The qualitative and quantitative results of a study undertaken to test a decision framework firms might consider in choosing a vertical coordination strategy are presented. The posited five-step decision making process tested that a change in coordination strategy would occur if and only if a...

This article is a business strategy case study of a group of agricultural producers. One aspect of their strategic decision is whether or not to establish a firm to market their organic vegetables jointly. Another aspect of the decision is which distribution channel to pursue. Data for the paper...

Recent agricultural economics literature has largely analyzed consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for many credence attributes, including place of origin, organic, locally grown, environment friendly, fair trade, and animal welfare. In this study, we instead attempt to analyze why...

The theoretical literature suggests 12 strategies through which cooperatives could produce differential benefits for members. Six of these strategies would primarily generate additional returns, and six would primarily operate to reduce the risk inherent in returns. Through in-depth interviews...

This paper provides an empirical validation of the Peterson, Wysocki & Harsh (PWH) framework for coordination strategy decisions, drawing evidence from four firms' procurement strategies in São Paulo's fresh produce markets. The results support the hypothesis that the PWH framework provides...

Starting from the generalized notion of a vertical coordination continuum introduced by Williamson and others, the article more specifically defines the nature of the continuum, especially the array of hybrid strategies. The continuum as presented includes five distinct groups of strategy –...

Excessive leverage is one of the most important problems facing Italian agricultural cooperatives as the competition in the EU intensifies. An empirical study of 500 agricultural cooperatives supports the hypothesis that cooperatives characterized as having "powerful managers" have a capital...

Agricultural industries are increasingly challenged to develop strategies that enable them, as a group of firms and industry organizations, to respond to an increasingly global marketplace. One approach used by several industries is the application of strategic planning and management tools,...

Different resources are necessary in the new, product-oriented agricultural environment. This article explores the question of what information is best suited for strategic analysis and strategy formulation for firms involved in product-oriented agriculture. A new framework for inventorying...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In the Fall of 1994, researchers in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University identified the following two questions: 1. To what degree (if any) are smaller agribusiness and food industry firms involved in international markets? 2. To what degree...