The project targets the Axis 1 of the European territorial cooperation INTERREG program Greece-Italy 2007-2013. The project was born with the aim of strengthen the presence of the local agri-food SMEs on the foreign markets, enhancing innovation processes through an economic and coordinated cooperation so to ease the internationalization processes of the two targeted areas. After a literature review, we analyzed the economic context of Apulia Region; then we proceed to the definition of a model for the internationalization of SMEs Agro-food of Puglia through the constitution of scientific and technological incubators that will network to deliver innovative services for the internationalization of the agri-food system. The final aim is to develop innovative services of marketing intelligence (MI) to spread knowledge and information about the international markets and the creation and implementation of databases for the search and classification of informative sources.

Air pollution is today a serious problem, caused mainly by human activity. Classical methods are not considered able to efficiently model complex phenomena as meteorology and air pollution because, usually, they make approximations or too rigid schematisations. Our purpose is a more flexible architecture (artificial neural network model) to implement a short-term CO2 emission forecasting tool applied to the cereal sector in Apulia region - in Southern Italy - to determine how the introduction of cultural methods with less environmental impact acts on a possible pollution reduction.

This paper explores an opportunity for technology transfer monitoring and control, based on the use of miniaturized, smart and innovative sensors able to follow the product and guarantee the quality during all stages of the agro-food sector. The information concerning to the state of the product is transferred in real time in a wireless way, according to the RFID technology. The aim is to improve the quality and the logistics of the chain and offer therefore, environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions to optimize production flows, by networking the existing Italian hubs. This opportunity also offers the chance to develop business ideas through which encourage settlement in the territory of new public and/or private subjects, able to offer goods and services with high technological content. Moreover, the paper aims to enhance the results of public research, through the diffusion and transfer of technologies to the productive system and the creation of high-tech enterprise.

Policies to promote and encourage local foods may take many different shapes depending on both the specific targets and strategies. Some policies, especially at a local level, promote supply-chain vertical and horizontal integration as a comprehensive strategy which aims to help firms pursue several of the promoting policies. A business model that focuses its attention on the consumer of the product and territory can be a crucial driver in generating a ‘land fecundation’ as a response to globalization. The aim of the paper is to investigate the link between rural development and territorialisation, exploring the role of Local Action Groups Integrated Projects of Food Chain and Rural Development Programmes from 2007-2013 in a region in Southern Italy. The article makes use of a value chain approach, starting with Porter’s value chain model and five forces model of competition; it proposes a methodological framework for the development of an organisational model that includes and builds networks between the several stakeholders and local programmes, creating a shared strategy to revitalising the area and the food choices of its residents. This revitalising process takes place through the implementation of a multi-purpose incubator establishing strong partnerships that are able to foster complementarities among all rural stakeholders. Conclusions and implications for policy makers are drawn: a model of territorial organisation could link territorial capital and local stakeholders, and therefore the programming carried out under the entire RDP.

Investments in bio-energies require deep and accurate analysis to evaluate their economical feasibility both by the investors’ perspective and by the policy makers’ perspectives. Public opinion and policy makers generally agree about the value of agro-energy as tools able to ameliorate the economic conditions of the agricultural entrepreneurs and multifunctional agriculture. If it is reasonable to believe that investments in green energy have the lowest environmental impact among the actual feasible alternative. The chance to attain locally organized supply chains are presumably higher where there is a higher concentration of human, natural and financial capitals. For an harmonic and successful organization of both the exploitation of such capitals and the management of the positive and negative externalities, social capital based on trust and reciprocated relationships is a relevant issue. After a literature review about social capital and energy supply chain (prg.1), we investigate the instruments for public direct financial incentive (prg.2) and the development of the public intervention plans in the agro-energy sector within specific LAS, namely throughout the Local Development Plans (LDP) by Local Action Groups (LAG). In the third paragraph we present the case study of the Apulia Region (prg.3) based upon a unique dataset specifically built that collects LDP data relative to social capital. We finally propose a new methodological approach that makes use of social network analysis investigating the net of relationships underneath the territorial organization of the LAGs and the local supply chains, assuming it has a determinant role in enhancing or, conversely, hindering the rising of social capital. Results seem to show that site specificities affect the sustainability of biofuels supply chains, and that effects seems to be reciprocally bounded, thus calling for the inclusion of such measures when planning new policies, and for analytical approaches encompassing historical perspectives. Finally, we draw the conclusions.

