Explaining hybrid “personalities” in smallholder sugar cane sourcing
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the extent to which transaction cost theory on hybrid governance structures can explain hybrid personalities observed in the South African sugar industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Three governance structures used simultaneously by the same company to purchase sugar cane from small-scale growers are described in detail. One of these structures is close to a market arrangement, the other two are hybrids. The discriminating alignment hypothesis and more recent work on hybrid models are used to explain the factors driving the choice for a hybrid arrangement and determining their specific form. Factors not covered by theory are identified.
Findings
At least two areas would need to be included to explain the specific form taken by the studied governance structures: production characteristics and financial constraints of the transacting parties. Furthermore, the importance of national and local regulations in affecting organizational form by determining what is and is not possible is demonstrated.
Research limitations/implications
This case study highlights limitations of current theory in fully explaining the “personality” of governance structures. Future work should not shun the finer details of governance structures and their interaction with the institutional environment.
Social implications
Inclusive business models are promoted as tools for poverty alleviation and economic development. Public involvement plays an important role, however, more research is required to understand its reach and leverage its full potential.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to rigorously apply transaction cost theory to inclusive business models in agricultural sourcing, an area which is rapidly gaining prominence on the development agenda. It shows that a complete understanding requires going beyond current theory.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was based on one of ten case studies conducted for the Seas of Change Initiative and funded by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), a joint international institution of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states and the European Union (EU). The authors would like to thank the Centre for Development Innovation (CDI) for making this research possible, with special thanks to Monika Sopov and Jan Helder; Ward Anseeuw of the University of Pretoria for logistical and intellectual support; and all the interviewees from Tongaat Hulett for their time and willingness to participate. Professor Nic Olivier from the University of Pretoria is gratefully acknowledged for his help with correctly interpreting the land reform policies and their implications. The authors would like to thank two anonymous referees for their helpful suggestions.
The authors would like to thank the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), Flanders International Cooperation Agency (FICA), Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds (BOF) of Ghent University, and the Treasury of South Africa for financial support.
Citation
Vellema, W. and D'Haese, M. (2015), "Explaining hybrid “personalities” in smallholder sugar cane sourcing", British Food Journal, Vol. 117 No. 10, pp. 2547-2563. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-12-2014-0411
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited