GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF TRANSACTION ARRANGEMENTS

With this article the intention is to add to the Transaction Cost Analysis empirical discussions. It introduces a model that aims tographically represent transaction arrangements. The proposed model was empirically tested in the Brazilian fruit export sector. Sixdifferent fruit were used as the basis for the investigation: melons, grapes, mangoes, papayas, oranges and apples. These are the sixmost exported fruit produced in Brazil. Two distinct research techniques were used in the investigation: secondary data analysis andinterviews. The focal aim of the secondary data research was the characterisation and comparison of the production and exportsequences of the six most exported Brazilian fruit types. The content of the semi-structured interview questions was determinedbased on the literature review of Transaction Cost Analysis and the international fruit trade. The questions were carefully chosen toreveal the factors which are determinant for the configuration of transaction arrangements in the fruit trade. The Graphical Representationof Transactions successfully disclosed the three main types of arrangements used by Brazilian fruit exporters. These arrangementsare: Integrated Production-Export Transaction Arrangement, Export Agents Transaction Arrangement and the Integrated MultinationalTransaction Arrangement. The graphical model makes the process of categorising organisations according to their behaviour moreprecise. By clearly describing the technical activities performed by an organisation it is possible to assess its role in a specific sector.