing economic, social and cultural hierarchies in and between the two regions.
Originality/value – This study extends a typical political economic comparison by emphasising the changes in social and cultural capital as a result of the changing economic conditions in the country and the regions.
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Abel Duarte Alonso and Martin O'Neill
Contemporary academic research generally discusses positive spillovers that consumption and purchase of local foods/produce may have for consumers, farmers and local economies…
Abstract
Purpose
Contemporary academic research generally discusses positive spillovers that consumption and purchase of local foods/produce may have for consumers, farmers and local economies from which these products come. In a hospitality industry context, local produce can enhance culinary experiences as well as benefit regions and businesses that promote it. However, to what extent are hospitality businesses aware and receptive to the range of local products available? Furthermore, are small hospitality enterprises (SHEs), particularly those near rural areas, actively involved in utilising local products on their menus? And if so, to what extent is this demand driven or an attempt to seek out a unique selling proposition on the part of SHEs? The present paper seeks to answer these questions from the hospitality operators' perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 21 SHEs located in the southern United States were interviewed via telephone and face‐to‐face.
Findings
Despite their close geographical proximity to farms that grow fresh produce and a near‐by farmers' market open in the summer, SHEs' involvement with local foods in this study is very fragmented. In fact, more respondents are not involved in purchasing local products than those who are, while others are only marginally involved. Furthermore, convenience of direct deliveries by out‐of‐state food distributors and unawareness of existing fresh local produce availability are reasons expressed for not engaging in efforts to buy locally.
Research limitations/implications
The narrow geographical area chosen and low number of participating businesses in this study may not allow for making generalizations with regards to the findings.
Practical implications
The dysfunctional nature of the current relationship identified between SHEs and local food producers may be conducive to very unfavourable long‐term impacts for both parties, including lost sales opportunities by not providing fresher, higher quality produce that appeals to increasingly discerning customers.
Originality/value
The present study offers new insights into the relationship between SHEs and local food producers, an area that has been largely neglected in contemporary research.
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Juliette Patricia Lowe and Joanne Zaida Taylor
Changes to legislation in England during 2006 introduced the requirement for a “farm to fork” approach to food safety. The new regulations require primary producers such as arable…
Abstract
Purpose
Changes to legislation in England during 2006 introduced the requirement for a “farm to fork” approach to food safety. The new regulations require primary producers such as arable farmers, fruit growers and vegetable growers to follow good hygiene practice and manage their operations in such a way as to control food safety hazards. Various food safety incidents in recent years have increased the public's concern with food safety and contributed to the establishment of various farm assurance schemes in order to reassure the public, often via labelling displaying high profile symbols such as the Red Tractor logo, that the food they eat is safe and has been produced in accordance with strict guidelines and standards. The requirement for documented HACCP plans is central to the majority of farm assurance schemes in the UK. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent and nature of barriers to HACCP implementation amongst a group of arable farmers and fresh produce growers. The research forms part of the first phase of a larger project being undertaken as part of a PhD.
Design/methodology /approach
For this research study an in‐depth qualitative methodology was used, and a non‐prescriptive narrative interview technique utilised in order to investigate the barriers to HACCP implementation amongst four arable farmers and fresh produce growers in England. The farmers and growers all had HACCP plans produced for their business in order to comply with the requirements of farm assurance schemes.
Findings
Non‐prescriptive analysis of the narrative interviews identified shortcomings associated with farm assurance audits and several common themes associated with experiences and perceptions of HACCP as difficult, a burden in terms of cost, time and paperwork and unnecessary, all of which acted as barriers to implementation.
Originality/value
This paper combines in‐depth, academically sound research with the involvement of primary producers. It brings together the views of four arable farmers and fresh produce growers. This study both supports and develops previous research studies, contributing to the existing body of research by uncovering additional findings associated with farm assurance schemes and identifying the extent and nature of barriers to HACCP implementation in primary production.
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This paper compares the agrarian development of two indigenous communities in the highlands of Ecuador who specialize in nontraditional agricultural exports (NTAE). It brings…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper compares the agrarian development of two indigenous communities in the highlands of Ecuador who specialize in nontraditional agricultural exports (NTAE). It brings together the peasant theory with literature on the environmental impact of globalization.
Methodology/approach
Through a comparative ethnography, based on six months of participant observation and interviewers, I illustrate the differences in production processes and explain the divergent trajectories of agrarian modernization.
Findings
I found that NTAE impacted the two communities differently: one became more ecologically sustainable and the other became more environmentally exploitative. However, neither case fits squarely within the framework of modern/traditional or peasant/capitalist. Instead of traditional environmentalism and individualistic exploitation, we see the reverse: individualistic environmentalism and traditional exploitation. That is, ecological methods are paired with individualistic competition, and environmental exploitation takes place within a system of communal solidarity.
Practical implications
With buyer-driven organic certification standards, global integration does not always lead to ecological degradation. For quinoa growers, traditional production practices persist not as resistance to global capitalism but as a strategy to access high-value export markets. Broccoli farmers, although exploitative of local natural resources and their own health, do so within communal institutions that buffer against individualistic risk-taking.
Originality/value
This comparative case presents an alternative depiction of modernization as complex and nonlinear.
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Rachel Duffy, Andrew Fearne and Victoria Healing
This paper reports the findings of a research project that investigated the extent of the information gap that exists between the British agri‐food industry and consumers to help…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper reports the findings of a research project that investigated the extent of the information gap that exists between the British agri‐food industry and consumers to help assist the industry in its efforts to re‐connect with consumers and the wider public.
