Agricultural cooperatives and the role of organisational models in new intelligent traceability systems and big data analysis

Abstract

Traceability systems are key to assuring food safety, creating a benefit for food supply chain components. Currently, the appearance of new technologies such as IoT and Big Data Analysis leads to a new generation of more functional, but complex, traceability systems. Organisational models based on cooperation of multiple small/medium size agents, for example of small/family farming cooperatives, play an important role in high standard agricultural production and commercialization processes. These function as both social and economic networks, with high social and economic impact in the rural areas. The case of Almeria as an example of this model was used to analyze its cooperative model. The actual traceability systems in the Almeria model were studied, taking account of the different networked agents and their interrelation. This study includes two main parts: a) analysis of the net-chains that constitute the food supply chains and their different relationships, and b) actual traceability. The next step studied how the net-chain model, including many diverse agents, may be applied to develop a new generation of traceability systems based of IoT and Big Data. This implies extending the special and functional scope of the actual systems and defining clear rules of exchange of the results of the Big Data Analysis, taking account of the adequate Privacy Rules. This work analyses the current organisation as a base for a new generation of traceability systems considered in the European project IoF2020 (Internet of the Food and Farm 2020). Some parallels between Almeria's model and certain areas in China, mainly in the areas of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Shandong were detected. Another of the objectives of this work is to deepen the understanding of these similarities and analyze the possible adaptation of the results from Almeria to China.

Big-data business models: A critical literature review and multiperspective research framework

“…However, our literature review also reveals that studies addressing how market needs drive BDBM deployment (demand pull) remain underrepresented (11 studies). Notable exceptions in our review sample include , Chandy et al (2017), Giagnocavo et al (2017), Kavadias et al (2016), and Kshetri (2016). For example, Kshetri (2016) sheds light on how BD transforms established BMs in the financial-service industry, and the role of emerging BDBMs in granting Chinese low-income families and micro enterprises access to financial services.…”

Management Strategies and Collaborative Relationships in the Agrifood Supply Chain. Evidence from the Horticultural Sector in Spain

“…In this regard, the incorporation of new technologies devoted to the collection, treatment and management of information will require a rethinking and redesign of the whole of the supply chain business model [64]. For example, Big Data [53] [65,66], IoT [67], Artificial Intelligence [64] and business intelligence, Block Chain [68] [69], etc., can be applied to transform and facilitate collaboration in the framework of an intelligent supply chain, making them aspects which require future study. This is anticipated by the European Green Deal strategy in which reaching climate and sustainability targets will require investing in environmentally friendly technologies [70], as well as policies across Europe [71].…”

“…The benefits are evident when there is collaboration among members as it facilitates the execution of efficient processes that reduce costs thanks to the existence of business synergies resulting from the unification and common use of resources, ultimately leading to increased levels of quality and customer satisfaction [52]. Communication and coordination are also favored by the application of information and communications technologies, as are all other elements of management (sustainability, quality, production planning, transport and location) [53]. In fact, the digitalization of inter-organizational processes offers an outstanding opportunity for research in the field of operations and supply chain management [54].…”

Six Collective Challenges for Sustainability of Almería Greenhouse Horticulture

“…Hence, technical and social innovation are closely tied to the socio-economic and ecosystem impact of technology advances in Almería. An organisational structure like that of cooperatives may prove to be a method to effectively and efficiently serve the farming community in an equitable and inclusive manner, and as an instrument to counteract the negative social and economic impacts of technology and digitisation of agriculture [89]. Priorities include closing the “digital divide” and addressing the “rural penalty” in ICT where coverage and broadband are often sub-optimum, de-risking adoption and experimentation through cooperative testing facilities or university research centers.…”