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Institutional arrangements in Brazilian agriculture: a study on the use of contracts in South Central Brazil´s sugar-and-alcohol industry

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Author(s):
Roberto Pedroso Junior
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Master's Dissertation
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade (FEA/SBD)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Decio Zylbersztajn; Maria Sylvia Macchione Saes; José Paulo de Souza
Advisor: Decio Zylbersztajn
Abstract

This work analyzes the institutional framework that mediates market transactions between suppliers (plants) and processing firms (distilleries) within South Central Brazils sugar and alcohol agroindustry. To that end, a comparison is made between institutional production arrangements in traditional and non-traditional sugar cane farming regions. The theoretical background of this investigation is based on the New Institutional Economics, particularly focused on Transaction Cost Economics. The methodology adopted is a departure from the Holistic Approach proposed by Bogetoft and Olesen. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with producers representing institutions in the sugar and alcohol sector, as well as two case studies on processing firms. Due to the historical development of sugar agriculture, the processing firms and the seven suppliers organizations interviewed are located in different regions. Data collection and information analysis pointed to the existence of different contracts deriving from different institutional arrangements between them. Whereas agricultural producers supplying processing firms in non-traditional regions were observed to be unwilling to sign contracts, those located in traditional ones were found to have stable, long-term relationships governed by verbal contracts based on reputation built along decades of transactions. Conclusions demonstrate the importance of deepening the studies involving institutional arrangements adopted by companies located in different institutional settings. (AU)