The importance of multifunctional farming activities is clearly demonstrated by the significant changes made to the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in its rural development policy. Multifunctionality has received a lot of attention over the last decade from scholars and policy-makers. A new rural paradigm stands out as the interrelationship between agriculture, landscape protection and social services (e.g. Social Agriculture, Teaching Farms, Social Farms, Horticultural therapy and so on). Models based on forms of solidarity or trust could be a crucial driver for fostering the competitiveness of rural areas. Evaluation tools are needed for analyzing the current system and for improving the social approach. The aim of this paper is to provide an analysis of the educational and social opportunities deriving from multifunctional agriculture. Furthermore, we define indicators focusing on the social/education dimension. The paper is structured as follows: after a review of literature and policies on the social/ health dimension of rural development, we investigate the role of didactic agriculture and the ‘helping relationship’ and so we define new Non-Commodity Outputs (NCOs). In addition, starting from the house of functions model by Fleskens (2009), we define a Multifunctional Agricultural House taking into account the educational and network dimension of an agricultural system; we then select indicators having an educational, social and helping dimension. Finally, conclusions are drawn.

The qualification of the concept of ‘development’ leads to the inclusion of social variables in the construction of indicators and indices. The World Conference on Human Rights (1993) and the World Summit on Social Development (1995) represented some of the steps that have led to the spread of the concept of Human Development (1990) measured by means the Human Development Index (HDI) taking into account not only income levels but also those of education and life expectancy. In addition, UNDP has developed the Gender Development Index (GDI-UN), the index of empowerment gender (IEG-UN) and the Human Poverty Index (HPI-1 and HPI-2) from which the present work starts for the construction of the 'index of human isolation’. In this framework, our main purpose is to verify the concept of well-being, based on relations and social capital too, taking into consideration the problems of a rural area (Wide Area of Daunian Mountains) and investigating the quality of life. The present paper is divided as follows: paragraph 2 describes the empirical analysis specifying the background and analyzing the selected area; paragraph 3 developing a Index of Human Isolation (IHI) and define the further steps of analysis that are a cluster analysis on the IHI and an econometric model. Then obtained results are presented. Finally, paragraph 4 draws the conclusions and proposes some policy indications

The work aims to analyze the characteristics of supply chain, focusing in particular on the short chain. Further we highlight what are the weaknesses and strengths of this form of business organization and industry. This analysis will proceed by explaining the new forms of management of the organization using the latest IT innovations focusing on the "cloud" and the role that they can play in improving processes and market information. It will also highlight how the use of these technologies can reduce the organizational gap as strategically illustrated in the first part and how they can help to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the supply chain processes that are already positive.

The aim of the paper is to focus on the issue of direct sale in the wine sector facing global challenges. This paper means to investigate the mains determinants by carrying out an qualitative analysis in a southern Italy region. A web based survey has been submitted to a sample of 275 wineries and 204 responses have been collected. The paper is structured as follows: after a literature review on the direct sale in the wine sector, methodology is presented and the case study is introduced. The exploratory survey is carried out on a group of firms called ‘azienda agricola’ according to the Italian law that is a general relatively small firm whose main trait is agricultural production. Finally conclusions are drawn

In this conceptual paper, we propose a methodological approach to integrate the living labs concept and experiences from the rural-urban partnerships to develop a strategy for Smart Rural-Urban Relations using living labs. We consider Apulia Region – in South Italy - our study example as an innovation gap between separates urban areas and the surrounding rural areas can be highlighted; so the paper states that the living labs concept allows strengthening and organizing rural-urban partnerships through the involvement of local actors and the use of ICT solutions. Results show fostering cooperation among different actors -thus including rural actors and the LAGs-, involving the creative industries, and developing a strategy based on the energy, transport and ICT sectors is the key components for a successful strategy for Smart Rural-Urban Relations using the living labs concept.

Research on innovation is continuously improving and the academic debate on innovation is hugely wide and alive. Following the work of some eminent scholars (see among others Hauser et al., 2006), we will focus on the issue of marketing innovation conceived as an incremental innovation in marketing that upgrade the benefits (substantial price or functional) to users. This paper means to perform and analyze the determinants of marketing innovative behaviours in wine SMEs by performing an explorative study of the Apulia region, in southern Italy. The paper wants to answer the following research questions: which drivers promote marketing innovative behaviours among SMEs? A mixed approach has been adopted in research designing (Yin, 1998) and particular attention has been paid to research strategy triangulation and multiple data source selection when building the case. A web based survey has been submitted to a sample of 100 wineries and 63 responses have been collected. Data once collected have been analysed and integrated with secondary data previously collected. The paper is structured as follows: in the first part a literature review on marketing innovation and innovation in general and in the wine industry is provided; secondly methodology and hypothesis are presented. Then the case study is introduced. After the data analysis section implications and conclusions are drawn.

