This paper investigates the relationship between the chosen quality strategy and the vertical co-ordination mechanism of a focal company by using new institutional economics, as well as strategic management approaches. The theoretical findings are tested using evidence from 19 of the largest...

In this article we suggest that rising quality requirements are key factors for the redesign of food chains. We argue that the food supply proceeds through pyramidalhierarchical strategic networks coordinated by powerful focal firms. These firms choose a quality strategy and employ chain quality...

It is the objective of the present study to examine the competitive processes within the Polish meat processing industry during the first six years of transformation empirically. In particular, two questions were posed: How did the intensity of competition develop in this sector since the...

Agricultural enterprises in transition countries face dynamic changes in the prevailing economic, legal and political conditions. The success of an enterprise depends on its ability to adjust its farming system in response to these changing conditions. To meet this challenge, flexible and...

This paper provides further evidence on vertical coordination as a means of overcoming supply disruptions and improving product quality. In contrast to previous studies, our findings suggest that the leading model of vertical coordination between fruit and vegetables growers and supermarkets in...

In dem Beitrag wird am Beispiel von Primärdaten für landwirtschaftliche Betriebe in Schleswig-Holstein der Frage nach den Bestimmungsgründen für Aufnahme, Umfang und Diversifikation der außerbetrieblichen Einkommensquellen nachgegangen. Für die Messung der farmspezifischen Diversifikation...

Prior to 1989 the world could be divided "economically" into three clusters: (1) The Eastern Bloc with its socialist, planned economies, (2) the Western Bloc with its more market-oriented systems, and (3) the developing and emerging countries. Then, at approximately the same time, some major...

This article investigates the degree of income diversification and identifies its determinants in a selected German Land, Schleswig-Holstein. We apply the concept of Gollop and Monahan to measure the farm's specific diversification. To analyze the relationships between income diversification and...