The importance of institutionalization in enterprises producing candied chestnuts and derivative products: The case of Bursa province

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 189 - 205

Sedat Özçalık , Aynur Kaya

https://doi.org/10.53663/turjfas.1730719

Abstract

Chestnut, a fruit of considerable significance for the Turkish economy due to its production volume and export potential, is cultivated in Bursa as in many other regions of Türkiye where it grows naturally. In addition to being sold as a raw product, chestnuts are processed into candied chestnuts and various derivative goods in facilities located both in the city center and surrounding districts. Among the numerous companies operating in Bursa’s confectionery and sweets industry, a total of 40 enterprises are engaged in producing and marketing candied chestnuts and related products—items that hold a geographical indication specific to the province. However, statistical data such as the total capacity, production levels, and sales volumes of these enterprises are not published by official institutions. Consequently, sector-specific figures remain uncertain. Nevertheless, based on statements made by company representatives in media interviews conducted in 2019, the total annual production of candied chestnuts and their derivatives in Bursa is estimated to be approximately 3,000 tons. Despite producing such a valuable GI-certified product, only a limited number of businesses in this sector exhibit the characteristics of institutionalized enterprises. Currently, only a few candied chestnut producers in Bursa can be said to have adopted—or to be in the process of adopting—conventional institutionalization practices. Most businesses in the sector are known to operate as family-owned enterprises managing both production and sales activities. Operating within the food industry—one of Türkiye’s four largest sectors in terms of high value-added production—candied chestnut producers must embrace institutional practices in order to achieve meaningful growth and long-term sustainability within the sweets and confectionery segment. The first part of this study presents a general framework regarding the production and consumption preferences of candied chestnuts, which constitute a significant area of employment and socio-economic value. The second part examines the importance of institutionalization for candied chestnut producers in Bursa. Finally, the study offers recommendations aimed at increasing consumer preference and strengthening the market positioning of candied chestnuts within the sugary foods category.

Keywords

Candied chestnut , Chestnut products , Family businesses , Food industry , Geographical indication , Institutionalization , Sustainability

Ethical Statement

An ethics committee certificate was obtained from the Iğdır University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee with the decision number 2025/31 on July 4, 2025.

