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Agricultural Organization in an Era of Traceability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

Michael Sykuta
Michael Sykuta*
Affiliation:
Agribusiness, Division of Applied Social Sciences, andContracting and Organizations Research Institute, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
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Abstract

From production to retail, information systems have become increasingly important in the agrifood system. Retailers use information systems to improve inventory management and increase efficiency in production and logistics. Innovations in agribiotechnology and food safety issues highlighted by incidences related to Starlink corn and “mad cow disease” have raised consumer concerns about their food products. In addition to food safety concerns, consumers are increasingly willing to pay premiums for nonobservable quality characteristics in their food products. This paper outlines a framework for evaluating the implications of traceability for the organization of the agricultural system and highlights potential organizational responses to traceability issues.

Keywords

agrifood systemcontractingorganizational economicstraceabilityL14L22L23Q13
Type
Invited Paper Sessions
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 37 , Issue 2 , August 2005 , pp. 365 - 377
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2005

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