Suchergebnisse

Il presente lavoro riflette in prospettiva sociologica,sulla riscoperta degli aspetti etici del consumo. I cosiddetti consumi critici, sostenibili e responsabili, che presuppongono un agire sociale dotato di senso, rappresentano una pratica di acquisto tesa al ben-vivere. Il consumo da vicario della produzione -qual' è stato per un lungo periodo- è diventato uno dei principali, se non il principale, punto di snodo della società in cui ci muoviamo. I consum-attori postmoderni, tecnicamente più preparati e in grado di esprimere richieste al mondo della produzione e della distribuzione, sono consapevoli che l'atto di acquisto è diventato uno strumento per esprimere impegno e responsabilità nella sfera pubblica. Tale pratica contribuisce all'affermazione e alla determinazione di nuovi modi di essere e di agire dove confluiscono nuovi valori simbolici legati all'emergere di nuove abitudini di spesa. Partendo da tale ipotesi, la parte empirica del lavoro affronta un'analisi qualitativa prendendo in esame lo sviluppo del farmer's market, il mercato degli agricoltori, forma ed espressione della filiera corta. Si osserva un caso di studio nella Regione Molise allo scopo di comprendere cosa si cela dietro l'atto di acquisto e perché si predilige un atteggiamento alternativo al sistema della grande distribuzione. Il farmer's market è un luogo di convivialità dove è possibile fermarsi, parlare, consumare qualcosa in compagnia. E' un'occasione in cui vengono accorciate le distanze fisiche, economiche e soprattutto sociali, in cui diventa sempre più lontana l'idea della spesa intesa come atto funzionale ed alienante tipico dell'homo consumericus. Concezioni, abitudini e atteggiamenti che propongono il passaggio da un modello di consumi in cui l'elemento fondante è rappresentato dal benessere soggettivo -componente primario della felicità personale anche dal punto di vista identitario ed espressivo - ad un modello in cui i consumi restano fondamentali, ma come ingredienti di una migliore qualità del vivere. La prima parte del lavoro a valenza introduttiva, ripercorre con un excursus sulla letteratura, le teorie dei classici e dei contemporanei del pensiero sociologico, tentando di fornire una definizione di consumatore postmoderno. A questa, seguono i temi della sostenibilità ambientale e responsabilità sociale che mirano ad opporsi alle logiche proprie dello spreco-consumo, radici della crisi ambientale, del degrado e del rischio globale. La questione ecologica diventa, economica e politica, e ancor più una questione sociale, frutto di una nuova logica organizzativa in materia di consumo. La seconda parte affronta la ricerca sul campo riportando tra gli altri, i dati sulle motivazioni alla base di tale pratica di consumo e successivamente esplorando il ruolo del produttore/venditore attraverso l'attribuzione di credibilità che gli viene conferita. Il concetto di comunità, ambito tutt'oggi aperto nel dibattito sociologico, conclude il percorso di ricerca ponendo attenzione alla riscoperta del localismo. ; This thesis focuses on the rediscovery of the ethical aspects of consumption. Principal consumption that is both sustainable and responsible presupposes what Weber termed a rational social action and represents an aspiration to live well. Vicarious consumption - which has existed for a long time – has become one of the principal if not the principal turning point in the society in which we live. Post-modern consumers, technically more prepared and able to express their wishes to the world of production and distribution, are aware that shopping has become an instrument with which to express commitment and responsibility in the public domain. Shopping has contributed to the affirmation and the determination of new ways of being and behaving, which converge with the new symbolic values tied to the emergence of new shopping habits. Using this hypothesis as a starting point, the empirical part of this thesis engages with a qualitative analysis of the development of the farmers' market, the embodiment of a short distribution chain. It examines a case study in the region of Molise, with the aim of understanding what is concealed behind the act of shopping and why there is now a preference for an alternative way of thinking that goes against the model of mass production. The farmers' market is a place of conviviality, where it is possible to stop, talk and consume something in company. It is an occasion in which physical, economic and above all social distances are diminished, where the idea of food shopping as merely an essential and alienating act, typical of the homo consumericus, is remote. Conceptions, habits and attitudes now promote a move away from a model of consumption founded on the principle of subjective well-being – a primary component of personal happiness, even when seen from the point of view of identity and expression – to a model in which consumers remain fundamental, but are now the main players in the quest for a better quality of life. The first part of the thesis, as an introduction, reviews the literature and discusses both classic and contemporary sociological theory, with the aim of producing a definition of the post-modern consumer. This is followed by a discussion of environmental sustainability and social responsibility, two concepts that are set in opposition to the logics of wasteful consumption, something that can be seen at the heart of the global environmental crisis. The ecological debate has become not only economic and political but social; the fruit of a new organisational logic in the field of consumption. The second part of the thesis deals with the field work, presenting amongst other things, data concerning the motivation at the heart of this new model of consumption. This is followed by a detailed exploration of the role of the producer/seller by focusing on the attribution of credibility which has been conferred upon them. A discussion of the concept of community, a concept still wide open in sociological debate, with a particular emphasis on the rediscovery of localism, concludes this research. ; Dottorato di ricerca in Sociologia e Ricerca Sociale (XXIV ciclo)

Researchers lack adequate feedback on the utilization of their findings at the local level. Following an earlier study of farmers' markets with dual objectives of contributing to theory and practice, a 4-year follow-up was undertaken to document the flow of information that occurred and if and how the results were used. The follow-up indicated that the research was utilized far more at the local level than was known to the researchers, and that much of the usage involved public relations and promotion activities, rather than policy formation and guidance.

