Spatial reorganization and the Barbados sugar industry

Nurse, Lionel Livingstone (1974) Spatial reorganization and the Barbados sugar industry. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This study examines some aspects of spatial reorganization in the Sugar Industry of Barbados. More specifically, it focuses on location allocation problems for sugar cane in both short term and future situations. The problems relate to the method of allocating canes between farms and factories, and to the reorganization of the factory system. The objective of the thesis is to create an efficient method of sugar cane allocation, and to arrive at location decisions for a reduced number of factories given increased efficiency in the industry as a desirable goal. -- The methodology used is linear programming. This technique allows the utilization of scarce resources as effectively as possible, given the peculiar constraints of individual situations. Allocation solutions are found for the harvests of 1973 and 1974. The results yield valuable insights into the scheduling aspects of allocation, implications regarding locational advantage of the various estates and cane producing peasant farms, as well as a partial pricing structure for the industry. -- From the allocation results the scope of the thesis develops to embrace the whole issue of centralization within a historical and contemporary context. Four factories are taken as the optimal number for an improved system and optimum locations are found for them as well as the resultant changed allocations. -- The rationale for the thesis comes from the crucial importance of the sugar industry in the economy of the island with a contribution of over 50% of the value of all visible exports, from the sale of sugar and by products. More importantly the industry is currently going through a period of crisis and if massive reorganization in all facets of its structure is not undertaken then collapse seems inevitable in the very near future. The thesis therefore suggests new approaches to some managerial aspects of reorganization, and the possible implications of any such changes for the entire Sugar Industry of Barbados.

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