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The EU agri-food sector, which is mainly composed of small and medium-sized enterprises has become more demanding in terms of technological inputs to reduce costs, improve the added value of food products, achieve sustainability issues, or address new market opportunities. The introduction of new technologies poses challenges for SMEs that lack the resources and time to cope with the technological transformation, which involves not only the assimilation of new technology in organizational processes but also business model innovation. In this context, this research aims to empirically explore the paths of agri-food SMEs engaged in the technological transformation process, based on the drivers and barriers, as well as the strategies used by these companies to overcome these barriers. In-depth semi-structured interviews with 14 EU agri-food SMEs were conducted and analysed using a combination of deductive pattern-matching and inductive approach. Based on similarities in terms of drivers, barriers, and strategies, seven main groups were identified to draw the paths of the technological transformation process for agri-food SMEs. Findings reveal that there is one common strategy that is adopted by all 14 companies, namely the employment of different types of partnerships and collaborations that allow companies to successfully enter new markets. The study contributes to the literature on technology transformation related to the agri-food sector, by proving insights into how EU agri-food SMEs cope with this process.

In the last decades, the offer of animal products is more and more increasing especially in developing countries due to growing food demand and needs. The activities of the livestock sector impact on climate change with several emissions in particular, Methane (44%), Carbon dioxide (27%) and Nitrous oxide (29%). Cattle emits the highest, about 65% of the livestock production emissions; indeed feed processing and production and enteric fermentation from ruminants are the two major sources of emissions, contributing to 45% and 39% of total emissions respectively. On product-basis, milk from cows and beef are in charge to emit the most emissions. Cattle-farming for dairy and beef production is one of the main most important agricultural activities in Italy. The link between cattle emissions and economic performance is the issue that here has been addressed at the light of the societal challenge increasingly based upon bio-based economies. There are few studies regarding the GHG emissions associated with the cattle production and economic performances. Therefore, the objective of this study is to classify the cattle farm emissions respect to the economic performance variables of Italian cattle farming sector and to classify segment of firms in clusters: for these aims a CHAID decision-tree algorithm and a two-stage method of clustering was carried out. Decisional trees and cluster analysis highlight the significative links between farm emission and profitable variables. Results show the GHG emissions increase with the increase of the production amount, only if the firm handling is not efficient: indeed virtuous cattle farms present a regimented and planned resources management allowing low GHG emissions. This analysis can shed some light on the efforts for reducing GHG emissions deriving from cattle farming, and so following bio-economy pathways to actually equitable, sustainable, post fossil carbon societies.

The way in which food reaches consumers is a high profile component of the food chain’s Greenhouse Gas (GHGs) emissions, but is changing rapidly as technology facilitates online and new targeted logistic solutions which deliver directly to the consumer’s home, workplace or other convenient locations. The challenge is how can new, more fragmented supply chains be developed without increasing GHGs emissions. More broadly speaking, digitalisation is transforming how all food logistics functions. This allows consumers to connect more directly with both farmers and food producers, in Short Food Chains (SFCs), which help the former to understand more about the source of their food and how it was produced. This paper aims to analyse the current SFCs’ challenges, with particular attention paid to fresh products, taking into account the evolution of consumers and market trends as well as the transformation of logistics. The analysis is based on evidence and examples from across Europe. New direct delivery food logistics models could help consumers access supplies of fresh products more easily, improve consumer health and reduce the high waste levels and carbon emissions, which represent key challenges for many European fresh product supply chains. Food suppliers would also benefit by securing more of the final consumer value of the food they produce.

Over the last decades, food waste has generated an immense amounts across the food life cycle, determining serious environmental, social and economic issues. Reducing the amount of food waste is a key element in developing a sustainable food system.The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between food waste and belief, attitudes and behaviours at the household level so exploring its possible drivers among Italian consumers: how people could reduce or avoid the amount of food waste is the main step for addressing the consumer behaviour and for planning shopping routines. In effect avoidable food waste represents the majority of food waste generated at the household level. The disposal of food is the final step in the food provisioning process (Munro, 1995) entailing a series of food-related behaviours from purchasing food to preparing and eating it (Jensen et al., 2012). The Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen,1991) helps to understanding how the people actions can be modified linking beliefs and behaviour; this theory is our starting point to predict household decisions in order to avoid, to minimize or to recycle waste (Biswa et al., 2000; Knussen et al., 2004) as well as to improve food-related behaviours (Conner & Armitage, 2002). To this end, an on-line survey was carried out via social networks and e-mail. A focus group and a pilot test with 12 Italian consumers were conducted to support the questionnaire design. 256 were respondents. Results are in line with the studies on this research topics. The current study focuses on Italian consumers, but the basic concepts in our framework should be replicable and so applicable to any society. The policy implications are related to the crucial importance that new models to address behaviour consumer have to be identified in order to change eating habits and attitudes., This is a working draft. Please do not cite without permission of the author.