Quality Management In Food Chains (Hb 2007) Hardcover

This publication presents recent research on quality management in agri-food chains, addressing the increasing focus on food safety and quality following various food crises, such as BSE and Foot-and-Mouth disease. In response to these challenges, quality management systems and assurance schemes have been widely implemented across different countries. However, scientific insights into their characteristics, acceptance, effectiveness, and efficiency have remained limited. Authored by experts in the field, this book evaluates quality management systems and assurance schemes, with a particular focus on their costs and benefits, the role of government influence, and consumer expectations regarding food safety and quality. It also explores benchmarking and harmonization methods, assessing their impact on the effectiveness of quality assurance programs. Additionally, the importance of trust, cooperation, and integration in achieving efficient quality management is discussed. Drawing on economic theories such as microeconomics, organizational theory, and marketing theory, as well as advanced statistical methods, the book examines quality management concepts from the perspectives of industrialized, export-oriented, and developing countries. Providing a comprehensive overview of quality management in food chains, it highlights key global challenges and future research directions. This resource is valuable for academics, industry professionals, and policymakers involved in food quality management.