The wine business is characterized by it strong complexity (Orth & Lockshin, 2007) and by innovative dynamics that are affecting wineries’ strategies (Choelette et al, 2008). Marketing innovation can be considered as a tool for maintaining competitive advantage and achieve growth (Chen, 2006) as well as a way to overcome market crisis (Naidoo, 2010). The aim of the paper is to investigate the relationship between marketing innovation and orientation to sustainability in the wine supply chain: a sample of 280 wineries in Apulia region (in southern Italy) was analyzed by means of an on line survey. 204 were the respondents. A correlation analysis - Pearson's Correlation matrix - was performed in order to highlight significant relationships between the selected variables.

Cross border and transnational cooperation represent source of knowledge and inputs for local development. Especially for less developed areas, these programs integrate the local and national public funding that, year by year, become lower. Meanwhile, the EU is setting new strategies that will probably take part in cooperation programs which are more difficult for organizations unable to build cooperative relationships strongly based on effective know-how, a larger territorial base (locally), well documented and motivated programs and projects. Future cooperators will need solid backgrounds, a fair amount of trained human capital, a strategic perspective and a good capacity to transfer the local operators’ and SMEs’ needs in transnational projects and vice-versa. Assets like updated information, experience, linkages with the social and economical tissues will be crucial in determining successful projects and follow-ups for both private and public agencies. Investments/stocks in both human capital and relational capital will increase their relevance compared to other forms of capital (financial and physical). We use statistics to make inference and to test this main hypothesis and several descending others, investigating the abilities of Local Action Groups, in applying to cross-border and transnational cooperation programs, and in building project proposals. Our paper represent a proposal, a working in progress aiming at studying and verifying the existence of a correlation between SC, network and transnational cooperation programs. The selected territory is a region of a Southern Italy - the Apulia region - the Italian 'heel', whose 25 LAGs cover the whole region and include all Apulia provinces. Our work ends up with a set of insights about the behavior of these organizations useful to deepen the knowledge about the real role they can play in fostering and exploiting the corresponding territories. The structure is as follows: paragraph 2 provides an overview of the literature concerning the link between social capital, networks and rural development. The third one is about the LEADER approach and the LAGs essence and its importance for rural development by also promoting cross border and transnational cooperation. Then we show and illustrate the database built and used for this purpose (paragraph 4). In paragraph 5, we analyze the LAG social capital and we structure a proposal for a survey. Finally we draw conclusions.

The anti-yeast effects of several compounds at different concentrations were screened in vitro against main table grape spoilage yeasts. The compounds showing the most significant anti-yeast activity were applied by dipping to table grape, to evaluate the sensory perception. In a subsequent final step, dipping treatments with potassium sorbate, eugenol, citrus extract and ethanol, were applied to ready-to-eat seedless table grape, packaged in air or under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The in vitro test highlights good effects of cinnamon bark oil and citrus extract, even at the lowest concentrations used in this work. From a sensory point of view, the preliminary panel test selected potassium sorbate, citrus extract, eugenol and ethanol as most suitable substances. The in vivo application of active compounds showed that dipping in eugenol solution and ethanol (20 and 50 %) in combination with MAP increased shelf life of fruit if compared to the control sample (24.08, 28.47, 35.79 and 14.26 days, respectively).

Parallel to an expanding volume of research on innovation, the academic debate on the subject is becoming everlasting. This research focuses on marketing innovation, conceptualising it as an incremental innovation in marketing that enhances the functional value to users. The paper analyses the determinants of innovative marketing behaviours in wine SMEs by performing an explorative study of a Southern Italy region; and by examining also the drivers that promote it. A methodologically mixed approach has been adopted in the researchs design and particular attention has been paid to triangulation and multiple data source selection towards building the case. A web based survey was conducted on a sample of 100 wineries (63 responses). The results showed that marketing innovation can be a critical driver in the successful handling of the constantly appearing new challenges in the wine business; and a useful tool in supporting wineries effort to adapt to the evolving consumer needs.

