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Dr. Gianluca Stefani
Department of Economics and Management, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Rural Development
0 Sustainable Agriculture
0 policy impact analysis
0 Agroecological transitions
0 Collective action in rural contexts

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Rural Development
Collective action in rural contexts
Sustainable Agriculture
Agroecological transitions

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Journal article
Published: 10 June 2020 in Agriculture
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Despite the fact that policy makers and governments are promoting the development of diverse agro-bio food systems to push and promote sustainability, they are challenging to implement because of a series of obstacles that hinder a successful transition from a conventional to an agro-ecological model of agriculture. Produce is extremely heterogeneous and agricultural technology is often not standard, rather alternative, and knowledge is contextual, tacit and place-specific. However, information about the characteristics of these systems is still sparse and difficult to analyse because of the complexity and multidimensionality. As a result, the aim of this paper is to review the existing literature in order to identify a coding system that allows for the creation of a meta-database of case studies on agroecological transitions. This coding system will be piloted in six case studies dealing with agrobiodiversity along cereal food systems producing grains, bread and pasta in France, Italy and the UK. In this analysis, we found that both the transition towards sustainable agriculture and the reduction of transaction costs require social innovation, which benefits from strong social capital. In the conclusions, we discuss the efficacy of the proposed coding scheme and its ability to capture in-depth information contained in similar case studies.

ACS Style

Gianluca Stefani; Giuseppe Nocella; Giovanna Sacchi. Piloting a Meta-Database of Agroecological Transitions: An Example from Sustainable Cereal Food Systems. Agriculture 2020, 10, 1 .

AMA Style

Gianluca Stefani, Giuseppe Nocella, Giovanna Sacchi. Piloting a Meta-Database of Agroecological Transitions: An Example from Sustainable Cereal Food Systems. Agriculture. 2020; 10 (6):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gianluca Stefani; Giuseppe Nocella; Giovanna Sacchi. 2020. "Piloting a Meta-Database of Agroecological Transitions: An Example from Sustainable Cereal Food Systems." Agriculture 10, no. 6: 1.

Research article
Published: 07 January 2020 in Agribusiness
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This paper proposes a social accounting matrix (SAM)‐based, counterfactual approach to assess the economy‐wide impact of food fraud in a given country and applies it to the Italian economy. The empirical application uses primary data collected by the authority in charge of the monitoring and repression of fraud in food value chains between the years 2007 and 2015. This is a unique dataset to analyze the issue, although it includes only data on food fraud within the country. The results of the SAM simulations show that the share of economy directly and indirectly linked to the supply of irregular food products accounts for 0.5% of the total value of output and is able to activate up to 156 thousand labor units. The net impact of food fraud on output and employment in the whole economy is negative, with losses averaging up to 1.8 billion euros of output and of 20,000 jobs per year, with a relative impact significantly larger in agriculture than in the food industry. These figures reveal an intrinsic fragility of the agri‐food system, especially in those subsectors featuring relatively large price elasticities such as quality products (e.g., wine, olive oil, cheese). The overall conclusion is that food fraud is not only a source of unfair competition to regular production activities but also has an overall contractionary impact on the whole economy due to its directly unproductive rent‐seeking nature. [EconLit classifications: C67, L66, Q13].

ACS Style

Benedetto Rocchi; Donato Romano; Ahmad Sadiddin; Gianluca Stefani. Assessing the economy‐wide impact of food fraud: A SAM‐based counterfactual approach. Agribusiness 2020, 36, 167 -191.

AMA Style

Benedetto Rocchi, Donato Romano, Ahmad Sadiddin, Gianluca Stefani. Assessing the economy‐wide impact of food fraud: A SAM‐based counterfactual approach. Agribusiness. 2020; 36 (2):167-191.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Benedetto Rocchi; Donato Romano; Ahmad Sadiddin; Gianluca Stefani. 2020. "Assessing the economy‐wide impact of food fraud: A SAM‐based counterfactual approach." Agribusiness 36, no. 2: 167-191.

Earlycite article
Published: 30 September 2019 in Agricultural Finance Review
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between capital structure and technical efficiency (TE) for Italian cereal farms during the 2008–2014 period. Emphasis is given in the understanding of the relationship between the level of financial leverage for cereal farms and their production performance. Design/methodology/approach The methods employed in this research article are based on non-parametric techniques in order to derive TE estimates for a sample of Italian cereal farms based on available Farm Accountancy Data Network data to explore in depth the relationship amongst the financial exposure of the sector and the capacity to utilise an efficient and effective production technology. Furthermore, subsidies are considered in the model as a non-discretionary variable and therefore, as an input that farmers cannot directly influence within the production function. Hence, the non-discretionary Data Envelopment Analysis model is a more appropriate framework since it is not penalising farms at a lower level of Pillar I payments when benchmarked with farms that receive a higher level of payments. Findings The results show that significant improvements could be achieved for most of the farms in the sample by improving production and management practices. Furthermore, results provide an empirical support of the adjustment theory by showing a negative impact of debt to asset ratio to TE. Originality/value This research article provides a first insight on the evolution of the Italian cereal farms debt-TE relationship in periods where high price instability has been observed.

