Why are agri-food systems resistant to new directions of change? A systematic review

Conti, C., Zanello, G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0477-1385 and Hall, A. (2021) Why are agri-food systems resistant to new directions of change? A systematic review. Global Food Security, 31. 100576. ISSN 2211-9124 doi: 10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100576

Abstract/Summary

A central concern about achieving global food security is reconfiguring agri-food systems towards sustainability. However, historically-informed trajectories of agri-food system development remain resistant to a change in direction. Through a systematic literature review, we identify three research domains exploring this phenomenon and six explanations of resistance: embedded nature of technologies, misaligned institutional settings, individual attitudes, political economy factors, infrastructural rigidities, research and innovation priorities. We find ambiguities in the use of the terms lock-in and path-dependency, which often weaken the analysis. We suggest a framing that deals with interdependencies and temporal dynamics of causes of resistance. Finally, we discuss implications for framing innovation for transformational change and other research gaps.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/100151
Identification Number/DOI	10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100576
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of Agri-Food Economics & Marketing
Uncontrolled Keywords	Inertia, Lock-in, Path-dependency, Agri-food systems, Innovation, Systemic change
Publisher	Elsevier
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