Low-income communities in the United States face disproportionately higher levels of food access barriers than other demographics in the country. Flawed public transportation systems, high cost, inefficient government food assistance programs, and structural exclusivity have created a food system that is largely inaccessible for many low-income individuals. This project demonstrates existing inequity in our food systems and illustrates the ways and which it is experienced by low-income demographics. It describes ways that geographic and physical space, economics, policy, and socio-cultural components impact food access experiences, and the ways these components impact choice and decision-making. While the existing system is unjust and inequitable, alternative food systems can create and foster equity and resiliency. This project illustrates existing exclusivity in alternative food systems, while advocating for their necessity in creating broad systematic change. They must be redefined and recreated as inclusive, community systems, and through this, they have the potential to foster community, create resiliency local food systems, and increase equity. This project uses Kingston, New York as a case study to examine existing barriers and the potential for farmer's markets and urban farms, such as the Kingston YMCA Farm Project to mitigate food access barriers.

So holds a federal court.

Potato incomes are critical determinants of Andean farmers' household well-being. Efforts to improve incomes of producers should recognize the role of access to market information. In highland Bolivia, market information has entered the digital age. Cell phones are ubiquitous, and networks lubricated by cellular technologies are affecting traditional means of gathering information. Andean markets are characterized by the heavy involvement of women. Lower information costs could change market choices and roles of men and women. This study explores the effects of information access on market choice near Cochabamba. It diagnoses the roles of men and women and investigates decision-making and changes in it. The research confirms the importance of gender and cell phones to market access. Market decisions are made jointly by men and women, but women take a leading role in marketing. Women dominate marketing by negotiating favorable prices with buyers who are also women. Marketing networks have not changed substantially since the introduction of new information technologies. While cellular technology has broadened access to information and quickened its flow, it has not fundamentally changed network structures. The study provides recommendations about improving competitiveness of small-scale potato producers: (1) increasing access to information by expanding the information content of existing networks; (2) expanding cell phones access; (3) consideration of the important roles intermediaries play; and (4) more technical support for market and information access. ; United States Agency for International Development; Foundation for Promotion and Research of Andean Products (PROINPA Foundation); [EPP-A-00-04-00013-00] ; LTRA-7 (Pathways to CAPS in the Andes) ; We would like to thank the Syndicate (the main community-level social and political institution) from the following communities: Toralapa Baja, Toralapa Alta, Uchuchi Cancha, Pairumani, Kayarani, Villa San Isidro, Chaupi Rancho, Waylla Pujru, Koari Alto, Boqueron Grande, Primero de Marzo, Ch'aki Khocha, Cana Cota, Surajmayu, Damy Rancho, Cebada Jich'ana, and Sankayani Alto, Boqueron Alto. This project was part of the SANREM CRSP, supported by the United States Agency for International Development and the generous support of the American people through Cooperative Agreement No. EPP-A-00-04-00013-00. The Foundation for Promotion and Research of Andean Products (PROINPA Foundation) provided logistical and additional research support.

AbstractAs one of the world's most traded commodities, coffee has been criticized for its contribution to environmental degradation, social injustice, and economic disparities between the producing regions of the Global South and consuming countries of the Global North. However, the Fair Trade concept is promising to change this through the establishment of a trading system where producers, importers, and processors form a more direct network characterized by an established set of ethical principles and practices deemed as "fair." While the transformational benefits of Fair Trade at the producer level have been examined in several impact studies, the farmers' low awareness and understanding of Fair Trade concepts, principles, markets, and customers represent an issue of concern. Among the many benefits associated with increased Fair Trade awareness is greater participation in Fair Trade governance bodies and the long‐term viability of the market itself.This research looks at Fair Trade from the perspective of farmers and their cooperative and uses the case of Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera Pangoa, Peru, to examine how Fair Trade awareness (defined as knowledge of different areas of Fair Trade) is understood at the producer level. We then develop a three‐level Fair Trade awareness Model that illustrates both the existing and desired levels of understanding with regard to Fair Trade awareness.

This paper seeks to indentify the determinants of smallholder farmer's market participation decisions using a farm level approach. By opening the black box which conceals the complex mechanism guiding farmers' market participation decision, this paper's contribution resides on its ability to take account of the conditional nature of farmers' decision to participate in the market. The paper develops a farm level sequential market participation model while taking account of the conditional nature of farmer's decision to participate in the market. In fact, the paper argues that the farmer's decision to participate in the market of a certain crop is dependent on producing the crop. Therefore, failing to account for this may bias the results. From a policy implication standpoint, the highlights of the results suggest that providing affordable and easily accessible fertilizers will incentivize both greater market participation and market volume supplied of both cash and food crop types.