Transformation of the Agrifood Industry in Developing Countries

Author(s):  
Thomas Reardon ◽  
C. Peter Timmer

Over the past 30 years, the agrifood industry in developing countries has been undergoing rapid transformation in structure and behavior. These changes have been driven by both market forces and government policy, particularly foreign direct investment, and have the potential to affect farmers and consumers; the former via increased incomes and modernized technologies, and the latter via cheaper and safer food. This article examines the transformation of the agrifood industry in developing countries, focusing on the sector’s three segments: retail, wholesale, and processing. It first looks at the factors that drive the transformation of the industry and its procurement systems/supply chains that are shared across the segments. It then considers the “symbioses” among the three segments, highlighting how they reinforce each other and enter preferred supplier relations with one another. It also discusses emerging impacts of the above transformations on farmers as well as small and medium enterprises. Finally, it describes programs that promote linkages for a faster, more integrated, and more inclusive growth path for these transformations over the next decade.

Author(s):  
Huong Vu Thanh ◽  
Thu Anh Nguyen ◽  
Mai Thi Thanh Nguyen

Technological innovation state funds supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are not common in the developing countries like Vietnam, but are common in the developed nations like the European countries and Korea. The financial and non-financial support of these funds has contributed significantly to the development of many SMEs. Learning from the funds which have successfully facilitated SMEs in innovating and developing advanced technologies is meaningful to the Vietnamese sicence and techonology management bodies and state funds. This article will review the experience of some typical fund in supporting SMEs, thereby providing some lessons for technology innovation Funds of Vietnam to create a more favorable environment for SMEs to access funds.


2020 ◽  
pp. 205-210
Author(s):  
A. M. Meirmanova

The presented study examines e-commerce technologies a new conceptual framework of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries.Aim. The study aims to identify factors for the implementation and acceptance of e-commerce among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries.Tasks. The authors utilize tools of G. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory to describe the emotional attitude of an individual to the use of technology.Methods. This study examines various aspects of the method of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), which is implemented in many studies of behavioral intentions of individuals in the adoption of new technologies.Results. For the first time, a conceptual (predictive) model based on four moderating variables is proposed. The variables include such cultural dimension parameters as power distance index  (PDI), individualism/collectivism  (IDV), uncertainty avoidance  (UAI), and long-term/short-term orientation (LTO). These moderators boost the effect of the basic constructs on the behavioral propensity for the use and application of technologies.Conclusions. Based on the considered conceptual framework, the authors propose a number of recommendations for the development of tools that would ensure the required level of employee engagement in the acceptance and use of e-commerce technologies among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. Another promising direction involves using the tools of G. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory to examine the specific aspects of the acceptance and use of information technology among organizations belonging to different national business cultures.


Author(s):  
Davinder Singh ◽  
Jaimal Singh Khamba ◽  
Tarun Nanda

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been noted to play a significant role in promoting economic growth in less developed countries, developing and also in developed countries. Worldwide, the micro and small enterprises have been accepted as the engine of economic growth of any nation. Small and Medium Enterprises are the backbone of the economies, because it trigger employment, output, export, poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, economic development etc. in developed as well as in developing countries. It is more important to developing countries as the poverty and unemployment are burning problems. MSMEs have been playing a momentous role in overall economic development of a country like India where millions of people are unemployed or underemployed. Therefore, the growth of small sectors is essential for the growth in the GDP, employment generation, total manufacturing production and export. India, being one of the fastest growing economies of the world, needs to pay an honest attention for the utmost growth of MSMEs for its increased contribution in above areas.


SAGE Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824401769715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Foghani ◽  
Batiah Mahadi ◽  
Rosmini Omar

This research attempts to explore the importance of cluster-based systems in preparation for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to go global, and it is an ongoing research. The findings of this research are aimed at providing insights to policy makers, academicians, and practitioners with the objective of creating initiatives, strategies, and policies, which reflect the primary aim of supporting SMEs in managing global challenges. SMEs that are cluster-based have the potential to facilitate the successful inclusion of SMEs in the growth of productivity and networks of global distribution. Most Asian developing countries are in the dark when it comes to this matter. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relations between the capabilities of the networks and clusters in developing SMEs’ preparedness in facing business players in the global arena. This study’s scope includes specific Asian developing countries. Even though the issue of clusters in SMEs has been well researched in developed countries, such empirical studies are still lacking in the Asian region despite its prevalent collectivism practice. In the concluding analysis, the study intends to develop a model emphasizing the cluster-based industrial SMEs toward globalization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Josephine Ofori Adofo

Although electrification rates have increased in developing countries, the poor quality of electricity still remains a challenge. This paper studies the effects of electrification at the intensive margin, using a fixed effects approach. I find that power outages significantly reduce employment, earnings, and hours of work. A key channel through which outages affect employment is decreased prevalence of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) among households. Evidence indicates that severe outages reduce opportunities for households to indulge in income generating activities. The decrease in employment opportunities is further exacerbated by reduced industrial growth and changes in the industrial composition. The results suggest that unreliable electricity may have a negative implication for job creation in developing countries.


2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-237
Author(s):  
Isabel Edith Torres Zapata ◽  
Omar Vargas Orellana

It is difficult to find cases of technology-based Small and Medium Enterprises in developing countries, however Chile has some within the biotechnology sector. How has this been possible? As a consequence of the different public policies and structural economic conditions that allowed their emergence, especially in the 1990s. This study describes the historical conditions and how they have been able to create a sector within the Chilean economy. From the analysis of secondary data the emergence of this type of company within the country is described. This analysis shows the link between structural conditions and appropriate public policies, meaning that these companies did not emerge by chance. Understanding their development process is crucial to promote the creation of more such technology-based Small and Medium Enterprises, as they have many positive externalities and are more globally competitive.


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