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Connecting business with the agricultural landscape: business strategies for sustainable rural development

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  • Simon R. Swaffield
  • Robert C. Corry
  • Paul Opdam
  • Wendy McWilliam
  • Jørgen Primdahl

Abstract

Agribusiness enterprises link rural landscapes to global and regional markets. The nature of these business–landscape relationships is vital to the sustainability transition. Decisions by farmers and agriculture policymakers aggregate to changes in the ecology of landscapes, but the influence of food supply system businesses on rural landscape sustainability also requires scrutiny. This article uses four international cases to present a conceptual framework for investigating how different business strategies can support agricultural landscape sustainability. Insights from North America, New Zealand, The Netherlands, and Denmark inform the framework dimensions of horizontal/territorial and vertical/systemic business–landscape relationships. Three types of business model that promote rural sustainability are highlighted: provenance, cogovernance, and placemaking. These models engage strategies such as environmental management systems, certification, ecosystem and landscape services, and spatial planning. Research directions that will improve understanding about how business can engage with rural stakeholders for more sustainable rural landscapes are identified, including the need for cross disciplinary perspectives incorporating social, ecological, and business knowledge.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon R. Swaffield & Robert C. Corry & Paul Opdam & Wendy McWilliam & Jørgen Primdahl, 2019. "Connecting business with the agricultural landscape: business strategies for sustainable rural development," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(7), pages 1357-1369, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:28:y:2019:i:7:p:1357-1369
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.2320
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    2. Xiaowei Chen & Tianyu Zhang & Fu Jia, 2020. "Industry convergence as a strategy for achieving sustainable development of agricultural complex: The case of Sandun‐Lanli in China," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2679-2694, September.
    3. Danilo Brozovic, 2020. "Business model based on strong sustainability: Insights from an empirical study," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 763-778, February.
    4. Reis, G.G. & Heidemann, M.S. & Goes, H.A.A. & Molento, C.F.M., 2021. "Can radical innovation mitigate environmental and animal welfare misconduct in global value chains? The case of cell-based tuna," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    5. Bingjie Song & Guy M. Robinson & Douglas K. Bardsley, 2020. "Measuring Multifunctional Agricultural Landscapes," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-30, August.
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    7. Nic J. Lees & Sivashankar Sivakumar & Xiaomeng Lucock, 2024. "Agrifood Sustainability Transitions in Firms and Industry: A Bibliographic Analysis of Research Themes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-27, August.
    8. Germano Glufke Reis & Marina Sucha Heidemann & Katherine Helena Oliveira de Matos & Carla Forte Maiolino Molento, 2020. "Cell-Based Meat and Firms’ Environmental Strategies: New Rationales as per Available Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-16, November.
    9. Jørgen Primdahl & Veerle Van Eetvelde & Teresa Pinto-Correia, 2020. "Rural Landscapes—Challenges and Solutions to Landscape Governance," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-6, December.

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