Management, Economics and Consumer Studies (MME) / MSc

Profile

The focus of the MSc programme Management, Economics and Consumer Studies is on the managerial, economic, environmental and social aspects of the production and consumption of food and other agricultural products within households and businesses in a sustainable and dynamic environment. This complex system asks for an integration of social sciences and natural sciences, which is an important aspects of the programme. Students have to select one of the four specializations of the programme:
A. Business studies
This specialization deals with decision making in agri-businesses and is organized along two main themes: 1) supply chain management and 2) innovation and technology. The topics studied include strategy, operations management and decision-making in logistics, financial analysis , risk management, information management and marketing. The main focus is on the agri-(food) business and chains, which include agriculture, the raw materials industry, processing industry, financial institutes, wholesalers and retailers. Students can also choose to focus on the facility management processes of a large company or public organization.
B. Consumer studies
This specialization is concerned with consumers and consumption practices within households and other settings. The specialization addresses dynamic consumer wishes and preferences, lifestyles, societal trends and inequalities. A consumer's perspective is applied to the quality of food, food ethics and environmental aspects of food production. Moreover, students learn to understand the consumer driven approach in innovating products, processes and technology in the agri-food chain.
C. Economics and Governance
This economics specialization focuses on economic and governance aspects of the agri-food chain and the environment in different parts of the world. Topics include international trade, the bio economy, environmental problems, natural resource management, and rural development. To analyze these issues, macro- and micro-economic theories are applied, as well as theories from related disciplines such as political science, public administration, and sociology.
D. Management in Life Sciences (MLS)
This specialization bridges the gap between the domain of business decision making, innovation and/or entrepreneurship on the one hand and the domain of science and technology on the other hand. The specialization provides a two-year master programme in management on top of a completed technical study at Bachelor level. The focus of this specialization is on the interaction of technical and business knowledge in the agri-business. This specialization can only be followed by technical bachelor graduates from disciplines such as plant and animal sciences, food sciences and technology. Students have to select one of the two themes, i.e. 1) Management of Business and Supply Chains or 2) Management of Innovations.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this MSc programme graduates are expected to be able to:

Theory and interpretation learning outcomes
1. Reflect on and apply advanced theories to the functioning and organization of (inter)national agri-food chains and their environment;
2. Reflect on research within a social-natural science context
3. Appraise the outcome of policies regarding sustainable agri-food chains
4. Depending on the selected specialization (A to D):
A. evaluate the usefulness of business theories for (inter)national agri-food chains;
B. evaluate changing attitudes, perceptions and preferences of consumers to optimize global (food) chains;
C. evaluate economic and governance theories to optimize environment, agricultural and international policies, processes and institutions;
D. evaluate processes in life sciences industry from a technical managerial perspective.

Conducting academic work: Methods learning outcomes:
5. Analyze and reflect on scientific literature with regard to concepts, approaches and methods with special reference to sustainable (inter)national agri-food chains
6. Develop and implement a research design in the field of sustainable (inter)national agri-food chains
7. Carry out research in the field of agri-food chains by selecting and applying suitable methods and techniques to collect and interpret data
8. Apply advanced socio-economic analytical measurements, mathematical and statistical methods

Professional and Academic skills and attitude learning outcomes:
9. Respond to social, political and ethical issues related to (inter)national agri-food chains
10. Collaborate effectively in an intercultural, multidisciplinary team of peers to jointly carry out multidisciplinary research
11. Communicate research outcomes, methods and underpinning rationale to an intercultural and multidisciplinary audience of both specialists and non-specialists using oral presentations, (scientific) papers, workshops, reports, and posters
12. Design and plan own learning processes to stimulate lifelong learning.

Specializations

- Business Studies;
- Consumer Studies;
- Economics and Governance;
- Management in Life Sciences.

Programme Director

Dr. ir. P.B.M. Berentsen
Phone: 0317-(4)83485
Email: paul.berentsen@wur.nl

Study Adviser(s)

- Ir. R.M. Boven-van der Spoel (for BBC-MME students)
Phone: 0317-(4)82673
Email: gineke.boven@wur.nl
- K. Dolman MSc (for BBC-MME students)
Phone: 0317-(4)80424
Email: kim.dolman@wur.nl
- Ir. S. Sterrenburg
Phone: 0317- (4)82958
Email: sietse.sterrenburg@wur.nl

Programme Committee

Chair: dr. ir. J.H.M. Peerlings
Secretary: dr. ir. P.B.M. Berentsen

Internet

www.wur.eu/mme

Study Association

Mercurius Wageningen, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen
Internet http://www.mercuriuswageningen.nl