City Research Online

Abstract

This thesis critically analyses food related collaborative platforms and the role of their knowledge in food sustainability. It explores how these collaborative platforms learn and how their knowledge impacts food sustainability. The existing literature suggests that contemporary and future food sustainability challenges are getting more complex and that collaborative multi-stakeholder platforms are one response to this. Although these have not been studied, the literature suggests that the role of knowledge and collective learning within collaborative platforms might be an essential element for developing effective solutions to food sustainability challenges.
This thesis therefore sets out to study two collaborative platforms, the UK Product Sustainability Forum and the European Food Sustainable Consumption and Production Roundtable, to analyse what they do, how they work and what influence they have within food sustainability. These two platforms were selected, because they work in the area of food sustainability, provide guidance to stakeholders in the food system, involve government representatives and they emphasise their desire to create and share knowledge collaboratively on food sustainability.
The analysis shows the importance of collaborative multi-stakeholder platforms within food sustainability and highlights the critical role of collaborative learning and knowledge sharing. This study shows that collaborative learning on food sustainability is influenced by strong motives of pragmatism, financial benefits and strengthening the resilience of the agro-industrial food system. These aspects not only endorse past and unsustainable practices in the food system, but also limit the creation of effective knowledge that can help to solve current food sustainability challenges.
Thus, even though food related collaborative platforms are a form of solution to understand and act on current and emerging food sustainability challenges, the research has shown that at present they are only partially promoting effective solutions. The thesis argues that there is the potential to improve existing food related collaborative platforms and their learning on food sustainability. These improvements can help to implement and operate food related collaborations on a local, national and international level.
This research is the first exploration of learning and knowledge transfer within food related collaborative platforms that work on sustainability challenges. The findings provide guidance to food collaborations, policy makers, food industry, civil society and academia to help understand and utilise collaborative learning and knowledge within food sustainability.
Keywords: Collaborative platforms, food industry, knowledge, politics, collaborative learning, knowledge transfer, sustainability, food systems

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Departments:	Doctoral Theses School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Healthcare Services Research & Management > Food Policy School of Health & Psychological Sciences > School of Health & Psychological Sciences Doctoral Theses

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