Quality signals and agri-food "Chain reactions"

In this paper we examine how dairy supply chains are organised in order to handle - or as a response to - quality signals. Several quality signals are examined, including PDO, private brands, and organic products. Several organisational forms and agri-food "chain reactions" are identified in our twelve case studies from seven European countries. These organisations range from cooperatives and private firms to umbrella organisations. They also include state agencies, as well as certification agencies. Although the variety of these organisational forms for similar types of quality signals may appear "paradoxical" under the neoclassical lens, it appears to be more "normal" if one adopts a broader institutional perspective.