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

Erna van Duren, David Sparling, Calum Turvey and Linda Lake
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Erna van Duren: Department of Agricultural Economics and Business, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1. E-mail: evandure@uoguelph.ca, Postal: Department of Agricultural Economics and Business, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1. E-mail: evandure@uoguelph.ca
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, Postal: 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

Agribusiness, 2003, vol. 19, issue 1, 115-132

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.

Date: 2003
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:agribz:v:19:y:2003:i:1:p:115-132

DOI: 10.1002/agr.10039

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