Timothy J. Burkink

When Policies and Marketing Systems Explode: An Assessment of Food Marketing in the War-Ravaged Balkans and Implications for Recovery, Sustainable Peace, and Prosperity

The authors examine forces, policy failures, and the ensuing war and devastation of the marketing system of the former Yugoslavia. They provide an overview of the region and discuss food marketings contributions to recovery. The authors then describe food-marketing institutions that have emerged from destruction and suggest some successful cases and best practices that can be leveraged to sustain peace and prosperity in the war-ravaged Balkans, as well as the broader global community.

Cooperative and voluntary wholesale groups: channel coordination and interfirm knowledge transfer

This paper uses survey data to explore the impact of alternative wholesale‐retail structures (voluntary versus cooperative) on interfirm knowledge transfer. The results indicate that, relative to cooperative wholesalers, voluntary wholesalers exhibit more of the mechanisms necessary to facilitate interfirm knowledge transfer, including communication frequency, communication bidirectionality, and interpersonal relationships. The mechanisms of knowledge transfer are also directly related to the level of retailer knowledge attributed to the wholesaler, which is directly related to retailer performance.

Improving small farmer participation in export marketing channels: perceptions of US fresh produce importers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify important elements of a strategy to facilitate small farmer participation in international supply chains for fresh produce.Design/methodology/approach – The study employs survey data collected from a national sample of US fresh produce importers. Their concerns and suggestions regarding potential for transactions with small Mexican farmers were assessed, with factor analysis providing a thematic summary of their perspectives.Findings – Results of the study reveal that US importers are not uniformly pessimistic about the ability of small farmers to meet their demands. On the contrary, almost one‐third said they probably would work with small farmers in the near future. In general, importers are interested in transactions in which the product meets consumer and government expectations and is grown on the buyers terms, the grower is reliable over time, the transaction is simplified, and the grower handles transportation. Importers rate small farmers poorly ...

A Second Generation of Genetically Modified Food

Abstract The aim of this research was a cross-cultural investigation of views regarding Genetically Modified Organisms, specifically food crops, to determine if there were significant differences in the views of French and American respondents. In addition, we sought to introduce the issue of possible consumer benefits of second generation GMOs into the research by examining differences in acceptance of value-enhanced GMOs compared with first generation GMOs for both French and American respondents. Both first and second generation GMOs are better accepted by American respondents than by French respondents, but respondents in both countries perceive a direct benefit from second generation GM foods with at least a less negative attitude toward them. In addition, respondents indicated factors which would make it more likely that they would purchase such enhanced GM foods.

Food or Fuel? An Analysis of Systems in Conflict

Ethanol, a petroleum-alternative fuel produced in the United States primarily from corn, is being heralded as a remedy for global warming, geopolitical instability, and rural economic malaise. However, there are potential negative repercussions from increasing ethanol production, including pressure on the world food supply. Stakeholder performance and interconnections among stake-holders are explored in this examination of the sustainability of the corn-based ethanol system at a critical juncture. The most likely winners and losers from a growing ethanol industry and directions for future research are identified.

Health department violations in restaurants by ownership and format types

Abstract This study takes an initial step toward understanding the relationship between food safety performance and the foodservice establishment. In our analyses, we found that the more centralized the ownership structure (and thus marketing channel), the better it performed on food safety procedures. In addition, the level of service complexity (limited/full) was found to be inversely related to food safety performance. The more centralized marketing channels, with their greater size, are better able to efficiently and effectively develop food safety resources and disseminate this information to individual restaurants.

Independent Grocery Retailers and Their Primary Wholesalers

Abstract Independent retailers and their primary wholesalers remain a vital part of the U.S. grocery industry, though their future is threatened by the growth of self-distributing chains. These channel partners will have to leverage their collective supply chain to insure survival. This paper presents results from a nationwide survey of independent retailers about this supply chain, exploring two related topics. First, the marketing channel climate between independent retailers and wholesalers is investigated, focusing on the critical relational variables of trust, satisfaction and commitment. Second, the effectiveness of retailer support services provided by wholesalers is examined. The linkage between these two areas is developed and the implications are discussed.

Trends in Natural Food Sales and Consumer Food Choices

The expansion of thinking from treating disease to increased concern with disease prevention and health maintenance is reflected in the growing market for natural foods and dietary supplements. These new products make the already complex task of food shopping even more confusing. Inexperienced consumers will require help to evaluate these new choices, creating challenges for health care providers and the food industry. This article helps readers make sense of these new products by providing a general overview of the natural foods category. Discussed are the complexities consumers face when shopping for food and related products, definitions relevant to natural foods, trends in natural foods consumption, and future trends in this area, including the impact of genetically modified foods. The natural foods industry has been one of the shining stars of food manufacturing and retailing over the past decade as an ever-growing segment of the U.S. population seeks out organic and natural foods and nutraceuticals. The consumer motivations fueling this industry are varied and range from securing the practical benefits of a healthy diet to the psychological benefits of leading a particular lifestyle. To support the diffusion throughout the U.S. population of this more holistic approach to health, the industry and health care professionals must help consumers make sense of the confusing array of product offerings. The newest consumers entering these markets will be less involved and committed than the pioneering consumers were, and they will have different motivations. These late adopters will look to the industry, regulators, and their health care providers to make sense of these often complex and contradictory product offerings. Consider, for example, a consumer trying to understand the differences between a natural food and a genetically modified nutraceutical, both promoting health benefits. As discussed earlier, the food shopping process is already very noisy, and the winners in natural foods will be the ones that help consumers solve their food purchasing problems. This problem will be complicated as mass retailers offer more organic and natural foods and nutraceuticals, along with their conventional products, confronting a broader cross-section of consumers further. Perhaps the greatest challenge facing the stakeholders in this arena is the evolution of genetically modified foods. By definition, these foods are certainly not organic and probably not natural, yet may offer health benefits. To date, the introduction of genetically modified foods has been difficult because consumers have not been properly educated about these new technologies. The industry must pay more attention to conducting reliable studies of these products and then communicating the results.

Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Pharmaceutical Drugs: An Exploratory Comparison of Physicians and Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives

Even with many changes in regulation in recent years, direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of pharmaceutical drugs remains a complicated and contentious issue. Many in our society argue for increased legislation of DTCA while others believe that DTCA serves a useful purpose and should not be overregulated. This study was designed to compare attitudes and beliefs regarding DTCA held by two key stakeholder groups, physicians and pharmaceutical sales representatives. A questionnaire was created, pretested, and administered to 30 physicians and 30 pharmaceutical sales representatives to investigate these issues. Significant differences between these two groups were found and implications for DTCA are discussed.

Tracing wealth, cooperation and trust: A comparison of two great plains communities

Abstract This research examines the relationships between wealth, cooperation, and trust. Utilizing implications from the social capital literature and democratic theory, we found that trust directly affects patterns of socio-economic interactions, especially shopping. We also found that commuting was widespread and it created a rural sprawl deficit that affected trust. Specifically, the results indicated that trust of others in the community (generalized to a certain degree) tended to encourage people to shop more in town, thus contributing to the development of the community, even when controlling for commuting. Findings from this study suggest that further community level research will yield more specifics about how trust (and social capital) works to increase wealth in a community.