UEH Standard programs in English (20% English)

The Economics of Agro-Good Value Chains

Tiếng Việt

ECO501224

3

This course provides students with a solid foundation in the economics of agri-food value chains, enabling them to thoroughly understand fundamental concepts related to production, consumption, value chains, quality, and the interconnections between stages within agri-food value chains. Students will acquire critical knowledge about the behavior of producers and consumers, applying theories such as agricultural production functions, random utility functions, and issues of asymmetric information to analyze and study real-world cases. Additionally, this course helps students develop skills to analyze and evaluate business strategies employed by companies in the agri-food sector, including branding, pricing strategies, and labeling. It also explores innovation and the application of technology in agricultural production, particularly focusing on agricultural technology 4.0. Students will enhance their teamwork, research, and problem-solving skills within the context of agri-food value chains. Students' autonomy and responsibility are reflected in their ability to respect diversity and differences within agri-food value chains, as well as their accountability to consumers and the environment when making decisions. They will learn to take the initiative in research, creatively propose effective solutions to enhance societal value, and contribute to the sustainable development of the agri-food sector. Moreover, students will gain a clear understanding of the importance of lifelong learning and develop the ability to work independently, explore, and research to solve complex economic issues.

This course provides a theoretical foundation and analytical tools to understand and address economic issues related to food value chains. The course content focuses on exploring the role of value chains in enhancing economic efficiency, ensuring social equity, and protecting the environment. Students will study food consumption behavior through demand theory, examining the effects of income, prices, and preferences, as well as the impact of labeling and quality standards in building consumer trust. Additionally, the course analyzes food production processes, cost factors, economies of scale, and related environmental externalities.

Students will also gain knowledge of supply and demand models to assess the effects of prices, taxes, and regulatory policies on social welfare. The role of government in market regulation and the structure of markets, such as perfect competition and monopoly, will be discussed. The course integrates behavioral economics research, providing students with a deeper understanding of suboptimal factors in food consumption.

Furthermore, students will explore the transition from agriculture to industry and services, along with the impacts of globalization on food trade, production, and consumption. Combining theory and practice, the course offers students a comprehensive perspective on the global food system while developing their problem-solving skills within the context of the modern economy.