FairTrade’s theory of change: an evaluation based on the cooperative life cycle framework and mixed methods



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https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19439342.2014.918164
Provider: 
Licensing of resource: 
Not open / All rights reserved
Type: 
journal article
Journal: 
Journal of Development Effectiveness
Number: 
3
Pages: 
268-283
Volume: 
6
Year: 
2014
Author(s): 
Francesconi G. N.
Ruerd, R.
Publisher(s): 
Description: 

This study presents a quasi-experimental analysis of the impact of FairTrade certification on the commercial performance of coffee farmers in Tanzania. In doing so the study emphasises the importance of a well-contextualised theory of change as a basis for evaluation design. It also stresses the value of qualitative methods to control for selection bias. Based on a longitudinal (pseudo-panel) dataset comprising both certified and conventional farmers, it shows that FairTrade certification introduced a disincentive to farmers’ commercialisation. We explain this counterintuitive conclusion on the basis of the ‘cooperative life cycle’ theory developed by US agribusiness scholars.

Publication year: 
2004