Due to globalization and internationalization of agri-food production, the arena of competition and competitive advantage is moving from individual firms operating on spot markets towards supply chains and networks. Therefore, coordination between firms within the chain becomes more important. Topics like costs, efficiency, risk and investment analysis have received little empirical attention within chain and network research. Nonetheless, these performance measures are of vital importance for continuity of individual companies, chains and networks.

This book aims at offering a coherent view on this matter by discussing the possibilities and limitations of quantifying performance, risks and investments in the agri-food chain. A wide variety of approaches from different economic disciplines was used to analyse the complex systems of agri-food supply chains and develop appropriate models for management decision support. Research gaps and discussion points are identified by an international forum of researchers in order to enhance progress in this field.

Coherent view on agri-food supply chain Management decision support for complex agri-food systems Approaches of quantifying performance, risks and investment in agri-food systems

Inhalt
Supply chain organization and chain performance.- Measuring performance in agri-food chains.- Performance measurement in agri-food supply-chain networks.- Accounting standards for supply chains.- Pricing and performance in agri-food supply chains.- Performance indicators in agri-food production chains.- Sharing costs, benefits, and risk in agri-food chains.- Retailers' supply chain, product differentiation and quality standards.- Liability and traceability in agri-food supply chains.- On the (dis)ability of the firm to quantify chains.- Modelling agri-food chains.- Profitability of 'ready-to-eat' strategies.- The value of information in agri-food chains.- Information management in agri-food chains.- The insurability of product recall in food supply chains.- Strategic alliances and networks in supply chains: knowledge management, learning and performance measurement.- Supply chain organization and chain performance.- Quantifying strategic choice along the vertical coordination continuum.- From corporate social responsibility to chain social responsibility.- Governance structures in the Dutch fresh-produce industry.- Effective partnerships for agri-food chains: the impact of supply-chain partnerships on supplier performance in the UK fresh-produce industry.