ACS Style

Yiorgos Gadanakis; Gianluca Stefani; Ginerva Virginia Lombardi; Marco Tiberti. The impact of financial leverage on farm technical efficiency during periods of price instability. Agricultural Finance Review 2019, 80, 1 -21.

AMA Style

Yiorgos Gadanakis, Gianluca Stefani, Ginerva Virginia Lombardi, Marco Tiberti. The impact of financial leverage on farm technical efficiency during periods of price instability. Agricultural Finance Review. 2019; 80 (1):1-21.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yiorgos Gadanakis; Gianluca Stefani; Ginerva Virginia Lombardi; Marco Tiberti. 2019. "The impact of financial leverage on farm technical efficiency during periods of price instability." Agricultural Finance Review 80, no. 1: 1-21.

Journal article
Published: 19 September 2019 in Journal of Rural Studies
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In the new global economy, intensive production models based on high-yield varieties of wheat have become a central issue for the fight against hunger, undernourishment, and poverty. Nonetheless, this intensive model - and the related globalized processing and marketing system – poses a challenge to the conservation of biodiversity and to environmental sustainability. In addition, volatility on world cereal markets is threatening farmers' income, triggering diversification patterns. One of this pattern is the creation of alternative food chains intended as supply chains that are territorially embedded and able to reconnect producers with consumers. In this context, this paper aims to explore the diversity of alternative bread chains and valorisation practices, in order to identify organizational models, assess their economic performance in terms of creating added value distributing it along the stages of the chain and to understand the role played by ancient wheat varieties in differentiating the product. In order to do this, the paper develops a comparative case study analysis of several locally-based alternative bread supply chains in Tuscany (Italy). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key actors, selected considering all the steps in the supply chain: from growing the wheat and milling the grain through to the end product. From these interviews differences emerged between locally-based bread supply chains in terms of the valorisation system followed and the institutional arrangements. While the locally-based chains featuring modern wheat varieties have more conventional characteristics and pursue differentiation strategies based on certification, chains based on ancient wheat follow a more informal route, and product quality is mainly guaranteed by the reputation of the network. Furthermore, in the bread supply chains featuring ancient varieties, the methods for reducing transaction costs are linked to a bottom-up collective action, embeddedness strategies among stakeholders (that include also consumers), and are built on a relational approach based on trust, knowledge exchange and social networks. Results provide an assessment of the performances of different locally-based bread supply chains, identify critical aspects and suggest some policy implications for all types of chains.

ACS Style

Giovanna Sacchi; Giovanni Belletti; Martina Biancalani; GinevraVirginia Lombardi; Gianluca Stefani. The valorisation of wheat production through locally-based bread chains: Experiences from Tuscany. Journal of Rural Studies 2019, 71, 23 -35.

AMA Style

Giovanna Sacchi, Giovanni Belletti, Martina Biancalani, GinevraVirginia Lombardi, Gianluca Stefani. The valorisation of wheat production through locally-based bread chains: Experiences from Tuscany. Journal of Rural Studies. 2019; 71 ():23-35.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giovanna Sacchi; Giovanni Belletti; Martina Biancalani; GinevraVirginia Lombardi; Gianluca Stefani. 2019. "The valorisation of wheat production through locally-based bread chains: Experiences from Tuscany." Journal of Rural Studies 71, no. : 23-35.

Journal article
Published: 23 April 2019 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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The sustainability of the development of water resources is a pressing challenge. Natural forces, economic pressure and increasing population determine a significant growth in water use and pollution not supported by highly inefficient water supply practices. In this framework, the Italian water services with fragmented management, highly deficient collection and treatment of wastewater - and existing and potential problems in water supply in some areas of the country – explains the reasoning of the drastic restructuring introduced by Law 36/1994 (Act n. 36 on Water Resources, 1994). The impossibility of avoiding natural monopoly and the necessity to industrialize the whole sector determined the imposition of a “for the market” competition in order to exploit possible economies of scale and scope. In this work, a group of Italian water utility companies is used to assess the sustainable efficiency of the Italian water sector, using the mathematical/linear programming of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) on a set of key variables including, water losses (never considered in the previous studies) to assess technical and environmental efficiency. This well-known technique allows evaluating the systems’ efficiency not only by calculating the efficiency of each unit, but also helping policymakers by suggesting corrective policies and measures which could make the inefficient units efficient. This approach can be useful for policymakers to direct decisions towards a more sustainable and efficient water sector.

