Greenhouse vegetable production in The Netherlands and Switzerland: A grounded look at sector competitiveness

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a theory that is sufficiently adapted to sector competitiveness. The case of greenhouse vegetable production in The Netherlands and Switzerland is used to explain differences in sector competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews focusing on the fields of spatial planning, labor, energy supply, and market organization were carried out with stakeholders and producers in both countries and evaluated by Grounded Theory.

Findings

The work shows that the flexibility not only of producers, but also of the whole institutional framework in The Netherlands exceeds the flexibility on the Swiss side by far, which may be an important factor for explaining differences in competitiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The result that it is a basic difference in flexibility and adaptability that determines sector competitiveness is valid for the vegetable sector. It should be examined whether similar patterns can be found in other sectors.

Originality/value

The competitiveness discussion is transferred to a new economic level, namely the economic sector. Likewise, new answers are found in looking for explanations for differences in competitiveness.

Citation

Mann, S., Breukers, A., Schweiger, J. and Mack, G. (2011), "Greenhouse vegetable production in The Netherlands and Switzerland: A grounded look at sector competitiveness", Competitiveness Review, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 339-351. https://doi.org/10.1108/10595421111152147