Case study research methods for firm and market research

Westgren, Randall E.; Zering, Kelly D.

doi:10.1002/(sici)1520-6297(199809/10)14:5<415::aid-agr7>3.3.co;2-p

Cited by 13 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…The following table was adapted from Sterns et al (1998) and Westgren and Zering (1998) from the original developed by Yin (1994). Below, is proposed an application of the table relating it to this research focus.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the Coordination Mechanisms in a Fair Trade Fruit Supply Chain

Vieira

Aguiar

Barcellos

2010

JOSCM

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Globalization of food supply chains requires from companies located in developing countries to comply with strict production standards. Hence, there is an increasing need for socio-economic environmental certification worldwide. A way to meet food standards is to create a supply chain management that deals with sequential processes coordinated by the chain leader. In the particular case of agri-food markets, it is common for food retailers to perform the role of chain leaders. This paper describes the configuration and coordination of a certified fair trade fruit supply chain in Brazil servicing the United Kingdom (UK) market. The methods used are interviews with key informants working at different stages of the supply chain in both countries and secondary data analysis. Our findings suggest that retailers in the UK transfer the responsibility of supply chains coordination to their partnering traders in Brazil, who, in turn, are responsible for monitoring information flow and tracking processes. Theoretical contributions are related to the understanding of a complex supply chain because it involves members that have different technologies, skills, language and knowledge about the market. This heterogeneity makes the co-coordinating role even more important.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the Coordination Mechanisms in a Fair Trade Fruit Supply Chain

Vieira

Aguiar

Barcellos

2010

JOSCM

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“…Case study is a popular method in applied social sciences (Sociology, Management and Business) and, recently, agricultural economists have been applying these methods (Sterns et al, 1998;Westgren & Zering, 1998), especially those researching the business management of food companies. Authors believe that agribusiness researchers are in a privileged position to be closer to industry than researchers of strategy behaviour in other industries.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of food standards in international trade: assessing the brazilian beef chain

Vieira

2006

BAR, Braz. Adm. Rev.

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The purpose of this paper is to identify how Brazilian beef managers have responded to a rapid expansion and intensification of standards for beef exports. This issue relates to how some Brazilian beef exporters are strategically repositioning themselves in the supply chains. The literature of this study reviews global chain governance and international standards. The method uses case studies consisting of six medium and large scale beef exporters who export fresh beef to the European Union. The main findings describe the kinds of governance that stimulate upgrading and transferral of the best practices and, consequently, full compliance with mandatory standards. This study suggests that standards do matter for companies trying to increase international competitiveness. These results contribute an understanding of the Brazilian beef chain, and also of other supply chains coping with demanding and changing international markets. Managerial implications show the challenges facing Brazilian beef exporters in their efforts to sustain exports to the European Union and how they are using chain governance to improve their compliance with international standards and increase competitiveness.

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“…The case study approach's narrow focus and lack of statistical tests are seen as weaknesses as well. Neither broad-based statistical studies nor narrowly focused case studies are the perfect empirical methodology (Yin, 1994;Westgren and Zering, 1998;Gummesson, 2000). Both have their place and we suggest that case study method when applied to the situation of Pioneer Argentina adds important insights into the North-South debate over IPR protection.…”

Section: Methodology 14mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As numerous authors (Yin, 1994;Gummesson, 2000;Westgren and Zering, 1998) have noted, there is no hierarchy of research methodology. Of the many tools available to researchers each has an appropriate place.…”

Section: Methodological Validitymentioning

confidence: 99%