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The Organic Mindset: Insights from a Mixed Methods Grounded Theory (MM-GT) Study into Organic Food Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Sebastian Kretschmer

    (Department of Organic Food Quality and Food Culture (FB 11), University of Kassel, Nordbahnhofstraße 1a, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Bettina Langfeldt

    (Department of Empirical Social Research (FB 05), University of Kassel, Nora-Platiel-Straße 5, 34127 Kassel, Germany)

  • Christian Herzig

    (Department of Management in the International Food Industry (FB 11), University of Kassel, Steinstraße 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Thomas Krikser

    (Department of Management in the International Food Industry (FB 11), University of Kassel, Steinstraße 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

Abstract

A broad understanding of food systems includes a complex web of activities, outcomes and drivers, encompassing not only the food and agriculture sectors, but also the social norms and cultures in which those activities are embedded. The organic food and farming movement has lately been portrayed as a food system of its own right, since it contains all necessary sub-systems, consisting of food environments, distribution networks, processing, as well as production and supply, all of which are bounded by an organic guarantee system. The underlying hypothesis of this investigation is that drivers in the organic food system operate on a paradigm level that is associated with the codified principles of ecology, health, fairness and care. Personality science suggests that the choice to act in pro-environmental ways is driven by an internalized sense of obligation or personal norms, which justifies our pursuit of seeking key drivers of food systems in the mindset of the actor. Through integrated findings from actor-centered mixed methods grounded theory research involving eleven case territories, this study identified a pattern of global mindset attributes that intuitively drive organic food system actors toward holistic human and sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Kretschmer & Bettina Langfeldt & Christian Herzig & Thomas Krikser, 2021. "The Organic Mindset: Insights from a Mixed Methods Grounded Theory (MM-GT) Study into Organic Food Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:4724-:d:541806
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chelsea Wentworth & Phillip Warsaw & Krista Isaacs & Abou Traore & Angel Hammon & Arena Lewis, 2023. "The resilience and viability of farmers markets in the United States as an alternative food network: case studies from Michigan during the COVID-19 pandemic," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(4), pages 1481-1496, December.
    2. Sebastian Kretschmer & Sheena Dehm, 2021. "Sustainability Transitions in University Food Service—A Living Lab Approach of Locavore Meal Planning and Procurement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-31, June.
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