ACS Style

G.V. Lombardi; G. Stefani; A. Paci; C. Becagli; M. Miliacca; M. Gastaldi; B.F. Giannetti; C.M.V.B. Almeida. The sustainability of the Italian water sector: An empirical analysis by DEA. Journal of Cleaner Production 2019, 227, 1035 -1043.

AMA Style

G.V. Lombardi, G. Stefani, A. Paci, C. Becagli, M. Miliacca, M. Gastaldi, B.F. Giannetti, C.M.V.B. Almeida. The sustainability of the Italian water sector: An empirical analysis by DEA. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2019; 227 ():1035-1043.

Chicago/Turabian Style

G.V. Lombardi; G. Stefani; A. Paci; C. Becagli; M. Miliacca; M. Gastaldi; B.F. Giannetti; C.M.V.B. Almeida. 2019. "The sustainability of the Italian water sector: An empirical analysis by DEA." Journal of Cleaner Production 227, no. : 1035-1043.

Journal article
Published: 04 March 2019 in NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences
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In recent years, an increasing number of social farming initiatives have involved adults with autism spectrum disorders, both to improve their life conditions and promote their work inclusion. Several studies have assessed these experiences, showing that the participants derive important benefits from being part of a social community, working in the countryside, and establishing a good relationship with the farmer. This paper aims to assess the ability of 9 adults with autism spectrum disorders – who attend an adult day care centre in the Umbria region of Italy – to carry out agricultural and animal husbandry activities. Results from panel data analysis show that the activity of olive grove, indoor cleaning, and tidying at the agritourism farms has a considerable positive effect on the performances of the adults with autism spectrum disorders. Moreover, the adults studied prefer the activities in a greenhouse over those occurring inside (e.g., agritourism farm or the warehouse) and outside (e.g., vegetable, olive, and grape production). Further, the higher the precision level required to perform an action, the lower is their observed performance. Generally, the tasks that receive the highest evaluations are those in which the autistic person can relate with other people and/or animals. These findings confirm the role of social farming in developing working and relational skills in adults with autism spectrum disorders.

ACS Style

Biancamaria Torquati; Gianluca Stefani; Giulio Massini; Lucio Cecchini; Massimo Chiorri; Chiara Paffarini. Social farming and work inclusion initiatives for adults with autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study. NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences 2019, 88, 10 -20.

AMA Style

Biancamaria Torquati, Gianluca Stefani, Giulio Massini, Lucio Cecchini, Massimo Chiorri, Chiara Paffarini. Social farming and work inclusion initiatives for adults with autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study. NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences. 2019; 88 (1):10-20.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Biancamaria Torquati; Gianluca Stefani; Giulio Massini; Lucio Cecchini; Massimo Chiorri; Chiara Paffarini. 2019. "Social farming and work inclusion initiatives for adults with autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study." NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences 88, no. 1: 10-20.

Review
Published: 02 November 2018 in Agriculture
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Organic and low-input food systems are emerging worldwide in answer to the sustainability crisis of the conventional agri-food sector. “Alternative” systems are based on local, decentralized approaches to production and processing, regarding quality and health, and short supply-chains for products with strong local identities. Diversity is deeply embedded in these food systems, from the agrobiodiversity grown in farmers’ fields, which improves resilience and adaptation, to diverse approaches, contexts and actors in food manufacturing and marketing. Diversity thus becomes a cross-sectoral issue which acknowledges consumers’ demand for healthy products. In the framework of the European project “CERERE, CEreal REnaissance in Rural Europe: embedding diversity in organic and low-input food systems”, the paper aims at reviewing recent research on alternative and sustainable food systems by adopting an innovative and participatory multi-actor approach; this has involved ten practitioners and twenty-two researchers from across Europe and a variety of technical backgrounds in the paper and analysis stages. The participatory approach is the main innovation and distinctive feature of this literature review. Partners selected indeed what they perceived as most relevant in order to facilitate a transition towards more sustainable and diversity based cereal systems and food chains. This includes issues related to alternative food networks, formal and informal institutional settings, grass root initiatives, consumer involvement and, finally, knowledge exchange and sustainability. The review provides an overview of recent research that is relevant to CERERE partners as well as to anyone interested in alternative and sustainable food systems. The main objective of this paper was indeed to present a narrative of studies, which can form the foundation for future applied research to promote alternative methods of cereal production in Europe.

