Progress 10/01/98 to 09/30/04
Outputs
This is the termination report for project MIS-533010. However, the termination report does not cover the comprehensive time period of this project's existence (October 1, 1998-September 30, 2003); it only covers the calendar year 2003 (January 1, 2003-December 31, 2003). The following is a summary of selected findings of research efforts expended during the calendar year 2002. Researchers in the Department of Agricultural Economics made use of the engineering transportation cost estimation techniques, NPV and IRR, to develop a financial and commercial analysis of fast ships for transporting perishables/high value commodities between U.S. Southeast and Latin American regions. Results indicate that all vessels considered for the analysis had positive NPV and IRR, suggesting that PEBOS would be the appropriate vessel to be implemented in the trade regions. A study that assessed the profitability performance and patterns of the agricultural and food market truck carrier
industry's strategic changes over the study period 1992-1999 was completed. Results from the study suggest that managers of the carriers were constantly searching for ways to lower costs to better position themselves in the highly competitive agricultural and food products market.
Impacts
The publications and paper presentations made at scientific and professional meetings by the researchers associated with this project enabled them to provide data and information in a useful form that could be used by managers of carriers, ports, terminals, and other stakeholders (both public and private) to be better informed about the factors that affect these firms as they try maintain or improve customer satisfaction through improving services at their facilities. Also, as a result of the work accomplished under this project for the calendar year 2003, extension personnel, students, researchers, and other stakeholders have a better understanding of how these firms interact with consumers and competitors to position themselves in the agricultural and rural transportation industry to better utilize society's scarce resources more economically efficient in the future. This, in turn, should enable the managers of these firms to be better determine what their customer
needs are so that they can meet these demands better than their competitors.
Publications
- Fuentes, Porfirio, Warren Couvillion, and Albert J. Allen, Commercial and Financial Viability of Fast Ships for Routes between Southern U.S., Latin American, and Caribbean Regions, Papers and Proceedings, Thirtieth Annual Meeting, Savannah, Georgia, February 12-15, 2003, Academy Economics and Finance, Volume 27, 2003.
- Zhang, Yunlong, Royce O. Bowden, and Albert J. Allen, Intermodal Transportation Planning Using Commodity Flow Data, Final Report submitted to National Center for Intermodal Transportation and Mississippi Department of Transportation, June 2003.
- Fuentes, Porfirio and Albert J. Allen, Commercial and Financial Viability of Fast Ships in the Southern U.S.-Latin American-Caribbean High Value Agricultural Commodity Trade, paper presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Economics and Finance, Savannah, Georgia, February 12-15, 2003. . Allen, Albert J., Haiyuan Wang, Joselito Estrada, Porfirio Fuentes, and Safdar Muhammad, An Analysis of Strategic and Performance Changes of Truck Carriers in the Agricultural Commodity and Food Markets, paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Food Distribution Research Society, October 25-29, 2003, Biloxi, Mississippi
- Fuentes, Porfirio, Warren C. Couvillion, and Albert J. Allen, The Potential Effects of Transportation Technological Advance in Trade of Food Products Between US and Latin America, paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Food Distribution Research Society, October 25-29, 2003, Biloxi, Mississippi.
- Allen, Albert J., Gerald Mumma, Porfirio Fuentes, Safdar Muhammad, and A.A. Farhad Chowdhury, Impact of Strategic Changes on the Performance of Trucking Firms in the Agricultural Commodity Transportation Market, paper presented at the 2003 Annual Conference of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association, Mobile, Alabama, February 1-5, 2003. Fuentes, Porfirio and Albert J. Allen, Estimation of Direct Transportation Costs for Fast Ships in the International High Value Agriculture Commodity Trade, paper presented at the Southwestern Economics Association Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, April 16-19, 2003 Allen, Albert J. and Porfirio Fuentes, Regional Strategic Dimension and Profitability Performance of Agricultural Truck Carriers in the United States, paper presented at the 2003 Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC), Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama, December 7-9, 2003
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Research from a study that evaluated the market structure, market share, and profits in the surface freight transportation industry supported the efficient structure hypothesis implying that efficiency is the driving force behind the performance of firms. This result suggests that the 1980 Motor Carrier Act has resulted in a market structure that is based on competition with efficient firms being dominant. In addition to this study three publications were done and two papers were presented at scientific and professional meetings.
Impacts
The information provided through the publication and paper presentation network enabled carriers, ports, and terminal operators to be better informed about the factors that affected their firms as they try maintain or improve customer satisfaction through improving services at their facilities. Also, as a result of the work accomplished under this project, extension personnel, students, researchers, and other stakeholders are better informed about the internal and external factors that affect the decision making process of carriers, ports, and terminal operators.
