The country origin effect on the Brazilian beef trade in Europe: a study with students and staff of European universities, European importer and Brazilian exporters

Author(s)

Fernanda de Tavares Canto Guina

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2011-08-08

Examining board members

Janaina de Moura Engracia Giraldi; Ana Akemi Ikeda; Marcos Fava Neves

• Advisor: Janaina de Moura Engracia Giraldi

Abstract

In the last years, studies has showed that pre-established ideas and stereotyped from individuals about countries can interfere in their attitudes concerning products from theses nations, phenomena denominated by some authors as the country origin effect. In this context, is important to say that even Brazil has become the main Beef exporter of the world, your leadership in this area has been criticized for some Europeans, who believe that the Brazilian livestock is responsible for Amazon Deforestation, slave work and also, the producers has a low concern with animal health. this position was achieved despite of Amazon deforestation, slave work and not enough animal health care. Brazilian government and the exporter sector have been working to change the image of all productive chain has abroad, showing measures to reduce the environment impact of the activity, in the health care of the animals and in the labor law attendance. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to analyze the influence of Brazilian image in the Brazilian beef trade in Europe. This research is exploratory and descriptive and had a quantitative and a qualitative part. Further the bibliography research, interviews were made with representatives of Brazilian beef exporters and European importer, with the aim of complementing the main focus of this research, the quantitative part. During the quantitative part, a survey was administrated with students and professionals from Europeans universities in France, England, Ireland, and German, in order to know how can Brazilian image affect their attitudes concerning Brazilian beef. This study could conclude that beliefs about countries could be different according the perceived similarity between the respondent country and the analyzed nation, as well as demographic factors, such as place of residence, gender and age. These factors can also moderate the country of origin effect. It also possible to conclude that the aspects related to the communication, distribution and differentiation of Brazilian products receive the worst evaluation from the consumers that had participate of the survey, which means the necessity of improve the investments from the Government and the private sector in this area. Therefore, seems to be very important to give emphasis in theses campaigns, in aspects related with arts, festivity and the friendliness of Brazilian people, dimensions very well evaluated by the respondents. The total of respondents present, in a general way, a neutral evaluation about Brazilian image and the influence of this on the attitude concerning Brazilian beef was not expressive. It is possible to conclude that the country of origin effect, despite of positive, was inexpressive. Analyzing groups separately, it is possible to affirm that the country of origin effect were different between ages, gender and country of residence. It is also different according the level of enrollment and familiarity with Brazilian beef, and between the levels of Knowledge of Brazil. Concerning the limitations from the study, the target population do not achieve others important markets with them Brazil has commercial relations; such as another European countries, Asian countries, USA, even others segments of European consumers. With the results of this study, it was possible to go forward in the state of art in the research about country image and also help marketing professionals and theorist in order to better manage the country of origin as marketing tool. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/04759-6 - The country of origin effect in the trading of Brazilian bovine meat in Europe: an exploratory study considering the exporters experiences and the European consumers opinion
• Grantee: Fernanda de Tavares Canto Guina
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master