IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/agribz/v19y2003i1p115-132.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

An assessment of the strategies and strengths of medium-sized food processors

Author

Listed:
  • Erna van Duren

    (Department of Agricultural Economics and Business, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1. E-mail: evandure@uoguelph.ca)

  • David Sparling

    (Department of Agricultural Economics and Business, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1. E-mail: dsparlin@uoguelph.ca)

  • Calum Turvey

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901. E-mail: turvey@aesop.rutgers.edu)

  • Linda Lake

    (Fiscal Policy, Ontario Ministry of Finance, Frost Building South,, 4th Floor Queen's Park Crescent. Toronto, Ontario, Canada M7A 1Y7. E-mail: Linda.lake@fin.gov.on.ca)

Abstract

This article uses the case method of research to analyze the strategies and strengths of independent, domestically owned, successful medium-sized processing companies in Canada. The assessment of company strengths is based on responses from open-ended interviews and a questionnaire. All assessment is based on managers' perceptions, and the theoretical concept of a core competence is used. The key conclusions of the research are (1) there was no single internal factor rated as the number one strength across all managers in any one company, or across all companies, and (2) the factors on which managers rated their companies highest were highly interrelated. Reputation, flexibility and customer service and a set of other management variables interact to produce successful strategies. Being responsive to customer needs requires fast product development in industry niches while close relationships with customers allow the in-depth understanding of customer needs required for this pace of product development. [EconLit citations: Q130, L200, L660.]. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 19: 115-132, 2003.