Obiettivi. Lo scopo del paper è verificare se esiste una relazione fra strumenti ICT (sito web, social network, blog), azioni di web marketing (ottimizzazione sui motori di ricerca, marketing virale, tribale, etc.) e performances di aziende agroalimentari produttrici di olio extravergine d’oliva biologico. Metodologia. L’indagine esplorativa è condotta tramite una research triangulation che combina dati primari e secondari. I dati secondari sono stati raccolti mediante somministrazione web based di un questionario ad un campione di produttori di olio extravergine d’oliva biologico, estratto dalla popolazione di aziende partecipanti al Premio Internazionale Biol ed elaborati tramite una bynary logistic regression. Risultati. Ci si attende di riscontrare una correlazione positiva fra uso di strumenti ICT, azioni di web marketing e performances aziendali. Limiti della ricerca. L’indagine esplorativa, di carattere essenzialmente segnaletico, è effettuata su un campione di imprese la cui dimensione e le cui caratteristiche specifiche non consentono delle generalizzazioni teoriche, ma permettono esclusivamente delle considerazioni segnaletiche degli attuali orientamenti gestionali attuati da imprese operanti in un settore tradizionale. Implicazioni di management. Possibile individuazione di comportamenti gestionali innovativi che consentano alle PMI agroalimentari di sfruttare in pieno le potenzialità delle tecnologie digitali. Originalità del lavoro. L’indagine è condotta su un campione internazionale d’imprese, operanti nel comparto green oriented del settore olivicolo.

In the context of the EU, rural development aims at safeguarding the economy of the countryside by supporting programmes to modernize and support activities in rural areas for improving income situation. The Local Action Groups process the Measures of Local Development Programmes managing financial funds for modernization of firms. Focusing on Measure 311 Axis III, it aims at diversification into multifunctional non-agricultural activities in order to provide alternative income sources. The aim is to shed some light on the successful positive influence for farms diversifying with tourism, educational and health activities by means of implementation of the Firms Modernization Plans through LAGs. We take in account such case study the Apulia Region. We collected data related to 411 farms which have applied for aid in Apulia Authority until November 2013. An integrated statistical approach was performed; in particular we used a non-parametric test for paired data in order to verify the effective influence of FMPs.

The present research explores the socio-economic problems arising in a typical peripheral rural area - the Wide Area of Daunian Mountains (WADM)- in Southern Italy in order to analyse the concept of ‘well being’ through the analysis of the ‘quality of life’. For these purposes, we will develop an ‘Index of Human Isolation’ (UNDP, 1997), in order to take into account the multiple dimensions of isolation, that is a constant characteristic of rural areas, particularly the inter-generational, socio-structural, and geographical ones. This index will be employed to analyse the relationship between a set of variables representing the main economic, structural and social aspects of the area and the dynamics of the Value Added. The expected results are twofold; (a) the creation of VA should be decreasing at high levels of IHI; (b) the implementation of social-assistance network may actively contribute to the reduction of isolation. JEL Classification: D63, D64, D60, Q10

Wine has a rich history dating back thousands of years. It has been object of several studies and experiments performed by researchers and simple passionate people. Different varieties of grapes, strains of yeasts, and technologies produce different types of wine. The well-known variations result from the very complex interactions between the biochemical development of the fruit, reactions involved in fermentation, and human intervention in the overall process. The final product may contain tens of thousands of chemical compounds in amounts varying from a few percent to a few parts per billion. Numerous inventions have been proposed, concerning specific yeast strains, clones of grape able to improve wine sensory properties, plants and methods capable to make easier and cheaper its production and technical solutions for enhancing its packaging and preservation. This review presents a summary of the main European, United States and international patents available on wine production and preservation.

The bio-energy sector has been rapidly increasing its relevance in the latest years. The CAP encourages the supply of bio-energy from agriculture and forestry and the use of bio-energy on farms and in rural areas. In order to enable farmers to respond even better to changing market requirements, the latest revision of the CAP, “Health Check”, has abolished the energy crop premium and the set-aside scheme. The rural development policy provides a variety of measures supporting bio-energy production and consumption. The "Health Check" has strengthened the support to rural development and in particular to those measures that are aimed at development of renewable energy. In this context, the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) can become a crucial driver to build bridges between research, technology and stakeholders (farms, businesses and advisory services) in favor of the biomass sector. The purpose of this paper is to give an enlighten on strategies, policies and opportunities for bio­energy sector arising from the implementation of a coming EIP – operationally through the EIP Operational Groups (OP).

