Karim Asmar

Researcher profile

A professional background at the service of research

Finding solutions to food challenges and organizing its activity requires a management perspective. With professional background that provided insights on the potentialities of the food activities, it was possible to dive into the culinary realms and gain an intricate understanding on the importance of the human action, the grounding of culinary culture and practices in the land, as well as the impact of people and their practices.

Complexity and multi-disciplinarity

In such a complex environment the economical actors operate in a transversal and multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, the study of the action and the construction of solutions must follow the same spirit. For this reason, considerations on the food activity and territorial development require a multidisciplinary approach.

Foundations of food networks

The interdisciplinary approach adopted consolidated the food network theory, which is an established concept in food economy and geography, in management sciences. The research identified and studied the foundations of food networks, especially the value based food networks and food networks of the middle. The study of the latter took place under the French acronym SyAM, which stand for “Systèmes alimentaires du milieu”.

Management frameworks

A SyAM has a complex foundation articulated around collaborative and territorial competencies. The SyAM functions on the assumption that any stakeholder can initiate the action. It also requires an anchoring in the territory in order to produce a distinct product. As such it can act as a lever for territorial development.

Emerging problematics and research interests

Such researches have triggered the exploration of emerging problems. With an exploration under the lens of social audit a light was made on the issues of absentee stakeholders, and the posture of stakeholders in situation of asymmetrical relations.

Action research and social audit

Sustainable development requires an understanding of the social impact. As a member of a society researchers have an obvious impact on their surrounding. Indeed, the research has to be invested in the action. It must be nourished from the problems on the field. Thus researchers have to wear two hats: stakeholder and reflector. It is through the iteration between these two roles that knowledge is built and solutions found.

Yet, such action has to take into account the intrinsic realities on the ground and the risks any intervention will carry. Thus, social audit issues become an essential part of researchers activities.

Reach out!

Whether you are interested to know more about the research issues or would like to explore potential collaboration, don’t hesitate to reach out.