ACS Style

Giovanna Sacchi; Leonardo Cei; Gianluca Stefani; Ginevra Virginia Lombardi; Benedetto Rocchi; Giovanni Belletti; Susanne Padel; Anna Sellars; Edneia Gagliardi; Giuseppe Nocella; Sarah Cardey; Minna Mikkola; Urszula Ala-Karvia; Àine Macken-Walsh; Bridin McIntyre; John Hyland; Maeve Henchion; Riccardo Bocci; Bettina Bussi; Giuseppe De Santis; Ismael Rodriguez Y Hurtado; Patrick De Kochko; Pierre Riviere; María Carrascosa-García; Ignacio Martínez; Bruce Pearce; Nic Lampkin; Camille Vindras; Frederic Rey; Véronique Chable; Antoine Cormery; Gyula Vasvari. A Multi-Actor Literature Review on Alternative and Sustainable Food Systems for the Promotion of Cereal Biodiversity. Agriculture 2018, 8, 173 .

AMA Style

Giovanna Sacchi, Leonardo Cei, Gianluca Stefani, Ginevra Virginia Lombardi, Benedetto Rocchi, Giovanni Belletti, Susanne Padel, Anna Sellars, Edneia Gagliardi, Giuseppe Nocella, Sarah Cardey, Minna Mikkola, Urszula Ala-Karvia, Àine Macken-Walsh, Bridin McIntyre, John Hyland, Maeve Henchion, Riccardo Bocci, Bettina Bussi, Giuseppe De Santis, Ismael Rodriguez Y Hurtado, Patrick De Kochko, Pierre Riviere, María Carrascosa-García, Ignacio Martínez, Bruce Pearce, Nic Lampkin, Camille Vindras, Frederic Rey, Véronique Chable, Antoine Cormery, Gyula Vasvari. A Multi-Actor Literature Review on Alternative and Sustainable Food Systems for the Promotion of Cereal Biodiversity. Agriculture. 2018; 8 (11):173.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giovanna Sacchi; Leonardo Cei; Gianluca Stefani; Ginevra Virginia Lombardi; Benedetto Rocchi; Giovanni Belletti; Susanne Padel; Anna Sellars; Edneia Gagliardi; Giuseppe Nocella; Sarah Cardey; Minna Mikkola; Urszula Ala-Karvia; Àine Macken-Walsh; Bridin McIntyre; John Hyland; Maeve Henchion; Riccardo Bocci; Bettina Bussi; Giuseppe De Santis; Ismael Rodriguez Y Hurtado; Patrick De Kochko; Pierre Riviere; María Carrascosa-García; Ignacio Martínez; Bruce Pearce; Nic Lampkin; Camille Vindras; Frederic Rey; Véronique Chable; Antoine Cormery; Gyula Vasvari. 2018. "A Multi-Actor Literature Review on Alternative and Sustainable Food Systems for the Promotion of Cereal Biodiversity." Agriculture 8, no. 11: 173.

Review
Published: 17 October 2018 in Sustainability
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One of the main functions of geographical indications (GIs) is to provide information and quality to consumers. This, in turn, can generate benefits for producers and stimulate rural development processes, as advocated by European Union (EU) legislation. The objective of the present study is to understand if the theorized effects of GIs on local economic development are supported by empirical evidence. Using a systematic approach, we reviewed the literature on the topic and structured the results of the review adopting a supply chain framework. This allows us to better understand how the effects of GIs are distributed among the chain actors and finally arrive at the local territories where GI products originate. Evidence shows that GIs are actually able to generate value added, especially at the consumer and retailer levels, while the effects on the economic performance of producers are more heterogeneous and dependent on specific local conditions. The review also highlighted some drawbacks in the literature that make it difficult to draw robust conclusions about the actual impact of GI policy at the European level. Therefore, despite the GI tool actually showing good potential for improving local economic conditions, more structured and focused research is needed.

ACS Style

Leonardo Cei; Edi Defrancesco; Gianluca Stefani. From Geographical Indications to Rural Development: A Review of the Economic Effects of European Union Policy. Sustainability 2018, 10, 3745 .

AMA Style

Leonardo Cei, Edi Defrancesco, Gianluca Stefani. From Geographical Indications to Rural Development: A Review of the Economic Effects of European Union Policy. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (10):3745.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Leonardo Cei; Edi Defrancesco; Gianluca Stefani. 2018. "From Geographical Indications to Rural Development: A Review of the Economic Effects of European Union Policy." Sustainability 10, no. 10: 3745.

