La configuración de la red social de transferencia de conocimiento en transformación digital (TD) del sector olivarero de Andalucía es analizada mediante el uso de técnicas de Análisis de Redes ...Sociales. Los resultados indican que las universidades y las empresas tecnológicas son los principales agentes emisores de conocimiento, mientras los olivareros y las cooperativas son los principales agentes receptores. La red tiene un alto potencial para la creación de capital social, aunque la mayoría de las interacciones son de intensidad muy débil, lo que podría conllevar a que algunos actores queden aislados del conocimiento en TD.
The global economy, and agriculture, in particular, faces significant challenges and transformation pressures. A major challenge, and opportunity, is the transformation towards digital agriculture or ...agriculture 4.0, where knowledge transfer (KT) has an important role to play not only in ensuring that digital innovations reach end-users, but also that these innovations contribute to development in rural landscapes. This paper analyses the role of KT in the framework of digital transformation (DT) in the Andalusian olive landscape. Thus, from the perspective of knowledge-generating agents, the main knowledge emitting and receiving actors in the DT are identified by using Social Network Analysis techniques (SNA). Subsequently, the performance of the Technological Innovation System (TIS) in KT is evaluated by using the multi-criteria Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The results suggest that the knowledge-generating agents, the knowledge transfer actors, and the scientific and dissemination media actors are the main knowledge emitters and highlight their role as cohesive actors of the social network. The main knowledge receivers are olive growers, cooperatives and non-cooperative groups. The results also indicate that the global performance of the TIS in the KT function is medium/low. Furthermore, in the KT sub-functions where the TIS in DT performs best is the quality of the transfer processes of DT, and where it performs worst is the sufficiency of spaces for KT.
Despite the growing importance of the digital transformation (DT) of the agrifood sector on the political agenda, traditional policies are not enough to provide proactive responses to rapid ...technological changes and new approaches for policy planning are necessary especially at regional level. This manuscript proposes and illustrates the implementation of a new methodological framework for DT policy planning in the case of Andalusia, the olive world leader region, but applicable to other regions and sectors, with two objectives: 1) to quantitatively determine the importance of the conditioning factors of DT in the olive sector in the short/medium term, by developing an AHP/SWOT/PESTLE model, and 2) to design public policies to strengthen the DT, taking advantage of the potentialities and alleviating the deficiencies, by carrying out a quantitative TOWS analysis. The knowledge of diverse groups of experts, i.e. stakeholders in the sector, has been used in all analyses due to the lack of reliable data and the complex nature of the issues analysed. The results show that the opportunities and strengths are more prominent than weaknesses and threats for DT. Environmental issues stand out as an opportunity to boost DT. There is also a growing interest in developing an interoperability strategy which is an opportunity to overcome the low technological integration of the value chain. DT can also enable a more transparent value chain and improved traceability. Some negative factors are the lack of evidence on the economic viability of investment in digital technologies, shortage of labour and young farmers, and potential unintended and unanticipated effects of DT. Important policies strategies to foster DT are: improving environmental efficiency though DT; promoting youth employment in the sector; enhancing coordination among innovation actors; developing a common interoperability strategy; and fostering technological integration in the sector.
•An AHP/SWOT/PESTLE model is developed to analyse the conditioning factors of DT.•DT of the Andalusian olive sector in Andalusia has an optimistic outlook.•Opportunities and strengths outweighing weaknesses and threats.•Policy strategies for DT should focus on environmental efficiency and youth employment.•Greater coordination and technological integration of actors are also needed.
