Mark Andrew Flanagan and Jan Mei Soon-Sinclair
Foodborne illnesses are often attributed to food services such as restaurants and takeaways. This study aims to investigate consumers’ perceptions of regulatory food hygiene…
Abstract
Purpose
Foodborne illnesses are often attributed to food services such as restaurants and takeaways. This study aims to investigate consumers’ perceptions of regulatory food hygiene inspections of restaurants and takeaways in UK.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between November 2024 and March 2025, and 750 responses were received. Chi-square test was carried out to identify associations between demographic variables and checking of food hygiene rating or information. Ordered logistic regression was carried out to determine if demographics and eating out and/or takeaway consumption practices affect participants’ level of confidence in Local authorities (LA)’ (LAs) food hygiene inspections of restaurants and takeaways.
Findings
Females, individuals with food hypersensitivities, low-risk appetite, those who experienced food poisoning incidents and had reported food safety concerns to LA reported checking food hygiene rating or information more frequently. Our findings also revealed that participants who searched for food hygiene rating or information exhibited increased confidence in recent food hygiene inspections (less than a year).
Practical implications
LA should emphasise the importance of checking hygiene ratings or information before dining out or purchasing takeaways, especially for vulnerable groups. Although not mandatory, restaurants and takeaways in England and Scotland could make their hygiene ratings or information more visible and accessible to build public trust and encourage greater consumer engagement with food hygiene information. Additionally, public awareness on how food hygiene inspections are conducted and the factors influencing inspection schedules could further enhance consumer confidence in the inspection process.
Originality/value
This is the first study to explore the relationship between consumer perceptions of food hygiene inspection frequency and their confidence in LA’ inspection process. Our findings suggest that both perceived inspection frequency and food hygiene rating or information seeking behaviour can influence consumer confidence in LA’ food hygiene inspections.
Details
Keywords
Ylenia Cavacece, Giulio Maggiore, Riccardo Resciniti and Andrea Moretta Tartaglione
The purpose of this paper is to investigate user satisfaction with digital health solutions by identifying and prioritizing different service attributes on the basis of their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate user satisfaction with digital health solutions by identifying and prioritizing different service attributes on the basis of their impact on improving user satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a literature review and interviews with health professionals and patients, 20 attributes of digital health services provided in Italy have been identified. User satisfaction with these attributes has been evaluated by adopting the Kano model’s continuous and discrete analyses.
Findings
The findings reveal the essential attributes of digital health services that meet users' expectations, identify the attributes that users appreciate or dislike having and highlight unexpected attributes that lead to a significant boost in satisfaction when provided.
Research limitations/implications
This study demonstrates the efficacy of the Kano model in assessing the nonlinear correlation between user satisfaction and the quality of digital health services, thus contributing to fill a gap in the literature in this area. The main limitation of this work is the use of a non-probabilistic sampling method.
Practical implications
This research suggests healthcare institutions and organizations consider user preferences when designing digital health solutions to increase their satisfaction. The results indicate different effects on user satisfaction and dissatisfaction for different categories of attributes in the Italian context.
Originality/value
Previous works studied customer satisfaction with digital health, assuming a linear relationship with service quality, or investigated consumer adoption intentions focusing on the technological factors. This work advances available knowledge by analyzing the nonlinear relationship between digital health attributes and users’ satisfaction and dissatisfaction.
Details
Keywords
Adejumoke Adeoti, Chima Mordi and Toyin Ajibade Adisa
Using “on justification” theory, this article explores the rationality and justification of the West-African military migrants for joining the British Armed Forces.
Abstract
Purpose
Using “on justification” theory, this article explores the rationality and justification of the West-African military migrants for joining the British Armed Forces.
Design/methodology/approach
We utilise an interpretive qualitative research methodology in this study. We undertook semi-structured interviews with 42 military migrants who joined the British Armed Forces between 1998 and 2013.
Findings
We identify various factors that influenced the participants’ decision to join the British Armed Forces, such as individual aspirations, the need to find a “path” at a crossroad in life (e.g. a career dilemma or the loss of a parent), economic opportunities and institutional incentives. Military migrants’ career motivations are shaped by their deep affection for the Crown and their desire to give back to the country with which they share a colonial history.