Review
Published: 01 September 2018 in Nutrients
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Recently, a large and growing body of literature has investigated the health potential of different wheat species. In particular, a considerable number of studies dealing with nutritional aspects has grown up around the theme of the recovery of ancient wheat varieties (species that have remained unchanged over the last hundred years). According to several studies, indeed, ancient varieties present a healthier nutritional profile than modern ones. In the framework of the European project “CERERE, CEreal REnaissance in Rural Europe: embedding diversity in organic and low-input food systems”, this paper aimed to review recent research on the issue of health and nutritional cereal systems by adopting an innovative and participatory multi-actor approach which involved practitioners along with researchers. The participatory approach is the main innovation and peculiarity of this literature review. Nevertheless, the review highlights the many positive effects derived from eating whole and ancient grains such as a significant reduction in the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and also a more favorable long-term weight management and increase in satiety. This review may be considered as a fruitful starting point that integrates research results to foster current and future healthier and sustainable practices in cereal systems.

ACS Style

Francesco Sofi; Monica Dinu; Giuditta Pagliai; Leonardo Cei; Giovanna Sacchi; Stefano Benedettelli; Gianluca Stefani; Edneia Gagliardi; Paola Tosi; Riccardo Bocci; Bettina Bussi; Giuseppe De Santis; Ismael Rodriguez Y Hurtado; Patrick De Kochko; Pierre Riviere; María Carrascosa-García; Ignacio Martínez. Health and Nutrition Studies Related to Cereal Biodiversity: A Participatory Multi-Actor Literature Review Approach. Nutrients 2018, 10, 1207 .

AMA Style

Francesco Sofi, Monica Dinu, Giuditta Pagliai, Leonardo Cei, Giovanna Sacchi, Stefano Benedettelli, Gianluca Stefani, Edneia Gagliardi, Paola Tosi, Riccardo Bocci, Bettina Bussi, Giuseppe De Santis, Ismael Rodriguez Y Hurtado, Patrick De Kochko, Pierre Riviere, María Carrascosa-García, Ignacio Martínez. Health and Nutrition Studies Related to Cereal Biodiversity: A Participatory Multi-Actor Literature Review Approach. Nutrients. 2018; 10 (9):1207.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Sofi; Monica Dinu; Giuditta Pagliai; Leonardo Cei; Giovanna Sacchi; Stefano Benedettelli; Gianluca Stefani; Edneia Gagliardi; Paola Tosi; Riccardo Bocci; Bettina Bussi; Giuseppe De Santis; Ismael Rodriguez Y Hurtado; Patrick De Kochko; Pierre Riviere; María Carrascosa-García; Ignacio Martínez. 2018. "Health and Nutrition Studies Related to Cereal Biodiversity: A Participatory Multi-Actor Literature Review Approach." Nutrients 10, no. 9: 1207.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2018 in Land Use Policy
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ACS Style

Leonardo Cei; Gianluca Stefani; Edi Defrancesco; Ginevra Virginia Lombardi. Geographical indications: A first assessment of the impact on rural development in Italian NUTS3 regions. Land Use Policy 2018, 75, 620 -630.

AMA Style

Leonardo Cei, Gianluca Stefani, Edi Defrancesco, Ginevra Virginia Lombardi. Geographical indications: A first assessment of the impact on rural development in Italian NUTS3 regions. Land Use Policy. 2018; 75 ():620-630.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Leonardo Cei; Gianluca Stefani; Edi Defrancesco; Ginevra Virginia Lombardi. 2018. "Geographical indications: A first assessment of the impact on rural development in Italian NUTS3 regions." Land Use Policy 75, no. : 620-630.

Journal article
Published: 22 September 2017 in Sustainability
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Consumer appreciation for food environmental attributes has recently gained in importance. The health-related attributes have received less attention in the literature, if organic farming products are excluded. We measure the consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for a traditional Italian product, pasta, when environmental and healthy attributes are added to it in turn. Relying on the prospect theory and on the bundling/unbundling debate, attributes cannot be perceived by consumers in absolute values. Accordingly, we assess if the way in which attributes are presented to consumers influences their WTP by comparing an “unbundling” approach—informing consumers of all product attributes and then subtracting one of them, to a “bundling” approach, progressively adding further attributes to the product’s description. To do this, we administered a questionnaire to a sample of households in North-Central Italy. WTP is elicited using an attribute based referenda format, slightly modified in accordance with our research objectives. The results show that Italian consumers, with the exception of specific subgroups, tend to prefer a traditional pasta product, probably because of both their taste preferences and eating habits. Some evidence emerged of an endowment effect, consumers valuing environmental attributes more when they feel themselves entitled to them.

ACS Style

Edi Defrancesco; Maria Angela Perito; Irene Bozzolan; Leonardo Cei; Gianluca Stefani. Testing Consumers’ Preferences for Environmental Attributes of Pasta. Insights from an ABR Approach. Sustainability 2017, 9, 1701 .

