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‘Multi-SWOT’ Multi-Stakeholder-Based Sustainability Assessment Methodology: Applied to Improve Slovenian Legume-Based Agri-Food Chains

Author

Listed:
  • Tanja Dergan

    (Department of Knowledge Technologies, Institute Jožef Stefan, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Aneta Ivanovska

    (Department of Knowledge Technologies, Institute Jožef Stefan, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Faculty of Management and Engineering, University of Nova Gorica, 5271 Vipava, Slovenia)

  • Tina Kocjančič

    (Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Pietro P. M. Iannetta

    (Department of Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK)

  • Marko Debeljak

    (Department of Knowledge Technologies, Institute Jožef Stefan, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

Assessing the sustainability of agri-food chains is challenging for several reasons. It should account for the impacts on environmental, social, and economic wellbeing simultaneously, considering both the individual links in the chain and the chain as a whole. The primary aim of this study is to assess the conditions for meeting the sustainability criteria of a legume-based agri-food chain in Slovenia. Therefore, a quantitative sustainability assessment methodology was developed, using a multi-stakeholder approach, which upgraded the traditional SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. Our approach, called ‘Multi-SWOT’, aggregates the SWOT table inputs identified by stakeholders into factors, themes and focus areas, according to their importance for the agri-food chain, for each sustainability pillar, and links in the chain. By accounting for the relative number of incentives (beneficial factors) and barriers (constraint factors) we identified those factors that enhance the sustainability of the Slovenian legume-based agri-food chain and the factors jeopardising it. The incorporation of multi-stakeholder perspectives presents an innovative approach that adds value to a standard SWOT analysis. The study serves as a guide to help decision-makers better understand the multidimensionality of sustainability and identify effective activities to support and strengthen the current legume agri-food chain in Slovenia.

Suggested Citation

  • Tanja Dergan & Aneta Ivanovska & Tina Kocjančič & Pietro P. M. Iannetta & Marko Debeljak, 2022. "‘Multi-SWOT’ Multi-Stakeholder-Based Sustainability Assessment Methodology: Applied to Improve Slovenian Legume-Based Agri-Food Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-26, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:22:p:15374-:d:977349
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