The new high-density cropping systems (>1200 trees ha−1) represent a very interesting proposal for olive orchard profitability. It is crucial to know the morphology and the dynamics of sprout elongation of a cultivar in order to fully assess its suitability for a high-density olive orchard. For this reason we planned a research on two cultivars, Coratina and Arbequina, in a high-density orchard. The apical sprouts elon- gation of Arbequina early stopped at fruit set without a further step, while Coratina showed a little growth flux after pit hardening. Similar trends showed the lateral proleptic sprouts. Only the sylleptic sprouts of both cultivars had a second period of activity. In all cases, the sprouts elongation finished at the end of sum- mer, when oil accumulation started. Coratina showed higher apical shoot growth and inter- nodes mean length than Arbequina. On the con- trary, Coratina showed lower lateral proleptic shoot growth and nodes number than Arbequina, but the same internodes mean length. No sig- nificant differences were observed between cul- tivars for growth, nodes number and internodes mean length of sylleptic shoots. The differences observed between the two cultivars could be explained considering their different vigour. The introduction of this innovative cropping system is allowed to register a considerable reduction of production costs. The result is a considerable increase in the economic performance of the olive grove and a consequent reduction in the unit cost for kg of oil. These data are very useful for varietal choice and field management in high-density orchards and then for new olive breeding programs.

Investments in bio-energies require deep and accurate analysis to evaluate their economical feasibility both by the investors’ and the policy makers’ perspectives. The chance to attain locally organized supply chains is presumably higher where there is a higher concentration of human, natural and financial capitals. After a literature review about social capital and energy supply chain (prg.1), we investigate the instruments for public direct financial incentive (prg.2) and the development of the public intervention plans in the agro-energy sector within the Local Development Plans (LDP) by Local Action Groups (LAG). Then, we present the case study of the Apulia Region (prg.3) based upon a unique dataset specifically built that collects LDP data relative to social capital. We finally propose a new methodological approach that makes use of social network analysis investigating the net of relationships underneath the territorial organization of the LAGs and the local supply chains. Results seem to show that site specificities affect the sustainability of biofuels supply chains, and that effects seems to be reciprocally bounded, thus calling for the inclusion of such measures when planning new policies, and for analytical approaches encompassing historical perspectives. Finally, we draw the conclusions.

The I.S.C.I. project “Innovative Services to Strengthen Cooperation and Internationalization between SMEs in the field of Agro-food industry (Greece-Italy)” targets the Axis 1 of the European territorial cooperation INTERREG program Greece-Italy 2007-2013: “Strengthening competitiveness and innovation”. The project was born with the aim of strengthen the presence of the local agro-food SMEs (in Apulia Region, Italy, and in Corfù, Greece) on the foreign markets, enhancing innovation processes and coordinated cooperation in order to ease the internationalization processes of the agro food industry. The ISCI project objective and purpose is the definition of a model aiming at the constitution of technological incubators that will network to deliver innovative services for the internationalization of the agro-food SMEs system. The paper, in progress within the ISCI project, aims to determine different patterns of internationalization that characterize the local field of agro-food industry, in particular those that seem to be predominant within the most strategic sectors of the local Agro-food Industry.

Sustainable development is characterized by interconnected social, economic, and ecological aspects and it is at the core value of the worldwide economy. A participatory and accountable framework is a prerequisite for inclusive and sustainable development; so power is redistributed, reducing uncertainty, inequality and promoting shared prosperity. Despite its crucial importance and relevance, barriers remain in making progress towards its implementation, in particular for the agricultural sector. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of agriculture for sustainable and inclusive development, highlighting environmental, economic and social dimensions. Then, we aim at providing policy-makers more accessible results on trade-offs of alternative measures for greening the agri-food system. The research is based on method of analysis based on an extensive review of research evidence related in particular to Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA). Focusing on CSA role, a set of priority actions for greening systems are drawn up. Results of analysis provide an insight on a new System Dynamics model able to represent the complex causal relations and non-linear feedback loops among key dimensions and actors of sustainable development. Furthermore investments/ measures coordination in agriculture and higher farmers’ knowledge are crucial driver in reaching this ambition.

