Search results

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the concepts attributed to the use of technology in the digital environment and its relations with consumer behavior in Brazil and Spain.

This paper discusses the concepts that cover the use of technology in the relations between technological changes in e-commerce and consumer buying behavior in a digital world, using the Technical Availability Index (Techqual), by Parasuraman (2000), applied to Brazilian and Spanish consumers.

Correlations between the concepts attributed to the use of technology by consumers have been identified which, in turn, may allow small- and medium-sized companies to develop strategies to improve engagement with their target audiences.

This study explains how the understanding of these concepts can be continuously improved, proposing a continuous strategic review by the digital companies. The proposed approach to identify and measure assigned concepts can be tested in different performance sectors.

This study is unique in presenting concepts that can allow digital companies new ways of approaching their target audience, relationship with customers and positioning strategies.

This research promotes a different look at how consumer behavior is understood, not only by companies, but also by individuals themselves, which may provide a better understanding of their behavior.

This study presents a comparative study among countries that are references in the digital consumer market, and links theory and practice in studies of consumer behavior.

The mainstream research on knowledge transfer and absorptive capacity (ACAP) in clusters was conducted in high-technology industries in developing countries. However, low technology intensity clusters present a different scenario that might affect this external knowledge transfer and ACAP. This study aims to understand the role of network relations and previous knowledge in the ACAP of a low-technology intensity cluster.

The authors analyzed companies from a low-technology industry in an emerging country. The authors collected 109 questionnaires from companies in the Brazilian footwear manufacturing cluster. Factor analysis led the independent variables to be regrouped into eight variables. This data set was analyzed using regression techniques.

In a low-tech cluster prevalently populated by small companies, companies have access to novelties and knowledge that influence their products and production through the frequency and stability of the network’s relational ties with the supplier. The quality of relationships with clients may provide access to products, materials, technologies and learning. Small companies consider intra-cluster competition because of limitations in accessing external competition. Although low-tech companies need to exchange knowledge and technology with suppliers and clients outside the cluster, most companies are limited in size because of liabilities. In a low-tech cluster dominated by small companies, access to better purchasing costs, new technologies or innovations is an expected weakness. Intra- and extra-cluster ties positively influenced ACAP, as did organizational capabilities, whereas employees’ skills did not.

Individual skills are not related to ACAP in low-technology intensity clusters. The level of ACAP in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can be explained by the scope of individuals’ knowledge and other individual capabilities.

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the knowledge flow between companies and universities based on national and sectoral systems of innovation perspective. It is argued here that high-tech sectors can describe a knowledge flow mainly based on scientific research, while sectors with lower technological impact may establish relations based on technical needs.

A case study research was conducted in the horticulture and aerospace sectors in Brazil. Thirteen interviews were performed with chief executive officer’s and academic researchers from both fields.

Results demonstrated differences in technology development and knowledge infrastructure when comparing both sectors, reflecting the impacts of national and sectoral systems of innovation. The horticulture sector presented technological limitations due to restricted eating habits, logistics, knowledge development at universities and difficulties on the establishment of partnerships between local companies and Embrapa, the main public research centre. Such restrictions limit academic activities while companies look for research partnerships abroad. Space industry also has limited technological development due to international embargoes and lack of research alignment between companies and universities. Companies end up developing research activities internally, usually funded by governmental tenders.

The horticulture sector has limitations, as it is not the main agriculture area in science and technology applications. Future studies may analyse areas like soy beans, sugar cane and coffee, which may present differences specially regarding sectoral systems of innovation.

The finding of this paper may influence the review of sectoral innovation policies, improving the development of local research activities which may be a source of valuable knowledge to companies. It also demonstrates the importance of the knowledge flow to improve sector’s technology level.

This study aims to present a methodological framework to evaluate the relationship between social network centrality, individual competitiveness and network competitiveness.

Tilapia fish farmers in the Canoas I hydroelectric dam (states of São Paulo and Paraná, Brazil) were provided with a roster of all actors in their network and interviewed to obtain information on relational and competitiveness variables. UCINET was used to calculate the degree centrality of each farmer. Seven competitiveness drivers were combined into a single indicator to determine the level of competitiveness. A four-quadrant matrix was constructed to investigate the relationship between degree centrality and level of competitiveness.

A positive relationship was found between degree centrality and level of competitiveness.

Agents upstream or downstream of fish farming were not interviewed, precluding an in-depth analysis of competitiveness in terms of market structure and market relations. The authors suggest that future studies should investigate the influence of upstream and downstream agents on the social network and competitiveness of fish farmers. It is also important to monitor changes in the level of competitiveness of fish farmers in the event of a national economic crisis.

Development of a novel methodological framework on the basis of two methodologies, social network analysis and competitiveness analysis.