Supporting Institution

No financial support was received for this study

Project Number

-

Thanks

-

References

• Aaker, D. (1991). Managing brand equity. New York: The Free Press.
• Acconci, P. (2017). Participatory Democracy Within the Revision of the European Economic Governance Due to the Euro-Zone Crisis. In: Sciso, E. (eds) Accountability, Transparency and Democracy in the Functioning of Bretton Woods Institutions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57855-2_7
• Acemoglu, D., Johnson, S., & Robinson, J. A. (2001). The colonial origins of comparative development: An empirical investigation. American Economic Review, 91(5), 1369–1401. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.91.5.1369
• Akdoğan, A. (2000). Characteristics of family businesses and the need for institutionalization in family businesses. Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences of Erciyes University, 16, 31–47.
• Akıncı, Z. (2010). Crisis management in accommodation enterprises: A study on problems and solutions during crises in Alanya. PhD Dissertation, Süleyman Demirel University, Institute of Social Sciences, Business Administration Department.
• Aktaş, G. (2019). The ecology and economic significance of chestnut (Castanea sativa) communities in Oyukbaba Mountain, Nazilli, Aydın.
• Anıl, N. K., & Eti, G. (2022). Principles of Marketing. Education Publishing.
• Apaydın, F. (2009). Kurumsal teori ve işletmelerin kurumsallaşması. Cumhuriyet University Journal of Economics & Administrative Sciences/Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Dergisi, 10(1).
• Armstrong, K. A. (2002). Rediscovering civil society: the European Union and the White Paper on Governance. European Law Journal, 8(1), 102-132.
• Atasever, M., Yeşildağ, E., & Kuduz, N. (2018). The importance of institutionalization in SMEs: The case of Uşak Organized Industrial Zone. Atlas Journal, 4(9), 499–512.
• Bailey, N., Kleinhans, R. & Lindbergh, J. (2018) The implications of Schumpeter's theories of innovation for the role, organisation and impact of community-based social enterprise in three European Countries. Journal of Entrepreneurial and Organizational Diversity, 7(1), 14–36. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3251974
• Bayar, M. (2021). The importance of institutionalization in family businesses and the role of strategic management in the institutionalization process. Bucak Journal of Business, 4(1), 63–81. https://doi.org/10.38057/bifd.902019
• Beckert, J. (1999). Agency, entrepreneurs, and ınstitutional change. The role of strategic choice and institutionalized practices in organizations. Organization Studies, 20(5), 777-799. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840699205004
• Belletti, G., & Marescotti, A. (2020). Short food supply chains for promoting local food on local markets. UNIDO / Elettronico. ISBN 978-88-945991-0-7. https://hdl.handle.net/2158/1390652
• Bérard, L., Marchenay, P., (2006). Local products and geographical indications: taking account of local knowledge and biodiversity. International Social Science Journal, 58(187), 109-116. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2451.2006.00592.x
• Bloomberg HT. (2024). 95% of businesses in Turkey are family businesses. Retrieved May 12, 2024, from https://www.bloomberght.com/haberler/haber/2054709-turkiye-deki-isletmelerin-yuzde-95-i-aile-sirketi
• Busiad.org.tr. (2024). 70% of family businesses disappear in the second-generation transition. Retrieved May 12, 2024, from https://www.busiad.org.tr/haber/aile-isletmelerinin-yuzde-70-i-ikinci-kusaga-geciste-yok-oluyor-555.html
• Birchall, J. (2013). The potential of co-operatives during the current recession; theorizing comparative advantage. Journal of Entrepreneurial and Organizational Diversity, 2(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.5947/jeod.2013.001
• Bock, B. B. (2019). Rurality and multi-level governance: marginal rural areas inciting community governance. In The Routledge companion to rural planning (pp. 103-113). Routledge.
• Carlock, R. S., & Kets de Vries, M. F. R. (2007). Family business on the couch: A psychological perspective. John Wiley & Sons.
• Carlock, R.S., Ward, J.L. (2010). Family values and business culture. In: when family businesses are best. A Family Business Publication. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230294516_3
• Canal, B. (2022). A conceptual evaluation of the impact of nepotism on institutionalization in family businesses. European Journal of Managerial Research, 6(10), 15–34.
• Coase, R. H. (1993). The nature of the firm (1937). The nature of the firm: origins, evolution, and development, 18-33.
• Creed, W. E. D., DeJordy, R., & Lok, J. (2010). Being the change: Resolving institutional contradiction through identity work. Academy of Management Journal, 53(6), 1336–1364. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2010.57318357
• Déjean, F., Gond, J.-P., & Leca, B. (2004). Measuring the Unmeasured: An Institutional Entrepreneur Strategy in an Emerging Industry. Human Relations, 57(6), 741-764. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726704044954
