Elena C. Rada, Marco Ragazzi, Marco Tubino, Andrea Gambaro, Clara Turetta, Elena Argiriadis, Marco Vecchiato, Barbara Rossi and Maurizio Tava
– The purpose of this paper is to define suitable tracers that are particularly significant in assessing the impact on the surrounding environment caused by a steel making plant.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to define suitable tracers that are particularly significant in assessing the impact on the surrounding environment caused by a steel making plant.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors focussed on the detection and quantification of inorganic pollutants such as heavy metals in the soil and in the air in the surrounding area of the steel making plant. The presented data, concerning a plant in the North part of Italy, come from an approach that took into account the advantages of different devices and sampling criteria: apart from conventional devices, two kinds of deposimeters have been used (for characterizing either total or wet/dry depositions). Their locations have been chosen taking into account the distance from the plant.
Findings
The paper demonstrates that the presence of diffused emissions plays an important (negative) role still today; thus a modern plant should reduce this kind of emission in order to be accepted from the population living in the surroundings. In the analyzed case study, the benefits of adopting the best available technologies can be seen from the temporal variability of the incidence of the plant.
Originality/value
The value of the paper is in the support that it can give to decision makers that must manage a steel making plant in an area.
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Meng-Hsien (Jenny) Lin, Samantha N.N. Cross, William J. Jones and Terry L. Childers
This paper aims to review past papers focused on understanding consumer-related topics in marketing and related interdisciplinary fields to demonstrate the applications of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review past papers focused on understanding consumer-related topics in marketing and related interdisciplinary fields to demonstrate the applications of electroencephalogram (EEG) in consumer neuroscience.
Design/methodology/approach
In addition to the review of papers using EEG to study consumer cognitive processes, the authors also discuss relevant decisions and considerations in conducting event-related potential (ERP) studies. Further, a framework proposed by Plassmann et al. (2015) was used to discuss the applications of EEG in marketing research from papers reviewed.
Findings
This paper successfully used Plassmann et al.’s (2015) framework to discuss five applications of neuroscience to marketing research. A review of growing EEG studies in the field of marketing and other interdisciplinary fields reveals the advantages and potential of using EEG in combination with other methods. This calls for more research using such methods.
Research limitations/implications
A technical overview of ERP-related terminology provides researchers with a background for understanding and reviewing ERP studies. A discussion of method-related considerations and decisions provides marketing researchers with an introduction to the method and refers readers to relevant literature.
Practical implications
The marketing industry has been quick to adopt cutting edge technology, including EEG, to understand and predict consumer behavior for the purpose of improving marketing practices. This paper connects the academic and practitioner spheres by presenting past and potential EEG research that can be translatable to the marketing industry.
Originality/value
The authors review past literature on the use of EEG to study consumer-related topics in marketing and interdisciplinary fields, to demonstrate its advantages over-traditional methods in studying consumer-relevant behaviors. To foster increasing use of EEG in consumer neuroscience research, the authors further provide technical and marketing-specific considerations for both academic and market researchers. This paper is one of the first to review past EEG papers and provide methodological background insights for marketing researchers.
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Tayfun Yildiz and Zafer Aykanat
The field of strategic management mainly concerns with the achievement and sustainability of competitive advantage since the sustainability of strategic competitive advantage is…
Abstract
Purpose
The field of strategic management mainly concerns with the achievement and sustainability of competitive advantage since the sustainability of strategic competitive advantage is more challenging. The concept of innovation can also be regarded as a to respond continuously changing environmental conditions and to sustain firm profits. The aim of this paper is to examine the mediating role of organizational innovation for the impact of strategic agility on firm performance and to determine the relationship among variables. Although there is a significant amount of work on organizational innovation, literature is still lacking in the debate on strategic agility and firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
An online questionnaire was administered to 216 firms operating in the Sakarya Organized Industrial Zone (Marmara Region of Turkey) during September–December 2019 and the data were analyzed using structural equation analysis for hypothesis testing.
Findings
Results reveal that strategic agility has a positive impact on both firm performance (ß = 0.895) and organizational innovation (ß = 0.854), and organizational innovation (ß = 0.485) plays a partial mediating role on this relationship.
Originality/value
The results of this study improve our understanding of how these factors affect firm performance in the organized industrial zone.
