Applied Geography

Call for Papers

The Ever-Changing Food and Beverage Landscape: Challenges, Opportunities, Equity, and Policy

Guest Editors

Neil Reid, University of Toledo, USA

Rafael Garduño Rivera, Universidad de Navarra, Spain

Haoying Wang, New Mexico Tech, USA

Introduction

The theme of the proposed special issue is The Food and Beverage Industry: Current and Emerging Challenges and Opportunities. The food and beverage industry plays a critical role in every country. Its value chain expands from manufacturing, packaging, warehousing, transportation, retailing to purchasing and consumption of food and beverages. The industry provides sustenance to people across the globe while also contributing significantly to local, regional, and national economies. For example, the food and beverage sector in the United States employs over 1.8 million people. It is the third largest contributor to manufacturing gross domestic product (National Institute of Standards and Technology 2021).

Meanwhile, the industry has undergone significant transformations over the past several decades, from the popularity of organic food in the early 2000s to the surge of online grocery and food deliveries propelled by the COVID-19 pandemic. These industry-level innovations reflect society's desires and concerns regarding food safety, health, and the environmental footprints of the industry. For instance, estimates suggest that food systems account for over one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions (United Nations 2021). Other social and economic concerns, such as the fragility of the food supply chain and food waste, are also reshaping the industry landscape (e.g., Felix et al. 2020). It is imperative to identify and understand the current and future challenges and opportunities presented in the food and beverage industry to facilitate innovations.

Objectives and Research Topics

This special issue explores current and emerging challenges and opportunities facing the food and beverage industry. Challenges, of course, must be overcome, and opportunities must be harnessed. Moreover, what might be conceived of as a challenge to one company or place may represent an opportunity for another company or place. Current and emerging challenges and opportunities in the food and beverage industry include [but are not limited to] high rates of worker turnover, inflation, the rise of e-commerce, supply chain vulnerability, geo-political instability, environmental sustainability, tracking and tracing of food, changing consumer values and tastes, changing regulatory environments, food safety, food waste, monoculture, and an overreliance on food aggregators (e.g., Grub Hub).

At the industry level, overcoming challenges and taking advantage of opportunities often requires identifying and adopting new technologies or business models. These can include reconfiguring or expanding the value chain, embracing new technologies, pinpointing new markets, finding new ways to serve existing customers, etc. More often than not, these "new ways of doing business" have a geographical dimension. They could change the industry landscape on different scales (e.g., local, regional, national, and international). In addition, these "new ways of doing business" can have differential impacts on sub- populations of a society. For example, increased use of automation along the supply chain can disproportionately affect specific places and groups of the labor force.

With this special issue, we hope to assess the socio-economic implications of changes occurring in the food and beverage industry and, where applicable, identify possible policy prescriptions and pathways that might ameliorate their negative impacts, especially those on disadvantaged populations and communities. We hope this special issue will generate new insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the food and beverage industry by encouraging submissions from scholars across various disciplines, using different methodological approaches, and from diverse geographic contexts (see below).

Possible topics that are part of the special issue include those listed below. However, we welcome submissions on other topics relevant to the special issue theme.

• Changing Geographies and Systems of Production and Consumption
• Alternative Food Systems
• Transportation and Supply Chain Logistics
• Public Policy and the Regulatory Environment
• Environmental and Sustainability Issues
• Changing Consumer Tastes, Preferences and Behaviors.
• Access and Equity
• The Geography of Food Safety and Food Insecurity
• Automation, AI, and Industry 4.0
• Polycrisis (e.g., pandemics, geo-political disturbances, climate change, economic shocks, etc.)

Abstract Submission

We invite submissions from Geographers and scholars working in related fields such as Regional Science, Economics, and other social sciences. We encourage submissions from across the globe to have a special issue that represents as wide a variety of socio-economic-political contexts as possible. We also hope to receive studies demonstrating the range of geographers' methodological approaches, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Only manuscripts with an explicit geospatial focus will be considered for this special issue.