AMA Style

Edi Defrancesco, Maria Angela Perito, Irene Bozzolan, Leonardo Cei, Gianluca Stefani. Testing Consumers’ Preferences for Environmental Attributes of Pasta. Insights from an ABR Approach. Sustainability. 2017; 9 (10):1701.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Edi Defrancesco; Maria Angela Perito; Irene Bozzolan; Leonardo Cei; Gianluca Stefani. 2017. "Testing Consumers’ Preferences for Environmental Attributes of Pasta. Insights from an ABR Approach." Sustainability 9, no. 10: 1701.

Preprint
Published: 01 January 2017
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Geographical indications (GIs) are a 25 years old European policy instrument which have, among its objectives, to foster rural development. In this respect, very few studies quantitatively investigate to what extent this policy is effective. Literature is in fact mainly focused on specific GIs, studied through case studies, trying to identify which factors are responsible for the success or failure of specific initiatives. The aim of the present study is instead to quantify the impact of such policy instrument on a single indicator of rural development: agricultural value added. In order to assess the impact we firstly built an index measuring the number of GI schemes implemented at NUTS3 level in the Italian regions. Then, following a difference-in-difference evaluation strategy and relying on an explicit theoretical model, a fixed effect estimator was implemented. The choice of the model, as well as the variables to be considered, is specified using a directed acyclic graph. Results show that an overall positive effect of GI protection on agricultural value added could be identified in Italy, thus providing evidence of a positive impact of the European policy on rural development.

ACS Style

Lorenzo Cei; Gianluca Stefani; Edi DeFrancesco; Ginevra Virginia Lombardi. Geographical Indications: a first assessment of the impact on rural development in Italian NUTS3 regions. 2017, 1 .

AMA Style

Lorenzo Cei, Gianluca Stefani, Edi DeFrancesco, Ginevra Virginia Lombardi. Geographical Indications: a first assessment of the impact on rural development in Italian NUTS3 regions. . 2017; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lorenzo Cei; Gianluca Stefani; Edi DeFrancesco; Ginevra Virginia Lombardi. 2017. "Geographical Indications: a first assessment of the impact on rural development in Italian NUTS3 regions." , no. : 1.

Preprint
Published: 01 January 2017
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This paper assesses what is the impact of assistance on the wellbeing of Palestinian households, using in an original way standard econometric techniques coupling the classical counterfactual framework of the impact evaluation analysis – specifically, using a difference-in-difference approach that allows the treatment of sample selection bias – with instrument variable econometric modelling – specifically a fixed effect IV model that gets rid of endogeneity problems. Using data from the last two rounds (2013 and 2014) of the Palestinian Socio-Economic and Food Security (SEFSec) survey, we estimate the impact of assistance to West Bank and Gaza Strip households on their poverty and food security status. Results suggest that whereas in the case of poverty reduction there is a clear positive impact of the intensity of assistance, in the case of food security results show mixed evidence. Specifically, the intensity of assistance affects positively the frequency of consumption of fruit, vegetable, cereals, tubers and pulses while it seems to have a negative impact on the consumption of other food groups such as meat, milk, oil and sugar.

ACS Style

Donato Romano; Gianluca Stefani; Benedetto Rocchi; Claudio Fiorillo. The impact of assistance on poverty and food security in a protracted conflict context: the case of West Bank and Gaza Strip. 2017, 1 .

AMA Style

Donato Romano, Gianluca Stefani, Benedetto Rocchi, Claudio Fiorillo. The impact of assistance on poverty and food security in a protracted conflict context: the case of West Bank and Gaza Strip. . 2017; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Donato Romano; Gianluca Stefani; Benedetto Rocchi; Claudio Fiorillo. 2017. "The impact of assistance on poverty and food security in a protracted conflict context: the case of West Bank and Gaza Strip." , no. : 1.

Preprint
Published: 01 January 2016
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The literature on environmental policy shows that institutional arrangements are key in designing effective environmental policies. Besides regulation and market (Coasian) solutions, grass root collective action has been advocated as a possible solution for the provision of agro-environmental public goods. We gauge that the same institutional arrangement can be found in many territorially integrated food chains that aims at re- embedding food production in the local society. Building on this literature, we present a case study - a short supply chain for bread production from ancient local wheat landraces in Tuscany – emphasizing the role played by collective action in maintaining high quality production in a context of severe information asymmetries.

ACS Style

Gianluca Stefani; Ginevra Lombardi; Donato Romano; Lorenzo Cei. Grass Root Collective Action for territorially integrated food supply chain: A Case Study from Tuscany. 2016, 1 .