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Anna Uliano, Marcello Stanco, Marco Lerro, Giuseppe Marotta and Concetta Nazzaro
Social Farming (SF) is an expression of agricultural diversification and multifunctionality, due to its ability to create positive externalities through the inclusion of…
Abstract
Purpose
Social Farming (SF) is an expression of agricultural diversification and multifunctionality, due to its ability to create positive externalities through the inclusion of vulnerable individuals. For this reason, products derived from SF are characterized by social quality attributes, which, however, are not often recognized by the market. This study aims to investigate the reasons behind the lacked recognition of the value created by SF analyzing the willingness to pay (WTP) for such products and the factors affecting citizen-consumers' purchasing behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through a convenience sample (N = 350) via a web-based structured questionnaire. Psycho-attitudinal scales, previously validated in literature, were adopted to characterize the citizen-consumers interviewed. A logistic regression was run in order to determine those characteristics of respondents affecting their intention to purchase SF products, while an ordered logistic regression was performed to uncover the determinants of consumers' WTP for SF products.
Findings
The results show the relevant role of the level of education, household size and ethical self-identity in affecting the willingness to support SF activities by paying a price premium for its products. Lack of availability and information about SF products are the main factors limiting their purchase.
Originality/value
The study offers interesting results outlining future research fields about market penetration strategies and policy implications.
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Elena C. Rada, Marco Lodi, Federico Teoldi, Marco Ragazzi and Barbara Rossi
– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the qualitative and quantitative knowledge on ultrafine particles in air near a steel making plant located in an Italian site.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the qualitative and quantitative knowledge on ultrafine particles in air near a steel making plant located in an Italian site.
Design/methodology/approach
A combination of experimental methodologies was used for the online and offline monitoring and chemical characterization of particulate matter (PM) in the air near the plant. Two unfiltered twin-sampling systems were adopted, working when the plant was on/off. All condensed air samples were submitted to Ion Chromatography analysis. The same samples were submitted to acid digestion before Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Analysis. Continuous daily PM10 samples were collected to characterize ambient air. PM10 samples were also analysed to estimate metals content. The PM size distribution was achieved by continuous online monitoring. The adopted ultrafine particulate monitor classifies particles in the range 20-200 nm. The overall size distribution was inferred from an Optical Particulate Counter able to classify particles in the range 0.3-10 µm.
Findings
The obtained results show that no causal relationship can be found between the measurements of anions and metal in the air near the plant under investigation and the presence of the steel making plant. The trend in emissions of micro-particles was found quite characteristic of similar semi-urban areas.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates that a steel making plant adopting best available techniques could have a local impact compatible with the surrounding environment.
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Thirawut Phichonsatcha, Nathasit Gerdsri, Duanghathai Pentrakoon and Akkharawit Kanjana-Opas
Indigenous knowledge is an essential element for unveiling the evolutionary journey of socio-culture phenomena. One of the key challenges in foresight exercises is to incorporate…
Abstract
Purpose
Indigenous knowledge is an essential element for unveiling the evolutionary journey of socio-culture phenomena. One of the key challenges in foresight exercises is to incorporate social-culture issues such as culture, lifestyle and behavior (referred as indigenous knowledge) into the study. However, the statistical trends of those factors tend to be either not available or limited unlike the population or economic related factors. The purpose of this study is to present the use of valuable data from indigenous knowledge to enhance the foresight exercise through the better understanding of social dynamics and changes.
Design/methodology/approach
The fragmented form of indigenous knowledge is analyzed and converted into a structured data format and then interpreted to unveil the evolutionary journey of socio-cultural phenomena. This study applies a scenario development method to visualize the results of foresight by comparing before and after the integration of indigenous knowledge. Finally, an assessment was conducted to reflect the value enhancement resulting from the integration of indigenous knowledge into the foresight process.
Findings
With the proposed approach, the foresight study on the future development of Thai food was demonstrated. The findings of this study show that the use of indigenous knowledge on eating behavior, cooking style and food flavor helps improve the alternative scenarios for the future development of Thai foods.
Practical implications
Indigenous knowledge can be applied to develop plausible scenarios and future images in foresight exercises. However, by nature, indigenous knowledge is not well-structured and, therefore, needs to be analyzed and turned into structured data so that it can be interpreted before integrating into the foresight process.
Originality/value
This study is one of few studies addressing the opportunities for integrating indigenous knowledge into foresight process. Indigenous knowledge can unveil the evolution of socio-cultural changes to improve the results of foresight study, especially the cases where statistical data and trends may not be sufficient to foresee future development.
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Fernando A. Martín-Hidalgo and Ana Pérez-Luño
The purpose of this paper is to explore the continuous identification of tangible and intangible strategic resources needed to achieve competitive advantages in uncertain times in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the continuous identification of tangible and intangible strategic resources needed to achieve competitive advantages in uncertain times in Spanish wineries, highlighting the critical value of human capital.
Design/methodology/approach
By means of a case study of a Spanish Sherry winery theoretically based on the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm, the paper focuses on the influence of environmental uncertainty on firms’ strategic resources and the need for in-depth knowledge. Direct participation and experience in the business have allowed access to data for longitudinal exploratory analysis.
