Analytic Framework to Determine Proximity in Relationship Coffee Models

Abstract

In conventional food systems, there are often large social and geographical distances between production and consumption. Alternative food networks (AFNs) like relationship coffee models aim to shorten these distances through direct contacts, communication, trust, transparency or commitment to improve farmers' livelihoods. These relationship coffee models appear in diverse shapes with various implications for producers. Therefore, we deductively develop a framework to conceptualise proximity in four dimensions (organisational, institutional, cognitive and social) with subdimensions and three transversal dimensions ((temporary) geographical proximity, power, and communication). The analytic framework is complemented by an illustrative case to empirically test it, showing high geographical, organisational, institutional and cognitive proximity but low social proximity between coffee producer and restaurant owner. For future research, the framework can help to conceptualise proximity or to distinguish different types of relationship coffee models and to unpack conditions under which relationship coffees can increase proximity between coffee producers and buyers, often located far apart.

Change Agents’ Perspectives on Spatial–Relational Proximities and Urban Food Niches

“…In general, the field of sustainability transition would benefit from focusing on territorial embedding and deeper insights into socio-spatial relations of transition processes [34,35]. Connotations of proximity, in different contexts, have proven valuable to interpret spatial and relational dynamics among actors [36][37][38][39]. Currently, there is no framework that explains this spatial-relational interplay in the development of niches.…”

“…Local institutional coherences have received comparatively little attention so far [34]. We might learn from "proximity studies" that have been successfully applied in various fields, including food network analysis [51], by considering modes of spatial (i.e., geographical) and relational (i.e., social, organizational, institutional, cognitive) proximities [36][37][38][39]. Thus, we decided to add a new perspective to the development paths of niches and their interplay with broader spatial and relational dynamics.…”

Cooperating With “Open Cards”—The Role of Small Intermediary Businesses in Realizing Sustainable International Coffee Supply

“…Transparency is often facilitated by trust, as disclosing value chain information might reveal unsustainable business practices and affect business image. Thus, alternative trade arrangements for coffee build trust in pursuit of transparency (Vicol et al, 2018;Edelmann et al, 2020) -see next condition.…”

“…Approaches that pursue sustainable coffee supply, other than certifications, are alternative trade arrangements (Rathgens et al, 2020), e.g., direct trade of coffee and relationship coffee models (Jaffe and Bacon, 2008;Edelmann et al, 2020). Key players in these arrangements are intermediary coffee businesses between producers and consumers, i.e., roasteries, breweries, and retailers.…”

“…Conditions that enable alternative trade arrangements include, among others, direct contacts, trust, transparency, accountability, and commitment (Gerard et al, 2019;Edelmann et al, 2020;, all indicative of cooperating with "open cards" as a summative condition to advance sustainability across the supply chain.…”