Managerial strategies in canning industries: A case study of early twentieth century Portugal

Abstract

The paper discusses entry barriers in the Portuguese canning industries in the early twentieth century. The most important challenge facing the canning industries was a dependence on unsteady supply of raw material. The available technology, branding trademarks, product differentiation and product quality, versus abundance or scarcity of resources to be used as inputs and international trade presented contradictory effects on entry barriers. The paper discusses entry barriers in the Portuguese canning industries in the early twentieth century. The most important challenge facing the canning industries was a dependence on unsteady supply of raw material. The available technology, branding trademarks, product differentiation and product quality, versus abundance or scarcity of resources to be used as inputs and international trade presented contradictory effects on entry barriers. Deterrence was inefficient, some foreign firms delocalised to Portugal, and the sector is an interesting case-study in the historical context of globalisation