All papers should address significant issues pertinent to the themes of this issue and fall within the scope of the Journal of Applied Geography. Criteria for acceptance include originality, contribution, and scientific merit. All manuscripts must be written in English with high scientific writing standards. Acceptance for publication will be based on referees' and editors' recommendations following a standard peer review process.

In the email accompanying your abstract, please state how your proposed submission is consistent with the Aims and Scope of Applied Geography and why it is a good fit for this special issue. Abstracts (up to 250 words) should be emailed to Neil Reid at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Proposed Timeline

• Submission of abstracts (250-500 words) – March 15, 2024
• Decision on who to invite to make a submission (based on review of abstracts) – March 30, 2024
• First Draft Due – September 30, 2024
• Reviewer Feedback Due – November 15, 2024
• Revised Manuscripts Due – February 15, 2025
• Anticipated SI Publication Date – Late Spring 2025

References:

Felix, Ignacio, Adrian Martin, Vivek Mehta, and Curt Mueller. 2020. US food supply chain: Disruptions and implications from COVID-19. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-  goods/our-insights/us-food-supply-chain-disruptions-and-implications-from-covid-19.

National Institute of Standards and Technology 2021. Farm to Factory to Table: The Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry. https://www.nist.gov/mep/manufacturing-infographics/food-and-  beverage-manufacturing-industry.

United Nations. 2021. Food systems account for over one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions  https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1086822.

The Italian section of the Regional Science Association International (AISRe) supports the development of early career researchers (scholars younger than 35 years and who have received their PhD certificate no more than three before the application deadline) by granting a scholarship for a research visiting period in a hosting research institution in the European (EU27 + UK) territory.

The scholarship is established to recognize and honour the contribution of Professor Roberto Camagni, a founder of AISRE and an outstanding regional science researcher, committed to the encouragement and involvement of young scholars in Regional Science research and national and international communities.

Value: up to 15,000 €

Important Deadlines

The estimated process for 2024 is detailed below and the deadlines are as follow:

• 15 May 2024: Application
• 30 June 2024: Decision by the Evaluation Committee
• 5 July 2024: Acceptance by the winner

Download the Post-Doctoral Scholarship “Roberto Camagni” – 1ST Edition – HANDBOOK 2024.

Here you can access the APPLICATION FORM.

https://www.aisre.it/notizie/notizie-in-evidenza/post-doctoral-scholarship-roberto-camagni-1st-edition/

A 12-month postdoctoral opportunity in Integrated Modeling: Water and Economics with a scholarship from FAPESP was opened by the Thematic Project “INCT Climate Change Phase 2”, one of the National Institutes of Science and Technology supported by FAPESP in the state of São Paulo in together with CNPq.

Requirements:

- PhD obtained less than seven years ago in the areas of Economics, Environmental Engineering, Geography, Regional Science, Hydrology or Water Resources, with knowledge in input-output models and/or computable general equilibrium models;
- At least three years' experience in research on the integration of economic models and hydrological models, with experience in a multidisciplinary approach;
- Excellent ability to work in a team – experiences must be proven by publications;
- Interest in multidisciplinary projects.

Candidates must send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the following documents:

- Curricular summary in the FAPESP model (maximum 4 pages);
- Cover letter with a brief description of your research interests and experiences.

Questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The position is open to Brazilians and foreigners. The selected candidate will receive a FAPESP Post-Doctoral Scholarship worth R$9,047.40 per month and a Technical Reserve equivalent to 10% of the annual value of the scholarship to cover unforeseen expenses directly related to the research activity.

https://fapesp.br/oportunidades/inct_para_mudancas_climaticas_%E2%80%93_fase_2/6763/

No. 67 (2024): Portuguese Review of Regional Studies

https://www.review-rper.com/index.php/rper/issue/view/67

Editor-in-Chef: José Cadima Ribeiro

Co-Editors: Conceição Rego e João Marques

Full Issue

•  PDF

Articles

• The Urban Environment in Residential Satisfaction: Differences between Downtown and Neighborhoods

