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1 – 9 of 9Stephen Hopkins, Jeremy Turk, Adeniyi Daramola and Marinos Kyriakopoulos
Copy Number Variations (CNVs) are not infrequently observed in aberrant neurodevelopment. CNVs can alter gene expression and have been linked to a wide range of neuropsychiatric…
Abstract
Purpose
Copy Number Variations (CNVs) are not infrequently observed in aberrant neurodevelopment. CNVs can alter gene expression and have been linked to a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders. The purpose of this case study is to report the association of CNVs with a mixed neurodevelopmental disorder.
Design/methodology/approach
Array-Comparative Genomic Hybridisation analysis was carried out in a case of an eight-year-old boy presenting with a mixed neurodevelopmental disorder including autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, tic disorder, anxiety and severe aggression. The child's parents also underwent the same investigation.
Findings
A 6q27 deletion and multiple copies within 20q11.23 were identified. The boy's father shared the 6q27 deletion and his mother also had multiple copies within 20q11.23.
Originality/value
This is the first report linking the combination of 6p27 and 20q11 CNVs with a mixed neurodevelopmental presentation. Identifying CNVs that may underlie aberrant neurodevelopment is likely to assist in unravelling the aetiology of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders and lead to more effective strategies for their characterisation and management.
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C. Fotopoulos and A. Krystallis
The present study attempts to offer more insights into the Greek organic market. It examines the organic products as “eco‐products”, suitable for “green” consumers, conscious in…
Abstract
The present study attempts to offer more insights into the Greek organic market. It examines the organic products as “eco‐products”, suitable for “green” consumers, conscious in matters of ecology‐environment, who follow a wider health and quality‐sensitive stance of life. Analyzing a countrywide sample, the survey concludes that three consumer types exist in terms of attitude towards, purchase intention and awareness of organic products: the “unaware”, the “aware non‐users”, and the “aware users” (or simply users) of organic food products. After developing a detailed profile of the other two, the “aware non‐users” type is segmented in terms of five groups of personality and behavioral factors defined in the international literature as the driving forces of organic purchase. Then, organic products’ rejection reasons and potential organic buyer segments are revealed and their profile is fully described.
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Athanasios Krystallis and George Chryssohoidis
Seeks to provide answers to two questions: is willingness to pay (WTP) for organic products influenced by the same set of factors that affect purchasing of conventional foods…
Abstract
Purpose
Seeks to provide answers to two questions: is willingness to pay (WTP) for organic products influenced by the same set of factors that affect purchasing of conventional foods? Does WTP for organic products vary according to different food categories?
Design/methodology/approach
Purchasers were approached during their food shopping in retail chains in Athens in July 2003. Sample inclusion is based on real awareness of the term “organic”. The questionnaire included in its first part a number of criteria that influence consumers when buying food. In the second part respondents were asked to indicate if any food products they buy were organic and to state how much more they were willing to pay. Information from the first part was analysed with factor analysis. With the help of t‐value analysis, it was examined whether there is a statistically significant difference per product category between consumers who are willing to pay and consumers who are unwilling to pay in terms of the factors identified.
Findings
Consumers' stated WTP and the type and magnitude of factors that affect it differ according to the organic food category. These factors include food quality and security, trust in the certification, and, for some products, brand name. Organoleptic characteristics, prices and consumers' socio‐demographic profiles do not constitute determinants of organic WTP.
Research limitations/implications
Organic types of some fresh as well as processed food products do not exist in the Greek market. Moreover, the large number of t‐tests conducted might result in Type I error.
Originality/value
Purchasing of organic food follows “basic‐highest frequency”, “basic‐average frequency”, and “non‐basic” discrimination. The most frequently consumed organic products are some basic components of the Greek diet. Only the factors “quality and security” and “trust” play an important role in defining WTP for most organic food categories. Consumers' attitudes towards both organic and PDO/PGI certifications converge towards a perception of high quality food. Approximately 26 percent of the sample exhibited a U‐shaped WTP trend for 14 out of 16 organic food categories in increments from 45 to 120 percent. All the above elements of originality are particularly valuable for organic food firms and policy/decision makers.