This work aims at analyzing the characteristics of supply chain, focusing in particulare on the short chain. Further, it highlights the weaknesses and strengths of this form of business organization and industry. This analysis will proceed by explaining the new forms of management of the organization by means of the latest IT innovations focusing in the “cloud” and the role that they can play in improving processes and market information. It will also highlight how the use of these technologies can reduce the organizational gap as strategically ilustrayed in the first part and how they can help in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the supply chain processes that are already positive.

This study analyze some specific aspects of the implementation of the Rural Development Program between the Apulia Region (in Southern Italy) and Lithuania for the period 2007–2013 and highlight the limitations characterizing the possibility of building an analysis framework aimed at understanding how it actually affects the regional and country agricultural system. More specifically, by referring to a specific measure of the rural development program (Measure 121 of Axes I), the aim is to analyze whether there are difference of investment activity implemented. To this purpose, we have worked at collection all the information available at the Managing Authority of Apulia Region and Lithuanian Institute of Agrarian Economics. The observation of the gathered data, in fact, makes us observe the existence some difference between two country, in particular in Lithuania there is preference for a larger number of small projects that provides more homogeneous development of rural areas and promotes entrepreneurship, in Italy (Apulia Region) mostly large projects were financed. The aim to this study is to make an early attempt to conceptualize a framework through the analysis of the Rural Development Program 2007–2013 between Italy (Apulia Region) and Lithuania, the measure 121 it is implemented. The results of this study evidence a large number of small projects in Lithuania aimed at provide a more homogeneous development of rural area.

The purpose of this proposal is to explore a new concept of 'Metadistrict' to be applied in a region of Southern Italy, the Apulia region. After a literature review about network structure importance, we analysis the case of Apulia Region highlighting the overlapping of the development programming of two agro-industrial Districts, of 64 IPFs and of the 25 LAGs. We attempted to overcame this overlapping through a simplified Matrix Organization Model of Metadistrict by taking into account the Districts, IPFs, and the LAGs Programs frameworks summation. So the Metadistrict may represent a key role of the rural economy and, in special way, a driving force for the internationalization through the networking of District Activities, IPFs Products/firms and LAGs Territories/Countries. Finally the results should lead on a long term to revitalize the primary sector increasing economic and productive opportunities due to the implementation of a shared strategy.

The purpose of this proposal is to explore a new concept of 'Metadistrict' to be applied in a region of Southern Italy – Apulia - in order to analyze the impact that the activation of a special network between different sector chains and several integrated projects may have for revitalizing the local economy; an important role is assigned to the network of relationships and so to the social capital. The Metadistrict model stems from the Local Action Groups and the Integrated Projects of Food Chain frameworks. It may represent a crucial driver of the rural economy through the realization of sector circuits connected to the concept of multi-functionality in agriculture, that is Network of the Territorial Multi-functionality. It was formalized by making use of a set of theories and of a Matrix Organization Model. The adoption of the Metadistrict perspective as the territorial strategy may play a key role to revitalize the primary sector, through the increase of economic and productive opportunities due to the implementation of a common and shared strategy and organization

Several paths are drawn in order to promote the rural territorial development: some may foster community-supported agriculture, others focus on food processors and retailers’ influences. The purpose of this paper is to underline the link between Agricultural Development Services and the territorial development. Our paper starts from the analysis of existing Local Action Groups, Integrated Projects of Food Chain and Rural Development Programs in a region in Southern Italy. The article propose an organizational framework that contains several stakeholders by local programs for a shared strategy in order to improve the territorial development. Finally the paper define a incubator model. Conclusions are drawn.

The role of education, knowledge and human resources in the agribusiness becomes of primary importance for the development of agricultural sector and, more generally, of the territory. These changes require policy-makers to identify possible strategies in order to face the ongoing agricultural crisis which can be considered both structural and economic. The main objective of the present paper is to verify the role of investment in human resources and, consequently, in services for the agricultural development for the dynamics of rural development, trade and international cooperation of agribusiness. After a literature review about the investment in education and knowledge within the policies for agricultural development, the paper firstly analyses the characteristics of the Italian Region of Basilicata, selected for our empirical application, and secondly develops an econometric model to explain the relationship between the rural GDP and a set of economic variables and of network-education-social (NES) dummy variable. These NES is representative of social, educational and, network factors, describing the degree of openness of the region firm (such as schooling of entrepreneurs, training, association to districts, cluster or network, collaboration with experts and specialists in the field, professional associations, etc.). As expected, the results show that farmers may act as engines for economic development when they are trained on the basis of the needs and requirements related to innovation and research, and they are assisted through new models of organization of agricultural services. Our findings can be useful for designing possible strategies of development to support the local governance in identifying a new type of farmer and agricultural model.

Innovation is one of the key strategies proposed in the literature and economic policies as a crucial driver of the agro-food sector. Innovation, especially in the agricultural sector, is not manifested only as an adoption of new technologies, but also requires a balance between new practices, techniques and alternative ways to organize and manage markets, labour, land tenure and distribution of benefits. In this context, the Economic Conventions (EC) have found fertile ground for coordination in the agro-food sector. Starting from a recent work by Malafaia et al. (2010) on the EC and the mechanisms of coordination, the paper analyzes the Integrated Projects of Food Chain (IPFs) approved by the Apulia region. The data collection was carried out through interviews and meetings with various actors in the supply chain and via Territory Listening Plane analysis, in order to identify the types of formalized or non formalized coordination, practiced by the agents. Further challenges are the definition and the identification of the forms of coordination set up by agents of the supply chains of IPFs via the implementation of the economic/computer/management model, which leads to the development of new business processes and to the validation of a prototype model of knowledge transfer and check-ups. In the end of the paper, conclusions are drawn.

The food industry is evolving more towards new forms of organization much more complex and characterized by a greater degree of coordination, whether in the form of vertical integration of explicit or implicit contracts between players of different levels of the industry. Therefore, the aim of this work is the search for mechanisms that can provide value to the production phase to better increase competitiveness of the sector. For the first time, in fact, discussion about food chains have as reference a recognized legal entity, which is the integrated projects of food chain as a result of actions of agricultural policy at community, national and regional levels. The methodology is related to two steps: the administration of questionnaires to the three companies participating in food chain partnerships that have proposed a draft of integrated design of food chain in response to the notice of the Apulia region for the submission of the integrated projects of the food chain; and a cluster analysis in the wine sector of the Italian regions. The results showed, thanks to Network Analysis, the importance for the chain development of relationships formed by market relations and cooperation relations (formal and informal) and the need for more actions for the enhancement of products by research and development activities.

In this article, we present a rationale for investigating the role and contributions of universities to growth and sustainable development within the framework of the Europe 2020 Strategy (EU2020). To this extent, the literature suggests that the contemporary universities’ mission in the knowledge society relies on their capacity to promote knowledge exchange. This allows expansion of the degree of intervention of universities in society and broadening of the institutional and policy frameworks within which they operate, opening to a wider range of possible contributions of social science and humanities to the EU2020 objectives, which are not limited to education and research policies. We present the Short supply chain Knowledge and Innovation Network (SKIN) project (H2020-2016)1 as an example of a systemic approach to university–business–society dialogue, based on the role of universities as “knowledge hubs” (Yusuf, 2008) and aimed at promoting knowledge exchange and multi-actor cooperation. One of the main challenges of the project relies on the capacities of the involved actors to cooperate and, thus, on the mechanisms activated in order to ensure such collaboration. To this extent, the role of humanities and social sciences, in particular multidisciplinary and participatory research, is crucial for the success of the process of knowledge circulation within and for society.

Purpose This research explores the potentialities of cross border projects to develop and promote wine culture, and consequently tourism and hospitality; paying particular attention to the process and actions supporting the development and refinement of cultural attributes, traditional values and regional identity. Design/methodology/approach Methodologically, it is a deductive reasoning exploratory research, based on the findings of an extensive undergoing project across ten countries, spanning from Italy to Eastern Europe, and theoretically founded on an extensive literature review. Findings The findings identify the spectrum and nature of opportunities and constraints of cross border collaborations in developing the wine industry and reaping of its wider economic and cultural benefits. Further to the scholarly value of the findings, the paper identifies and presents the descriptive managerial/industrial implications, along with prescriptively explicit directions towards practical implementation. Research limitations The research is exploratory and therefore, by nature, in need of further empirical validation. Practical implications The research constructs a viable framework for an integrative approach involving the improved definition of regional cultural image and identity, proper strategic industry-region and cross-border collaborations, and socio-economic development. Originality/value The research’s value lies in its multi-perspective outlook which keeps the wine business at its focus, but investigates its development outside the strict confines of its own industry to present potentialities through strategic collaborations with the tourist industry and other regions/countries in integrative synergistic approach and with strong cultural elements.