Agrotechnology

Influential non-economic values in the case of the dissemination of European alternative food networks: A case study on Sweden and Austrian local food networks

4^th International Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture

July 13-15, 2015 Beijing, China

Vivianne Aggestam and Paul Mayer

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

Including non-economic values in business strategies providing an economic boost is a model sought by many alternative food networks. For most actors including non-economic values in a business strategy iscommonly sacrificed for increased organisational growth or economic stability. As local food businesses and networks activitiesincrease in the European Union, the potential to grow without loosing certain non-economic values (environmental or social attributes) is one of the most difficult factors. Both Sweden and Austria are European examples of growing activities in local food activities. This paper aims to compare strategies between local food hubs or networks through a value benefit analysis approach. This approach makes it possible to consider non-economic values within a business concept and interpret its success accordingly. The results indicate strong environmental and social values from both Swedish and Austrian alternative food strategies. Sacrificing one or several of those values due to dissemination has made by almost all business strategies in both countries. The results show that certain non-economic values are more successful than others.