The Role of Markets and Value Chains in Shaping Sustainable Agrifood Systems
Résumé
This special issue presents an original set of papers focusing on diverse agrifood markets (organic products, bioinputs, digital innovations, seedling innovation, innovation applications based on carob) and support activities (mission-oriented intermediary) at different steps of value chains for agroecological transitions. The papers use a variety of approaches (critical and strategic analysis, event history analysis, and qualitative research) and a diversity of theoretical foundations (evolutionary economics, transition studies, technological innovation system, agronomy, economic sociology, institutional approaches) to investigate market shaping processes. They highlight the role of organizations, institutions, and actor networks, or their absence, in the lengthy construction of markets that influence the sustainability of agrifood value chains and systems. This special issue covers diverse geographical areas (Europe, Africa, South America, and India), characterized by specific socio-economic and socio-political contexts, that provide hindering or facilitating conditions to build local and/or national sustainable markets.