Practical implications
The UK’s Ministry of Defence, government and policymakers could gain valuable insights from this study. The findings could significantly shape their recruitment and retention policies, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of the military profession. This could be a crucial step in addressing the recruitment challenges and personnel deficit currently faced by the British Armed Forces.
Originality/value
This study provides a fresh perspective on the dynamics of the military service of foreign-born veterans. The article focuses on an underrepresented group (West-African military migrants) to enhance our understanding of their career motivations in the British Armed Forces. We identify and categorise the motivations and justifications for military migrants’ enlistment in the British Armed Forces according to seven justifications, each depicting a career pattern informing the participants’ motivations and justifications for their enlistment.
Details
Keywords
Zhenghu Zhu, Xianyi Zhao, Rongyao Song, Chao Chang, Jiuhua Xu, Changcong Zhou and Xu Long
The purpose of this paper is to mesoscopically analyze the impact of parameter variations in the random pore structure on the stress distribution of layered-porous sintered silver…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to mesoscopically analyze the impact of parameter variations in the random pore structure on the stress distribution of layered-porous sintered silver used in high-power electronics, and to conduct a variable importance analysis of the parameter variations in the random pore structure.
Design/methodology/approach
Sintered silver, featuring a porous structure, improves thermal and mechanical performance by effectively absorbing stress and facilitating heat dissipation. To ensure the performance and scalability of layered-porous sintered silver, this paper uses Gaussian random fields to model the random pore structure and performs a sensitivity analysis on pore characteristic length and porosity, both of which significantly impact the stress distribution within the sintered silver layer. First, multiple sets of random pore models with varying characteristic lengths and porosities were generated using Gaussian random fields. Then, the maximum stress of the sintered silver layer containing random pores under power cycling conditions was extracted. Finally, the Morris screening method was used to perform a sensitivity analysis on the variables of the random pore structure that affect the maximum stress in the sintered silver layer. The systematic evaluation of the parameter variations in the random pore structure was conducted to assess their impacts on the maximum stress in the sintered silver layer.
Findings
Due to the high randomness of the pore structure generated by the Gaussian random field function, the maximum stress in the sintered layer fluctuates with different mesoscopic models. After systematic evaluation using the Morris screening method, it was found that the maximum stress in the sintered silver layer is most sensitive to the variation in the pore characteristic length in the x-direction. Reducing the length of pores in the x-direction can significantly decrease the stress concentration between pores in the sintered silver layer after power cycling.
Originality/value
This paper innovatively uses a Gaussian random field to model the mesoscopic structure of layered-porous sintered silver for high-power electronics, and applies the Morris screening method to perform variable importance analysis on the stress distribution results within the sintered silver layers. The mesoscopic study demonstrates that the maximum stress in the sintered silver layer is most sensitive to changes in the pore characteristic length in the x-direction.
Details
Keywords
Rapid changes in technologies and customer preferences are increasing market uncertainty. Hence, despite the benefits of reactive and adaptive marketing in the industrial market…
Abstract
Purpose
Rapid changes in technologies and customer preferences are increasing market uncertainty. Hence, despite the benefits of reactive and adaptive marketing in the industrial market, such marketing is sometimes insufficient for suppliers to survive and succeed. This phenomenon is prevalent among the small and medium-sized suppliers (SMSs) who fail to build technological capability. This suggests that SMSs should be entrepreneurial to survive and succeed in today’s environment. Against this backdrop, the purposes of this study are to understand the process by which entrepreneurial marketing of SMSs enhances their technological capability and to explore factors that stimulate SMSs to implement entrepreneurial marketing.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a survey data set on 249 industrial SMSs in South Korea, the authors test the hypotheses formulated in this work using structural equation modeling.
Findings
Based on effectuation theory, this study conceptualizes entrepreneurial marketing as a process by contrasting entrepreneurial marketing with reactive and adaptive marketing. The results show that proactive market orientation and subsequent exploratory market behavior enhance technological capability, and proactive market orientation is stimulated by relational satisfaction and perceived technological turbulence.
