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Niche-Regime Contractual Arrangements as Drivers of Agri-Food Transitions: Insights from the French Dairy System

Author

Listed:
  • Melise Bouroullec-Machado

    (EI Purpan - Ecole d'Ingénieurs de Purpan - Comue de Toulouse - Communauté d'universités et établissements de Toulouse, AGIR - AGroécologie, Innovations, teRritoires - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - EI Purpan - Ecole d'Ingénieurs de Purpan - Comue de Toulouse - Communauté d'universités et établissements de Toulouse)

  • Amanda Ferreira Guimarães

    (LEREPS - Laboratoire d'Etude et de Recherche sur l'Economie, les Politiques et les Systèmes Sociaux - UT Capitole - Université Toulouse Capitole - Comue de Toulouse - Communauté d'universités et établissements de Toulouse - UT2J - Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès - Comue de Toulouse - Communauté d'universités et établissements de Toulouse - Institut d'Études Politiques [IEP] - Toulouse - ENSFEA - École Nationale Supérieure de Formation de l'Enseignement Agricole de Toulouse-Auzeville)

  • Marie Dervillé

    (LEREPS - Laboratoire d'Etude et de Recherche sur l'Economie, les Politiques et les Systèmes Sociaux - UT Capitole - Université Toulouse Capitole - Comue de Toulouse - Communauté d'universités et établissements de Toulouse - UT2J - Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès - Comue de Toulouse - Communauté d'universités et établissements de Toulouse - Institut d'Études Politiques [IEP] - Toulouse - ENSFEA - École Nationale Supérieure de Formation de l'Enseignement Agricole de Toulouse-Auzeville, ENSFEA - École Nationale Supérieure de Formation de l'Enseignement Agricole de Toulouse-Auzeville)

  • Marie-Benoit Magrini

    (AGIR - AGroécologie, Innovations, teRritoires - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - EI Purpan - Ecole d'Ingénieurs de Purpan - Comue de Toulouse - Communauté d'universités et établissements de Toulouse)

Abstract

The economic literature views contractual arrangements as essential tools for securing supply chain and managing risk within agri-food value chain. Recent research, combined with insights from transition studies, has advanced the idea that they can also serve as instruments for developing new, more sustainable value chains. In the context of agri-food systems transitions, this requires rethinking contractual arrangements between producers, processors, and retailers. This paper introduces what we call Niche-Regime Contractual Arrangements (NiReCa), defined as adaptive coordination mechanisms structuring interactions between niche-innovations (farmer-led initiatives) and regime (incumbent dairies). Drawing on Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) and New Institutional Economics (NIE) -particularly Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) -we propose a three-phase analytical framework: (1) the emergence of niche-innovations, shaped by sustainability ambitions and internal coordination mechanisms;(2) the evolution of NiReCa patterns; and (3) the institutionalisation of NiReCa and their role in reshaping the architecture of agri-food systems through empowerment dynamics.Empirically, using a qualitative methodology, the study draws on seven cases to analyse crosscase patterns. The findings highlight three major dynamics: (1) dairy farmers-led nicheinnovations leverage regional branding and innovative contractual arrangements to regain economic agency; (2) tensions between farmer-led niche-innovations and incumbent dairies require flexible strategies, including informal agreements and strategic alliances; (3) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a key role in supporting dairy system transitions by facilitating news projects and offering alternative enabling transitions by offering alternative processing and market access. NiReCa are not merely tools for securing fairer remunerationthey are fundamental drivers of structural change. By enabling coordination between diverse actors, they foster contractual innovations that balance economic resilience with sustainability goals. These findings contribute to agri-food economics by showing how contractual adaptations mediate structural transformations in food systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Melise Bouroullec-Machado & Amanda Ferreira Guimarães & Marie Dervillé & Marie-Benoit Magrini, 2025. "Niche-Regime Contractual Arrangements as Drivers of Agri-Food Transitions: Insights from the French Dairy System," Post-Print hal-05489309, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05489309
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05489309v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Williamson, Oliver, 1991. "Comparative Economic Organization: The Analysis of Discrete Structural Alternatives," Institute for Policy Reform Archive 294665, Institute for Policy Reform.
    2. Shove, Elizabeth & Walker, Gordon, 2010. "Governing transitions in the sustainability of everyday life," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 471-476, May.
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