Research

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22 pages, 818 KiB

Open AccessArticle

TAM-Based Study of Farmers’ Live Streaming E-Commerce Adoption Intentions

by Xinqiang Chen, Xiu-e Zhang and Jiangjie Chen

Agriculture 2024, 14(4), 518; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14040518 - 24 Mar 2024

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Amidst the digital economy surge, live streaming e-commerce of agricultural products has significantly boosted agricultural prosperity. Investigating farmers’ behavioral intentions toward adopting live streaming e-commerce holds critical importance for fostering agricultural healthy and swift growth. Utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a [...] Read more.

Amidst the digital economy surge, live streaming e-commerce of agricultural products has significantly boosted agricultural prosperity. Investigating farmers’ behavioral intentions toward adopting live streaming e-commerce holds critical importance for fostering agricultural healthy and swift growth. Utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a foundation, this study incorporates three additional variables—government support, platform support, and social learning—to devise a theoretical model. It takes the agriculture-related live streaming e-commerce platform as an example, with 424 Chinese farmers as the sample, to quantitatively assess the factors that impact the intentions to adopt live streaming e-commerce behaviors. The findings indicate that, firstly, the TAM is applicable to the assessment of farmers’ intentions to adopt live streaming e-commerce. Secondly, government support positively impacts perceived usefulness, social learning enhances perceived ease of use, and platform support positively impacts both perceived ease of use and usefulness. Lastly, the technology acceptance extension model applicability varies among farmer groups: government support influence on perceived ease of use is more significant among traditional farmers, social learning impact on perceived ease of use is higher in farmers with higher education levels, and platform support effect on perceived usefulness is stronger among farmers experienced in e-commerce. Therefore, differentiated promotion strategies by the government are necessary, and e-commerce platforms should leverage their technology to offer efficient services and encourage farmer education. A multi-party collaboration model involving the government, platforms, and farmers is essential to collectively foster the healthy development of rural live streaming e-commerce. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trade Development and Value Chains in Agriculture)

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21 pages, 1605 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agricultural Trade Effects of China’s Free Trade Zone Strategy: A Multidimensional Heterogeneity Perspective

by Huasheng Zeng, Yue Yan, Ling Tao and Yuxi Luo

Agriculture 2024, 14(3), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14030390 - 29 Feb 2024

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Abstract

The purpose of this work is to investigate the varied effects of China’s free trade zone (FTZ) strategy on agricultural trade and its underlying mechanisms. This work utilizes the propensity score matching–staggered difference-in-differences (PSM–Staggered DID) approach and synthetic control method (SCM) as its [...] Read more.

The purpose of this work is to investigate the varied effects of China’s free trade zone (FTZ) strategy on agricultural trade and its underlying mechanisms. This work utilizes the propensity score matching–staggered difference-in-differences (PSM–Staggered DID) approach and synthetic control method (SCM) as its analysis methods. This study analyzes trade volume data between China and various countries alongside diverse economic indicators spanning from 1995 to 2020. The data sources include CEPII_BACI, the China Free Trade Zone Services website, the Penn World Tables, and the CEPII database. The novelty of this work lies in exploring the multidimensional heterogeneity of agricultural product trade effects in FTZs and their underlying mechanisms and extending the application of causal inference methods to the assessment of FTZs’ trade effects. Empirical analysis indicates that the establishment of FTZs with partner countries has contributed to the growth of China’s agricultural trade. The effects of agricultural trade resulting from China’s FTZ strategy exhibit multidimensional heterogeneity in the aspects of agreement terms, years, product categories, and network positions. Specifically, when it comes to the agreement terms, FTZs negotiated by China with broader scope, deeper terms, and stronger constraints have a more significant impact on agricultural trade due to the establishment of FTZs; in terms of years, the agricultural trade effects have gradually expanded over time; in terms of product categories, China has expanded its imports of primary agricultural products and semiprocessed agricultural products from partner countries, thus augmenting its exports of horticultural agricultural products and processed agricultural products. In terms of network positions, China, as a hub country, has greater agricultural trade effects than partner countries after the establishment of the FTZs. Finally, the paper proposes policy recommendations for optimizing the implementation strategy of FTZs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trade Development and Value Chains in Agriculture)

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16 pages, 5514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Trade’s Impact on Agricultural Carbon Emissions in China and the United States

by Rui Song, Jing Liu, Kunyu Niu and Yiyu Feng

Agriculture 2023, 13(10), 1967; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13101967 - 09 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1402

Abstract

Accelerating economic globalization is a major driver of the transfer of embodied pollutant emissions from trade. China and the United States are currently the largest importers and exporters of agricultural products, respectively, and are also major producers and consumers of these products. This [...] Read more.

