Course overview
Agricultural value chains employ half the global labour force, control half of the world's assets and account for some forty per cent of consumer purchases. This course explores the management and performance issues surrounding agriculture and food value chains in both developed and developing countries. Students learn the practical, conceptual and academic aspects of value chain assessment and management, including: (i) learning techniques and methods for mapping supply chains and assessing performance; (ii) examining how value chain relationships and information flows impact business outcomes; (iii) investigating strategic supply chain management concepts; and (iv) studying the major trends in value chain management.
Course learning outcomes
- Apply the main concepts of value chains and relevant tools for mapping and analysing value chains
- Illustrate the relationship between value chain decisions and strategic fit to overall firm success
- Identify and explain the drivers of value chain performance including measurement
- Use conceptual and problem-solving skills to analyse how value chain decisions impact agribusiness, markets and society
- Identify and evaluate options for agribusiness firms when faced with a changing external environment, and explain options to managers and other decision-makers
- Use written and oral communication skills to work effectively in an agribusiness environment