We investigate the genesis and the evolution of local food-purchasing networks created and operated by consumers. In details, we describe how collecting and sharing information about food-products can become a central activity for some consumers’ communities and how these communities are starting to play an active role in the food supply chain. We define this community-based food-purchasing model as collaborative food network (CFN), and we analytically describe its characteristics and differences with respect to the traditional and industrialized agrifood supply chain models. A collaborative food network community in Italy, known as GAS (“Gruppi di Acquisto Solidale” – “Solidarity Purchasing Groups”), is introduced as an example of our analytical model. We will use this empirical example to present the strengths and weaknesses of the CFN model.
The Role of Information Sharing and Social Community in the Evolution of Collaborative Food Networks
BOLICI, Francesco
2011-01-01
Abstract
We investigate the genesis and the evolution of local food-purchasing networks created and operated by consumers. In details, we describe how collecting and sharing information about food-products can become a central activity for some consumers’ communities and how these communities are starting to play an active role in the food supply chain. We define this community-based food-purchasing model as collaborative food network (CFN), and we analytically describe its characteristics and differences with respect to the traditional and industrialized agrifood supply chain models. A collaborative food network community in Italy, known as GAS (“Gruppi di Acquisto Solidale” – “Solidarity Purchasing Groups”), is introduced as an example of our analytical model. We will use this empirical example to present the strengths and weaknesses of the CFN model.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
