Pedro Ferreira and Hugo Barbosa
This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of what influences consumers’ choice of mandatory prescribed drugs, by looking with more detail to the substitution of branded…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of what influences consumers’ choice of mandatory prescribed drugs, by looking with more detail to the substitution of branded drugs by generics. Specifically, this research looks at three factors that can influence this decision, namely, participative decision-making, perceived risk and price consciousness, within the recent changes introduced in the Portuguese pharmaceutical market by new legislation.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study was conducted, using a self-administered questionnaire, to survey a sample of consumers/patients that visited a doctor and were prescribed some kind of drug. Data were treated using factor analysis for dimensionality reduction purposes and regression analysis to test the main hypothesis.
Findings
The results show that participative decision-making has no impact on purchase decision of generics, while perceived risk and price consciousness show a predictive power regarding purchase intention of generic drugs.
Research limitations/implications
Although the results are only applicable to the Portuguese context, it draws important conclusions regarding consumers’ behaviour when choosing between branded and generic drugs.
Practical implications
Knowing what influences consumers’ choices of generic drugs contributes to tune marketing strategies and actions. For public institutions, this paper offers insights on how to adapt public policies.
Originality/value
This paper is valuable because it is the first to look at the Portuguese pharmaceutical market from a consumer behaviour perspective since new legislation was set up.
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Ana Jamile Damasceno Barbosa, Vitor Hugo de Paiva Santos, Priscilla Cavalcante de Araújo, Felipe Lucas de Medeiros and Letícia Yasmin da Silva Otaviano
The paper aims to propose the development of an eco product to replace the traditional cotton swab that meets the expected needs, besides having a bias based on sustainability and…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to propose the development of an eco product to replace the traditional cotton swab that meets the expected needs, besides having a bias based on sustainability and economic viability.
Design/methodology/approach
The applied nature article opted for an exploratory and descriptive study, with the objective of seeking a solution to a real problem: to reduce the environmental impact in the disposal of cotton swabs. To test this hypothesis, the exploratory stage evaluated the literature on the principles of eco design and environmental marketing to understand market viability and environmental impacts. The descriptive phase presented a comparative analysis between the original product and the proposed one, in terms of production processes and impacts of the product life cycle. Thus, an alternative product was conceived and validated applying the life cycle analysis (LCA).
Findings
The paper provides a comparative analysis between the eco product and the traditional product in order to validate the hypothesis that the new proposal reduces the environmental impact. It was found that both productive processes have similar impacts; however, the raw material of the proposed eco product demonstrated a significant reduction in the impact caused on the environment, considering cradle to cradle analysis.
Originality/value
This paper conceives an eco product as an alternative to traditional cotton swab, presenting an innovative potential in line with worldwide sustainability trends.
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Belem Barbosa, Alireza Shabani Shojaei and Hugo Miranda
This study analyzes the impact of packaging-free practices in food retail stores, particularly supermarkets, on customer loyalty.
Abstract
Purpose
This study analyzes the impact of packaging-free practices in food retail stores, particularly supermarkets, on customer loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the literature on the impacts of sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies on consumer behavior, this study defined a set of seven hypotheses that were tested using data collected from 447 consumers that regularly buy food products at supermarkets. The data were subjected to structural equation modeling using SmartPLS.
Findings
This study confirmed that packaging-free practices positively influence brand image, brand trust, satisfaction and customer loyalty. The expected positive impacts of brand image and satisfaction on customer loyalty were also confirmed. However, the expected impact of brand trust on customer loyalty was not confirmed.
Practical implications
This article demonstrates how a competitive sector can reap benefits from implementing sustainable practices in the operational domain, particularly by offering packaging-free products at the point of purchase. Thus, as recommended, general retail stores (e.g. supermarkets) gradually increase the stores' offering of packaging-free food products, as this practice has been shown to have positive impacts not only on brand image, but also on customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Originality/value
This study extends the literature on the effects of sustainable practices on customer loyalty, by focusing on a specific practice. Furthermore, this study contributes to the advancement of research on packaging-free practices in retail by developing a research framework and providing evidence on the direct and indirect effects of this specific practice on customer loyalty.
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Ana Lucia Castello, Hugo Rafael Silva, Kelsy Areco, Paulo Paiva and Dartiu Da Silveira
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between parenting styles, family psychological vulnerability environment (FPVE) and drug use among adolescents.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between parenting styles, family psychological vulnerability environment (FPVE) and drug use among adolescents.
