-First part, mainly theoretical: 48 hours:
Structure and organization of the agro-food system. Evolution of vertical relationships within the supply chain. The role of food retail sector. Meaning of “demand pulled” food systems. Meanings of competitiveness. Forms of competition. Sources of competitiveness in agro-food markets. The Porter competition model of Porter in relation to agri-food markets.
The reaction of agri-food system companies to competitive pressures.
Competitiveness and organization: forms of horizontal and vertical coordination, forms of vertical integration. Examples of coordination between food firms.
Competitiveness and market shares: the competitive strategies in the strict sense.
-Second part, more real case involving, 24 hours:
Strategies of cost leadership, differentiation strategies, focusing strategies: theoretical recalls and systematization in the agri-food sector.
Examples of competitive strategies in food processing: horizontal and vertical differentiation.
Differentiation through competitive levers. Differentiation and sustainability: competitive levers related to environment and ethics.
Differentiation and rationalization of costs. food logistics as a competitive lever.