Publications
- Allen, Albert J., Gerald Mumma, and Warren C. Couvillion, A Financial Assessment of the Refrigerated-Food-Carrier Industry, Southwestern Journal of Economics, Volume V, Number 1, March 2002: 130-149.
- Allen, Albert J., Warren C. Couvillion, Safdar Muhammad, Gerald Mumma, and Jeanne Reeves, An Analysis of Intermodal Information Technology Usage by Intermodal Ports and Terminals in the Agricultural and Food Product Market, Journal of Food Distribution Research, Volume XXXIII, Number 1, March 2002, Proceedings Issue.
- Zhang, Yunlong, Albert J. Allen, and Royce O. Bowden, Intermodal Freight Transportation Planning Using Commodity Flow Survey Data, Departments of Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University, November 2002. Draft Final Grant Report submitted to the National Center for Intermodal Transportation (NCIT) AND Mississippi Department of Transportation
- Kari, Fatimah, Abdul H. Jaafar, Albert J. Allen, and Warren C. Couvillion, Market Structure, Market Share and Profits in the Surface Freight Industry, paper presented at the American Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting, Long Beach, California, July 28-31, 2002.
- Allen, Albert J., Gerald Mumma, Safdar Muhammad, Warren C. Couvillion, and Jeanne Reeves, Intermodal Information Technology: An Assessment of the Perceived Impact on Ports and Terminals in the Agricultural and Food Sectors, paper presented at the Conference of the Food Distribution Research Society, October 27-30, 2002, Miami, Florida.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Three publications and six papers were presented at regional and national meetings under the objectives of this project. For example, a published report revealed that Mexico was the leading importer for goods going through the Port of Gulfport. In 1999, Mexico accounted for $381.8 million or 41 percent of total exports that year.
Impacts
During this progress reporting period for this project, several publications and paper presentations were made and distributed widely to stakeholders in the intermodal freight transportation industry. With the distribution of publications to stakeholders and those papers presented at regional and national meetings, it is hoped that this project through the information resulting from it that stakeholders and others will be better informed about how information technology and other intermodal activities can improve and enhance the competitiveness of agribusiness firms in local, regional, national and global markets.
Publications
- Couvillion, Warren C. and Albert J. Allen, Mississippi's Industrial Gulf Ports, Department of Agricultural Economics, MAFES, Mississippi State University, March 2001. Final Grant Report submitted to the National Center for Intermodal Transportation (NCIT), Department of Transportation (DOT). Grant Number 302618.
- Allen, Albert J., Warren C. Couvillion, Fen Qui, and Rong Huang, Changes in the Impact of NAFTA on Transborder Ports in the United States: A Surface Modal Share Analysis, paper presented at the Southwestern Economics Association Meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, March 14-18, 2001.
- Allen, Albert J., Warren C. Couvillion, Fen Qui, and Rong Huang, Modal Competition in the Mississippi International Trade Market with Canada and Mexico: A Post-NAFTA Analysis, paper presented at the Southwestern Economics Association Meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, March 14-18, 2001.
- Allen, Albert J., Warren C. Couvillion, Gerald Mumma, Safdar Muhammad and Jeanne Reeves, An Analysis of Intermodal Information Technology Usage by Intermodal Ports and Terminals in the Agricultural and Food Product Market, paper presented at the 2001 Conference of the Food Distribution Research Society, October 14-17, 2001, Phoenix, Arizona.
- Allen, Albert J., Warren C. Couvillion, Abdul Jaafar, Gerald Mumma, and Jeanne Reeves, An Analysis of Factors Affecting Truck Rates in the Agricultural Commodity Market, paper presented at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC), December 2-4, 2001, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama.
- Allen, Albert J., Warren C. Couvillion, Jeanne Reeves, Abdul Jaafar, and Gerald Mumma, Freight Rate Determinants in the U.S. Agricultural Commodity Market, poster presented at the American Agricultural Economics Association Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, August 5-8, 2001.
- Allen, Albert J., Profirio Fuentes, and Liping Long, Preliminary Methodology for Freight Planning in Mississippi, paper presented at the project committee meeting entitled Intermodal Freight Transportation Planning Using Commodity Flow Data, October 10, 2001, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS.
- Allen, Albert J., Warren C. Couvillion, Gerald A. Mumma, and Jeanne Reeves, The Use of Intermodal Information Technologies by Intermodal Ports and Terminals Serving Agricultural and Food Product Firms in Mississippi, Journal of Food Distribution Research, Volume XXXII, Number 1, March 2001, Proceeding Issue: 182-183.
