The usefulness of social capital in assessing the welfare effects of private and thirdparty certification food safety policy standards

• Published in: British food journal (1966) Vol. 110; no. 4/5; pp. 493 - 513
• Main Authors: Sodano, Valeria, Hingley, Martin, Lindgreen, Adam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Emerald Group Publishing Limited 18-04-2008
• Subjects: Food safety; Product management; Social capital; Trust
• ISSN: 0007-070X
• DOI: 10.1108/00070700810868988

Purpose The aim of this paper is to assess the welfare effects of the newest trends in food safety policies characterised by the shift from public to private intervention. Designmethodologyapproach Food safety policies are analysed through concepts of new economic sociology, with a critical review of the literature on social capital. Findings The article shows that as food safety and quality attributes responsible for the exchange complexity are simply codified and enforced through standards and thirdparty certification, the global value chain governance shifts from a relational type to a powerbased type, with possible negative welfare effects. Research limitationsimplications Further research would be required to verify the welfare effects suggested on the theoretical ground. Practical implications The article makes a useful updating of food safety policies and organisational innovation in the food system. Originalityvalue The paper introduces some new with respect to the marketing literature related to the food system concepts and theories of economic sociology.