AMA Style

Gianluca Stefani, Ginevra Lombardi, Donato Romano, Lorenzo Cei. Grass Root Collective Action for territorially integrated food supply chain: A Case Study from Tuscany. . 2016; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gianluca Stefani; Ginevra Lombardi; Donato Romano; Lorenzo Cei. 2016. "Grass Root Collective Action for territorially integrated food supply chain: A Case Study from Tuscany." , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 25 September 2015 in Journal of Agricultural Economics
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ACS Style

Chiara Landi; Gianluca Stefani; Benedetto Rocchi; Ginevra Virginia Lombardi; Sabina Giampaolo. Regional Differentiation and Farm Exit: A Hierarchical Model for Tuscany. Journal of Agricultural Economics 2015, 67, 208 -230.

AMA Style

Chiara Landi, Gianluca Stefani, Benedetto Rocchi, Ginevra Virginia Lombardi, Sabina Giampaolo. Regional Differentiation and Farm Exit: A Hierarchical Model for Tuscany. Journal of Agricultural Economics. 2015; 67 (1):208-230.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chiara Landi; Gianluca Stefani; Benedetto Rocchi; Ginevra Virginia Lombardi; Sabina Giampaolo. 2015. "Regional Differentiation and Farm Exit: A Hierarchical Model for Tuscany." Journal of Agricultural Economics 67, no. 1: 208-230.

Journal article
Published: 09 September 2015 in European Review of Agricultural Economics
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This work deals with issues relating to multiperiod hedging ratios (MHRs). First, we derive an analytical formula for the MHR starting from the triangular representation of a cointegrated system. Second, using both overlapping and non-overlapping price changes, we investigate the properties of OLS MHR. Third, we resort to simulated data to investigate the performance of MHR estimators. Unlike previous studies, we do not use real data whose data generating process is unknown; instead we run a Monte Carlo exercise to investigate estimators and compare them with theoretical measures. Finally, we apply our approach to real data for a hedging related to soft wheat.

ACS Style

Gianluca Stefani; Marco Tiberti. Multiperiod optimal hedging ratios: methodological aspects and application to a wheat market. European Review of Agricultural Economics 2015, 43, 503 -531.

AMA Style

Gianluca Stefani, Marco Tiberti. Multiperiod optimal hedging ratios: methodological aspects and application to a wheat market. European Review of Agricultural Economics. 2015; 43 (3):503-531.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gianluca Stefani; Marco Tiberti. 2015. "Multiperiod optimal hedging ratios: methodological aspects and application to a wheat market." European Review of Agricultural Economics 43, no. 3: 503-531.

Journal article
Published: 09 April 2015 in Agribusiness
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Chiara Landi; Gianluca Stefani. Rent Seeking and Political Economy of Geographical Indication Foods. Agribusiness 2015, 31, 543 -563.

AMA Style

Chiara Landi, Gianluca Stefani. Rent Seeking and Political Economy of Geographical Indication Foods. Agribusiness. 2015; 31 (4):543-563.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chiara Landi; Gianluca Stefani. 2015. "Rent Seeking and Political Economy of Geographical Indication Foods." Agribusiness 31, no. 4: 543-563.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2015 in International Journal of Sustainable Development
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The aim of this paper is to evaluate the socio-economic impact of the allocation of royalties from oil extraction on regional development through a case study on the Basilicata region (Italy). We examine how the regional government's chosen policies have impacted the income of Basilicata residents and the economic development of the region and how a different set of choices may reveal a more effective approach to turning revenue into long-term public benefits. The analysis focuses on growth as well as on distributive impacts of the allocation of royalties. The results clearly show that the past allocation of the royalties accruing to regional government into regional policies generated little impact in terms of economic growth and occupation, the total well below what was expected. Appreciable impacts on incomes and occupation will not be forthcoming unless resources are redirected towards supporting a stronger competitiveness of the regional economic system.

ACS Style

Benedetto Rocchi; Chiara Landi; Gianluca Stefani; Severino Romano; Mario Cozzi. Escaping the resource curse in regional development: a case study on the allocation of oil royalties. International Journal of Sustainable Development 2015, 18, 115 .

AMA Style

Benedetto Rocchi, Chiara Landi, Gianluca Stefani, Severino Romano, Mario Cozzi. Escaping the resource curse in regional development: a case study on the allocation of oil royalties. International Journal of Sustainable Development. 2015; 18 (1/2):115.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Benedetto Rocchi; Chiara Landi; Gianluca Stefani; Severino Romano; Mario Cozzi. 2015. "Escaping the resource curse in regional development: a case study on the allocation of oil royalties." International Journal of Sustainable Development 18, no. 1/2: 115.