Design/methodology/approach
The quantitative survey using paper and pencil was administered to collect data from 284 parents registered with a paediatric clinic in the city of São Paulo (Brazil), most of whom claimed that their children used drugs. FPVE was measured by eight scales: family relationship patterns and drug use habits; hereditary predisposition to drug use; transmission of moral values to children (reverse); parents’ hereditary predisposition; parental drug use; depression; impulsiveness; and anxiety.
Findings
Dimensions of FPVE that had effect on drug use by adolescents were: the family relationship and drug use patterns of the family of procreation, drug use by the parents and heredity in relation to drug use. Conversely, the family relationship and drug use patterns of the family of origin and the parents’ anxiety, symptoms of depression and impulsiveness did not affect their children’s drug use.
Research limitations/implications
One limit of this study is the sample of parents. These parents were parents of adolescents that were at psychological treatment. The authors do not know if part of parents who declared that their children are not drug users, because the treatment effect. Another limit is that this study did not compare the effect of parents’ drugs misuse with parents that do not use drugs on adolescent drug use. One other limit is that the parents were treated regardless of whether they were mothers or fathers.
Originality/value
This study expands the study of the antecedents of drug use by adolescents, considering FPVE as a construct. Regarding this construct when facing resources limitation, the practitioners can prioritize strategies to prevent adolescent drug use.
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Vitor Hugo da Silva Vaz, Jorge Maikel Alves Batista and Ana Eleonora Almeida Paixão
This study aims to analyze the correlation between the investments in the Brazilian Space Agency (BSA) and the patenting process.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the correlation between the investments in the Brazilian Space Agency (BSA) and the patenting process.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used was a statistical analysis through correlation and linear regression between the secondary data of investments made by the federal government, retrieved from the Transparency Portal, in the BSA and the patenting process, taking into consideration the number of invention, utility model and certificate of addition of invention.
Findings
After a brief presentation of the emergence of innovation and patent applications with the investments of governments in space agencies, this study presents the analysis of information in different times of investment that showed positive correlation between the two variables adopted.
Originality/value
One can point to the value of this study as strategic investments in space agencies to boost the filing of patents in a nation in the most diverse areas.
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Ana Cristina Barros, Ana Paula Barbosa‐Póvoa and Edgar E. Blanco
The purpose of this paper is to investigate what hinders businesses to achieve superior supply chain performance and how this knowledge may be used in the process of selection of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate what hinders businesses to achieve superior supply chain performance and how this knowledge may be used in the process of selection of tailored practices for supply chain management (SCM).
Design/methodology/approach
Literature review and secondary case studies were used to identify hinders of superior supply chain performance. A method for the selection of tailored practices for SCM is developed. Case study research is used to validate the value of the developed method for practice and research.
Findings
This research identifies detrimental phenomena that are observed in the management of supply chains: waste, uncertainty, vulnerability, congestion, bullwhip, diseconomies of scale and self‐interest. It develops and illustrates a method for the selection of tailored SCM practices.
Research limitations/implications
This research did not verify the completeness of the list of phenomena identified. The implementation of the selected practices was not in the scope of the case studies.
Practical implications
Researchers may use the phenomena to study the impact of different practices in the overall supply chain performance, as well as to study the interactions between the different phenomena. Practitioners may use the proposed method as a diagnosis and continuous improvement tool for their supply chain.
Originality/value
Although the supply chain phenomena have been explored individually in the literature, a holistic approach of the phenomena had not yet been developed to the best of our knowledge. The method developed identifies a set of tailored practices that are in alignment with the context and strategy of the business and decrease the overall effects of the detrimental phenomena.
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Edgar E. Ramírez de la Cruz and D. Pavel Gómez Granados
The response of governments to the health crisis caused by COVID-19 has been different in each country. This chapter analyzes the reaction that the Mexican government had to the…
Abstract
The response of governments to the health crisis caused by COVID-19 has been different in each country. This chapter analyzes the reaction that the Mexican government had to the health crisis. At first, the context in which the pandemic occurs is described, characterized by high social and political polarization, a process of centralization of authority, a precarious health sector with limited institutional capacities, and government communication characterized by ambiguous and confusing messages. Subsequently, we discuss the tensions and limitations of state autonomy and the coordination mechanisms, such as the National Health Council. We also present the policies portfolio developed and implemented to address the health crisis, like the national healthy distance program, hospital reconversion, and the national vaccination program. Finally, we identify a series of challenges and learnings offered by the Mexican case to improve health crisis management in the future.