Findings
Human capital, especially managers’ knowledge and experience, has been the key to the survival and success of the company analysed, throughout its history.
Practical implications
The paper guides managers, especially in microenterprises and SMEs, on the inclusion among the firm’s strategic resources of a part of their own human capital that is generally not considered.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the RBV and self-reflection theory by demonstrating the value of human capital in a small family business under extremely uncertain times.
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Letizia Alvino, Rob van der Lubbe, Reinoud A.M. Joosten and Efthymios Constantinides
The purpose of this paper is to assess whether or not electroencephalography (EEG) provides a valuable and substantial contribution to the prediction of consumer behaviour and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess whether or not electroencephalography (EEG) provides a valuable and substantial contribution to the prediction of consumer behaviour and their preferences during product consumption. In this study, the authors especially focus on individual preferences during a wine tasting experience.
Design/methodology/approach
A consumer neuroscience experiment was carried out with 26 participants that evaluated different red wines while their brain activity was recorded with EEG. A within-subjects design was employed and the experiment was carried out in two sessions. All participants took part in a blind taste session (no label session), in which information about the wine was not disclosed, and a normal taste session (label session), during which the bottle and its label were visible.
Findings
The findings suggest that EEG is a useful tool to study brain activity during product experience. EEG has high temporal resolution, low costs, small dimensions and superior manoeuvrability compared to other consumer neuroscience tools. However, it is noticed that there is a lack of solid theoretical background regarding brain areas (e.g. frontal cortex) and brain activity (e.g. brain waves) related to consumer preferences during product experience. This lack of knowledge causes several difficulties in replicating and validating the findings of other consumer neuroscience experiments for studying consumer behaviour.
Originality/value
The experiment presented in this paper is an exploratory study. It provides insights into the possible contribution of EEG data to the prediction of consumer behaviour during product experience.
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Martin Esch, Mike Schulze and Andreas Wald
The purpose of this paper is to link the fields of research on strategic decision (SD) making and integrated reporting (IR) and advances knowledge of the concept of integrated…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to link the fields of research on strategic decision (SD) making and integrated reporting (IR) and advances knowledge of the concept of integrated thinking by describing how financial information and non-financial environmental, social and governance (ESG) information are used in different phases of the strategic decision-making process (SDMP).
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 15 senior executives from twelve different industries were asked about the importance of different types of information within SDMPs. The data were analyzed by means of content analysis.
Findings
The authors derive a four-phase model and explicate the utilization of financial information and non-financial ESG information within each phase. The findings show that both types of information affect SDMPs, but the importance of each type differs among the phases.
Practical implications
This study offers practitioners a yardstick against which to compare how they use different types of information throughout the SDMP.
Originality/value
This paper provides a conceptual model of integrated thinking in SD making by connecting two separate fields of research. This connection will permit deeper study of the field of information and its implications for SD making. The present investigation shows that IR can promote integrated thinking in companies, as the broader range of information at hand allows companies to form a holistic picture of internal management questions and incorporate information that has not been previously prepared or associated with existing information.
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Elisa Martinelli and Francesca De Canio
Non-vegan consumers are increasingly shifting their food habits and lifestyles towards vegan food. Thus, in addition to traditional, though poorly studied, ethical motives (i.e…
Abstract
Purpose
Non-vegan consumers are increasingly shifting their food habits and lifestyles towards vegan food. Thus, in addition to traditional, though poorly studied, ethical motives (i.e. animal, environmental, spiritual, health concerns), other factors may influence the purchase of vegan food. Within this context, the paper investigates the moderating role of conformity in enticing consumers to buy vegan food products, together with the main traditional consumers' concerns influencing their attitude towards vegan food. The study also considers the role of the willingness to pay a premium price as a direct driver of the intention to buy vegan.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was performed in Italy on a number of major Facebook thematic pages. A dataset based on 250 Italian non-vegans was used to implement a structural equation model.
Findings
Findings show that spiritual and animal concerns are direct drivers of non-vegan buyers' attitude towards vegan food. Attitude, then, strongly influences the intention to buy vegan foods. Though less impactful, non-vegans' willingness to pay a premium price is a motive positively influencing their intention to buy vegan food. The positive and significant moderating effect exerted by conformity on the attitude-intention path confirms the amplifying role played by trends and lifestyles on consumers' food buying choices.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the food and consumer behaviour literature in being the first exploring the moderating role played by conformity in inducing non-vegan consumers to buy vegan food. Environmental, animal, spiritual and health concerns are investigated from the non-vegan perspective.