Journal article
Published: 08 July 2014 in Nutrition & Food Science
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Purpose – The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of information on origin, “typicalness”, production method and flavour on the willingness to pay and the sensorial appreciation of Tuscan sanguinaccio (Italian Salami). Design/methodology/approach – The goal of the study was to explore how differences between willingness to pay and sensorial appreciation (measured using a hedonic score) for the three types are influenced by the nature of the sensorial and non-sensorial information available to the consumer. To evaluate reaction to sensorial information, typical information regimes used in works on degree of disconfirmation (Schifferstein, 2001) were adopted, that is, visual examination of the product with indication of the name and tasting of the labelled product. Findings – Analysis of the results of the experiments indicates that Mallegato and Biroldo have particular characteristics that make it critical to promote them to a vast public. The information on the production methods and ingredients seemed to interact negatively with the sensorial perception of the product after tasting, probably because of the presence of blood and other problematic components (for example, components of the pig head in Biroldo) among the ingredients. Research limitations/implications – Limited size of the sample and a gastronomic niche product analyzed. Practical implications – The negative influence of the processed information has to be considered to efficiently communicate the typicalness of these salami products. In fact, whilst for other traditional products, different kinds of information related to process, raw materials, recipes and, more generally, tradition can be jointly used to increase the arousal and the expectation on products quality characteristics, in this case, the communication strategy has to carefully consider the limit of these product components. Originality/value – For the first time the use of experimental auctions investigate the role of problematic information, such as the presence of blood, on consumers’ preference towards a typical gastronomic product.

ACS Style

Gianluca Stefani; Alessio Cavicchi; Donato Romano. Blissed ignorance? Nutrition & Food Science 2014, 44, 345 -362.

AMA Style

Gianluca Stefani, Alessio Cavicchi, Donato Romano. Blissed ignorance? Nutrition & Food Science. 2014; 44 (4):345-362.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gianluca Stefani; Alessio Cavicchi; Donato Romano. 2014. "Blissed ignorance?" Nutrition & Food Science 44, no. 4: 345-362.

Journal article
Published: 23 January 2014 in International Journal of Consumer Studies
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Market failure can be corrected using different regulatory approaches ranging from high to low intervention. Recently, classic regulations have been criticized as costly and economically irrational, and thus, policy makers are giving more consideration to soft regulatory techniques such as information remedies. However, despite the plethora of food information conveyed by different media there appears to be a lack of studies exploring how consumers evaluate this information and how trust towards publishers influence their choices for food information. In order to fill such a gap, this study investigates questions related to topics that are more relevant to consumers, who should disseminate trustful food information, and how communication should be conveyed and segmented. Primary data were collected both through qualitative (in‐depth interviews and focus groups) and quantitative research (web and mail surveys). Attitudes, willingness to pay (WTP) for food information and trust towards public and private sources conveying information through a new food magazine were assessed using both multivariate statistical methods and econometric analysis. The study shows that consumer attitudes towards food information topics can be summarized along three cognitive‐affective dimensions: the agro‐food system, enjoyment and wellness. Information related to health risks caused by nutritional disorders and food safety issues caused by bacteria and chemical substances is the most important for about 90% of respondents. Food information related to regulations and traditions is also considered important for more than two‐thirds of respondents, whereas information about food production and processing techniques, lifestyle and food fads are considered less important by the majority of respondents. Trust towards food information disseminated by public bodies is higher than that observed for private bodies. This behaviour directly affects WTP for food information provided by public and private publishers when markets are shocked by a food safety incident. WTP for consumer association (€1.80) and the European Food Safety Authority (€1.30) are higher than WTP for the independent and food industry publishers that cluster around zero euro. Furthermore, trust towards the type of publisher also plays a key role in food information market segmentation together with socio‐demographic and economic variables such as gender, age, presence of children and income. These findings invite policy makers to reflect on the possibility of using information remedies conveyed using trusted sources of information to specific segments of consumers as an interesting soft alternative to the classic way of regulating modern food markets.

ACS Style

Giuseppe Nocella; Donato Romano; Gianluca Stefani. Consumers’ attitudes, trust and willingness to pay for food information. International Journal of Consumer Studies 2014, 38, 153 -165.

AMA Style

Giuseppe Nocella, Donato Romano, Gianluca Stefani. Consumers’ attitudes, trust and willingness to pay for food information. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 2014; 38 (2):153-165.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giuseppe Nocella; Donato Romano; Gianluca Stefani. 2014. "Consumers’ attitudes, trust and willingness to pay for food information." International Journal of Consumer Studies 38, no. 2: 153-165.