Australian Meat and Fiji Sugar Industry

Globalisation and workplace reforms in two regional agri-food industries

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Globalisation and workplace reforms in two regional agri-food industries

Australian meat processing and Fiji’s sugar mills

Darryn Snell

In a growing number of South Pacific nations, there is rising concern about the impact of globalisation on the region’s agri-food industries. In developing Pacific Island Countries (PICs) changing market conditions and declining preferential trading arrangements have contributed to harsh competitive pressures and an uncertain future for many of their agricultural industries (Hince 2000; Murray 1998; Prasad & Akram-Lodhi 1996, 1998; World Bank 1993). Agricultural industries in New Zealand and Australia also continue to confront staunch competition as increased agricultural exports from the United States, Europe and Latin America enter into their local and traditional agricultural export markets (Lawrence 1987; LeHeron 1993). Agri-industrial reform programmes throughout the Pacific have been the outcome of these competitive pressures (Lawrence, Share & Campbell 1992; UNIDO 1983). This paper presents two case studies—the Australian beef industry and Fiji’s sugar industry. It compares and contrasts recent reform efforts in the processing sectors (i.e. meat processing and sugar milling) of each of these industries. This comparison revolves around two core issues: the use of alternative payment schemes to boost performance and productivity levels and overall international competitiveness; and the managerial styles adopted to carry out reforms in the respective industries. The paper concludes with a discussion of matters for regional consideration.

The Journal of Pacific Studies, Volume 24, no.1, 2000, 51–76 © by JPacS Editorial Board (SSED,USP)

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Journal of Pacific studies Vol.24, no. 1, 2000

The basis of comparison Despite differences between meat processing and sugar milling and the vastly different economies of Australia and Fiji,...