Design/methodology/approach
The first stage involved an information audit to examine the communication activities of the providers of information about food and farming, which was conducted using desk research and personal interviews. The second stage involved qualitative and quantitative primary research to examine the information needs and knowledge amongst consumers, one of the key target groups identified in the first stage of the project.
Findings
The review of the communication activities of organisations in the agri‐food industry identified an extremely fragmented delivery to consumers and a distinct lack of resources to effectively communicate the information that exists and evaluate its impact on the attitudes, perceptions and behaviour of consumers. The consumer research indicated that, while many are interested in food production issues, the fragmented communication messages that they receive are not giving them a clear reason to consider the implications of their purchases for the British farming industry and the environment.
Research limitations/implications
The information audit, whilst comprehensive, was not exhaustive, and so it is likely that some information providers may have been excluded from the review. In addition, the effectiveness of individual organisations' communication activities has not been evaluated and this presents a useful avenue for future research.
Practical implications
Owing to the limited communication budgets of individual organisations it is suggested that the industry collaborate and pool its resources to develop a co‐ordinated and effective consumer campaign for British agriculture.
Originality/value
This paper is of value to participants in the agri‐food industry as, since the publication of the Policy Commission inquiry into the future of farming and food, the subject of reconnection in the food chain has become very topical, with both industry and government representatives identifying the poor image of farming and consumers' lack of understanding of the link between food and farming as a significant problem for the industry.
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Murugesh Arunachalam, Jagdeep Singh-Ladhar and Andrea McLachlan
This paper aims to examine the planning and policy processes in relation to the pollution in Lake Taupo. This paper describes and explains the manifestation of the tenets of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the planning and policy processes in relation to the pollution in Lake Taupo. This paper describes and explains the manifestation of the tenets of deliberative democracy and the impediments of mobilising the tenets in the planning and policy-making processes.
Design/methodology/approach
This interpretive case study makes sense of interview transcripts, minutes of meetings, media reports and public documents and adopts deliberative democratic theory as the theoretical framework for the interpretive analysis.
Findings
Some factors fostered and others challenged the mobilization of the tenets of deliberative democracy. Local government processes facilitated the expression of multiple views in relation to the impacts of human activities on the Lake. Confrontations and tensions were inevitable elements of the deliberative processes. Pre-determined outcomes and domination of local authorities, aiming for environmental sustainability of Lake Taupo, posed as challenges to the operation of deliberative democracy. Some stakeholders need to sacrifice more than others, but recognition of pluralism, conflicts and differences is an essential part of deliberative democracy.
Originality/value
There is scarcity of research that empirically examines local government processes in light of deliberative democratic principles. The study also extends environmental and social studies that have explored the arena approach to accountability and decision-making.
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Today, governance of food safety and quality as well as environmental aspects of food chains increasingly operates through public and private standards. This governance, as led by…
Abstract
Today, governance of food safety and quality as well as environmental aspects of food chains increasingly operates through public and private standards. This governance, as led by retail power, is often interpreted to undermine farmer’s agrarian independence by dictating detailed agricultural practices on the farm, thereby conditioning access into the food chain. Focusing on farmers’ discursive resources, agrarian writing implies an alternative social force, constructed here as farmer’s freedom. By analysing qualitative data from Finland along the theoretical axes of farmers’ interest in socio-economic achievement and willingness to comply with standards, a more nuanced understanding of farmers’ occupational freedom emerges. Freedom in economic interests and organic farming represents farmers as standard takers as standards supported values most important for them. Realizing freedom in economic creativity can be antagonistic to (public) standards and lead to contestations and negotiations for feasibility. Finally, freedom in self-sufficiency is antithetical to the commercial food chain; however, dissenting from standards displays a strong capacity to close the metabolic rift, along with organic farming. The evidence from the study suggests that farmers’ freedom has the character of a social force to modify food chains and to increase their socio-economic and environmental sustainability and to call for consumers’ freedom to join farmers’ efforts.
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Trang Hoang, John Bell, Pham Hung Hiep and Chad W. Autry
This paper explores how firms develop and mature sustainable supply chains (SSCs) in developing nations (DNs). The primitive resources, infrastructures and understanding of SSCs…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores how firms develop and mature sustainable supply chains (SSCs) in developing nations (DNs). The primitive resources, infrastructures and understanding of SSCs in DNs often hinder both the ability of SSCs to mature and their effectiveness in delivering environmental, social and economic goals. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Through the supply chain life cycle (SCLC) lens, the authors analyzed an embedded case study of a Vietnamese end-to-end food supply chain (using 32 semi-structured interviews and archival data) and interviewed senior leadership of three other food companies in early 2019. A post hoc study including five reinterviews in the same Vietnamese case company's supply chain also further validated the study in 2021.
Findings
The authors’ analyses reveal that changes in DN stakeholders' behaviors can quickly move firms' SSCs along the SCLC closer toward a mature stage, in which firms and their network stakeholders can create more sustainable value. They also identify strategies for firms to consider when developing their SSCs to activate these behavioral changes.
Originality/value
While many authors discuss SSCs' benefits for the environment and society, few assess how firms can design and operate SSCs effectively given the limited resources, infrastructures and SSC knowledge in DNs. This paper offers a compelling framework focusing on engaging various DNs' stakeholders to understand the life cycle of SSCs in less developed countries, in order to accelerate DNs' firms through early development toward a more SSC.