Title: Integrated management of the PGI 'Matera' Bread chain

Authors: Piermichele La Sala; Nicola Faccilongo; Mariantonietta Fiore

Addresses: Department of Economics, University of Foggia, Largo Papa Giovanni Paolo II, 1 71121, Foggia, Italy ' Department of Economics, University of Foggia, Largo Papa Giovanni Paolo II, 1 71121, Foggia, Italy ' Department of Economics, University of Foggia, Largo Papa Giovanni Paolo II, 1 71121, Foggia, Italy

Abstract: Supply chain management can be considered as a means to achieve higher levels of service and substantial savings in costs. Integrated management systems represent a crucial starting point and the backbone for reaching desired goals of competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to analyse a 'new institutional' IT-based approach to the integrated management of the Italian Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) 'Matera' Bread food chain. The research carries out a comparative analysis of economic performance indicators, that were collected ex ante and ex post the IT technology introduction. Results highlight how efficient use and sharing of information assets can improve the vertical integration of supply chain and contribute in reduction transaction costs for all supply chain operators. Finally, this paper sheds some light on the importance of integrated policies and systems of the food chain necessary for encouraging a rise in the quality of the final product.

Keywords: new institutional economics; NIE; integrated management; technological innovations; coordination; IT platform.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2017.086336

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2017 Vol.13 No.5/6, pp.665 - 683

Received: 14 Jan 2016
Accepted: 06 Apr 2016
Published online: 04 Sep 2017 *

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