Suggested Citation

  • Erna van Duren & David Sparling & Calum Turvey & Linda Lake, 2003. "An assessment of the strategies and strengths of medium-sized food processors," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 19(1), pages 115-132.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:agribz:v:19:y:2003:i:1:p:115-132
    DOI: 10.1002/agr.10039
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1002/agr.10039
    File Function: Link to full text; subscription required
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/agr.10039?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dorothy Leonard-Barton, 1990. "A Dual Methodology for Case Studies: Synergistic Use of a Longitudinal Single Site with Replicated Multiple Sites," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 1(3), pages 248-266, August.
    2. Calum G. Turvey & Linda Lake & Erna van Duren & David Sparling, 2000. "The relationship between economic value added and the stock market performance of agribusiness firms," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 16(4), pages 399-416.
    3. Michael A. Hitt & R. Duane Ireland, 1985. "Corporate distinctive competence, strategy, industry and performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 6(3), pages 273-293, July.
    4. Karl Meilke & Erna Duren, 1996. "The North American Free Trade Agreement and the Canadian Agri-Food Sector," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 44(1), pages 19-37, March.
    5. Rita Gunther McGrath & Ming-Hone Tsai & S. Venkataraman & I. C. MacMillan, 1996. "Innovation, Competitive Advantage and Rent: A Model and Test," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 42(3), pages 389-403, March.
    6. S.A. Lippman & R.P. Rumelt, 1982. "Uncertain Imitability: An Analysis of Interfirm Differences in Efficiency under Competition," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 13(2), pages 418-438, Autumn.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Dominic, Theresia & Theuvsen, Ludwig, 2015. "The Impact of External and Internal Factors on Strategic Management Practices of Agribusiness Firms in Tanzania," GlobalFood Discussion Papers 197072, Georg-August-Universitaet Goettingen, GlobalFood, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development.
    2. Anup Raj & Andrei Kuznetsov & Thankom Gopinath Arun, 2020. "Culture of Sustainability and Marketing Orientation of Indian Agribusiness in implementing CSR Programs—Insights from Emerging Market," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, November.
    3. Ma, Xin & McSweeney, Peter, 2008. "Product and process innovation in the food processing industry: case study in Guangxi province," Australasian Agribusiness Review, University of Melbourne, Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, vol. 16.
    4. Ng, Desmond W. & Siebert, John W., 2009. "Toward Better Defining the Field of Agribusiness Management," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 12(4), pages 1-20, November.
    5. Lu Lin Zhou & James Onuche Ayegba & Emmanuel Onu Ayegba & Peace Maina Ayegba & Zhang Xin Jie, 2021. "Impact of dynamic capacities on the performance of food and beverage enterprises in Lagos, Nigeria," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-24, December.
    6. Johnson, Aaron J. & Dibrell, Charles Clay & Hansen, Eric, 2009. "Market Orientation, Innovativeness, and Performance of Food Companies," Journal of Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia, vol. 27(1-2), pages 1-22.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Pursey Heugens & Stelios Zyglidopoulos, 2008. "From social ties to embedded competencies: the case of business groups," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 12(4), pages 325-341, November.
    2. Alain Asquin & Emmanuelle Reynaud & Marion Polgé, 2001. "Entrepreneurship: what are the typical capabilities to create competitive resources? A discussion from case studies," Post-Print hal-00379862, HAL.
    3. Meschi, Pierre-Xavier & Metais, Emmanuel, 2006. "International acquisition performance and experience: A resource-based view. Evidence from French acquisitions in the United States (1988-2004)," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 12(4), pages 430-448, December.
    4. Andersen, Otto & Suat Kheam, Low, 1998. "Resource-based theory and international growth strategies: an exploratory study," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 7(2), pages 163-184, April.
    5. Mahoney, Joseph T., 1995. "The management of resources and the resource of management," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 91-101, June.
    6. Gabriel Szulanski & Rossella Cappetta & Robert J. Jensen, 2004. "When and How Trustworthiness Matters: Knowledge Transfer and the Moderating Effect of Causal Ambiguity," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 15(5), pages 600-613, October.
    7. Karim Moustaghfir, 2012. "Explicating Knowledge-based Competitive Advantage," International Journal of Synergy and Research, ToKnowPress, vol. 1(1), pages 23-38.
    8. Natarajan Balasubramanian & Marvin B. Lieberman, 2010. "Industry learning environments and the heterogeneity of firm performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 390-412, April.
    9. Robert P. Garrett Jr. & Jeffrey G. Covin, 2015. "Internal Corporate Venture Operations Independence and Performance: A Knowledge–Based Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 39(4), pages 763-790, July.
    10. Blanco Callejo, M, 2007. "LA VENTA DE LA ILUSIÓN Y “LA BRUJA DE ORO”: EL EMBRUJO DE UN CÍRCULO VIRTUOSOi /," Investigaciones Europeas de Dirección y Economía de la Empresa (IEDEE), Academia Europea de Dirección y Economía de la Empresa (AEDEM), vol. 13(3), pages 33-56.
    11. Raquel Ortega-Argilés & Rosina Moreno, 2005. "Firm Competitive Strategies And The Likelihood Of Survival - The Spanish Case," ERSA conference papers ersa05p347, European Regional Science Association.
    12. Kim, Jongwook & Mahoney, Joseph T., 2008. "A Strategic Theory of the Firm as a Nexus of Incomplete Contracts: A Property Rights Approach," Working Papers 08-0108, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Business.
    13. David G. Sirmon & Michael A. Hitt, 2003. "Managing Resources: Linking Unique Resources, Management, and Wealth Creation in Family Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 27(4), pages 339-358, October.
    14. Anders Melander & Tomas Mullern & David Anderssson & Fredrik Elgh & Malin Löfving, 2022. "Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Collaborative Research—in Dialogues We Trust," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 35(5), pages 655-677, October.
    15. Villalonga, Belen, 2004. "Intangible resources, Tobin's q, and sustainability of performance differences," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 205-230, June.
    16. George A Shinkle & Jo-Ann Suchard, 2019. "Innovation in newly public firms: The influence of government grants, venture capital, and private equity," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 44(2), pages 248-281, May.
    17. Venkatachalam, Mohan & Rajgopal, Shivaram & Kotha, Suresh, 2000. "Does the Quality of Online Customer Experience Create a Sustainable Competitive Advantage for E-Commerce Firms?," Research Papers 1666, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    18. Mandy Mok Kim Man, 2009. "The Relationship between Distinctive Capabilities, Strategy Types, Environment and the Export Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises of the Malaysian Manufacturing Sector," Management, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, vol. 4(3), pages 205-223.
    19. Pinar Ozcan & Filipe M. Santos, 2015. "The market that never was: Turf wars and failed alliances in mobile payments," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(10), pages 1486-1512, October.
    20. Tammy L. Madsen & Michael J. Leiblein, 2015. "What Factors Affect the Persistence of an Innovation Advantage?," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(8), pages 1097-1127, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:agribz:v:19:y:2003:i:1:p:115-132. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1520-6297 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.