| FOCUS on The Multidisciplinary Approach of Rural Studies – Editorial “Make or buy: that is the question for rural development. A collection of essays in memory of Flaminia Ventura“ by Pietro Pulina |
| The Multidisciplinary Approach of Rural Studies – Research Article “Rural studies: A new paradigm that integrates previously separated disciplines” by JAN DOUWE VAN DER PLOEG discusses the main features of rural studies and especially explores the theoretical, institutional and historical backgrounds of these features. It argues that the specificity of agriculture strongly impacts its study and theoretical representation – as much as the resulting theories contribute to shaping the unfolding of agricultural activities over time. | The Multidisciplinary Approach of Rural Studies – Research Article “The evolution of policy instruments for European rural development” by ANGELO FRASCARELLI discusses the evolutions that have taken place in agricultural and rural policy instruments since their first implementation in 1999. It will be underlined how the evolutions have been influenced by the concept of multifunctionality and the emergence of the new paradigm of rural development. Rural development represents an alternative to the agro-industrial and post-productivist paradigms. The consequence is the introduction of a territorial and multi-sectoral approach to rural development. |
| The Multidisciplinary Approach of Rural Studies – Research Article “The institutional analysis of rural development processes: an interpretation of the writings of Flaminia Ventura” by GAETANO MARTINO aims to elaborate on a particular series of studies connecting agricultural economics and rural sociology by categories drawn mainly from new institutional economics. The study identifies two main phases: first, analysing the relationship between organizational concepts and farming styles, and second, integrating territory, sociotechnical systems, and organizational aspects to provide a more comprehensive view. | The Multidisciplinary Approach of Rural Studies – Research Article “Contested Ecological transitions in agri-food: emerging territorial systems in times of crisis and insecurity” by TERRY MARSDEN assesses the extent to which sustainable transitions are occurring with reference to Europe in the 2020’s. Re-assessing the relationships between science, policy and politics is critical given the ‘polycrises’ which are impacting upon our food systems. Do these interlinked crises and disruptions suggest opportunities for sustainable and more territorial transitions in agri-food to gain traction and scale out? |
| The Multidisciplinary Approach of Rural Studies – Research Article “The role of farmers: governing the farm enterprise, markets, and networks” by PIERLUIGI MILONE argues that agency and networking are crucial concepts in the analysis of choices related to the “make or buy” decision that concern, and materially affect, the boundaries of the farm’s operations. The focus will be on agency as strategic in the active organisation, combination and development of factors of production, while networking is central in the construction of (new) markets and other solutions to day to day or strategic problems. | The Multidisciplinary Approach of Rural Studies – Research Article “Towards more and better markets for farmers: The case of family Farming Agri-processing in Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil” by SERGIO SCHNEIDER, ALEXANDER CENCI argues that it is necessary to take a step forward regarding the notion that markets are collective action devices that can be mobilised in favour of the actors who build and govern them. There are multiple markets that coexist and establish disputes, which lead to the emergence of different types of markets. At the same time, markets are structured differently, depending on the context in which agents participate in commerce. |
| Review Article “Policy mixes in rural areas: a scoping literature review” by NAOMI DI SANTO, TERESA DEL GIUDICE, ROBERTA SISTO aims to explore the existing literature to determine the main topics on policy mixes in rural areas, the commonly used methodologies, the key features of policy mixes, and the suggested future research directions. This study was conducted using a scoping literature review and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology; it included 78 articles. | |
