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Horticulturae
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Horticultural Economics, Policy, Business Management and Marketing: The Challenge of...
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Horticultural Economics, Policy, Business Management and Marketing: The Challenge of Sustainability (Closed)

A topical collection in Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This collection belongs to the section "Horticultural Economics, Policy, Business Management and Marketing".

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Editor

Prof. Dr. Christian Fischer

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Interests: horticultural economics, management and marketing; horticultural value and supply chains; fruit and vegetable consumer behaviour; rural development and horticultural policies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues

Horticulture is vital for the wellbeing of all of us—be it for nutritional reasons (e.g., the consumption of fruit and vegetables) or aesthetic purposes (e.g., the use of ornamental plants). To expand the production of these products and plants, detailed knowledge beyond the science and technology of growing and harvesting them is necessary. In addition, insights into the market needs and behaviours, supportive policy conditions and business management practices of horticultural enterprises are needed.

Horticulture differs from agriculture by the absence of animals, the length of production cycles (perennials versus arable crops) and a higher share of indoor production in controlled-environment conditions. Therefore, while being a well-established academic discipline, the findings from agricultural economics cannot always directly be applied to the horticultural sector. This has implications for the economics, business management and marketing of the involved organisations, enterprises, markets and products. Horticultural economists, marketers, business managers and policy makers require specific, timely and pertinent insights and useful knowledge to contribute their share to make the world a more sustainable place.

This topical Collection aims at providing a knowledge hub where the most recent research results on the economic and social aspects of horticulture with global relevance are combined and displayed. Whether empirical or theoretical, whether applied or fundamental, whether general or specific, this Collection is a home for the latest high-quality research papers. All contributions are welcome that fit in the following topics:

  • Horticultural economics including international trade and value chains;
  • Policies related to the development and support of horticultural territories, institutions and markets;
  • Business management of horticultural commercial enterprises and not-for-profit organizations and associations;
  • Marketing of horticultural products as well as insights into the behaviour of final consumers and B2B customers in the supply chain;

We look forward to receiving your submissions!

Prof. Dr. Christian Fischer
Collection Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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2023

Jump to: 2022

11 pages, 273 KiB  
Article
Problems of Retailers in the Cut Flower Sector and a Proposal for the Sustainability of the Sector: The Case of Turkey
by Zerrin Kenanoğlu
Horticulturae 2023, 9(8), 932; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9080932 - 17 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1347
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify the problems faced by retailers operating in the cut flower sector and to propose solutions to problems related to the sustainability of the sector. The study material consisted of data obtained by conducting a survey [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to identify the problems faced by retailers operating in the cut flower sector and to propose solutions to problems related to the sustainability of the sector. The study material consisted of data obtained by conducting a survey among 56 cut flower retailers in İzmir. In the study, factor analysis was used to determine the main problems that cut flower retailers encounter in the industry. Factor scores obtained through the factor analysis were divided into three clusters using cluster analysis. According to the results of the research, it was determined that the retailers included in the first cluster had the problem of obstacles to sales, the retailers in the second cluster had the problem of competition and cost increases, and finally, the retailers in the third cluster had the problem of quality. In light of these data, suggestions are made about what should be achieved for the sustainability of the retail cut flower sector. Full article
18 pages, 1218 KiB  
Article
Citrus Specialization or Crop Diversification: The Role of Smallholder’s Subjective Risk Aversion and Case Evidence from Guangxi, China
by Xinjian Chen, Mengyao Xia, Di Zeng and Xiaojun Fan
Horticulturae 2023, 9(6), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9060627 - 26 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1227
Abstract
Specialization may lead to higher income for small-scale farmers but comes with increased risks, while diversification can mitigate risks and foster agricultural sustainability. Considering the influences of complex risks and farmers’ subjective risk aversion, the decision for small-scale farmers to specialize in citrus [...] Read more.
Specialization may lead to higher income for small-scale farmers but comes with increased risks, while diversification can mitigate risks and foster agricultural sustainability. Considering the influences of complex risks and farmers’ subjective risk aversion, the decision for small-scale farmers to specialize in citrus cultivation or diversify with multiple crops remains uncertain. There is currently limited understanding of this issue among citrus smallholders in rural China. This study aims to fill this empirical gap by examining the impact of smallholder farmers’ subjective risk aversion on their choice between citrus monoculture and crop diversification. It utilizes a subjective risk assessment approach that incorporates farmers’ risk perceptions and risk attitudes towards citrus farming. Farm crop diversification is assessed through the utilization of both the count index and Shannon index. The empirical analysis employs survey data obtained from citrus growers in Guangxi, China, and applies an instrumental variable regression method with endogeneity consideration using the IV-Probit model and 2SLS model estimation. The results reveal that both risk perceptions and risk attitudes play important roles in citrus smallholders’ land allocation decisions. Specifically, citrus farmers who perceive higher risks and adopt risk-averse attitudes are statistically more inclined to engage in land use diversification practices, including the practice of growing citrus as well as other crops, which contributes to reducing the risks of citrus farming and promoting local environmental conservation. These results contribute to a better scholarly comprehension of the relationship between risk perceptions, risk attitudes, and crop diversification among small-scale citrus farmers. They provide valuable insights for enhancing the sustainability of land use systems with citrus farming while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining essential diversification in small-scale farming throughout the process of agricultural modernization. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2023

