Could fair trade be part of the global market and how?

Résumé du document

Could fair trade be a part of the global market? An explanation is given about the meaning of this new concept of international trade, its organization and the role of each actor. Then the review of the literature focuses and analyze the two important stakeholders, the consumers and the distribution channel involved in fair trade. To compare the findings of the literature review and find the issues of fair trade, a survey was conducted to have a better comprehension of the perception and behavior of the classical and the fair trade consumers. The findings concerning fair trade's future are quite positive irrespective of the problems it has to face. Interviews of professionals have brought important reflections and solutions on the issues of fair trade. Economic "globalization? is a historical process, the result of human innovation and technological progress. It refers to the increasing integration of economies around the world, particularly through trade and financial flows. (IMF, 2000). Over the last years, globalization has witnessed an increased trend and its main aim was to assure an overall economic growth.
still living under poverty level.

Extraits

[...] The sampling procedure The size of the sample is decided in relation to two important factors. The first factor is the time; I have to choose a sample which was not too large because I have to survey the consumers directly and alone. The second one is the sampling error; largest the sample the smaller the error.” I have to choose a sample not too small to minimize the sampling error of the survey. Therefore, I choose a sample of 90 persons. [...]

[...] Rate your interest about fair trade Really interested A bit interested Neither interested or disinterested Not interested at all No opinion 7. How fair do you think fair trade is? Really fair A bit fair Not really fair Not fair at all No opinion - 45 - Attitudes towards fairtrade 8. Have you ever bought fair-trade products? Yes No 9. If yes, why do you buy them? (Several answers possible) Nothing else available Cheaper prices Better products Habit Support fairtrade 10. If no, why have you never bought fairtrade products? [...]

[...] The third goal is political, campaigning for more justice in the current trading system. Box 1.1 Basic principles of fair trade Source: Transfair USA Basic Principles of Fair Trade Fair prices - Democratically organized farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit. Fair labor conditions - Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited. [...]

[...] The qualitative one is appropriate when the objective is to have a complete and detailed description of the meanings; examples of qualitative methods are interviews, case studies or focus group. It is subjective due to the fact that it is based on individual's perceptions. The strength of the qualitative method is its validity which means that it offers a rich and in-depth description. Its weaknesses are first, its lack of reliability because the results are not able to be extrapoledgeneralized and secondly, it takes a long time to conduct and analyse. The quantitative method can be considered as the opposite of the qualitative method. [...]

[...] Ransom, David (2006) The No-nonsense guide to fair trade, New Internationalist Publications Ltd. Raynolds, Laura (March 2002) “Poverty Alleviation Through Participation in Fair Trade Coffee Networks: Existing Research and Critical Issues” Colorado State University. URL: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Sociology/FairTradeResearchGroup - 42 - Redfern, Andy and Snedker, Paul (2002) “Creating Market Opportunities for Small Enterprises: Experiences of the Fair Trade Movement” Geneva, International Labour Office Ronchi, Loraine (2002a) Impact of Fair Trade on Producers and Their Organizations: A Case Study with COOCAFE in Costa Rica.” PRUS Working Paper No Poverty Research Unit at Sussex, University of Sussex Ronchi ,Loraine (2002b) “Monitoring impact of fair-trade initiatives : A case study of Kuapa Kokoo and the Day chocolate Company” Twinsight, Stiglitz, Joseph E. [...]