2024
Agribusiness & Sustainability I
Name: Agribusiness & Sustainability I
Code: GES12422D
9 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/243 hours
Scientific Area:
Ciências Empresariais
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
This CU aims to deepen and develop the skills necessary for research in Agribusiness and Sustainability in
an organisational context, namely:
A. Provide and understand the theoretical and conceptual framework of the firms and institutions of the
agroforestry and food sectors in the context of its global environment;
B. Analyse the upstream and downstream factors of a sustainable agroforestry and food chain;
C. Identify and assess the main models and strategies currently defined by organisations in the
agroforestry and food sector and their impact on sustainable development;
D. Understand the new economic, socio-environmental and technological paradigms and reflect on how to
design and implement more holistic solutions for an integrated and sustainable agroforestry and food
sector.
an organisational context, namely:
A. Provide and understand the theoretical and conceptual framework of the firms and institutions of the
agroforestry and food sectors in the context of its global environment;
B. Analyse the upstream and downstream factors of a sustainable agroforestry and food chain;
C. Identify and assess the main models and strategies currently defined by organisations in the
agroforestry and food sector and their impact on sustainable development;
D. Understand the new economic, socio-environmental and technological paradigms and reflect on how to
design and implement more holistic solutions for an integrated and sustainable agroforestry and food
sector.
Contents
1. Agribusiness: Concept, evolution and geographies
Sectors, products and services
Actors, markets, value chains and governance
Public policies and trade agreements
2. Territories and sustainable agroforestry production systems
Eco-efficiency and sustainable production models
Products, public goods and territorial development
Knowledge systems and innovation systems
3. Globalisation and dynamics in agribusiness
Marketing of inputs, land and property rights
Marketing, internationalisation and consumption
Sustainability in organisations
4. Macro trends and new societal and economic paradigms
Food consumption patterns and their geographical diversity
Eco-optimised supply chains and metropolitan areas
Bioeconomy, eco-efficiency, energy and the circular economy
5. Strategic and technological challenges for sustainable agribusiness
Innovative and sustainable business strategies and models
Information systems and digital business
Smart agribusiness and Industry 4.0
Sectors, products and services
Actors, markets, value chains and governance
Public policies and trade agreements
2. Territories and sustainable agroforestry production systems
Eco-efficiency and sustainable production models
Products, public goods and territorial development
Knowledge systems and innovation systems
3. Globalisation and dynamics in agribusiness
Marketing of inputs, land and property rights
Marketing, internationalisation and consumption
Sustainability in organisations
4. Macro trends and new societal and economic paradigms
Food consumption patterns and their geographical diversity
Eco-optimised supply chains and metropolitan areas
Bioeconomy, eco-efficiency, energy and the circular economy
5. Strategic and technological challenges for sustainable agribusiness
Innovative and sustainable business strategies and models
Information systems and digital business
Smart agribusiness and Industry 4.0
Teaching Methods
In line with the CUs aims and content, teaching methods include:
Lectures on the state of the art regarding the themes under scrutin, to open a general debate;
Active participation to foster dialogue, presentation of ideas and opinions in order to stimulate students
ability to think in the abstract and concretely, and the capcity to present their ideas verbally;
Research and readings related to programme content followed by classroom discussion;
Case studies drawn from the business context are presented, analysed and discussed by students,
teachers and guest speakers.
Evaluation of the knowledge and skills acquired consists of both observation by teachers, students
independent study, bibliographical research and literature reviews, their presentation of theories and
concepts, and and/or group presentations. The components of this continuous assessment are weighted
as follows: attendance (10% of the final grade), individual work (50%), participation and group work (40%).
Lectures on the state of the art regarding the themes under scrutin, to open a general debate;
Active participation to foster dialogue, presentation of ideas and opinions in order to stimulate students
ability to think in the abstract and concretely, and the capcity to present their ideas verbally;
Research and readings related to programme content followed by classroom discussion;
Case studies drawn from the business context are presented, analysed and discussed by students,
teachers and guest speakers.
Evaluation of the knowledge and skills acquired consists of both observation by teachers, students
independent study, bibliographical research and literature reviews, their presentation of theories and
concepts, and and/or group presentations. The components of this continuous assessment are weighted
as follows: attendance (10% of the final grade), individual work (50%), participation and group work (40%).
