1,720,991 research outputs found
Strategic management in the German brewing industry: Are there still differences between East and West
No full textDespite the reunification of Germany more than 15 years ago, substantial differences remain between the regions that once comprised the market-driven West and the socialist, centrally planned East. Although today's Eastern German economy is less competitive than the Western German economy, there are important exceptions to the rule. One exception is the food and beverage industry in which Eastern German companies have gained strong competitive positions. Did they reach this position by mimicking Western German blueprints, or did they go their own way? These questions are addressed in this paper by referring to a large-scale empirical study in the German brewing sector
Strategic management in the German brewing industry: Are there still differences between East and West
No full textDespite the reunification of Germany more than 15 years ago, substantial differences remain between the regions that once comprised the market-driven West and the socialist, centrally planned East. Although today's Eastern German economy is less competitive than the Western German economy, there are important exceptions to the rule. One exception is the food and beverage industry in which Eastern German companies have gained strong competitive positions. Did they reach this position by mimicking Western German blueprints, or did they go their own way? These questions are addressed in this paper by referring to a large-scale empirical study in the German brewing sector
Determinants and Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility in German Agribusiness: A PLS Model
No full textThe authors analyze the determinants and effects of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy for enterprises in the German agribusiness. Based on an overview of the literature addressing interrelations between society and agribusiness, we define CSR. Next a theoretical framework that explains the interrelationships between CSR, its various determinants, corporate reputation, and financial performance is introduced. Then the results of a survey of 170 German agribusiness companies are presented and using partial least squares (PLS) methodology for evaluating a structural equation model, they test their conceptual framework. CSR efforts in their sample are significantly influenced by the competitive strategy a company pursues, its number of employees, and the degree of altruism it incorporates. Moreover, in their model CSR efforts significantly enhance corporate reputation. They conclude with some theoretical and managerial implications and outline some future research directions. [EconLit classifications: Q130, M140]. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Agribusiness Firm Reactions to Regulations: The Case of Investments in Traceability Systems
No full textThe regulatory framework of food production has changed a lot in recent years. As a result, traceability of food products has become mandatory in the European Union, nonetheless leaving room for more advanced solutions. This study answers the question what exactly determines firms’ investments in traceability systems by first developing a theoretical framework—the so‐called Tracking and Tracing Systems Investment Model—and then analyzing empirical data from the German food industry that provide in‐depth insights into companies’ investment behaviour. Altogether, 234 companies representing more than fifteen different sub‐sectors of the food‐processing industry participated in an online survey. The results show that German food firms can be divided into four clusters based on their dominant motives for investing (or not investing) in traceability systems. Moreover, the results of a partial‐least squares (PLS) analysis provide a good understanding of the major factors influencing the investment behaviour of companies concerning tracking and tracing systems
Media Analysis on Volatile Markets’ Dynamics and Adaptive Behavior for the Agri-Food System
No full textThe volatility of agricultural markets has increased remarkably in recent years. In spite of this, the way in which supply chain actors perceive market volatility has only rarely been analyzed. This paper seeks to close this research gap by presenting empirical findings about how the volatility of agricultural markets is perceived, how increasing market volatilities are being explained, and what adaptations to the volatile external environments are being suggested. Based on a large-scale media analysis, we have identified perceptions, which vary greatly over time, especially with regard to the perception of the threats and opportunities volatility creates for farms and firms and the most frequently identified reasons for volatile prices
Internationalization and Firm Performance in Agribusiness: Empirical Evidence from European Cooperatives
No full textThe ongoing internationalization of markets has become a major issue also for companies of the agribusiness. Nevertheless, neither the degree of internationalization of agribusiness firms nor the internationalization-performance relationship in the agribusiness sector have been analyzed thoroughly so far. To help fill this void, we use panel data compiled from annual reports and balance sheets to investigate the internationalization as well as the internationalization-performance relationship of 21 leading European cooperatives in the dairy and meat sectors. Our results indicate that internationalization has a significant positive impact on firm performance
Unternehmensstrategien und Performance: Eine Analyse strategischer Gruppen in der deutschen Brauwirtschaft
No full textThe concept of strategic groups has been successfully applied for analyzing firm strategies, structures and performance in various industries. Based on a large-scale empirical study, this paper identifies strategic groups in the German brewing industry and analyzes the effects of group membership on economic performance. The brewing industry is an interesting research object. The severe economic crisis German breweries face in their home market and the deep structural changes reshaping the global beer industry are forcing German breweries to rethink their strategic position. The analysis reveals a limited number of strategic groups and significant performance differences between these groups. Both results are in line with the central hypotheses of the concept of strategic groups. The empirical results enable firm managers to benchmark their breweries against more successful strategic groups, to better adapt corporate and competitive strategies to firm environments, to identify more profitable strategic positions, and to take action to switch from one strategic group to another
Internationalization and Firm Performance in Agribusiness: Empirical Evidence from European Cooperatives
Full text link The ongoing internationalization of markets has become a major issue also for companies of the agribusiness. Nevertheless, neither the degree of internationalization of agribusiness firms nor the internationalization-performance relationship in the agribusiness sector have been analyzed thoroughly so far. To help fill this void, we use panel data compiled from annual reports and balance sheets to investigate the internationalization as well as the internationalization-performance relationship of 21 leading European cooperatives in the dairy and meat sectors. Our results indicate that internationalization has a significant positive impact on firm performance. </p
Investments in tracking and tracing systems in the food industry: A PLS analysis
No full textTraceability and related concepts, such as trust and transparency have gained greatly in relevance in food supply chains. This study seeks to answer what exactly determines firms' investments in traceability systems by developing and testing a theoretical framework using partial least squares methodology and empirical data from 234 companies of the German food industry. The results reveal that high external pressure to implement improves the image of tracking and tracing systems in the sense that their use enhances a firm's status, increases the intention to use those systems and fosters their perceived usefulness in the eyes of agribusiness executives. The hypothesized negative effect of costs on perceived usefulness and the intention to invest could not be verified. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Media Analysis on Volatile Markets' Dynamics and Adaptive Behavior for the Agri-Food System
Full text link The volatility of agricultural markets has increased remarkably in recent years. In spite of this, the way in which supply chain actors perceive market volatility has only rarely been analyzed. This paper seeks to close this research gap by presenting empirical findings about how the volatility of agricultural markets is perceived, how increasing market volatilities are being explained, and what adaptations to the volatile external environments are being suggested. Based on a large-scale media analysis, we have identified perceptions, which vary greatly over time, especially with regard to the perception of the threats and opportunities volatility creates for farms and firms and the most frequently identified reasons for volatile prices. </p
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