The abandonment of agricultural activity has multiple negative economic, environmental and social impacts in rural areas. As a consequence of different socioeconomic, political, environmental and ...technical drivers, this phenomenon shows an increasing trend in olive groves in disadvantaged and sloping areas. This paper analyses, for the case of sloping olive groves in Andalusia, the main olive-growing region in the world, the explanatory factors (abandonment factors) and alternatives to this abandonment, such as organic and conventional olive growing, as well as the explanatory factors of the adoption (adoption factors) of the best of these alternatives.The aim is to provide insights for the development of public policies to avoid or mitigate the negative effects of abandonment and to promote the adoption of the best alternative to abandonment. The results indicate that, as an alternative to abandonment, organic farming is a better option than conventional farming, from an economic, environmental and agronomic point of view. The surface area of olive grove fields is the main structural variable to be increased in order to reduce the risk of abandonment and to promote conversion to organic farming. This can be done through land consolidation, tax exemption measures for the purchase/sale of olive groves and the promotion of cooperatives. It is also important to promote the professionalisation of the sector, following the philosophy of the active/genuine farmer of the CAP, and to develop awareness programmes for olive grove managers focusing not only on the economic advantages of organic farming but also on the generation of public goods. Knowledge transfer is needed through traditional sources such as agricultural associations, and through more institutional and less used sources of information such as universities, public research bodies and technology centres, because of their public service vocation.
•Abandoning agriculture has negative economic, environmental and social impacts.•Andalusia is the main olive growing region in the world.•Organic farming is a better option than conventional farming for sloping olive groves.•Increasing the surface area of farms should be a priority policy.•Professionalisation and knowledge transfer to the sector are also necessary.
Assessing, designing and implementing more sustainable agri-food systems has become a high priority in scientific research and political agendas worldwide. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict is ...highlighting the fragility of globalised food distribution systems, and there is a need to focus on alternatives. This manuscript assesses the sustainability of two largely opposing marketing alternatives, namely Territorial Short Food Supply Chains (TSFSCs) and Large-Scale Food Distribution (LSFD). Specifically, the cases of Bogota (Colombia) and Cordoba (Spain) are analysed, where the development of TSFSCs has very significant in recent years but which are of a very different nature. For this purpose, a multi-criteria model based on the Analytic Network Process (ANP) methodology has been developed, considering multiple economic, social and environmental criteria. The model has been evaluated by four interest groups. The results show that the social sub-criterion – distribution of added value – is highly prioritised, and that the TSFSCs are the most sustainable alternatives globally in both cities. In Bogota, direct sales (farmers market) are prioritised, whilst in Cordoba, chain with a local retail (specialised shops). The contribution of TSFSCs to ecosystem services, equity, territorial cohesion and the revitalisation of the economy is highlighted. By interest groups, civil society, academia and public administration prioritise TSFSCs. However, the market players in Cordoba prioritise LSFD with national product. The results indicate that TSFSCs have the potential to contribute to the consolidation of sustainable and resilient food systems.
•Territorial Short Food Supply Chains (TSFSCs) are prioritized as the most sustainable forms of food chain.•TSFSCs stand out for their performance in environmental and social criteria.•TSFSCs contribute to ecosystem services, equity and territorial cohesion.•Large-Scale Food Distribution (LSFD) stands out in economic criteria.•Public policy support to TSFSCs can contribute to the consolidation of sustainable and resilient food systems.
•Incipient DT is analysed in the olive areas of Andalusia.•An analytical framework based on SDRT and SNA is proposed.•A territorial approach based on RSC is adopted.•Knowledge sharing builds digital ...capital and innovation.•DT has a high potential for the creation of RSC.
The future of rural areas, in different geographical contexts around the world, faces enormous challenges and uncertainties, with the emergence of complex territorial dynamics. One of the main disruptive factors underlying the current challenges in rural realities is digital transformation (DT). This study has two objectives: 1) to develop a theoretical framework for the analysis of DT in rural areas from a territorial perspective, through the proposal of the concept of ‘socio-digital rural territories’ (SDRT); and 2) to analyse the specific case of the olive areas of Andalusia where DT is starting in recent years. For this purpose, Social Network Analysis (SNA) techniques are used, both to build the theoretical framework and to evaluate the concepts developed at a practical level in the case study. The results obtained show that addressing DT in rural areas from a territorial approach should consider the technological innovation system (TIS) and relational social capital (RSC), embedded in the technological and social dimensions of a territory, as key elements to promote successful dynamics towards a SDRT. On the other hand, the analysis of the DT network in the olive-growing areas of Andalusia (the DT olive network) shows that the actors that stand out for their role as knowledge emitters include digital technologies companies, knowledge generation agents, knowledge transfer agents and the scientific and informative media. On the contrary, the main receiving knowledge actors are olive growers, cooperatives or cooperative groups, non-cooperative groups and agricultural organisations. The density of connections in the network is high considering the type of actors and connections analysed. The DT olive network has a high potential for the creation of RSC. Thus, there is bonding capital, in which a high number of connections between actors predominate, although with low homogeneity in the typology of actors. And there is bridging capital, in which organisations of different types participate, and as it is a decentralised network, it favours the lack of concentration of power. Finally, this article offers a novel explanation of how knowledge is exchanged and created in a social network, and how this exchange creates new intellectual capital. This capital, which in the case of DT is territorial digital capital, is translated into digital technologies. The results indicate that the DT olive network and its RSC lead to the potential formation of an SDRT in Andalusian olive areas.
