Book Details

Vertical Markets and Cooperative Hierarchies

Publication year: 2007

ISBN: 978-1-4020-5543-0

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Agricultural cooperatives have strong market positions in agri-food industries, in many countries. In recent decades we have witnessed significant changes in competition, distribution of market power and governance structures of agri-food chains. Between vertical market structures, cooperative principles, and hierarchical governance structures, cooperatives have been continuously adjusting in their strive for competitiveness, innovation, and survival. They have implemented alternative governance structures, employed new financial instruments, and invented novel organizational set-ups. Consequently, some members feel that the traditional cooperative traits are fading.


Subject: Business and Economics, Agri-Food Chains, Agri-food industry, Marketing, agriculture, co-operatives, cooperatives, organization, value chain, vertical integration