Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS): Facts and fiction on the concept of participation
Abstract
Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS): Facts and fiction on the concept of participation Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) are a new concept which shall ensure that requirements for the quality of organically produced food are met. PGS are used for local markets and emphasize active participation of a broad base of local actors engaged throughout the organic value chain. Promoters of PGS assume that this type of guarantee assurance is cheaper, less bureaucratic or more capable of promoting rural development. PGS are framed by their promoters as more effective and efficient alternative to product certification carried out by accredited, independent organic certification bodies, which is currently established in law as guarantee assurance mechanism for organic products. Research on PGS has just started and many phenomena linked to and paramount for PGS are not yet studied. This project will examine how PGS-participation is perceived by PGS-members, why they participate or not participate and which benefits and costs drawn from their participation PGS-members perceive. In addition, PGS-participation will be described and analyzed from a scientific point of view and the effect of participation or non-participation in the PGS on the claimed benefits of PGS (e.g. increased trust in products) will be assessed. Framing participation in PGS in a broader context of activities which are not related to the PGS but may compete with PGS-activities for PGS-members’ time resources and within the broader political and institutional context and structural forces in place will allow us to identify factors hindering and facilitating actor participation in the PGS. For this purpose, qualitative interviews, surveys, participant and non-participant observation and focus groups will be used as data collection methods and applied in each two PGS initiatives in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador. Deliverables of the project will be relevant as PGS have hardly been addressed in scientific literature so far. Although actor participation is a paramount element of PGS, it has not yet been studied on a broad basis. Project outcomes shall deepen our understanding of actor participation in PGS. The topic is of high relevance beyond the context of PGS as well, as participation is an important concept in a wide array of social processes. Consequently, by studying PGS we expect further insights for rural development beyond certification in organics.
Organic Farming Certification Quality Management Standards Participation
Publikationen
Bridging the Literature Gap: A Framework for Assessing Actor Participation in Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS)
Autoren: Kaufmann, S; Hruschka, N; Vogl, CR Jahr: 2020
Journal articles
Assessing Stakeholder Participation in Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS)
Autoren: Kaufmann, S; Hruschka, N; Vogl, CR Jahr: 2021
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
The benefits and challenges of participating in Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) initiatives following institutional formalization in Chile
Autoren: Hruschka, N; Kaufmann, S; Vogl, CR Jahr: 2022
Journal articles
Alternative Food Networks in Latin America-exploring PGS (Participatory Guarantee Systems) markets and their consumers: a cross-country comparison
Autoren: Kaufmann, S; Hruschka, N; Vildozo, L; Vogl, CR Jahr: 2023
Journal articles
Participatory Guarantee Systems, a more inclusive organic certification alternative? Unboxing certification costs and farm inspections in PGS based on a case study approach
Autoren: Kaufmann, S; Hruschka, N; Vogl, CR Jahr: 2023
Journal articles
Konsument*innenbewusstsein, -vertrauen und -partizipation in Partizipativen Garantiesystemen (PGS) in Mexiko, Chile und Bolivien
Autoren: Kaufmann, S; Hruschka, N; Vogl, CR Jahr: 2023
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
Endbericht: Partizipative Garantiesysteme (PGS): Fakten und Fiktion zum Konzept der Partizipation (PGSP)
Autoren: VOGL, C; KAUFMANN, S; HRUSCHKA, N Jahr: 2023
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Project staff
Christian R. Vogl
Ao.Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Christian R. Vogl
christian.vogl@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-93312
Project Leader
07.01.2019 - 06.07.2023
Nikolaus Hruschka
Dr.nat.techn. Nikolaus Hruschka MSc. MSc.
hruschka@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-93345
Project Staff
07.01.2019 - 06.07.2023
Sonja Kaufmann
Dr.nat.techn. Sonja Kaufmann
sonja.kaufmann@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-93344
Project Staff
01.08.2021 - 30.06.2023