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Another specialist industry review this week, focusing on the food industry. Most of the articles examine the difference between Asian diets Western diets and implications for exporting food products to Asia. The first article in particular is very recent and takes a strategic focus researching the strategic marketing approached of multinational food companies in Malaysia. Other articles are a bit more dated but examine such areas as beer in Hong Kong, (see also our own recent case study on beer brand image in Thailand from Branding Asia dot Com,) the prawn market in Thailand, and case studies from Australia and New Zealand. Just as a reminder, you should note the Volume and Issue Number of the articles you are interested in before entering the database, as there is no search facility for the Journals of the Week - only browse facilities issue by issue are provided for the free download. Venturing overseas: Strategic approaches adopted by foreign food companies in Malaysia The theoretical underpinnings of this paper focus on foreign investment, modes of entry, export marketing, strategic alliances, investment criteria, firm characteristics, international strategy, external factors, and host and home country factors, and Asian culture and management. The research project presented in the paper was initially designed to obtain case study information on a number of foreign food companies which had invested in Malaysia, especially in terms of their strategic approaches, investment bases and market share achievement. However, subsequent to the preliminary discussions with the respondent companies, the researchers believed that the conventional models needed to be studied further. This research was undertaken via both structured and unstructured interviews of 11 multinational companies. The results demonstrated that there are both significant similarities and differences between the strategic approaches adopted by major global multinationals and minor regional multinationals and uncovered new investment-market share strategies not previously covered in the literature. These results are discussed at length in this paper, and form the essence of the contribution to knowledge of the research project.
Keywords: Food industry, Foreign direct investment, Malaysia, Travel
The role of traditional cereal/legume/fruit-based multimixes in weaning in developing countries The weaning period is a crucial stage in the growth and development of the infant and child. The timing of weaning, the choice of foods, their methods of preparation, and how weanlings are fed, all affect the outcome. The commercial preparation of weaning foods and the fortification of some traditional foods are seen by some as the most sustainable and cost-effective means of alleviating micronutrient deficiencies among infants and children. This may be true in industrialized countries, but the same cannot necessarily be said of poor, developing countries. Demonstrates that, even in poor communities, it is possible to combine scant food resources in a cost-effective way to formulate multimixes which would meet energy, protein and micronutrient needs, without fortification. Proposes that such approaches can be used in community nutrition education programmes to help reduce childhood malnutrition and in emergency feeding programmes.
Keywords: Weaning, Nutrition, Emergency feeding programmes
The soya bean: so small yet so mighty The role of diet in contributing to the incidence of coronary heart disease, cancer and other common Western diseases is attracting increasing attention. Foods which provide different biologically active compounds, such as phyto-oestrogens, have been extensively studied and epidemiological evidence suggests that populations consuming a diet high in phyto-oestrogens have a lower risk of these diseases. This paper reviews some of the key studies on soy isoflavones which suggest that the incorporation of soy protein into the British diet may offer important health benefits. Non-steroidal dietary oestrogens are found in high concentrations in the traditional diets of the Far East, and by vegans who consume large amounts of soy protein. Consumption of isoflavones across Asia varies considerably and it is estimated that between 25 to 45mg of isoflavones is consumed daily, compared to as little as 5mg daily in Western countries. It is well established that modification of dietary fat, especially saturated fat, soluble fibre and total calories have a role in coronary heart disease risk. In a meta-analysis of 38 controlled trials on soy proteins, it was concluded that significant reductions in serum and total LDL cholesterol could be achieved. A wide range of epidemiological data shows strong correlations between a diet high in soy protein and vegetables and a reduced risk of breast cancer. The incidence of osteoporosis in Japanese women is significantly lower than in Western women and dietary factors such as soy protein intake may be important in sustaining this protection.
Keywords: Disease, Food 1.19850+ billion mouths to feed: food linguistics and cross-cultural, cross-"national" food consumption habits in China Investigates the various major sociolinguistic subcultures of China with specific attention to their distinctive food preferences, coupled with a tradition of food symbols which interweave Chinese subcultures. Points out that, contrary to popular belief among foreign business people, there is no "China market"; rather, there are many diverse markets within China. Notes that there are many languages and, hence, cultures in the country, and the people do not all eat the same foods; yet, at the same time, there is a rich unity of symbolic tradition associated with the foods the Chinese eat - indeed there is an elaborate food linguistic the semantics of which need to be understood by outsiders. Presents an introduction and overview of the diversity and unity of China as it relates to food, and its findings should be of value to those working in various aspects of the food and agriculture industries who may have an interest in China markets, those interested in either importing or exporting Chinese food products, exporting food processing equipment or farming and agricultural technology, and those in the food business serving Chinese populations of significant size around the world.