16 pages, 301 KiB  
Article
A Study on Perceptions towards Organic and Local Production, and Individuals’ Socio-Demographic and Geographical Affiliation Influencing Fruit and Vegetable Purchasing Preferences of EU Households
by Alice Varaldo, Danielle Borra, Emanuela Vassallo, Fabrizio Massimelli, Stefano Massaglia and Valentina Maria Merlino
Horticulturae 2022, 8(8), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080670 - 22 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1319
Abstract
This study investigates the preferences and the consumption models in the three most relevant F&V EU markets (France, Germany and Italy) in the function of individual attitudes towards local and organic production models. A structured questionnaire was submitted to a sample of 3000 [...] Read more.
This study investigates the preferences and the consumption models in the three most relevant F&V EU markets (France, Germany and Italy) in the function of individual attitudes towards local and organic production models. A structured questionnaire was submitted to a sample of 3000 consumers interviewed from December 2021 to January 2022 in the three selected geographical areas. Data were analyzed with the Principal Component Analysis and using the k-means cluster approach. Four main components (European is Better, Organic is Local, Quality is Origin-Related, and Clothes Do Not Make the Product) were defined and used to identify four different consumer clusters (organic and local-sensitive, origin and quality assessment, credence and intrinsic attributes, Global quality evaluation) across the entire sample of consumers. The main findings explain the importance of the origin of the F&V, which, however, is evaluated differently depending on the organic certification, the guarantees made by a brand/logo, and the evaluation of product quality cues. Furthermore, awareness of the logos significantly affects cluster composition and consumption orientation. Finally, the MLR model was applied, highlighting how certain socio-demographic variables, as well as the specific country, explain group membership very well. Full article
14 pages, 520 KiB  
Review
How to Measure Organic Fruit Consumer Behavior: A Systematic Review
by Alejandro Vega-Muñoz, Miseldra Gil-Marín, Nicolás Contreras-Barraza, Guido Salazar-Sepúlveda and Analia Verónica Losada
Horticulturae 2022, 8(4), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8040318 - 09 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2828
Abstract
This review article seeks to systematically identify appropriate ways to measure the consumption behavior of organic fruits. The systematic review of the literature was performed according to the criteria of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and the [...] Read more.
This review article seeks to systematically identify appropriate ways to measure the consumption behavior of organic fruits. The systematic review of the literature was performed according to the criteria of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and the eligibility criteria were declared through the PICOS (population, interventions, comparators, outcomes, and study) tool based on 277 article records scientiometrically identified in both the Journal Citation Report databases from Web of Science. The literature review stages determined a reduced set of articles that presented valid and reliable measurement scales that covered determinant constructs in organic fruit consumer behavior (OFCB). The measurement scale with the best results reported within the screened articles covered the constructs related to health, fear, environment, effort, and economy, allowing it to serve as a reference instrument in further studies on food consumer behavior. Full article
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