Accelerating economic globalization is a major driver of the transfer of embodied pollutant emissions from trade. China and the United States are currently the largest importers and exporters of agricultural products, respectively, and are also major producers and consumers of these products. This paper aims to analyze and compare the patterns of embodied agricultural carbon emissions (ACE) in the two countries, which is crucial for understanding how trade influences the transfer of such emissions. In this study, we calculated the embodied ACE of China and the United States from the perspectives of production and consumption for the years 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2016 by establishing a multi-regional input–output (MRIO) model. Additionally, we employed the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition method to analyze the driving factors behind the changes in embodied ACE over time. The findings indicated that the embodied ACE associated with imports and exports in China and the United States followed a pattern of increase and subsequent decrease during the period 1970–2016, with net imports escalating from −18.79 million tons and −3.62 million tons to 40.35 million tons and 51.22 million tons, respectively. This study identified two main factors contributing to the reduction in embodied ACE in both countries: the declining intensity of embodied ACE per unit of traded products and the diminishing proportion of the primary industry. The growth in GDP per capita, population expansion, and an increase in the proportion of agricultural products in international trade are predicted to promote an increase in embodied ACE imports and exports in both countries. This paper advocates for the reduction of embodied ACE through the continuous promotion of research and application of energy-saving and emission-reduction technologies, an optimized industrial structure, and the implementation of relevant energy-saving and emission-reduction policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trade Development and Value Chains in Agriculture)

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19 pages, 865 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Growth Effect and Its Influencing Factors: Empirical Evidence Regarding China’s Fruit and Vegetable Exports to RCEP Countries

by Guangji Tong, Rui Hong and Lei Shi

Agriculture 2023, 13(10), 1908; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13101908 - 28 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1445

Abstract

Fruit and vegetable products, integral to human nutrition, play a vital role in dietary patterns. Moreover, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) region, a critical market for Chinese fruit and vegetable exports, has observed the growing presence of these Chinese produce groups. The [...] Read more.

Fruit and vegetable products, integral to human nutrition, play a vital role in dietary patterns. Moreover, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) region, a critical market for Chinese fruit and vegetable exports, has observed the growing presence of these Chinese produce groups. The ratification of the RCEP bolsters the liberalization of fruit and vegetable commerce in the region, consequently fostering opportunities for its development. Nonetheless, existing studies have insufficiently addressed fruit and vegetable commerce in the region and its consequent effect on trade expansion. In this context, it is crucial to analyze the trade pattern associated with the swift export growth of fruit and vegetables. This study employs binary marginal analysis and the stochastic frontier gravity model. This study’s findings reveal that, with respect to the growth effect, the expansion of China’s fruit and vegetable exports to RCEP countries in recent years primarily stems from the contribution of the extensive margin. Considering the factors influencing trade, metrics like free trade agreements (FTAs), the extent of trade liberalization, political expenditure levels, government transparency, and liner transport connectivity significantly impact China’s fruit and vegetable exports. Regarding trade efficiency, the current efficiency value of China’s fruit and vegetable exports to RCEP countries is relatively low, characterized by substantial country-specific variations and immense future trade potential. The insights gleaned from this research can offer decision-making support for the collaboration on fruit and vegetable trade between China and the RCEP region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trade Development and Value Chains in Agriculture)

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16 pages, 951 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Consumer Loyalty and Customer Satisfaction in the New Agricultural Value Chain

by Chin-Shyang Shyu, Chun-Chang Yen and Cheng-Sheng Lin

Agriculture 2023, 13(9), 1803; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091803 - 13 Sep 2023

Viewed by 2587

Abstract

Affected by advances in artificial intelligence and awareness of green environmentalism, consumers’ purchasing behavior of fresh agricultural products has been transformed. New agricultural value chains are being created, such as the new retail model. This study used principal component analysis (PCA) to select [...] Read more.

Affected by advances in artificial intelligence and awareness of green environmentalism, consumers’ purchasing behavior of fresh agricultural products has been transformed. New agricultural value chains are being created, such as the new retail model. This study used principal component analysis (PCA) to select essential factors of online consumer behavior and adopted multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) to analyze the consumer behavior of Fresh Hema, a new retail format completely reconstructed by Alibaba for offline supermarkets, under different levels of the new retail model. The study adopted an online questionnaire of the consumer behavior of Fresh Hema in 2022. The results show that playfulness and epidemic prevention positively impacted customer satisfaction; convenience benefits and green logistics had the most significant positive impact on customer loyalty. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trade Development and Value Chains in Agriculture)

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14 pages, 311 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Multi-Dimensional Vectors on China’s Agricultural Products Export: Based on fsQCA

by Xiaomiao Yin, Lirong Xing and Chunxiao Cui

Agriculture 2023, 13(9), 1760; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091760 - 05 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1044

Abstract

Since 2004, China has been experiencing persistent and significant agricultural trade deficits. The longstanding unfavorable balance has induced a series of problems that require urgent attention. The fundamental approach to narrow the agricultural trade gap is to increase agricultural exports. Based on the [...] Read more.

