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Agri-food chain relationships in Europe – empirical evidence and implications for sector competitiveness

Author

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  • Fischer, Christian
  • Hartmann, Monika
  • Reynolds, Nikolai
  • Leat, Philip M.K.
  • Revoredo-Giha, Cesar
  • Henchion, Maeve M.
  • Gracia, Azucena

Abstract

The roles of business relationships in selected European agri-food chains are analysed. Using survey data from 1,442 farmers, food processors and retailers in two commodity sectors (meat and cereals) and across six different EU countries, we test the empirical relevance of several theory-based determinants influencing the choice of relationship type and the sustainability of inter-enterprise relationships. This is undertaken for the overall dataset and separately for different chain stages (farmer-processor versus the processor-retailer relationships), commodities and individual countries. Overall, we find that sector and enterprise-specific determinants seem to influence the choice of a certain relationship type while chain-internal, dyadic factors affect the sustainability of relationships. A logistic regression analysis reveals that the preference for a relationship type, while being highly chain-specific, depends on the long-term orientation and the strive for independence of an enterprise and the product-quality requirements within a corresponding market. As for the sustainability of the analysed relationships, structural equation modelling results suggest that its most important determinant is effective communication, with its two components, adequate communication frequency and high information quality, being equally important. The existence of personal bonds and an equal power distribution between buyers and suppliers are the second most important determinants, followed by the negative impact of key staff leaving. The analysis also reveals that the relative importance of these determinants differs significantly across the two considered chain stages and between the countries investigated. Agribusiness managers, seeking to improve their supplier or buyer relationships, need to consider the crucial role of effective communication and the positive contribution that the existence of personal bonds can make to the development and maintenance of sustainable interactions.

Suggested Citation

  • Fischer, Christian & Hartmann, Monika & Reynolds, Nikolai & Leat, Philip M.K. & Revoredo-Giha, Cesar & Henchion, Maeve M. & Gracia, Azucena, 2008. "Agri-food chain relationships in Europe – empirical evidence and implications for sector competitiveness," 2008 International Congress, August 26-29, 2008, Ghent, Belgium 44265, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:eaae08:44265
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.44265
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthew Gorton, 1999. "Spatial variations in markets served by UK-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(1), pages 39-55, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bezat-Jarzębowska, Agnieszka & Rembisz, Włodzimierz, 2016. "The Role of Agri-food Processor in the Food Economics," 2016 International European Forum (151st EAAE Seminar), February 15-19, 2016, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 244471, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.
    2. Dlamini-Mazibuko, Bongiwe Porrie & Ferrer, Stuart & Ortmann, Gerald, 2019. "Examining the farmer-buyer relationships in vegetable marketing channels in Eswatini," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 58(3), May.
    3. Deepak Bhagat & U.R. Dhar, 2014. "Relationship Dynamics in the Pineapple Supply Chain: Empirical Evidence from the Garo Hills of Meghalaya," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 15(4), pages 747-765, December.
    4. Alboiu, Cornelia, 2011. "Farmers’ Choices In The Vegetable Supply Chain: Problems And Possibilities," Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Institute of Agricultural Economics, vol. 8(2), pages 221-234.
    5. Malorgio, Giulio & Camanzi, Luca & Grazia, Cristina, 2012. "Supply chain relationships and quality certification schemes: a case study in fisheries," Politica Agricola Internazionale - International Agricultural Policy, Edizioni L'Informatore Agrario, vol. 2012(01), pages 1-18, August.
    6. Gellynck, Xavier & Kuhne, Bianka & Weaver, Robert D., 2011. "Relationship Quality and Innovation Capacity of Chains: The Case of the Traditional Food Sector in the EU," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 2(01), pages 1-22, September.

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