Sugar cane growers associations: antecedents of effectiveness in Brazil and the Australian experience

• Grant number: 13/20445-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2014
• End date: January 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Administration - Business Administration
• Principal Investigator: Luciano Thome e Castro
• Grantee: Luciano Thome e Castro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade de Ribeirão Preto (FEARP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Marcos Fava Neves ; Roberto Fava Scare

Abstract

The Brazilian sugar cane grower association model is based at clusters of cane growers by region, linked to particular mills. Each association has several associated growers that pays their volunteered contribution by having a discount of their cane delivery done by the mill. As an example, at the Southern region there are 36 associations with around 15 thousand cane growers. Interestingly, among these 34 associations there are differences in their effectiveness level in terms of representativeness power and growth. This variability inside an apparently homogeneous field brings an interesting research question which are the antecedents leading to association strength, growth and importance to growers. Besides, the Brazilian and the Australian cane growers association model are very different. Being the first very fragmented and the second centralized and with different scope of activities.As objectives, this research intends to understand which are internal and external antecedents factors that lead to association growth and importance to growers in Brazil. Second this research intends to benchmark the Brazilian association model with the Australian Model. The method used is for the first part a survey with the 34 associations belonging to the Orplana system (a Association that represents all the 36 associations in the Southern part of Brazil ). A questionnaire will be developed aiming to indicate variable of association effectiveness and external and internal factors that may be used as antecedents of association effectiveness. Secondly, there will be a benchmark with the Australian cane growers association using a multiple case study method trying to summarize the main differences and similarities that may help to explain difference in association effectiveness in both countries. As results, in terms of research the project will enrich the body of knowledge of networks and private institutions, bringing antecedents to be confronted or confirmed by existing literature. In terms of contribution to the industry, it is clear that the cane growers association model, considering mainly the São Paulo State, may learn from the research to identify potential adjustments at their representation model. (AU)