4. Assuming primary data collection was needed, what research questions should be answered? Explain the methodology and data collection techniques that you would recommend be used to do the project. Mariani Packing Company, Inc. is in the business of growing, drying, and processing fruit. Headquarters are now located in Vacaville, California, in the United States. By far the greatest share of its sales (turnover) is made in the United States. However, Mariani has been involved in export business to a number of countries including Canada, Mexico, Australia, Germany, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Sales are made in bulk as well as in individual packages ready to be sold in retail stores. In the mid-1990s total corporate sales worldwide reached a level exceeding US$60 million.

Company history Paul A. Mariani, Sr had launched a family business in 1906 in Santa Clara County (now Silicon Valley), California, buying fruit from Santa Clara orchardists for resale. The Paul A. Mariani Company was born.

Soon the Mariani Company was packaging and exporting dried fruit. By the mid-1920s the firm led the industry in the shipment of dried prunes to Europe and its export trade continued until World War II. Because of the war, when the European market was in disarray, Paul Sr. said to his son, Paul Jr., ‘Go out and develop a domestic market.’

He did just that! By the mid-1940s he had taken charge of the company. Never one to wait for opportunity, he expanded the company operations to Australia and other parts of the world.