Verso un nuovo paradigma per la creazione di valore nell’impresa agricola multifunzionale. Il caso della filiera zootecnica

This paper proposes a new theoretical-methodological approach to interpret transformation processes of multifunctional agricultural farms moving towards multi-value enterprises. We have defined a theoretical paradigm of optimal value portfolio (OVP) which considers -in a new light- multifunctional agricultural farms as an ensemble of governance structures optimizing the creation of value. The need to validate the OVP functionality has led us to identify a new meth-odological approach referred to as the Value Portfolio and Multifunctional Gov-ernance Analysis (VPMGA). This analysis embeds value chain analysis and govern-ance value analysis and at the same time attempts to overcome the “sectoral” limits representing also a new and further development. We deem, in fact, that the VPMGA best responds to the specificities of multifunctional agricultural farms. Through the VPMGA we have identified four determining family variables which are internal and external to the farm (internal resources, market, territory, policies). We have also assessed the functional links with the boundary shift processes and the mechanisms governing transactions and the creation of an optimal value portfolio. We have validated this approach empirically on selected specific agri-food chain. From the findings we have defined various ideal types of farms that allowed us to make future scientific assumptions and highlight normative implications for im-proving managerial decision-making processes based on the VPMGA model