This paper examines the determinants of price adjustment decisions by supermarkets to increase or decrease prices for 11 different food categories and evaluates the characteristics of these firms that influence these decisions. We use a unique dataset to analyze firm variables and industry variables and their impact on price adjustment in supermarket stores. The study contributes to the price adjustment literature by identifying determinants of price behavior by stores and product category. We find that the rationale for increasing prices differs from that for decreasing prices, retailers make different adjustment decisions based on product category, and market-level controls have little impact.

The objective of this research is to identify determinants that influence sugar beet plant survival. Important determinants identified from the literature are hypothesized to include capacity, market concentration, ownership, government policies, and historical industry events unique to this industry. As suggested by industrial organization theory, plants with greater capacity and multi-plant firms have lower rates of closure. Likewise, the use of a high tariff on imports of refined sugar, the use of quotas on imports of sugar from various countries, and a price support program that encouraged plants to become more cost efficient have lessened the rates of closure. [EconLit Classification: L110, L660, Q130] C 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Increases in crop yields and changing cropping patterns have placed stress on agribusiness handling and storage facilities. The objective of this research is to gain insight into the relationship between safety culture and safety performance, and to identify the determinants of safety culture in agribusinesses. The research suggests that investments in labor inputs such as increased training, consistent discipline, and recognition of safety achievements all increase safety culture. Furthermore, improvements in employee perceptions of safety culture have a positive impact on reducing employee injuries. Congress has recently funded nine centers to work on occupational health and safety research in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.