  Aline Ramos Esperidião, Alfredo Iarozinski Neto, Rafaela Antunes Fortunato, Cristina de Araujo Lima

• Relationship between the Urban Environment Characteristics and Satisfaction: The Brazilian’s Perception

  Aline Ramos Esperidião , Beatrice Fontolan, Iolanda Geronimo Del Roio , Alfredo Iarozinski Neto

• Appropriation of Public Space in the City of Aveiro - Strategies to Maximize the Benefits and Minimize the Negative Impacts of Visitors' Appropriation of Public Spaces

  Diogo Moleiro, Zélia Breda, Maria João Carneiro

• What is the Perception of Brazilians Regarding Green Urban Spaces?

  Maycon Jorge Ulisses Saraiva, André Geraldo Berezuk, Adelsom Soares Filho, Luciana Virginia Mario Bernardo

• The Role of Digital Marketing in the Perception of City Brands – The case of Castelo Branco

  Susana Bernardino, J. Freitas Santos, Margarida M. Matos

• National or Regional Recruitment: “Market Area” of University Cities

  Cássio Rolim, Conceição Rego, Andreia Dionísio, Elsa Ferreira

• What are urban consumers looking for in traditional products? The maize tortilla in a society in transition

  Laura Sánchez-Vega, Angélica Espinoza-Ortega, Humberto Thomé-Ortiz, Sergio Moctezuma Pérez

• Contributions to the Study of the Social Determinants of Health in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area

  Ana Paula Gato , Sandrina B. Moreira, José Rebelo dos Santos, Edgar Canais, Andreia Ferreri Cerqueira, Vítor Barbosa

• An input-output analysis of manufacturing industry by hypothetical extraction method

  Luciano F. Gabriel, Victor Valério, Rafael Capaz

• Determinants of Brazilian Beef Exports – 2000-2018

  Luis Abel, Dario Wellington Gomes, Edcleutson de Souza Silva, Jorge Luiz Mariano da Silva

The main purpose of this first workshop is to mobilize and nurture talents across the Western Balkans, publish a special issue of the journal on Sustainable Regional Development and European Integration in Western Balkans, and support RSAI in the creation of regional science sections in Western Balkans.

The workshop titled "The Role of Academic Research in Informing Evidence-Based Policy Making" aims to explore and emphasize the crucial connection between rigorous academic research and the development of effective, evidence-based policies. In this workshop, participants will delve into how scholarly investigations contribute to the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of policies that address societal challenges.

Key topics covered will include the process of translating research findings into actionable policy recommendations, the importance of robust methodologies in generating reliable evidence, and the role of academia in bridging the gap between research and policy domains. Through discussions, case studies, and interactive sessions, attendees will gain insights into how evidence-based policymaking can be strengthened through a symbiotic relationship with academic research. Ultimately, the workshop seeks to empower participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to foster informed and impactful policy decisions grounded in sound research practices.

In the context of the Western Balkan countries, the workshop on "The Role of Academic Research in Informing Evidence-Based Policy Making" holds particular significance. These nations, undergoing various socio-economic and political transformations, face unique challenges that demand well-informed and context-specific policy interventions. By emphasizing the importance of evidence-based decision-making, the workshop aims to address the specific needs and complexities of the Western Balkan region. Academic research can play a pivotal role in providing tailored insights into the region's challenges, offering data-driven solutions, and guiding policymakers toward strategies that are both effective and culturally relevant. In the context of Western Balkan countries, where policy decisions can have far-reaching implications for regional stability, economic development, and social cohesion, the integration of academic research into the policymaking process becomes not only beneficial but essential. This workshop serves as a platform for fostering collaboration between academia and policymakers, ultimately contributing to the development of robust, evidence-based policies that align with the unique circumstances of the Western Balkan countries.
Participants will have the opportunity to present their research and receive constructive feedback from peers and senior scholars.

More information at: https://www.efsa.unsa.ba/ef/en/about-workshop