Principal themes of researchs :
- Structure and dynamics of agro-industrial system. Analysis of the
structural characters and the evolution of modern agro-industrial systems
by means of different theoretical and analytical tools. Main topics
:
- filière (supply chain) analysis at national and local level, with special reference to Tuscany and wheat, tobacco, sugar beet, oilseed, fruit and vegetable, tomato and meat;
- evolution of agro-industrial system at national and local level, of its components and of vertical relationships between different supply chain phases;
- characteristics and trend in food consumption in Italy.
- Organisation and co-ordination mechanisms between firms in agro-food
system. Analysis of contracts and other vertical integration mechanism
between agricultural and processing or distribution firms. In particular
:
- analysis of traditional forms of horizontal integration among farmers (co-operatives, producers' associations, interprofessional agreements);
- new theories and vertical integration, with special reference to transaction cost theory and convention theory.
- Quality and typical products in the agro-food system. Connected to
the above mentioned themes of general evolution of agro-industrial systems
and vertical coordination mechanism between firms, another main theme
of interest is quality in agro-food system, with special attention on
typical products. Four main topics have been explored :
- the explanatory and analytical potential of some recent theoretical approaches (information theory, economic theory of convention);
- the evolution of typical products marketing channels;
- the role of firms territorial proximity and organisational structures in the construction of agro-food typicity;
- the relationship between rural (endogenous) development and typical products.
- The role of agriculture in growth and development and agricultural
policy in developing countries.
- theoretical aspects on the role assigned to agricultural sector within growth and development processes;
- general characters of agriculture in developing countries, of food products international trade, of international development cooperation and aid;
- characters, role and effects of public policies, with special emphasis on cereal policies in Sub-Saharan countries.
Curriculm vitae
- 1986 : degree in Economics (University of Pisa, Italy), thesis on Agricultural cooperation in Lome Conventions- 1987-1991: marketing consultant
- 1991: PhD in Agricultural Economics (Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari e di Perfezionamento "S.Anna", Pisa, Italy), thesis on Cereal policies in Sub-Saharan countries
- 1991-1998: technical assistant in Agricultural Economics (University of Florence, Department of Economics)
- since 1998: Assistant Professor in Agricultural Economics (University of Florence, Department of Economics)
