Modelling Stakeholders’ Knowledge and Perception in a Fuzzy Cognitive Map: The Case of the Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) Value Chain in Central Italy
, Claudia Consalvo, Giuseppe Russo, Marco Ciolfi, Marco Lauteri and Pierluigi Paris
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Manuscript titled "Modelling stakeholder’s knowledge and perception in a Fuzzy Cognitive Map: the case of the extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) value chain in Central Italy" identify and adopt innovative approach both at farm and oil mill levels.
In abstract, define the acronym for Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM). The main objective of the work is unclear.
Introduction. Indicate the total production of olive oil
Line 124. Mental Model software (year)
Divide the methodology into subtitles. By example:
Description of the Case Study
Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM)
Line 275. The reference (?)
The gray color of the letters in the cognitive maps is difficult to distinguish
Conclusions. Indicate, What are the prospects for olive oil production?
Author Response
Dear reviewer, thanks for your useful comments. We have now amended the manuscript according to your suggestions. Please find below a short answer and the relative changes reported in the text.
1. In abstract, define the acronym for Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM). The main objective of the work is unclear.
Response: The acronym has been added where Fuzzy Cognitive Map has been mentioned for the first time (LL14). Objectives have been clarify (L16-18 and 26-28)
2. Introduction. Indicate the total production of olive oil
Response: olive oil value chain in Umbria region has been described in terms of number of farms managing olive groves and the relative area (ha), highlighting the regional contribute to the national production (L36-39).
3. Line 124. Mental Model software (year)
Response: the Mental Modeler software is available on line. The link to have access it has been added (L174).
4. Divide the methodology into subtitles. By example: Description of the Case Study; Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM)
Response: the material and methods section has been divided in two subsections:
2.1 data collection in which we explain how we collected data necessary to build the cognitive maps during the workshop (LL 122)
2.2 data analysis in which we explain how the data were processed in the Mental Modeler software (LL 172)
5. Line 275. The reference (?)
Response: in the results section, references are not reported and the text highlights the most relevant data of the study.
6. The gray color of the letters in the cognitive maps is difficult to distinguish
Response: the design of the map is automatically produced by the Mental modeller software and we are not able to change. However, the most relevant positive and negative relations among the components are reported and explained in the text.
7. Conclusions. Indicate, What are the prospects for olive oil production?
Response: a short overview of the weakness and strengths of the olive oil value chain in Italian marginal areas has been added. Through this study we expect to provide useful information about the factors that need to be considered in the perspective to improve the olive oil value chain (LL537-543).
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Manuscript Number: sustainability-2244089
Article: Modelling stakeholder’s knowledge and perception in a Fuzzy Cognitive Map: the case of the extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) value chain in Central Italy
Thank you for the opportunity to read this paper. The paper presents an interesting topic and relevant discussions. Below are some questions and suggestions.
Initially, why analyze “the case of the extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) value chain in Central Italy”. What justifies? How important is the sector? The results through this analysis can be considered in other contexts, why? Please provide elements in the introduction that justify analyzing this context.
I believe that there is still a lack of previously published studies to guarantee the necessary theoretical basis. Please briefly provide a state of the art on previously published research in this context and make it clear what sets your research apart.
Why choose this method (Fuzzy Cognitive Map)? Justify this in the methodological section. Present other studies that use this method.
Is 24 participants enough to guarantee the reliability of the data obtained? How to get around this limitation? How to justify this amount?
In the Discussion section, insert the study's contributions to both theory and practice. Please detail this.
In the conclusions there is a need to highlight the research limitations and how these limitations were overcome, in addition to indicating at the end at least three proposals for future studies as a way of continuing this research.
Good Luck!
Author Response
Dear reviewer, thanks for your useful comments. We have now amended the manuscript according to your suggestions. Please find below a short answer and the relative changes reported in the text.
1. Initially, why analyze “the case of the extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) value chain in Central Italy”. What justifies? How important is the sector? The results through this analysis can be considered in other contexts, why? Please provide elements in the introduction that justify analyzing this context.