Urban food policies (UFPs) have emerged as a key mechanism to drive the transition towards more sustainable food systems, with cities as the appropriate scale for their implementation. The aim of the ...paper is analysis of the boost that UFPs have given to one of the most widespread forms of Alternative Food Networks, these are Territorial Short Food Supply Chains (TSFSCs). For this, the territorial factors that strengthen TSFSCs in the cities of Bogotá (Colombia) and Córdoba (Spain), one being UFP, are prioritised using a multi-criteria model based on the Analytic Network Process. Based on this prioritisation, the way the UFPs interrelate with the other prioritised territorial factors in both cities is identified. Consequently, the influence of UFP implementation on social capital of TSFSCs is analysed through Social Network Analysis. The results indicate that there are four types of priority territorial sub-factors on which UFPs should have an impact in order to promote TSFSCs in the two cities. The first group is classified as means to achieve the other sub-factors. The other sub-factors are classified as ends. The main means are UFPs and partnership linkages. The territorial sub-factors included in the UFP are in the design and implementation phases of the policy cycle. Furthermore, UFPs foster bridging social capital, with actors connecting unconnected nodes. Finally, some of the reflections on the implications of UAPs indicate that the promotion of participatory governance mechanisms involving civil society is an important element to include in UFPs, given their influence on strengthening collective action and social capital in cities. This shows that a territorial approach in UFPs can have greater results in policy implementation. In this way the paper contributes, at the theoretical and empirical level, to recent debates on UFP approaches and the integration of key factors for food transformation in cities.
•There are territorial factors that are classified as priorities on which UFPs could have an impact to promote sustainability.•UFPs to promote local food, cooperation and partnership links have been prioritized as key territorial sub-factors.•The UFPs of Bogotá and Córdoba are in the design and implementation phases of the policy cycle.•UFPs with participatory and reflexive governance processes strengthen bridge-type social capital.•UFPs should have a normative section that legitimises its deliberative spaces and decision-making mechanisms.
Traditional approaches and debates in Agrifood Governance (AFG) have focused exclusively on the role of market forces and public policies. The emergence of alternative food movements, such as ...Territorial Short Food Supply Chains (TSFSCs), suggest the need to re-evaluate the role of civil society as a driver of governance mechanisms and a source of innovation and transformation of agrifood systems. This paper analyses the AFG processes that are configured in TSFSCs based on social discourses and coordination mechanisms of agents design. For this, the Q method and an exploratory/descriptive analysis are used, and the cities of Bogotá (Colombia) and Córdoba (Spain) are taken as case studies. Results show five different social discourses around AFG: 1) food activism, 2) development cooperation, 3) market niche, 4) local self-management, and 5) social and ecological awareness. It is also noted that TSFSCs configure a mode of reflexive food governance. Coordination mechanisms of the SFSCs are mainly settled in the social and market sphere, and they are in line with features of governance network. These two governance approaches (reflexive and networked) operate in tandem, with important complementary and synergistic effects that foster food democracy.
•Five social discourses describe food governance of TSFSCs in Bogotá and Córdoba.•Food governance mechanisms are trust-based and promote a culture of reciprocity.•The governance processes in TSFSCs satisfy the characteristics of reflexive governance and correspond to network governance.•TSFSC networks seek to rebalance power relations in Food Systems to promote food security and the well-being of stakeholders.•Participatory governance processes are a precondition for more sustainable food systems.
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