- Allen, Albert J. and Warren C. Couvillion, The Use of Intermodal Information Technologies by Intermodal Ports and Terminals Serving Agriculture in Mississippi, Department of Agricultural Economics, MAFES, Mississippi State University, March 2001, Final Grant Report submitted to the National Center for Intermodal Transportation (NCIT), Department of Transportation (DOT). Grant Number DTRS98-G-0017.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
A study that evaluated the factors that determine freight rates was completed. Factor analysis and subsequent regression analysis were used to analyze factors that significantly affect freight rates in the refrigerated food transportation market in the United States. Secondary data for this analysis were obtained from the TTS Blue Book of Trucking Companies published by the Transportation Technical Services, Inc. For analytical purposes, location of individual trucking firms was divided into four regions: Northeast, West, Midwest, and South. Results from this study reveal that location, size of shipment, number of firms in the regions, and gross freight revenue were inversely related to freight rates.
Impacts
This project produced a publication that was widely distributed to stakeholders and others to evaluate the distribution of blueberries in Mississippi and Louisiana. Another publication provided information on how pricing and freight rates affect carriers, shippers and others involved in the U.S. transportation industry. By knowing which factors significantly affect freight rates, stakeholders will have the necessary information to make better pricing decisions so they can strategically position themselves in the freight transportation market. In addition, researchers on this project presented three papers at professional meetings that were well attended. Because of these presentations, researchers were able to provide information to attendees on intermodal information technologies, Global Positioning Systems, and economic modeling for decisions. It is hoped that the attendees at these meetings left the meetings better informed about how information technologies can
help them in day-to-day operations of their firms as a result of these presentations. The titles of the papers presented at those meetings are (1) The Use of Intermodal Information Technologies by Intermodal Ports and Terminals Serving Agricultural and Food Product Firms in Mississippi; (2) Agricultural Products and Intermodalism: Economic Modeling for Decisions; and (3) An Analysis of the Use, Adoption, and Benefits of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) by Agricultural Trucking Firms in Mississippi.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
A study that evaluated the structure, conduct, and performance of the trucking firms that have agricultural commodities in the United States as a group and by regions was completed. Results from this study show that the number of firms hauling agricultural commodities as a group increased about 13 percent from 1992 to 1996. This result may suggest that competition has increased in the agricultural commodity segment of the U.S. trucking industry. On a regional basis, the largest increase in firm numbers occurred in the Midwest. The number of firms increased from 19 in 1992 to 34 in 1996, almost a 79 percent increase. Also, concentration ratios increased in the West and South reflecting the possibility of less competition among firms in those regions. This result suggests that freight rates might increase, thus reducing revenues of shippers. If this happens, shippers may have to reduce the number of employees and purchasing activities. A study that determined an
efficient system for handling blueberries in Mississippi and Louisiana was completed. One of the results showed that costs incurred by farmers and the Miss-Lou Association changed in each system. The costs incurred by farmers in each system will help design future strategies for handling and marketing blueberries. Results also reveal that a cost efficient system will help members of Miss-Lou to reduce the costs incurred by them and should help them to increase the farm value of blueberry crops in Mississippi and Louisiana. By increasing the farm value of blueberry crops, producers will likely increase the purchase of agricultural inputs to generate more economic activities. Nine papers were presented at professional meetings: 1 Financial Analysis of the Agricultural Commodity Carrier Market, 2. Role of Intermodal Transportation Logistical Systems in U.S. Agribusiness, 3. A Financial Assessment of the Refrigerated Food Carrier Industry, 4. Efficient Marketing of Blueberries in
Mississippi and Louisiana, 5. An Economic Analysis of Intelligent Transportation Systems in the Distribution of Agricultural and Food Products, 6. Research, Teaching, and Outreach Opportunities for Intermodal Transportation, 7. Funding Sources for Intermodal Transportation Under TEA 21, 8. Intermodal Transportation-The Global Standard, 9. Interdisciplinary Approach to Intermodal Transportation Research.
Impacts
This project is providing information to stakeholders which allows them to evaluate expansion of an intermodal system that builds upon the strengths of each mode of transportation while, enhancing mobility that is environmentally sound and economically efficient. It is anticipated that if stakeholders use the information provided they will be better informed on the ways in which intermodal transportation can enhance the competitiveness of the Mississippi agribusiness system in an increasingly global enconomy.
Publications
- ALLEN, A. J., J. REEVES, and A. QUESADA, 1998, Financial Attributes of Agricultural Trucking Firms in the United States: A Regional Analysis, Abstracts, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Volume 80, Number 5, Proceedings.
- ALLEN, A., J. REEVES, and G. MUMMA, 1999, Structure, Conduct, and Performance Changes in the U.S. Agricultural Commodity Trucking Industry, Journal of Food Distribution Research, Volume XXX, Number 1, pages 31-44.
- ALLEN, A.J., G. MUMMA, and W. C. COUVILLION, 1999, Financial Analysis of the Agricultural Commodity Carrier Market, Papers and Proceedings, Academy of Economics and Finance, Volume 23.
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