No abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate marginal, localized and restricted (MLR) activities in pork processing on local food markets in Poland, and identify the value generated for individual links in the supply chain. Design/methodology/approach The paper takes a case study approach to investigate the enterprises operating as MLRs. Data were collected during direct interviews with entrepreneurs in Siedlce county, in the Mazovian Region in Poland. The methodology of the basic Business Model Canvas (BMC) was applied to distinguish the two models they operate within direct and with an agent. Findings The results of the research process led to identification of customer value generated by MLR activities. For example, directness, authenticity and high quality, which are the main features that differentiate MLR from conventional activities. Research limitations/implications The case studies selected for the research were typical of their local food system (LFS). However, it can be expected that the processes described herein can also be found in the various different environments of other small and medium enterprises. Practical implications The models worked out during the research process fit perfectly into the assumptions of sustainable rural development, and their implementation could be a source of competitive advantages in LFS. Originality/value While MLR activities are usually characterized by the legal perspective, less is known about their operation in practice. This is the first academic study in Poland investigating MLR business models. With application of the BMC, this analysis could be used as a tool guide for building similar models on local food markets. Studies of business models for pork processing could provide inspiration for both academics and practitioners dealing in other food sectors.

Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on every aspect of human life, and, perhaps most significantly, on the operation of the world’s economy. Restrictions and limitations on freedom of movement had a clear impact on the ways in which companies and households functioned, and consumer behaviors and purchasing habits were demonstrably influenced in turn. Thus, the aim of this article is to illustrate these changes in light of the pandemic and, moreover, to highlight the related challenges pertaining to purchasing practices and consumer concerns. The study sample focused on students from Poland and Turkey, with data gathered using an online survey method. The resulting data were subsequently analyzed with the SPSS 26 program. The application of Pearson Chi-Square methods, as well as the analysis of descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequency, revealed significant differences between the two countries. As a result of the comparative analysis, clear differences were demonstrated in the nature of changes in consumer behavior between respondents from Turkey and Poland, most strikingly, the fact that the purchasing habits of respondents in Turkey have changed to a greater extent. It has been observed that limitations imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic had a greater impact on consumer behavior, particularly for students in Turkey.

W artykule analizie poddano koncentrację przestrzenną podmiotów marginalnych, lokalnych i ograniczonych tworzących lokalne systemy żywnościowe w Polsce i utożsamianych z krótkimi łańcuchami dostaw. Lokalne systemy żywnościowe w Polsce mogą przybierać formy organizacyjno-prawne takie jak: sprzedaż bezpośrednia, dostawy bezpośrednie, rolniczy handel detaliczny oraz działalności marginalną, lokalną i ograniczoną. Krótkie łańcuchy dostaw żywności odgrywają kluczową rolę w lokalnej gospodarce, środowisku i społeczeństwie. W artykule poruszono zatem problematykę związaną ze zrównoważonym rozwojem, alternatywami dla masowo produkowanej i dystrybuowanej żywności, przestrzennym zróżnicowaniem lokalnych podmiotów. Część empiryczna artykułu oparta jest na analizie podmiotów marginalnych, lokalnych i ograniczonych. W pierwszej kolejności dokonano charakterystyki analizowanych podmiotów i ich rozmieszczenia przestrzennego. Następnie, wykorzystując nieparametryczne modele drzew regresji, zidentyfikowano czynniki, które najsilniej wpływają na powstawanie podmiotów marginalnych, lokalnych i ograniczonych. Dostrzeżono, że czynniki przestrzenno- środowiskowe występują najczęściej w procesie rekurencyjnego podziału zbioru danych, a tym samym stanowią najsilniejszą determinantę działalności marginalnej, lokalnej i ograniczonej.

Direct selling is one of the most common local activities in the agri-food sector. Contemporary trends in the production and consumption of food indicate a duality of food systems, in which the concept of industrialization of the agri-food sector is simultaneously developing together with a concept of local food systems. In this article, it was noticed that the direct sale of agri-food products is in a line with the contemporary trends in the agri-food sector, and that it is important to analyze its spatial patterns. Taking into account the spatial concentration of direct selling entities, it has been proved that their distribution is random and does not show clustering patterns.