The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform: the first 10 years

Abstract

This teaching case, appropriate for senior undergraduate and MBA students as well as for mid-career managers, challenges students to appreciate different facets of agribusiness sustainability, and to reflect on the potential consequences on all players in the global supply chain, from farmers to retailers, of the different methodological and philosophical approaches, definitions, and practices that are developed and adopted by the different constituencies, from independent industry organizations, to food processors and retailers. The case ‘story’ is structured around a strategic decision on what further development activity should be adopted by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform. SAI has just turned 10, its activities have proven quite successful, and the Platform is considering the next strategic move. The case frames the challenges facing SAI in a broader context, illustrating what SAI as well as an independent organization, the world largest food processor and largest retailer are do...