Hybrid governance structures for quality farm products

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This book examines the supply channels of quality farm products, highlighting their role in establishing a quality assurance system that rebuilds consumer confidence and encourages consumers to pay for specific quality. This stands in contrast to the conventional food industry, which struggles to regain consumer trust despite various traceability and quality assurance systems. Notably, these supply channels often create their own governance structures due to market inefficiencies. The research poses the question of which governance structures are employed by actors in developing these new supply chains and the rationale behind their choices. It is anticipated that these channels will exhibit a hybrid governance structure, necessitating civic coordination and collaboration among independent actors. A further inquiry is whether hybrid governance structures can be classified into distinct categories with clear characteristics. Additionally, the book explores the significant role of farmers in these innovative supply channels, emphasizing that the quality of products hinges on farmers' efforts, which may require additional input. With changing agricultural policies encouraging these new channels to support European agriculture and curb rural depopulation, the book questions the profitability of these supply channels for farmers. Lastly, it investigates whether these initiatives genuinely stimulate innovation, proposing that strong