Internationalization strategies to enter the chinese market in the food & beverage sector

The purpose of this study is to understand what are the key strategies that the Portuguese companies in the Food and Beverage sector should take to enter, successfully, the Chinese market. In the literature review are introduced the main knowledge that Portuguese companies need to acquire before initiate the internationalization process, including Chinese management, Chinese negotiation, Chinese consumer, and the Chinese market data. Once acquired this knowledge, the companies will be able to take strategic and knowledgeable decisions when entering the Chinese market, such as, decide for adaptation or not, establish a partnership or not, and understand how to achieve competitive advantage. Portuguese companies recognize China as a market with growth opportunities, although the activity of these companies is still insignificant in the market. Many companies fail in their attempt to enter the Chinese market. Why are these companies failing and others are successful? For a better understanding of the real situation of the Portuguese companies from the Food and Beverage sector in the Chinese market, we used questionnaires in our methodology. The answers of the enquired companies verify most of the findings and considerations presented at the literature review. The companies took different strategies when entered the market a few years ago, now admit that would do it differently. The acquired experience in the Chinese market, let them understand the best approaches to the market and the key differentiator factors that will lead to a better performance.O objetivo desta dissertação é compreender quais são as principais estratégias que as empresas portuguesas do setor Alimentar e de Bebidas devem ter para entrar, com sucesso, no mercado chinês. Na revisão da literatura são introduzidos os principais conhecimentos que as empresas portuguesas precisam de adquirir antes de iniciarem o processo de internacionalização, incluindo gestão chinesa, negociação chinesa, consumidor chinês e dados sobre o mercado chinês. Adquiridos estes conhecimentos, as empresas poderão tomar decisões estratégicas e fundamentadas para a entrada no mercado chinês, como decidir adaptar ou não ao mercado local, estabelecer uma parceria ou não, e conseguirá entender melhor como obter uma vantagem competitiva. As empresas portuguesas reconhecem a China como um mercado com oportunidades de crescimento, embora a atividade destas empresas ainda seja pouco significativa no mercado chinês. Muitas empresas fracassam na sua tentativa de entrada na China. Qual é a razão para algumas empresas não conseguirem entrar no mercado e outras serem bem sucedidas? Para uma melhor compreensão da real situação das empresas portuguesas do setor Alimentar e Bebidas no mercado chinês, utilizámos questionários na nossa metodologia. As respostas das empresas inquiridas confirmam grande parte das considerações apresentadas na revisão de literatura. As empresas adotaram estratégias diferentes quando entraram no mercado há alguns anos, agora admitem que o fariam de forma diferente. A experiência adquirida no mercado chinês, permitiu-lhes compreender as melhores abordagens ao mercado e os principais fatores diferenciadores que os conduzirão a um melhor desempenho

Studying large organizations and elites: limits and challenges of fieldwork

In this article, we analyse some of the methodological challenges that social scientists face when studying large organisations and elites. Based in our own experience using qualitative research methods in this field of study, we propose a reflexion on the most common obstacles and limitations regarding fieldwork, data collection, interviewing and data analysis. Apart from presenting the particularities of large organisations and elites as research objects, and to discuss concrete strategies to access the field and to collect data, we reflect on qualitative interviews as complex processes of interaction, exploring gender and power relations as central dimensions when undertaking research. With this article we intent to stimulate debate on the pivotal role of the researcher in the research process and on the importance of adopting a reflexive perspective in all stages of research.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

INFLUENCE OF CELL WALL CALCIUM CONTENT IN FRUIT FIRMNESS DURING THE RIPENING OF PLUMS (PRUNUS DOMESTICA L.).

‘Rainha Claudia Verde’ is a regional cultivar of Prunus domestica L. well adapted to a specific region in the south of Portugal. In order to understand the postharvest behavior of this cultivar produced in different orchards, cell wall poly-saccharides and cell wall calcium fruit content were studied during ripening in two consecutive years. During harvest period pectic fractions soluble in water, carbonate and KOH were prepared from alcohol-insoluble residue (AIR) of plums. Galacturonic and neutral sugars contents were measured during fruit ripening and fruit firmness was also evaluated. The calcium fruit level was determined in the AIR during harvest season as well as in dry matter. Fruit firmness was significantly higher in the second year and was probably related with calcium fruit content and pectic polysaccharides. There was a significant difference in calcium fruit content between orchards, and this might influence the overall fruit texture during the postharvest period. During fruit ripening water soluble pectic polysaccharides did not change significantly, which corresponded with the small decrease in tissue firmness. The occurrence in the supernatant of the cellulosic residue of highly branched polysaccharides might be the consequence of matrix material associated with microfibrilar phase. Depolymerization of the hemicellulosic fraction was not evident during plum ripening. The loss of fruit firmness is a consequence of many cellular events which are influenced by external factors. The knowledge of calcium content in the cell wall and the pectic poly¬saccharides could be of great importance to local farmers to predict fruit texture