Since 2004, China has been experiencing persistent and significant agricultural trade deficits. The longstanding unfavorable balance has induced a series of problems that require urgent attention. The fundamental approach to narrow the agricultural trade gap is to increase agricultural exports. Based on the cultural, institutional, geographical, and economic theoretical framework and using the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis configurational approach, this study clarifies the configurational paths of the impact of multi-dimensional vectors on China’s agricultural exports in recent years. The findings show that (1) the multi-dimensional vectors configuration paths from 2016 to 2020 have certain similarities, and the impact paths are relatively stable; (2) the configuration paths of multi-dimensional vectors are different when comparison involves’ China’s high-level and non-high-level agricultural exports; (3) all the four vectors simultaneously affect high-level agricultural exports; and the absence of cultural and institutional vectors influence China’s non-high-level agricultural exports. Therefore, policymakers should note that one size does not fit all in promoting agricultural exports and that improving the overseas dissemination of a country’s culture and its institutional policies can greatly increase agricultural exports. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trade Development and Value Chains in Agriculture)

22 pages, 745 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Portuguese Agrifood Sector Resilience: An Analysis Using Structural Breaks Applied to International Trade

by Maria de Fátima Oliveira and Pedro Reis

Agriculture 2023, 13(9), 1699; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091699 - 28 Aug 2023

Viewed by 894

Abstract

In the last two decades, Portugal suffered the effects of two global crises, the financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the Common Agriculture Policy reforms. These crises had a great impact on the Portuguese economy, but it is completely unclear [...] Read more.

In the last two decades, Portugal suffered the effects of two global crises, the financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the Common Agriculture Policy reforms. These crises had a great impact on the Portuguese economy, but it is completely unclear how they affected the dynamics of the Portuguese agrifood sector. This study’s objective is to analyze the resilience of this sector to European and global socks, testing the effects on international trade. Secondary data from the Portuguese Statistics Institute were used for the exports and imports trade series of animal and vegetable products and food industries from 2000 to 2020. The methodology was based on the structural xtbreak model, stability analysis, and tests for structural breaks. Some volatility was observed in the trade series, particularly in imports, without consistency among years, trade sectors, or imports versus exports trade. In the case of exports, one or two structural breaks in the different sectors occurred in different years. The most relevant dynamics occurred after the sovereign debt crisis. It was concluded that CAP reforms and global crises seem to not have caused new relevant dynamics in the Portuguese international agrifood trade. This revealed the resilience of the sector to external shocks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trade Development and Value Chains in Agriculture)

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Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 3881 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research Trends in Agricultural Marketing Cooperatives: A Bibliometric Review

by Dejsi Qorri and János Felföldi

Agriculture 2024, 14(2), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14020199 - 26 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1766

Abstract

In the last decade, agricultural cooperatives have become increasingly popular in the food industry. This paper aims to shed light on the extensive literature on agricultural cooperatives. Design/Methodology/Approach: In conducting this review, we applied the bibliometric review method. Initially, we retrieved 1249 bibliometric [...] Read more.

In the last decade, agricultural cooperatives have become increasingly popular in the food industry. This paper aims to shed light on the extensive literature on agricultural cooperatives. Design/Methodology/Approach: In conducting this review, we applied the bibliometric review method. Initially, we retrieved 1249 bibliometric data from the Scopus database, which were reduced to 364 documents after applying the PRISMA guidelines. The data were filtered using the following keywords: “agricultural marketing cooperatives”, “agricultural marketing societies”, “performance”, “value chains”, and “supply chains”. Findings: According to our findings, the present research is primarily focused on smallholders, sustainability, and supply chain management topics. We found that current research lacks an understanding of why agricultural cooperatives fail in terms of finances, investments, and implementation of strategies. We conclude that agricultural marketing cooperatives in their current state and legal form might not be flexible enough to compete in markets due to global and sustainability concerns. Finally, we provide a practical roadmap for researchers, investors, policymakers, and non-profits. Limitations: The main limitation of our review is that it contains only studies found in Scopus and examines only the English language literature. Originality/Value: Bibliometric analyses focused on agriculture cooperatives are scarce, and this paper provides a broader perspective of the existing literature. Moreover, it identifies research gaps and current trends in the field while providing a detailed description of how agricultural cooperative research has evolved over time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trade Development and Value Chains in Agriculture)

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