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Christos Fotopoulos and Athanasios Krystallis
The present study attempts to offer more insights into the Greek organic market. It examines the organic products as “eco‐products”, suitable for “green” consumers, who are…
Abstract
The present study attempts to offer more insights into the Greek organic market. It examines the organic products as “eco‐products”, suitable for “green” consumers, who are ecologically/environmentally ecology‐aware and who are concerned with health and quality‐of‐life issues. Analysing a countrywide sample, the survey concludes that three consumer types exist in terms of attitude towards, purchase intention and awareness of organic products: the “unaware”, the “aware non‐buyers”, and the “(aware) buyers” (or simply buyers) of organic food products. After developing a detailed profile of the first two, the “aware buyers” type is segmented in terms of five groups of personality and behavioural factors, defined in the international literature as the driving forces of organic purchasing.
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Sanna Sundqvist, Kalevi Kyläheiko, Olli Kuivalainen and John W. Cadogan
The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the mechanisms by which entrepreneurial‐oriented behaviours (EOB) enhance international business performance. In so doing, the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the mechanisms by which entrepreneurial‐oriented behaviours (EOB) enhance international business performance. In so doing, the authors demonstrate that different dimensions of EOB may need to be emphasized or dampened, depending on the environmental conditions facing the firm.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 783 Finnish exporters is undertaken, and the relationships between the dimensions of EOB and business performance are assessed.
Findings
It is found that Kirznerian manifestations of EOB have stronger positive relationships with export profits when markets are relatively stable, whereas Schumpeterian manifestations of EOB have stronger positive relationships with export profits when markets are more dynamic.
Research limitations/implications
The study has implications for researchers studying multidimensional strategic orientations. The approach adopted is novel, in that instead of adopting a fully aggregated or fully disaggregated approach to the study of a strategic orientation, the authors use a theoretically derived partial aggregation approach. As a result, EOBs are grouped into two kinds, and the latter are shown to behave differently with respect to relationships with performance outcomes. The study limitations include single source data and its cross‐sectional design.
Practical implications
When markets are relatively stable, businesses need to emphasize the Kirznerian manifestations of EOB (i.e. display high levels of competitive aggressiveness and proactiveness) and downplay Schumpeterian manifestations of EOB (i.e. reduce innovativeness, risk taking and autonomy). However, in highly dynamic markets, managers should focus on Schumpeterian manifestations of EOB at the expense of Kirznerian EOB.
Originality/value
This paper introduces Schumpeterian and Kirznerian entrepreneurial behavior in an international marketing context, and analyses the effects of these activities on international performance under varying levels of environmental turbulence.
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Fellipe Silva Martins and Wagner Cezar Lucato
Studies on the performance of agribusiness cooperatives in Brazil focus on economic and financial aspects. The purpose of this paper is to further delve into such studies by…
Abstract
Purpose
Studies on the performance of agribusiness cooperatives in Brazil focus on economic and financial aspects. The purpose of this paper is to further delve into such studies by investigating which commonly measurable structural production factors (horizontal, vertical and lateral diversification; operating area; number of associates; and time in operation) have greater impacts on the financial performance of such cooperatives.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve such a goal, a survey was conducted with a sampling pool divided by size (annual net revenues of US$ 50 million or higher), and the questionnaire was employed as a method of data collection. The sample was concentrated in the southern, south-eastern and mid-western regions of Brazil; classified by size; and deemed adequate after several adequacy tests.
Findings
The results were analysed using Spearman’s correlation, which showed that there were no significant correlations between the structural production factors considered in this study and the economic-financial performance of agricultural cooperatives, which leads to questions about the effectiveness of employing diversification strategies with a conjoint approach. Nonetheless, it was possible to identify several relationships not mentioned in the original hypotheses that might be addressed further in future studies.
Research limitations/implications
The data obtained should be interpreted with caution because heteroscedasticity was detected. Although the cause could not be clearly identified, the presence of heteroscedasticity could mean that smaller and similar cooperatives present similar variation in their diversification and production base strategies.
Originality/value
This work sought to generate knowledge regarding operations management, which was achieved by demonstrating that production diversification in a dynamic and relevant economic sector, that is, agricultural cooperatives, is limited in terms of financial return when performed in an isolated mode. Hence, cooperatives’ production managers should take into account the totality of structural production factors during their planning activities.
