65881 - Economics of Agro-food Industry

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Docente: Davide Viaggi
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: AGR/01
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Marketing and Economics of the agro-industrial system (cod. 8526)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has gained a basic knowledge of the structural and economic characteristics of the agro-industrial system and of the socio-economic variables that characterise and affect its evolution; he/she knows the descriptive, organisational and functional elements of the farms and of the agro-industrial companies, and of the related chains, and is able to use the elementary instruments for the economic, management and strategic analysis of the firm, in its connections with the markets.

Course contents

Prerequisites

The student needs to have a good preparation in basic mathematics, statistics and general economics. Such knowldge are acquired through the first year basic courses.

 

Program

1. Course introduction (total didactic unit: 2 hours)

1.1. Illustration of the course organisation and of the modalities for the final exam

1.2. Illustration of the fields of use of the knowledge and capabilties acquired 

Competences acquired unit 1

a) The student knows the aim of the course and is able to locate the contents of the various units in a lerning pathway.

 

2. History and structure of the agriculture and agri-industrial sector (total didactic unit: 6 hours)

2.1 Elements of history and structure of the agriculture and agri-industrial sector

2.1.1 Evolution of the economic role of agriculture

2.1.2 Evolution of the role and organization of the agro-industrial and agri-food sector

2.1.3 The future scenarios: food and energy needs, bioeconomy, climate change

2.2 Structural and economic elements of the agriculture and agro-industrial system

2.2.1. Agriculture and agroindustry in the economy

2.2.2. Structural characteristics and economic performances of agriculture and agroindustrial firms

2.3 The functioning of agricultural markets

2.3.1. Dimensions, location and evolution of production

2.3.2. Dynamics of agricultural prices

2.4. Main sources of information

 

Competences acquired unit 2

a) The student knows the evolution and future scenarios of agriculture and the agroindustrial Sector

b) The student is able to access the main information sources

 

3. Production economics applied to agriculture (total didactic unit 10 hours)

3.1. The production function and the economic optimum in agriculture

3.1.1. Relationship factor-product

3.1.2. Relationship factor-factor

3.1.3. Relationship product-product

3.1.4. Costs functions and the production decisions

3.2 Economics of agricultural production factors

3.2.1. Land

3.2.2. Labour

3.2.3. Capital

Competences acquired unit 3

a) The student knows the basic theoretical aspects of production economics applied to agriculture

b) The students understands and is able to interpret the decisoin-making processes concerning the use of farm/firm resources

 

4. Investment and innovation (total didactic unit 8 hours)

4.1 The mechanisms of investment

4.1.1. The types of investment

4.1.2. Decision variables in investment choices

4.2 The mechanisms of innovation

4.2.1. Typlogies of innovation

4.2.2. Measures of efficiency and innovation

4.2.3. Decision-making mechanisms and determinants of innovation

Competences acquired unit 4

a) The student knows the basic theoretical aspects of economics of investment and innovation

b) The student understands and is able to intepret the decision-making processes concerning investment and innovation

 

5. Economic organisation of agricultural and agro-industrial systems (total didactic unit 10 hours)

5.1. Basic concepts

5.1.1. Transaction costs

5.1.2. Theoretical forms of coordination

5.2 The firm

5.2.1. Legal basis and economic nature

5.2.2. Organisational forms

5.3.3. Functioning principles

5.3 Forms of organisation among firms

5.3.1. Chains and districts

5.3.2. Firms' networks

5.4 Mechanisms of coordination and integration

5.4.1. Market

5.4.2. Contracts

5.4.3. Ownership and hierarchical relationshis

 

 

Competences acquired unit 5

a) The student knows the organisation of the agricultural and agro-industrial system

b) The student understands and is able to apply the intepretative instruments of economics to the organisational and integration processes in the agriculture and agro-industrial Sector

c) The student is able to intervene in the design of firm's organisation and of the relationships among firms

 

6. Classes (total didactic unit 18 hours)

6.1 Description of the agricultural economy of a sector/region 

6.2 Search of the optimal use of a production factor

6.3 Search for the optimal production level

Competences acquired unit 6

a) Ability to solve simple numerical problems related to the course

b) Ability to use the basic computer instruments to develop simple economic applications

c) Understanding of the practical implications of the subjects studied in the course

7. Seminars (total didactic unit 6 hours)

7.1 Experience of an agriculture/agri-industry firm

7.2 Experience of a farmers' union

7.3. Experience of a staff from Emilia-Romagna Region: issues in the agricultural economics of the region

Competences acquired unit 7

a) The student knows the concrete and actual problems of the firms of the agriculture and agro-industrial sector

Readings/Bibliography

During the course, the teacher will made available for the students the teachnig materials (in electronic format) used during the course, as well as specific references for the study and eventual integrations. The material of classes will be supplied both in the form presented during the classes, and with exercises solved.

Sodano V., Sassi M., Marchini A. (2010). Economia agroalimentare: mercati e politiche, McGraw-Hill, Milano

Colman D. and Young T. (1989). Principles of Agricultural Economics: Markets and Prices in Less Developed Countries, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Teaching methods

The course is divided in seven teaching units, of which the first five are represented by lectures, the sixth is made up by classes and the seventh is represented by seminars concerning the main subjects tought in the course, or specific experiences form external experts.

Assessment methods

The student is assessed with a final oral examination. During the exam, three questions are asked (each corresponding to a sub-module of the course). Within each question, if suitable, the student could be required to solve simple numerical problems related to the theme of the question. The final  mark will be given by the average of the scores gained from the answer to each individual question.

 

The final exam can be given in Engish. Indications about studying materials and program are available on AMS campus.

Teaching tools

White board, beemer, computer. All lectures are done with the support of ppt presentations. The classes are done with the use of Excel and internet, as well as using selected articles from specialised journals as a source of information.

Office hours

See the website of Davide Viaggi

SDGs

Zero hunger Quality education Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible consumption and production

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.