Response: some statistical data about olive oil value chain in Umbria region has been added (L36-38). Furthermore, the possible re-utilization of olive oil value chain waste in innovative products was mentioned in order to highlight the importance of olive oli sector, both in maintaining and preserving the rural territory and to promote circular economy at small scale (LL 63-69).
2. I believe that there is still a lack of previously published studies to guarantee the necessary theoretical basis. Please briefly provide a state of the art on previously published research in this context and make it clear what sets your research apart.
Response: some references have been added (LL 44-48) to highlight: i) the difficulty of the olive oil sector due to the decline of olive production and ii) the need to contrast this trend identifying innovative solutions, both at farm and industrial levels.
3. Why choose this method (Fuzzy Cognitive Map)? Justify this in the methodological section. Present other studies that use this method.
At the beginning of material and methods section, a short paragraph about FCM approach has been added, highlighting that FCM is used in several disciplines and its main advantage (LL 110-120). Moreover, the FCM methodology has been expanded detailing the process adopted to collect the data (figure 2).
4. Is 24 participants enough to guarantee the reliability of the data obtained? How to get around this limitation? How to justify this amount?
Response: The FCM is a participatory exercise based on the collection of qualitative data and information. According to our reference review, it is not recommended to involve a high number of stakeholders to avoid the creation of too complex maps (3-5 participants for each stakeholder category are usually considered enough). In our case study, we have difficult to convince to participate at the workshop suppliers and administrators.
5. In the Discussion section, insert the study's contributions to both theory and practice. Please detail this.
Response: at the end of the discussion session a short paragraph has been included to underline the possible utilization of the study results to define potential strategy to valorize local olive oil value chain (LL 519-525)
6. In the conclusions there is a need to highlight the research limitations and how these limitations were overcome, in addition to indicating at the end at least three proposals for future studies as a way of continuing this research.
Response: the main limit of the study was related to the difficult to involve some stakeholder categories (suppliers and administrators). This aspect has been specified (LL 543-553). Possible further studies have been added at the end of the manuscript (LL 569-579).
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The paper report investigation on the knowledge and perception identification extra-virgin olive oil value chain. This research is interesting, and the results were appropriately presented. Overall, the paper was well written. However, the paper can be further improved as the following:
(1) In P1 Line 12, why “there is to need” ? and “innovative approach” for what ? what is the target problem?
(2) The purpose of the AFINET project is clear, however, the research motivation of this study is not concentrated.
(3) In “2. Materials and Methods” Section, a figure is needed to illustrate how the cognitive mapping was used at different levels.
(4) In P 13 line 373, “in terms of quality and quality” quality or quantity?
(5) The future direction is absent.
Author Response
Dear reviewer, thanks for your useful comments. We have now amended the manuscript according to your suggestions. Please find below a short answer and the relative changes reported in the text.
- In P1 Line 12, why “there is to need” ? and “innovative approach” for what ? what is the target problem?
Response: the main constraints and problems of the local olive oil value chain has been described in the revised version (LL 36-43). There is the need to find innovative solutions to effort several challenges (LL 63-69)
- The purpose of the AFINET project is clear, however, the research motivation of this study is not concentrated.
Response: olive orchards are one of the most representative landscape component of the territory around Orvieto. For this reason, the Italian partner of AFINET project purpose to focus the RAIN activities of the local olive oil value chain (LL 81-86)
- In “2. Materials and Methods” Section, a figure is needed to illustrate how the cognitive mapping was used at different levels.
Response: a figure representing the methodological framework of the FCM has been added (figure 2) in pag. 4. Figure 3, as example of wweighted edge relationships among variables, has been also included. Moreover, the definitions of the terms used relating to fuzzy cognitive mapping are reported in appendix 1.
- In P 13 line 373, “in terms of quality and quality” quality or quantity?
Response: multipliers consider oil production in general the most important component of the system. The sentence has been corrected (LL 424)
- The future direction is absent.
Response: at the end of the paper, further possible studies to be implemented are reported in order to better define strategies to valorize local olive oil value chain (LL 565-572)
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The review of the document was carried out satisfactorily.
Reviewer 2 Report
The authors made the necessary insertions and modifications suggested in the previous round of review. I consider the paper suitable for publication in its present form.