• DiMaggio, P. J., & Powell, W. W. (1983). The iron cage revisited: Institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organizational fields. American Sociological Review, 48(2), 147-160.
• Dorado, S. (2005). Institutional entrepreneurship, partaking, and convening. Organization Studies, 26(3), 385-414. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840605050873
• Dubuisson-Quellier, Sophie & Dupré, Lucie & Dupre, Lucie. (2004). Du marron à la châtaigne d'Ardèche. La relance d'un produit régional. Revue Française de Sociologie. 45. 191. https://doi.org/10.2307/3323195
• Durand, R., & McGuire, J. (2005). Legitimating agencies in the face of selection: The case of AACSB. Organization Studies, 26(2), 165-196. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840605049465
• Duru, S., Hayran, S., & Gül, A. (2022). Evaluation of production and export competitiveness of stone fruits in Turkey. Bahçe, 51(1), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.53471/bahce.1019023
• FAO. (2020). Strengthening geographical indications for sustainable agri-food systems. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org.
• FAOSTAT, (2024). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (n.d.). https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#home.
• Farquhar, P. H. (1989). Managing brand equity. Journal of Advertising Research, 1(3), 24–33.
• Figurek, A., & Thrassou, A. (2023). An Integrated Framework for Sustainable Development in Agri-Food SMEs. Sustainability, 15(12), 9387. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129387
• Flynn, K., Ruiz Bejarano, B., Wahnstrom, E., Echim, C., & Quintas, M. A. C. (2013). Profile of currently employed European Food Scientists and Technologists: Education, experience and skills. International Journal of Food Studies, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.7455/ijfs/2.2.2013.a1
• Fındıkçı, İ. (2014). Family businesses. (4th ed.). Alfa Publications.
• Gersick, K., J. A. Davis, Hampton, M. M., Lansberg., I. (1997). Generation to Generation: Life Cycles of the Family Business. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
• Gómez-Mejía, L. R., Haynes, K. T., Núñez-Nickel, M., Jacobson, K. J. L., & Moyano-Fuentes, J. (2007). Socioemotional wealth and business risks in family-controlled firms: Evidence from Spanish olive oil mills. Administrative Science Quarterly, 52(1), 106-137. https://doi.org/10.2189/asqu.52.1.106
• Greenwood, R., Suddaby, R., & Hinings, C. R. (2002). Theorizing change: The role of professional associations in the transformation of institutionalized fields. Academy of Management Journal, 45(1), 58–80. https://doi.org/10.5465/3069285
• Greenwood, R., & Suddaby, R. (2006). Institutional entrepreneurship in mature fields: The big five accounting firms. Academy of Management Journal, 49(1), 27-48. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2006.20785498
• Haşit, G. (2009). Corporate governance in small and medium-sized family businesses: An application on Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce and Industry enterprises. Bursa: Ekin Publishing.
• Hardy, C., & Maguire, S. (2016). Institutional entrepreneurs and change in fields. In R. Greenwood, C. Oliver, T. B. Lawrence, & R. E. Meyer (Eds.), Handbook of organizational institutionalism (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
• Kamacı, K., Ünüsan, Ç., & Gedik, H. (2020). Institutionalization problems in family businesses and their impact on marketing. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Journal of Social Sciences, 17(1), 358–379. https://doi.org/10.33437/ksusbd.525689
• Karpuzoğlu, E. (2000). A study on determining the institutionalization level of family businesses. PhD Dissertation, Istanbul University, Institute of Social Sciences.
• Kastamonu İli Kestane İşleme Tesisi / Ön Fizibilite Raporu [Pre-feasibility report of Kastamonu Chestnut Processing Plant]. (2021). Kuzey Anadolu Kalkınma Ajansı [North Anatolian Development Agency]. Retrieved May 20, 2024, from https://www.yatirimadestek.gov.tr/pdf/assets/upload/fizibiliteler/kastamonu-ili-kestane-isleme-tesisi-on-fizibilite-raporu2021.pdf
• Koçel, T. (2004). Preface and Introduction. In 1st Family Business Congress - Proceedings Book (pp. ix–xiii). Istanbul Kültür University Publications, No: 40.
• KUZKA (Kuzey Anadolu Kalkınma Ajansı). (2021). Kestane Sektör Raporu. https://www.kuzka.gov.tr/
• Li, Wei & Abiad, Victor. (2009). Institutions, Institutional Change, and Economic Performance. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1416542 Marescotti, A., Quiñones-Ruiz, X. F., Edelmann, H., Belletti, G., Broscha, K., Altenbuchner, C., Penker, M., & Scaramuzzi, S. (2020). Are protected geographical indications evolving due to environmentally related justifications? an analysis of amendments in the fruit and vegetable sector in the European Union. Sustainability, 12(9), 3571. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093571
• Mercan, Ö. (2023). The role of institutionalization in the sustainability of family businesses. PhD Dissertation, Istanbul Gelişim University, Institute of Graduate Studies, Business Department.
