Objective
It is envisaged that after the two conferences proposed in this Project the participants will have accomplished two objectives: First, to comprehend and learn to apply the new developments in industrial economics and organisation theory in their research on agri-food cooperatives. Second, they will present their own research and find out of the research of others in the area of agri-food cooperatives. These objectives will be accomplished by inviting key researchers in both theoretic and applied research, as well as industry leaders to discuss current and future issues of agri-food cooperatives. The two conferences of the series will accommodate two main themes concerning, agri-food cooperatives.
The first event will deal with issues of competition and organisation, whereas the second will focus on strategy.
The topics are divided into four themes, one for each day: 1. Market Structure, Competition and Industrial Policy. Since agri-food cooperatives are integral part of agri-food chains, it is very crucial to discuss the state of the art in research on industrial organisation and competition policy; 2. Cooperative Governance. It is becoming increasingly evident that internal organisation is of key importance to a cooperative. How this relates to conduct and performance of a cooperative, is the underlying question concerning the second day; 3. Technology, Innovation and Re-Organisation. Biotechnology and genetics and how they relate to competition and organisational aspects of agri-food cooperatives, will be the topic of the third day; 4. Food Distribution and Final Demand. After all, agri-food cooperatives are catering the needs of extremely diversified consumers world-wide. How these needs are formed and how is the retail and distribution system evolving, are the topics of the final day.
While the first conference looks at cooperatives from a macro perspective, or has an aggregate view, the second event is devoted to a micro, or management issues. The difference could also be expressed in terms of a look from outside versus from inside.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
ACM - Preparatory, accompanying and support measuresCoordinator
Germany