Madiha Ali | Universität Erfurt (original) (raw)
Papers by Madiha Ali
The Belgian chocolate industry is one of the world’s leading exporters of chocolates, and is a si... more The Belgian chocolate industry is one of the world’s leading exporters of chocolates, and is a significant contributor to the country’s economy. In 2014, Belgium accounted for 10.9% of the world’s chocolate exports valued at US$ 2,9 billion, making it the second largest exporter (Workman, 2015). While it used to be the world’s top exporter, Belgium recently lost its place to Germany – in 2014, Germany had sales of US$4.7 billion (Idem)
The chocolate industry in Belgium has all the characteristics of an economic cluster, with most of the 2,000 companies involved in the production and distribution of chocolate located in the capital Brussels. More than 450 firms are directly involved in the production of chocolate (Abraham, Studnicka, Hove, 2014). Within, Belgium’s food sector, the chocolate industry accounts for a total turnover of Euro 4.3 billion (Oxfam Wereldwinkels, 2010), and employs 9.5% of those working in the sector. Belgium also has one of the largest domestic consumer markets for chocolates, amounting to Euro 1.6 billion (Idem).
The key verticals in the Belgian chocolate cluster are the production of inputs, with Belgian companies also involved in the processing of industrial chocolate; a high quality transport and logistics infrastructure, support services in warehousing, equipment manufacture and packaging, government agencies and regulators; education and research and development; industry associations; supermarkets, department stores and boutiques; and tourism linked to the chocolate industry.
The report briefly discusses the characteristics of the Belgian economy before undertaking a comprehensive study of the chocolate cluster, including its history, the production process, a cluster mapping, and an analysis of the cluster based on Michael Porter’s Diamond Model. In addition, a comparison will be made with existing chocolate clusters in other countries.
The key recommendations of the report:
♣ Developing a sustainable supply of cocoa by enhanced cooperation with export nations and by finding newer trade partners
♣ Stepping up exports to emerging markets in Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East
♣ The federal government must take an active role in the promotion of the industry
♣ Increased Interventions to protect the Belgian identity of the chocolate industry
In today world stakeholders must develop and educate themselves in the essential skills needed fo... more In today world stakeholders must develop and educate themselves in the essential skills needed for result oriented stakeholder engagement and respectfully processing differences into progress. Man cannot live in isolation, and in engagement finds harmony, want satisfaction and community ownership. Not only do words but also gestures communicate man’s perspective and standing on issues he holds important. His need to engage in dialogue goes far back in history to objectify conflict resolution, resource acquirement and distribution and consensus building for lasting relationships with others. With globalization having deep impact on our societies and organizations becoming more multicultural and dynamic man in various roles is continuously confronted with opportunities for engagement and specialized skills such as observation and listening form the foundation of successful dialoguing
The Belgian chocolate industry is one of the world’s leading exporters of chocolates, and is a si... more The Belgian chocolate industry is one of the world’s leading exporters of chocolates, and is a significant contributor to the country’s economy. In 2014, Belgium accounted for 10.9% of the world’s chocolate exports valued at US$ 2,9 billion, making it the second largest exporter (Workman, 2015). While it used to be the world’s top exporter, Belgium recently lost its place to Germany – in 2014, Germany had sales of US$4.7 billion (Idem)
The chocolate industry in Belgium has all the characteristics of an economic cluster, with most of the 2,000 companies involved in the production and distribution of chocolate located in the capital Brussels. More than 450 firms are directly involved in the production of chocolate (Abraham, Studnicka, Hove, 2014). Within, Belgium’s food sector, the chocolate industry accounts for a total turnover of Euro 4.3 billion (Oxfam Wereldwinkels, 2010), and employs 9.5% of those working in the sector. Belgium also has one of the largest domestic consumer markets for chocolates, amounting to Euro 1.6 billion (Idem).
The key verticals in the Belgian chocolate cluster are the production of inputs, with Belgian companies also involved in the processing of industrial chocolate; a high quality transport and logistics infrastructure, support services in warehousing, equipment manufacture and packaging, government agencies and regulators; education and research and development; industry associations; supermarkets, department stores and boutiques; and tourism linked to the chocolate industry.
The report briefly discusses the characteristics of the Belgian economy before undertaking a comprehensive study of the chocolate cluster, including its history, the production process, a cluster mapping, and an analysis of the cluster based on Michael Porter’s Diamond Model. In addition, a comparison will be made with existing chocolate clusters in other countries.
The key recommendations of the report:
♣ Developing a sustainable supply of cocoa by enhanced cooperation with export nations and by finding newer trade partners
♣ Stepping up exports to emerging markets in Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East
♣ The federal government must take an active role in the promotion of the industry
♣ Increased Interventions to protect the Belgian identity of the chocolate industry
In today world stakeholders must develop and educate themselves in the essential skills needed fo... more In today world stakeholders must develop and educate themselves in the essential skills needed for result oriented stakeholder engagement and respectfully processing differences into progress. Man cannot live in isolation, and in engagement finds harmony, want satisfaction and community ownership. Not only do words but also gestures communicate man’s perspective and standing on issues he holds important. His need to engage in dialogue goes far back in history to objectify conflict resolution, resource acquirement and distribution and consensus building for lasting relationships with others. With globalization having deep impact on our societies and organizations becoming more multicultural and dynamic man in various roles is continuously confronted with opportunities for engagement and specialized skills such as observation and listening form the foundation of successful dialoguing