• Messely, L., Dessein, J., Lauwers, L. (2010). Regional identity in rural development: Three case studies of regional branding. Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce, 4. https://doi.org/10.19041/2010/3-4/3
• Miller, D., Le Breton‐Miller, I., & Lester, R. H. (2011). Family and lone founder ownership and strategic behaviour: Social context, identity, and institutional logics. Journal of Management Studies, 48(1), 1-25.
• Nguyen, T. T. B., & Li, D. (2022). A systematic literature review of food safety management system implementation in global supply chains. British Food Journal, 124(10), 3014-3031. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-05-2021-0476
• North, D. C. (1990a). A transaction cost theory of politics. Journal of Theoretical Politics, 2(4), 355-367. https://doi.org/10.1177/0951692890002004001
• North, D. C. (1990b). Institutions, institutional change and economic performance. Cambridge University. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511808678
• Jurica, K., Brčić Karačonji, I., Lasić, D., Bursać Kovačević, D., & Putnik, P. (2021). Unauthorized food manipulation as a criminal offense: Food authenticity, legal frameworks, analytical tools and cases. Foods, 10(11), 2570. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112570
• Orbie, J., Van den Putte, L., Martens, D. (2018). Civil Society Meetings in EU Free Trade Agreements: The Purposes Unravelled. In: Gött, H. (eds) Labour Standards in International Economic Law. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69447-4_8
• Özçalık, S. (2019). Türkiye'de kestane şekeri tüketici tercihlerini etkileyen faktörlerin analizi: Bursa ili örneği. Yüksek lisans tezi, Iğdır Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Iğdır, Türkiye.
• Özdemir Aydın, Ç., & Tan, F. Z. (2019). Institutionalization: A conceptual analysis. Alınteri Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2), 225–235. https://doi.org/10.30913/alinterisosbil.514545
• Özkaya, M. O., Şengül, C. M. (2006). Aile şirketlerinde kurumsallaşma ve ikinci kuşağin “kurumsallaşma” konusuna bakış açısı. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi İktisadi İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 21(1), 109-126.
• Pazarcık, O. (2004). Definition, institutionalization, and governance of family businesses. In 1st Family Business Congress - Proceedings Book (pp. 33–41). Istanbul Kültür University Publications, No: 40.
• Salancik, G. R., Pfeffer, J., & Kelly, J. P. (1978). A contingency model of influence in organizational decision-making. Pacific Sociological Review, 21(2), 239-256.
• Saral Kobal, K. E., & Aşkun Yıldırım, O. B. (2016). A study on the problems experienced by the second generation in the institutionalization process of family businesses. Marmara University Öneri Journal, 12(46), 97–120. https://doi.org/10.14783/od.v12i46.1000010006
• Seo, M. & Creed, D. 2002. Institutional contradictions, praxis and institutional change: A dialectic perspective. Academy of Management Review, 27(2), 222-248.
• Sert, M., & Sarıbaş, Y. (2013). Chestnut report of Aydın province. Republic of Turkey, South Aegean Development Agency.
• Şehir Medya. (2015.). Family feud in a global brand. Retrieved from https://www.sehirmedya.com/ekonomi/dunya-markasinda-aile-kavgasi-105613
• Ülgen, H. (1990). İşletmelerde organizasyon ilkeleri ve uygulaması, İstanbul: Gençlik Basımevi.
• Taylor, E. (2001). HACCP in small companies: Benefit or burden? Food Control, 12(4), 217–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0956-7135(00)00043-8
• Ticaret Bakanlığı. (2024). General Agriculture Sector Report. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://ticaret.gov.tr/data/5b8700a513b8761450e18d81/Genel%20Tar%C4%B1m%20Sekt%C3%B6r%C3%BC%20Raporu.pdf.
• Trigkas, M., Karagouni, R., & Tsameti, A. (2025). Chestnut cultivation in Mediterranean region: A comparative economic and social analysis of Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy. In Academics World International Conference (Conference Presentation). Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• Türkpatent (2021). Coğrafi İşaret Tescil Belgesi: Bursa Kestane Şekeri (Mahreç). Türk Patent ve Marka Kurumu.
• Türkstat [TÜİK]. (2024). Household consumption expenditures statistics. Turkish Statistical Institute. https://data.tuik.gov.tr.
• Török, Á., Gorton, M., Yeh, C.-H., Czine, P., & Balogh, P. (2022). Understanding consumers’ preferences for protected geographical indications: a choice experiment with Hungarian sausage consumers. Foods, 11(7), 997. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11070997
• Wiltbank, R., Dew, N., Read, S. and Sarasvathy, S.D. (2006), What to do next? The case for non-predictive strategy. Strat. Mgmt. J., 27, 981-998. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.555
• Wright, M. S. (1998). Factors motivating proactive health and safety management. HSE Books.
• Yapp, C., & Fairman, R. (2006). Factors affecting food safety compliance within small and medium-sized enterprises: Implications for regulatory and enforcement strategies. Food Control, 17(1), 42–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2004.08.007
• Yiannas, F. (2008). Food safety culture: Creating a behavior-based food safety management system. Springer Science & Business Media.