Horizontal and Vertical Networks for Innovation in the Traditional Food Sector
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><p al...
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doaj-77a74314372846c096b26803a0db1f512020-11-25T00:28:08ZengCentMaInternational Journal on Food System Dynamics1869-69452010-05-011212313214Horizontal and Vertical Networks for Innovation in the Traditional Food SectorXavier Gellynck0Bianka Kühne1Ghent University, GhentGhent University, Ghent<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><p align="left">The locus of innovation is not the individual firm anymore but increasingly the network in which the firm is embedded. Hence, in this paper innovation is investigated in the broader context of networks and applied to the traditional food sector. Networking refers to a process of identifying and acting on complementary interests with or without formal means of cooperation and plays an important role for the diffusion and adoption of innovations, because they increase the flow of information. Two main types of networks exist. Vertical networks relate to cooperation of partners belonging to the same chain. Meanwhile, horizontal networks refer to coopereation among firms which are primarily competitors. Data were collected during focus groups and in-depths interviews in three European contries: Belgium, Hungary, and Italy.</p></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">In each country, data are collected from retailers/wholesalers, food manufacturers and suppliers in the beer, hard and half hard cheese, ham, sausage, or white paprika chain. In the investigated countries both vertical and horizontal networks exist. However, the intensity of using the network differs. On the one hand vertical networks are well developed based on quality assurance schemes and traceability, though these networks often face difficulties due to high lack of trust. On the other hand, horizontal networks are well developed when a producer consortium is involved. However, these networks can be inhibited through strong competition. The partners in traditional food networks focus mainly on innovation related to product characteristics such as new size, form and packaging without changing the traditional character of the product. The main barriers for innovation in the traditional food networks are the lack of understanding the benefits of networking activities for innovation, the lack of trust, the lack of knowledge of appropriate methods and skills, and the lack of financial and physical resources. Our study points out that successful SMEs use their networks to overcome lacks of knowledge and information and to create possibilities of joint use of resources. </span></span>http://centmapress.ilb.uni-bonn.de/ojs/index.php/fsd/article/view/20horizontal and vertical networkstraditional food productsinnovationfocus groupsin‐depth interviews |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Xavier Gellynck Bianka Kühne |
spellingShingle |
Xavier Gellynck Bianka Kühne Horizontal and Vertical Networks for Innovation in the Traditional Food Sector International Journal on Food System Dynamics horizontal and vertical networks traditional food products innovation focus groups in‐depth interviews |
author_facet |
Xavier Gellynck Bianka Kühne |
author_sort |
Xavier Gellynck |
title |
Horizontal and Vertical Networks for Innovation in the Traditional Food Sector |
title_short |
Horizontal and Vertical Networks for Innovation in the Traditional Food Sector |
title_full |
Horizontal and Vertical Networks for Innovation in the Traditional Food Sector |
title_fullStr |
Horizontal and Vertical Networks for Innovation in the Traditional Food Sector |
title_full_unstemmed |
Horizontal and Vertical Networks for Innovation in the Traditional Food Sector |
title_sort |
horizontal and vertical networks for innovation in the traditional food sector |
publisher |
CentMa |
series |
International Journal on Food System Dynamics |
issn |
1869-6945 |
publishDate |
2010-05-01 |
description |
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><p align="left">The locus of innovation is not the individual firm anymore but increasingly the network in which the firm is embedded. Hence, in this paper innovation is investigated in the broader context of networks and applied to the traditional food sector. Networking refers to a process of identifying and acting on complementary interests with or without formal means of cooperation and plays an important role for the diffusion and adoption of innovations, because they increase the flow of information. Two main types of networks exist. Vertical networks relate to cooperation of partners belonging to the same chain. Meanwhile, horizontal networks refer to coopereation among firms which are primarily competitors. Data were collected during focus groups and in-depths interviews in three European contries: Belgium, Hungary, and Italy.</p></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">In each country, data are collected from retailers/wholesalers, food manufacturers and suppliers in the beer, hard and half hard cheese, ham, sausage, or white paprika chain. In the investigated countries both vertical and horizontal networks exist. However, the intensity of using the network differs. On the one hand vertical networks are well developed based on quality assurance schemes and traceability, though these networks often face difficulties due to high lack of trust. On the other hand, horizontal networks are well developed when a producer consortium is involved. However, these networks can be inhibited through strong competition. The partners in traditional food networks focus mainly on innovation related to product characteristics such as new size, form and packaging without changing the traditional character of the product. The main barriers for innovation in the traditional food networks are the lack of understanding the benefits of networking activities for innovation, the lack of trust, the lack of knowledge of appropriate methods and skills, and the lack of financial and physical resources. Our study points out that successful SMEs use their networks to overcome lacks of knowledge and information and to create possibilities of joint use of resources. </span></span> |
topic |
horizontal and vertical networks traditional food products innovation focus groups in‐depth interviews |
url |
http://centmapress.ilb.uni-bonn.de/ojs/index.php/fsd/article/view/20 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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