Originality/value
This study advances effectuation theory in the industrial marketing literature by exploring the value of entrepreneurial marketing in today’s industrial market. Further, this study extends the entrepreneurial marketing literature by conceptualizing and testing the process by which entrepreneurial marketing of SMSs enhances their technological capability.
Details
Keywords
This chapter examines the intricate landscape of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, addressing their relationship with politics and evolving moral standards…
Abstract
This chapter examines the intricate landscape of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, addressing their relationship with politics and evolving moral standards. It presents a critical discourse on the authenticity of corporate intentions versus their actual conduct. Amid the proliferation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG rhetoric, the reader is challenged to consider whether these are substantive efforts or merely strategic communications to foster a responsible image. This chapter reveals the potential for corporate hypocrisy. It uses tobacco, finance, and fashion industry case studies to show how companies must navigate the fine line between responsibility and manipulation.
We examine the critical point of the “road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Presented cases show how noble values can lead to unexpected barriers or serve as an effective tool to boost corporate hypocrisy. The tobacco industry is a case in point. So-called responsibility serves merely as a fig leaf for legitimizing the industry itself. Talking about responsibility for specific issues in fashion covers the silence about others, such as the deadstock inventory. Financial institutions, such as banks, refuse to lend money to the defense and security industry, as not to stain their ESG ratings, thus hindering the EU defense capabilities. This chapter emphasizes that critical thinking, honesty, and transparency are essential in strategic communication.
Details
Keywords
Luca A. Breit and Christine K. Volkmann
This study aims to enrich the field of entrepreneurial marketing (EM) by examining decision-making processes in the unique context of start-up ventures. To do so, it extends…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to enrich the field of entrepreneurial marketing (EM) by examining decision-making processes in the unique context of start-up ventures. To do so, it extends research on the distinct EM dimensions to the behavioral context by revealing how causation and effectuation principles shape entrepreneurs’ actions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study investigates EM behavior through 12 semi-structured interviews with 10 start-up founders and two founder associates in Germany. Use of established frameworks of the EM dimensions and causation/effectuation principles paves the way for an in-depth analysis. This methodology uncovers a distinct pattern of decision-making behaviors characterizing various activities within start-ups.
Findings
The findings show that causal logic prevails in start-ups’ EM, and effectual reasoning serves a complementary role. On the dimensional level, the findings reveal a predominant goal-driven focus on customer intensity and value-creation processes. Predictive logic guides opportunity focus, proactiveness and risk management, with nonpredictive behaviors providing adaptability. The principle of affordable loss is also evident in risk management. Finally, start-ups exhibit a blend of causal and effectual logic in innovativeness and resource-leveraging.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to illuminate the interplay of behavioral logics in start-up firms’ EM by exploring the nuanced principles underpinning the decision-making processes of entrepreneurs. In doing so, it advances understanding of the marketing–entrepreneurship interface and enriches decision-making literature.
Details
Keywords
This study investigates the attitudes and perceptions toward employing persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Indian hotel industry, focusing on perspectives of senior management…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the attitudes and perceptions toward employing persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Indian hotel industry, focusing on perspectives of senior management and frontline staff. It will also provide insights that could lead to policy changes and inclusive practices in the hospitality industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Through qualitative methods, including 19 semi-structured in-depth interviews with hotel employees across Delhi NCR, Goa and Bengaluru, this research uncovered the complex and varied views on integrating PWDs into the hospitality workforce.
Findings
Our investigation revealed a variety of perceptions after organising them into 18 sub-themes distributed across seven main themes. Results indicated that while senior managers often viewed PWD inclusion positively, citing benefits like enhanced loyalty and corporate social responsibility contributions, frontline staff expressed concerns about operational and service quality challenges. The findings also highlight the need for comprehensive training and support systems to integrate PWDs successfully.
Originality/value
This research contributes new insights into the dynamics of disability employment within a high-interaction service sector, advocating for policy changes and inclusive practices. It suggests practical measures for promoting inclusivity and diversity in hotel operations, marking a significant step forward in understanding and advancing workplace inclusivity in developing economies.