Keywords: China, Food, Marketing, National cultures, Symbols
The export market for Thai frozen shrimps in the European Union Thailand's recent export performance in the EU market for frozen shrimps has improved markedly. Constant market share analysis reveals this improvement to be predominantly the result of competitive advantages in production and marketing. Thailand is able to produce shrimps of high and consistent quality at low costs, under conditions which meet the hygiene and safety standards set by the EU. In addition to competitive advantages, Thailand has benefited from growth in the overall size of the EU export market for frozen shrimps, but has suffered from having only relatively small shares in the important markets of some member States. Market research on consumers' tastes and preferences could further improve Thailand's recent export performance.
Keywords: European Union, Export, Frozen foods, Market share, Thailand
The impact of structural factors on the performance of the Australian food-processing industry Reports the findings of a study conducted to explain the recent poor performances of the Australian food-processing industry, by historically analysing the structural determinants and intensity of competition that prevailed in the early 1980s. Covers the period 1979 to 1985 in depth using a research design that incorporates information from both published sources and empirical interviews of senior marketing executives. Using the Porter framework, an accepted approach to the structural analysis of industries, demonstrates that the food industry was one of the most competitive industries in the world in the early 1980s. Attempts to analyse the resultant implications of such competitive pressures on industry performance in the 1990s.
Keywords: Australia, Competition, Food industry
Imported Beer in the Hong Kong Market Argues that successful exporting to East Asian markets requires a good understanding of local conditions. One important issue is how consumers decide on products and how they view products from various countries. Hong Kong is representative of newly affluent markets which are growing throughout East Asia. In the beer market, Hong Kong consumers choose brands based on quality characteristics, especially taste. Other important aspects include the beer's image and the country-of-origin. Brand loyalty is strong. Price is relatively unimportant to most consumers. Many beer drinkers believe that German beer is the best, though they may not always buy beer from Germany.
Keywords: Brewing industry, Buying behaviour, Hong Kong, Import, Trends
Korean Air Lines This case is about Korean Air Lines' innovative idea to adopt a policy of vertical integration in catering. Rather than out-source its in-flight catering, this airline has moved away from industry norms, and is doing its own thing - literally.
Keywords: Korea, Product innovation, Customer satisfaction, Food industry, Airlines, Catering
Beliefs about Food Components, Foods, Fat and Heart Disease in New Zealand Coronary heart disease is a serious problem in New Zealand. Diet and health guidelines for the public have been published, but levels of awareness of health recommendations vary. Some New Zealanders may lack knowledge about foods and food components. This national survey (1,500 people) investigated New Zealanders' awareness of recommended dietary changes and beliefs about foods and food components and heart health. A total of 835 people, a response rate of 56 per cent, answered the survey. Results showed that most were aware of some health recommendations, e.g. "eat less fat", but that many were unaware of recommendations relating to carbohydrate intake. Most respondents (65 per cent) believed that protein intake should be increased. A high percentage (61 per cent) felt that reducing preservative consumption would help to prevent heart disease. It was suggested that many foods should be decreased, including meat, whole milk, cheese and white bread. Many respondents were confused about the fat contents of foods, with some foods rated as high fat which were low in fat (sugar, white bread) and some high fat foods perceived as not high in fat (margarine, vegetable oil). It is suggested that health educators should note existing beliefs and views about foods and food components and target areas of confusion in future health education initiatives.
Keywords: Beliefs, Dairy industry, Diet, Food industry, Health, Meat, New Zealand, Nutrition
Food Policy in a Changing Food System Examines the food system and considers the impact of the following societal changes on it: increasing longevity and growing populations; increasing urbanization; globalization of the food market; changes in attitudes and values; decline of the traditional "housekeeping" role. Describes the role of the different actors. Discusses the problems of achieving food policy goals with particular reference to institutions, policy instruments and information.
Keywords: Food industry, Globalization, Nutrition, Policy, Population, Society, Sustainable
development
As always we have only skimmed the surface of relevant articles this week and only those that are particularly relevant for Asia-Pacific managers. Many other articles are available as well including those focusing on other countries and international perspectives.
See also our previous review on Health Care Management and Medicine |
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