Characteristics of pork packing firms pursuing a competitive strategy of product differentiation are described. Such a strategy requires a consistent, highquality raw material. Three strategies to sort pork carcasses and primal cuts in the packing plant are detailed. A multivariate simulation...

The objective of this case is to introduce students to what is possibly the most complex agricultural cooperative in the United States and learn more about the economic issues involved in citrus production globally. Students are asked to analyze a strategy built around brand loyalty with higher...

This case discusses the evolution and challenges of Cooxupé-a coffee marketing cooperative in Brazil. Founded in 1954 by twenty-four producers, Cooxupé experienced significant growth since 1990 as a result of direct export efforts implemented by Joaquim, the Export Director. Yet Cooxupé...

The objective of the case is to have students analyze policy factors regarding the possibility of using sugar beets as an ethanol feedstock. Jim Horvath, CEO of American Crystal Sugar Company, is preparing a presentation for his cooperative's annual meeting. Students are asked to consider...

This research attempts to explain the boom and bust of corn ethanol plants in the mid-2000s by analyzing the following question: Did investors use a simple investment approach that suggested it was wise to invest, while more complex techniques would have shown to wait? To answer this, the...

The objective of this article is to describe the key elements of cooperative finance that have been found in the literature and illustrate how they relate to the function and structure of cooperatives.

The objective of the case is to have students analyze policy factors regarding the possibility of using sugar beets as an ethanol feedstock. Jim Horvath, CEO of American Crystal Sugar Company, is preparing a presentation for his cooperative's annual meeting. Students are asked to consider...

Using return on assets as a proxy for profitability, this study evaluates the sustainability of profits in the food economy with respect to industry, corporate, and business-specific effects for low- and high-performing firms. The food economy is broken into its four major sectors: food...

The source of the variance in profitability among firms is an important issue in the field of food and agribusiness economics. The objective of this study is to analyze firm profitability in the food economy and determine the source of variance of firm profitability. The results indicate that...

The objective of this case is to introduce students to what is possibly the most complex agricultural cooperative in the United States and learn more about the economic issues involved in citrus production globally. Students are asked to analyze a strategy built around brand loyalty with higher...