Cristiano Rossignoli

Transition Management and Social Innovation in Rural Areas: Lessons from Social Farming

Abstract Purpose The article reflects on transition management in rural areas and the possible implications for extension services able to support social innovation and rural change, starting from experiences on social farming in different areas of Italy. Design/methodology/approach By presenting three case studies we investigate the role of social services in rural development. The design follows a research action involving local stakeholders (private and public) in a process of collective learning. Findings The article highlights the difficulties and opportunities encountered in the process of transition management. In addition, it identifies key elements able to facilitate in redefining extension services supportive for social innovation and transition in rural areas. Practical implication Rural areas are facing difficulties in dealing with the current crisis. In addition, the collapse of the welfare state contributes in reducing the viability of rural areas. In this scenario the article suggests: to re-think rural development initiatives; to improve the linkage between public and private actors in creating economic and social values; a possible process of transition able to create a new collective knowledge, innovative solutions and new rules and attitudes among sectors – agriculture, health, education – and actors – private and public. Originality/value In the perspective of the 2020 EU strategy on social innovation, the research offers insight into the adoption of approaches and methods that can ensure more equitable paths towards inclusive and sustainable adjustment in rural areas.

Collaboration, knowledge and innovation toward a welfare society: the case of the Board of Social Farming in Valdera (Tuscany), Italy

ABSTRACT Purpose: Through an analysis of a social farming (SF) case study, this article investigates how collaboration and knowledge co-creation between different actors can support the process of rural transition in order to stimulate innovation in the welfare system using agricultural resources. Methodology: We used the ‘Antecedent-Process-Outcome Framework’ developed by Wood and Gray [1991. “Toward a Comprehensive Theory of Collaboration.” The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science 27 (2): 139-162] and adapted by Thomson and Perry [2006. “Collaboration Processes: Inside the Black Box.” Public Administration Review 66 (s1): 20-32], to analyse the collaborative process within the Board of Social Farming (BSF) in Valdera, Italy. The BSF in Valdera is particularly important as it was the first transition arena developed in Italy for SF development. Findings: The article highlights the difficulties and opportunities encountered by the BSF in the knowledge co-creation and collaboration, and identifies key elements to facilitate innovation in SF and more generally in transition processes. Practical implications: The article aims to generalize crucial practical elements in the relationship between collaborative approaches and innovation in the field of innovative welfare society, which is increasingly key to rural transition. Theoretical implications: Innovation in SF is complex due to the need to identify new knowledge, diverse kinds of organizations and innovative interactions among many private and public stakeholders. The article explores the concept of collaboration in SF in order to re-define the production of public and private goods within local and rural communities. Originality: The article aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of collaboration in order to reinforce rural transition pathways.

Retail Power and Private Standards in the Agri-Food Chain

In recent years there has been an increased focus on private retail standards (PRS)—both individual and collective—in Europe and elsewhere. These standards, which may include rules on infrastructure, equipment, modes of production, processing, and quality management, have implications for not only economic relations within the agri-food chain but also political and social relations as well. This article provides an overview of the evolution of collective private retail standards (in particular international ones), outlining: how and why these standards have come to play an increasingly dominant role on the agri-food chain; their implications on their sustainability; the opportunities and threats for the agri-food chain, with a focus on developing countries. As a result, we conclude that the growing power of retailers along the agri-food chain produces ambivalent effects, especially in terms of sustainability, that merit further study. At the same time, we underline that there is still a considerable debate as to whether standards should be thought of as opportunities or barriers for development.

Enhancing participatory evaluation in a humanitarian aid project

This article examines participatory evaluation of humanitarian aid projects in post-conflict contexts, through the presentation of a particular case: the evaluation of a project supporting herders and Bedouin communities breeding small ruminants in the Gaza Strip. The article analyses the current situation in the Gaza Strip, a unique humanitarian context, in order to gain insight into the value of participatory evaluation in post-conflict settings. The article analyses the participatory evaluation in order to understand how participation functions, what lessons can be learned and what outcomes can be generated. Finally, this experience demonstrates how participatory evaluation can work effectively in humanitarian settings despite the obvious constraints of conflict and post-conflict settings. Whilst participatory evaluation contributes to improving humanitarian-aid interventions, a more structural approach to participation is needed to achieve concrete and durable results.