Food Chain in the Global Market

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
AGR/01
Language
English
Learning objectives
The course introduces students to topics on international fragmentation of production in Global value chains, with special emphasis to the agri-food sector.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge on how firms act in the Global Economy (Export Decisions, Outsourcing, and Multinational Enterprises), and which the effects of offshoring and of movement of capital between countries, will be the main learning topics of the first part of the course. How to analyze and measure the Global value Chain, and which the main caracteristics of some of the most relevant GVC in the food sector will be the main learning topics of the second part.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Part I The Actors, the choices, the effects Firms in the Global Economy: Outsourcing, and Multinational Enterprises (K-O-M Ch. 8); Offshoring of Good and Services (F-T Ch. 7); Movement of (Labor and) Capital between Countries (F-T Ch. 5).
Part II The GVCs analysis GVCs in the Agri-food sector - case studies: Coffee, Fruit & Vegetables, Cocoachocolate, Sugar-soft drinks, Wheat.
Part III The Global Value Chains: Measurement and Analysis How to measure GVCs: trade in Value Added. The measure of international fragmentation using WIOD database (with STATA)
Prerequisites for admission
Recommended: International agrifood markets and policies
Teaching methods
First Part - The Actors and the Choices: Classes for the first part of the course will be held in form of traditional lectures.
Second Part - The GVC Analysis: For the second part GVCs, after an introduction of GVC analysis (in form of traditional lectures), students will be required to prepare a power
point presentation concerning one of the Agri-food sector case studies: Coffee, Fruit & Vegetables, Sugar-soft drinks, Wheat, Shrimps, Banana, etc. Group presentation (4/5 students max). 30 min/group
Third Part - The GVC Measurement and trade in VA: For the third part GVCs, after an introduction on the measures of international fragmentation (in form of traditional lectures), students will learn how to measure food industry international fragmentation and trade in VA using WIOD database with STATA.
Teaching Resources
1. Feenstra R. C. e Taylor A. M. (2009), International Trade, Worth Publishers, New York (F-T)
2. Krugman P., Obstfeld M. and Melitz M.J. (2012). International Economics. Theory and Policy,Pearson (K-O-M)
3. Readings list suggested by the teacher
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final grade will consist of three parts: the written test on Part I (33%), for all students.
Attending students:
Second part- Group discussion (3-4 students) about one case study (33%). Third part- Empirical exercise on GVC measurement (ppt individual presentation) (33%).
Not-Attending Students:
Second Part - The GVC Analysis (33%): Oral exam on jointly decided GVC case studies (Coffee, Fruit &Vegetables, Sugar-soft drinks, Wheat, Shrimps, Banana)
Third Part - The GVC Measurement and trade in VA (33%): Readings on GVCs papers and an essay of 2000-3000 words to be submitted on a topic jointly decided.
If a student misses more than 40% of the scheduled class hours, she/he will not be considered as attending student.
Students with specific learning disabilities or other disabilities are requested to contact the Professor via email at least 10 days before the exam session to agree on any individualized measure.
In the email addressed to the teacher, the respective University services must be registered in CC: [email protected] (for students with LD) and [email protected] (for students with disabilities).
AGR/01 - AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL APPRAISAL - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours