Socially Just Labor Arrangements in Agrifood Values-Based Supply Chains?

• In Event: 355 - Section on Economic Sociology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 15. Imperfect Information, Market Conflict

Abstract

Regional values-based agrifood supply chains are now being created based upon business models that emphasize values prioritized in the alternative agriculture movement. This paper examines the extent to which the social justice value of fair labor practices throughout the supply chain (in production, processing, etc.) are being incorporated into these business relationships. Initial findings suggest that the characteristics of the lead enterprise organizers of the supply chains, i.e., whether the chains are producer-, aggregator-, or consumer-driven, and power relationships within the supply chains are important influences in the extent to which fair labor practices are prioritized as values. In addition, contradictions within supply chains--both the dependence of values-based lead enterprises on conventional agrifood system supply chain partners and vision limitations within the alternative agriculture movement--also limit adoption of fair labor practices within values-based agrifood supply chains.

Authors

• Larry L. Burmeister, Ohio University

• Grace Curran, Ohio University

• Keiko Tanaka, University of Kentucky