Internationalization and Vertical Relationships in the Dutch Agrifood Sector

Abstract

This paper presents preliminary results of a study on the internationalization of Dutch agribusiness. This study builds upon the work of Ruigrok and Van Tulder (1995) on internationalization strategies of large manufacturing companies. They found that internationalization strategies of large companies are strongly influenced by the kind of relationships these companies have with suppliers, clients, employees, government agencies and financiers in their home country. These companies are core companies and the network of relationships of core companies are industrial complexes Ruigrok and Van Tulder also found that true globalization is a myth, as most international companies are still very much dependent on their home country suppliers, clients, government agencies, financiers and R&D institutes.