This book tests current theories on international
competitiveness through the examination of six case studies from a range of different European Union
countries and various sectors of the food product industry.
Each case highlights a particular
aspect of competitiveness, and the implications of these findings for industries and policy
makers are discussed. Its combined theoretical and practical approach makes this an important
book for senior managers in the food industry, business analysts as well as
students and researchers.
Case studies include: Belgian meat industry. Irish dairy industry. Swedish retail industry.
UK horticultural industry. Italian pasta industry. Finnish food industry.
Contents:
What determines food industry competitiveness?Analyzing competitiveness. Measures of competitive performance.
National and international competitiveness. Measuring competitive potential and process.
Structural changes in the European food industry: consequences for competitiveness: Trends in
the European food industry. Changes at the consumer level. Changes in food retailing in Europe.
Changes in policies affecting the EU food industries.
A big industry in a small country: dairy processing in Ireland: The current state of the Irish dairy industry.
Evolution and structure of the dairy industry. Factor conditions. Demand conditions. Related and
supporting industries. Firm strategy, structure and rivalry. The CAP and the Irish diamond. Assessment
and conclusions.
Uncompetitiveness in a primary product: does Porter help? The case of UK horticulture:
Horticulture in the UK. The fruit and vegetable industry. Apples. Strawberries. Mushrooms. Overall
conclusions.
Small firms, old traditions equals low profit: pigment processing in Belgium: Introduction
and objective. Methodology. Results. Conclusion.
Sophisticated consumers and export success, but problems in the home retail sector: the Italian
pasta industry: Export performance and international competitiveness. The determinants of industry's
competitiveness. Final remarks and conclusion.
Ecological minded retailers: a driving force for upgrading competitiveness of the Swedish
food sector: Factor conditions. Demand conditions. Firm strategy, structure and rivalry: a retailer chain
perspective. Eco-strategy implementation in retail stores: problems and possibilities. The role of
government. Supporting and related industries. The competitive dynamics of the Swedish ecological food
cluster. Anticipatory buyers' needs.
New policies, new opportunities, new threats: the Finnish food industry in the EU:
Structural characteristics of the Finnish food industry. Theoretical framework. Research methodology. Analysis of field study results: how do
Finnish food manufacturing firms compete? Conclusions and implications.
Are Porter diamonds forever?: Competition and competitiveness. The home base. Retailing and competitive dynamics.
Competitiveness and the CAP. Change of industry dynamics. Porter: methodological development.
Index.
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