RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 5 No. 1 1993 June, p. 65-72

INTER-FIRM VARIANCE, INDUSTRY STRUCTURE AND PUBLIC POLICY: AN APPROACH TO IMPROVING THE COST COMPETITIVENESS OF THE PALM OIL MILLING SECTOR

JAYA GOPAL, R*

Received: 2 December 1992  
ABSTRACT

This article proposes an industry-level approach towards improving the competitiveness of the palm oil industry with reference to the fresh fruit bunch (FFB) milling sector. The approach can be described as a cross-sectional inter-firm cost variance analysis, which evaluates the cost performance of a firm by comparing its costs with the average or standard in the industry. The approach also analyses the structure and policy environment of the industry, and their effect on costs, as a means of identifying and instituting policies and policy instruments that would improve the structure and competitive base of the industry.

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* Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia,
P O Box 10620,
50720 Kuala Lumpur