Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) in Calabria : a sociological exploration of interaction dynamics

This thesis aims to advance the understanding of identities and roles of Alternative Food Networks (AFNs). It focusses on AFNs which operate in contexts where traditional aspects are still dominant within the local agrifood systems, and which act on both food provisioning and raising awareness about civic issues. This research examines the identities and roles of AFNs by shedding light on the dynamics of the organisation and implementation of their activities. For this, the thesis firstly adapts a theoretical and methodological framework – Interaction Ritual (IR) theory - for the investigation of social phenomena, starting by unveiling the functioning of their internal dynamics; secondly, it operationalises and applies the selected theoretical and methodological framework in order to analyse GAS M which is a case of an AFN. Namely it is a case of ‘Gruppo di Acquisto Solidale’ (Solidarity Purchasing Group - GAS).

Below the main contributions and recommendations of this research are synthesised.

1) This research contributes to the body of knowledge on AFNs by generating insight into the identity of an AFN which operates in a context of a traditional agrifood system, attributes to both consumers and consumer-based civil society organisations leading roles, and works on both food provisioning and activities of civic relevance. The research demonstrates that the identity of GAS M is not clearly defined. Instead, it is continuously re-shaped in response to the varying combination of material and civic activities and interests. The mentioned activities and interests attract different groups of people. It is especially the small group that manages GAS M that is interested in civic activities. Often people in this group choose the organisational arrangements that are in line with their interests so their interests override other people’s interests. GAS M is undergoing a process of ideological and material selection which, together with the pre-eminence of civic interests, has three main implications: a) the equity of the food provisioning system recreated by GAS M is reduced; b) its role as a creator of occasions where producers and consumers can satisfy their needs of buying and selling products with specific physical features is reduced. Furthermore, while its role in building community and creating spaces for socialising and learning is supported, it only reaches people sharing certain interests; c) the durability of GAS M and its likelihood of expansion are limited.

2) The second result and contribution of this research is theoretical and methodological.

First of all, the study contributes to refining IR theory. It represents a first attempt to apply the IR model in a study of AFN activities. The research reinterprets IR theory in an explorative and strictly dynamic-centred way. It operationalises the guidelines of IR theory for the collection and analysis of data that result naturally from normal everyday AFN interactions. Furthermore, this approach provides analytical tools to ascertain the intensity of AFNs’ activities, what attracts attention in these activities, which sort of attention, and what its significance is. 

Secondly, this research has contributed towards advancing the existing body of research into AFN dynamics. Previous studies have focussed on processes of negotiating meaning in order to understand AFN identities and roles. Following IR theory, this research goes beyond the negotiation of meaning by analysing not only the content of interaction but also its intensity. In doing so the study shows not only which issues influence AFN identities and roles, but also which activities play an important role. In addition, the study provides insight into the dynamics of power and inclusivity in AFN interaction that is, among others, reflected in decision making about activities. Unlike previous studies which have looked into these questions by interviewing actors and relying on their rationalisations, this study explores these questions through the analysis of normal every day activities and interactions, and what is also being indicated as ‘natural data’. In this way, this research contributes to overcoming actors’ personal preferences and ideas, which may bias their rationalisations about these matters.

3) Finally, this research gives some recommendations for further research. It advises to study more cases of AFN in order to check to what extent the results of this case-study may be generalizable.  Furthermore, it offers some inputs on how the approach can be used so as to consider a broader variety of cases in the analysis. Secondly, this research invites future researchers look into what influences the intensity of AFNs’ activities and contributes to their stabilisation, and to explore the causal relationship between civic and material activities and interests.