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Sustainability Strategies in U.S. Agribusiness: Understanding Key Drivers, Objectives, and Actions

Author

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  • Rankin, Amber
  • Gray, Allan W.
  • Boehlje, Michael
  • Alexander, Corinne E.

Abstract

This study explores the domain of sustainability from the agribusiness perspective by establishing levels or stages of sustainability in terms of views, actions and performance measures. In addition, it analyzes factors including firm characteristics and internal and external stakeholders that influence a company’s sustainability initiatives. In a sample of U.S. agribusiness managers, results indicate that strong management pressures have a positive and highly significant relation-ship with the level of a firm’s sustainability initiatives. Other pressures including competition, government regulations, and the media have little or no effect. The size of the company also has minimal influence on a company’s level of sustainability, whereas a company’s primary function plays a more significant role.

Suggested Citation

  • Rankin, Amber & Gray, Allan W. & Boehlje, Michael & Alexander, Corinne E., 2011. "Sustainability Strategies in U.S. Agribusiness: Understanding Key Drivers, Objectives, and Actions," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 14(4), pages 1-20, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:ifaamr:117601
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.117601
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Hauschildt, Verena & Schulze-Ehlers, Birgit, 2014. "An Empirical Investigation into the Adoption of Green Procurement Practices in the German Food Service Industry," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 17(3), pages 1-32, September.
    3. Joanna Wiśniewska-Paluszak, 2017. "Koncepcja sieci w badaniach zrównoważonego rozwoju agrobiznesu," Gospodarka Narodowa. The Polish Journal of Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, issue 1, pages 119-145.
    4. Ross, R. Brent & Pandey, Vivek & Ross, Kara L., 2015. "Sustainability and Strategy in U.S. Agri-Food Firms: An Assessment of Current Practices," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 18(1), pages 1-32, February.
    5. Chao-Chien Chen & Hsiu-Ping Yueh & Chaoyun Liang, 2016. "Strategic Management of Agribusiness: Determinants and Trends," Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation, Fundacja Upowszechniająca Wiedzę i Naukę "Cognitione", vol. 12(4), pages 69-97.
    6. Iliakis, Konstantinos & Gadanakis, Yiorgos & Park, Julian, 2017. "Technology gaps and leaps in the sustainable development of English cereal and general cropping farms," 91st Annual Conference, April 24-26, 2017, Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland 258649, Agricultural Economics Society.
    7. Orji, Ifeyinwa Juliet & Liu, Shaoxuan, 2020. "A dynamic perspective on the key drivers of innovation-led lean approaches to achieve sustainability in manufacturing supply chain," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 480-496.

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