Contribution to an Integrated Analytical Framework for the Study of the Relations between and within Agro-food Firms

none2Summary The differences in size, culture and technology that characterise the agro-food firms contribute to make collaborative horizontal and vertical relationships difficult. This negatively influences the supply chains performances. The goal of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the inter- and intra-firms relationships dynamics, in particular the definition of the main variables influencing successful collaborative relationships. A survey on the literature related to Supply Chain Management, local businesses systems (firms cluster, districts), Knowledge Networks, Organisation theory (Human Resource Management, Resource Based View, Culture Organization, Psychological contract) was performed. The main factors influencing the relationship among members and business areas, within the firm, those influencing the inter-firms relationship, and the firm relationship with the economic, social and institutional environment, have been identified. Starting from a classification of these factors, according to their different analytical contexts and theoretical approaches, a logical framework was created. Sustainability and relationships performance emerged as the main latent construct defined by a mix of the variables trust, commitment, satisfaction and collaboration; the nature and role of these variables were analysed, following recent research contributions (Fischer, C., Hartmann, M., Reynolds, N., Leat, P., Revoredo-Giha, C., Henchion, M., Gracia, A. (2008), (Fritz M., Martino G., Surci G,2008). A new hypothesis was formulated, including elements not considered by the previous research contributions, on the factors influencing the variables defining the main latent construct. Three variables were considered: • KSA (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities): latent construct observable through the measurement of five variables: conflict resolution, communication, collaborative problem solving, goal setting and performance management, planning and task coordination (Stevens M.J., Campion M.A., 1994); • Psychological contract: variable influencing the members’ relationship within the firm (Rousseau, 1990); • Human Resource Management: observed by analysing the technical and strategic effectiveness of the Human resource management policies and the human resources capabilities (Huselid M.A., Schuler R.S., 1997). The relationship sustainability will be analysed within different organisations cultures characterising the human resources, the business areas, and the whole of the firm. This will become the context within which our hypothesis on the role of the above mentioned variables will be tested. Future research development should broaden the literature survey on the theoretical framework adding other approaches related mostly to the field of sociology and psychology; from the methodological point of view, the structural equation model (SEM) seems to be the most appropriate analytical tool. The many qualitative variables implied in the theoretical model should be correctly measured in order to be used in a SEM; to this end the literature on measurement scales definition and their relevance for the different types of statistical analysis tool should be examined.mixedZanasi C.; Rota C.Zanasi C.; Rota C