Value Chain Dynamics in a Biodiverse Environment: Advances in Biodiversity, Sustainability, and Agri-food Supply Chain Development

This book offers comprehensive insights into the latest developments in biodiversity, sustainability, and agri-food supply chains, fostering an informed approach to policymaking decisions in the agriculture and agri-food industry within the global economy. By addressing key societal and environmental challenges, such as desertification, floods, epidemics, rising trade costs, and food insecurity, it presents pioneering research initiatives to guide informed decision-making. 

Addressing the inadequate sustainability performance of agri-food supply chains due to complex stakeholder interactions and conflicting objectives, the book includes chapters on mapping the Cretan vegetable supply chain, trade initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean, cooperative member commitment, sustainable food consumption patterns, water resource management in Africa, value-chain development, a financial analysis of the brewery industry, and the value chain of carob-flour production. The book aims to promote biodiversity conservation by establishing sustainable supply chains in the global agri-food sector. Given its scope, the book is intended for a diverse audience, including academics, businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders. 

Konstadinos Mattas is a Professor of Agricultural Policy at the School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. He has published more than 300 reviewed articles in international journals, collected volumes, and conference proceedings. He has served as a reviewer for several journals, books, and collected volumes, and on several prominent EU and National Food Policy Committees. He is currently the managing editor of, or an editorial board member for, several academic journals. His special areas of interest are agro-food policy, EU policy, rural and economic development, regional economics, food marketing, and trade. 

George Baourakis is the Director of the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (CIHEAM–MAICh), Greece, and the Studies and Research Coordinator of the Business Economics and Management Department at MAICh. He is an Affiliate Professor of Marketing and Supply Chain Management at the Centre of Entrepreneurship, Nyenrode University, the Netherlands, and has served as a Distinguished Research Fellow of Food Marketing Management at several universities. He has published extensively in international scientific journals, presented at various international conferences, and authored/co-authored several scientific and academic books and special issues for leading publishers. 

Constantin Zopounidis is a Professor of Financial Engineering and Operations Research at the Technical University of Crete, Greece, a Distinguished Research Professor at Audencia Nantes School of Management, France, a Senior Academician of the Royal Academy of Economics and Financial Sciences of Spain, and President of the Financial Engineering and Banking Society (FEBS). He has edited and authored more than 70 books and 400 research papers in academic journals and collected volumes, conference proceedings, and encyclopedias in the areas of finance, accounting, operations research, and management science. In recognition of his contributions,he has received several awards from international research bodies such as the International Society on Multiple Criteria Decision Making, the Decision Sciences Institute, the MOISIL International Foundation, ESCP Europe, and the Hellenic Operational Research Society. 

Christos Staboulis holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics. He has contributed to various international conferences and published articles in international journals. He has also participated in national and international research projects. His research interests include agricultural policy, food marketing, international trade, and agricultural economics.