Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-193). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-193). Also available on the Internet.

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The combined effect of films of various gas barrier properties, various gas packaging atmospheres (air, vacuum and gas packaging, oxygen absorbents) and storage temperatures (4 and 12$ sp circ$C) were investigated on the color stability and shelf-life of fresh beef. Meat color was described by reflectance measurements and by reading the color coordinates L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness), C* (chroma) and h (hue angle) in the CIE-LAB system. All packaged beef was regarded as unacceptable when reflectance differences values at 630 and 580 nm i.e., due to oxymyoglobin (MbO$ sb2)$ were $ sim$30-35. Based on these standards, aerobic packaging of beef in polyvinylchloride (PVC) film had a shelf-life of $ sim$5 d and 1 d at 4 and 12$ sp circ$C respectively. Beef packaged in both low gas-moisture barrier films resulted in black discoloration after only 2 d at 4$ sp circ$C due to increased moisture loss. Longer extensions in both color and microbial shelf-life of fresh beef were possible by packaging products under modified atmospheres using high gas barrier Cryovac$ sp circler$ bags. Both vacuum packaging (VP) and vacuum skin packaging (VSP) resulted in a shelf-life of $ sim$35 d at 4$ sp circ$C. Gas packaging using high levels of CO$ sb2$ (100%) in conjunction with Ageless-SS$ sp circler$ oxygen absorbent, delayed discoloration for $ sim$42 d at 4$ sp circ$C. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

This thesis presents an analysis of finished beef marketing in the UK using Transaction Cost Economics (TCE). Transaction costs fall into three broad categories: information costs, negotiation costs and monitoring or enforcement costs. The key insight provided by TCE is that economic activity will be organised, <I>ceteris paribus</I>, so as to minimise the costs of carrying out transactions. Empirical applications of TCE have not kept pace with theoretical developments partly due to data limitations; in particular, there have been few applications of TCE by agricultural economists. Data on the transaction costs which farmers face when marketing finished beef cattle are collected through a survey of beef producers in N.E. Scotland. These data are analysed using Tobit analysis - a limited dependent variable econometric technique. A number of transaction cost and farm characteristic variables are found to be significant in influencing a farmer's decision whether to sell cattle through the live-ring auction or direct to abattoirs. The influence of transaction costs on abattoirs' cattle procurement preferences are then examined using conjoint analysis. This technique allows the joint effect of two variables on a dependent variable to be measured. Procurement channels are described in terms of four key transaction cost attributes. Data from a survey of UK abattoirs allows the extent to which respondents are willing to trade-off attribute levels, and therefore, the relative importance of the transaction cost attributes, to be determined. Conjoint analysis is also used to measure the relative importance of transaction costs in the procurement decisions of retailers, through a small-scale survey of UK supermarket meat buyers. The main contribution of this study is to demonstrate that measuring the importance of transaction costs to the parties to an exchange is a fruitful avenue of research.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on April 20, 2009) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 60-62).

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 40-51).