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Fellipe Silva Martins, Wagner Cezar Lucato, Leonardo Vils and Fernando Antonio Ribeiro Serra
This study aims to explore the effect of crises on multinational companies’ (MNC) subsidiaries’ performance. It is hypothesized that crisis-led business underperformance will lead…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the effect of crises on multinational companies’ (MNC) subsidiaries’ performance. It is hypothesized that crisis-led business underperformance will lead subsidiaries to choose market oriented or entrepreneurial oriented strategies (or both, “ambiorientation”). Finally, this study explores the idea that subsidiaries address market orientation (MO)-based strategies will address both exploration and exploitation outcomes, whereas those that choose entrepreneurial orientation (EO)-based strategies will focus on exploration only.
Design/methodology/approach
Partial-least square structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses. Data collection consisted of 280 full answers regarding MNC subsidiaries in Brazil.
Findings
The data provide evidence that crisis perception affects firms’ business performance. MNC subsidiaries in emerging economies, when confronting crises, take two different paths and use both market orientation, as well as entrepreneurial orientation (what the authors call “ambiorientation”). MO-based strategies cause both exploration and exploitation outcomes, and their combined result is comparable to EO-based strategies that focus only on exploration.
Research limitations/implications
Data collection was performed only in MNC subsidiaries in Brazil, and the results may differ depending on the area and the origin of the multinationals. Second, the sample concentrated on industrial activities, where there is space for both exploration and exploitation strategies.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature by discussing the role of crises in shaping the possible strategic reactions multinational companies’ subsidiaries may undertake in emerging countries and their possible outcomes.
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Indu Ramachandran, Cynthia A. Lengnick-Hall and Vishag Badrinarayanan
This paper aims to develop and empirically test a framework articulating the effects of strategic orientations (entrepreneurial orientation and market orientation) on leveraging…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop and empirically test a framework articulating the effects of strategic orientations (entrepreneurial orientation and market orientation) on leveraging ambidexterity. Further, the paper examines the moderating effects of knowledge stock (market knowledge and technological knowledge) on the relationship between ambidexterity and firm performance to gain additional insights into how ambidexterity can be leveraged in an organization.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were obtained from CEOs (or equivalent members of the top management team) of 234 firms. The adequacy and psychometric properties of all measures were evaluated and purified using a maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and the hypotheses were tested using ordinary least squares (OLS). A number of post hoc tests were conducted to develop a nuanced understanding of proposed effects.
Findings
While both strategic orientations enhance an organization’s ability to be ambidextrous, results show that some types of knowledge stocks facilitate, whereas other types hinder the influence of ambidexterity on firm performance.
Research limitations/implications
Both strategic orientations enable ambidexterity; however, technological knowledge stock impedes the effect of ambidexterity on firm performance, while market knowledge stock enhances this relation. Cross-sectional nature of the study imposes limitations on causal inferences.
Practical implications
Different strategic orientations provide organizations with a cluster of knowledge acquisition and utilization capabilities that enable ambidexterity. However, organizations should be wary of indiscriminate accumulation of knowledge stocks – while certain types enhance the effect of ambidexterity, others may create competency traps or core rigidities and inhibit the effect of ambidexterity.
Originality/value
This study integrates related, yet hitherto fragmented, research streams to demonstrate the interconnectedness between strategic orientations, ambidexterity and existing knowledge stock. Several theoretical and managerial implications are identified.
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Xiaofeng Shi, Lixun Su and Annie Peng Cui
This study aims to fill three theoretical gaps in previous literature on exploration and exploitation: the relationship between exploration and exploitation is inconclusive; the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to fill three theoretical gaps in previous literature on exploration and exploitation: the relationship between exploration and exploitation is inconclusive; the influences of exploration and exploitation on firm performance are not consistent; and no empirical studies have integrated the antecedents of exploration and exploitation from the different research fields.
Design/methodology/approach
The study conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively synthesize 143 studies with 257 independent samples to understand the relationship between exploration and exploitation and their consequences and antecedents.
Findings
The results show that exploration and exploitation are positively correlated with each other, and both of them can boost firm performance. Moreover, firm capabilities, firm size, firm age, competitive intensity, market orientation and entrepreneurial orientation positively influence exploration, and firm resources, firm capabilities, firm size, firm age, market orientation and entrepreneurial orientation positively influence exploitation. Competitive intensity negatively influences exploitation. Surprisingly, market turbulence does not significantly influence exploration or exploitation.
Originality/value
The results not only contribute to the theories by reconciling the inconsistent results but also provide insight for firms with guidance about under what conditions they should use what strategies.
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