Analysis of the Business Alliance in Food-related Industries: International Comparison between Niigata Prefecture of Japan and Heilongjiang Province of China

Abstract

In this study, the actual conditions of a business alliance in food-related industries, its influence on the performance of enterprises and the role of research institutions and administrative bodies were clarified by an analysis based on the results of a questionnaire survey for both Heilongjiang Province of China and Niigata Prefecture of Japan. First, from the analysis of food related companies, it was clarified that a business alliance is developed based on the business environment and the management strategies of the companies, and contributes to the performance of the company by encouraging innovation. Second, from the analysis of the research institutions, it was shown that if these institutions only stay with the purchase of the information etc., even when participating in the network, a business alliance seldom leads to a technology transfer and technological development no matter how high the expectations for making the study results a business. Third, from the analysis on the administrative bodies, it was clarified that the approach for the “Industry Accumulative Development” policy developed by the district installation was not widely advanced, and the realities revealed an insufficient innovation in the development district installation. In conclusion, based on the above mentioned analytical results, constructing a network by promoting business alliances between enterprises, and forming an industrial cluster can be effective cluster strategies. © 2010, JAPAN SECTION OF THE REGIONAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL. All rights reserved.