Agribusiness Governance

What it is about

You will learn how firms and markets function in modern agribusiness. The module covers competitive behavior, market and power structures, the role of intermediaries and retail chains, vertical relationships, as well as incentive and contract problems. In the end, you will be able to analyze strategic behavior and design contracts to solve incentive problems.

What you will be able to do

• Describe features of modern food and agricultural markets
• Describe governance forms and organizational modes in agribusiness
• Explain the role of intermediaries and modern food retail
• Explain the importance of coordination for quality provision
• Apply analytical tools for analyzing strategic firm behavior
• Analyze strategic firm behavior
• Explain conditions for efficient coordination
• Design contracts to address incentive misalignment
• Apply contract design concepts to real cases in agribusiness

What the module consists of

• VorlesungProvision of core concepts on markets, governance and contracts
• Interaktive FormateEngagement of students for depth and application
• In-class ExperimenteDemonstration of incentive and strategic effects
• LiteraturdiskussionDiscussion of relevant scholarly articles
• ÜbungsaufgabenPractical application of analytical tools

Teaching method

• LecturesStructured introduction to theory and models
• Interactive methodsActive engagement for deepening and discussion
• In-class experimentsIllustration of incentive and strategic problems
• Discussion of relevant literatureDevelopment and contextualization of current research
• Practice exercisesAcquisition of analytical techniques