Cristina Bayona-Saez, Claudio Cruz-Cázares, Teresa García-Marco and Mercedes Sánchez García
The purpose of this paper is to extend the knowledge into the relationship between open innovation (OI) and firm’s innovative performance. Specifically, the authors aim to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to extend the knowledge into the relationship between open innovation (OI) and firm’s innovative performance. Specifically, the authors aim to determine whether the benefits of OI practices are different for Food and Beverage (FnB) firms as compared to those of other sectors. The FnB industry is relevant in terms of employment GDP generation in the UE, characterised by high integration and low-tech intensity.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to achieve the goal and obtain robust results, the authors consider four OI dimensions and four innovation performance measures using panel data (2004-2011) from 10,771 FnB and non-FnB firms using Tobit and Logit models by random effects.
Findings
The authors test and confirm the presence of the classical inverted U-shape relationship between OI and firm innovative performance for FnB and non-FnB companies. However, the optimal number of external sources of knowledge used is lesser for FnB than the rest of the companies.
Originality/value
The paper compares the OI effects in a traditional and low-tech industry vs other industries considering four innovation outputs (product innovations, process innovations, incremental innovation and radical innovation).
Details
Keywords
Cristian Adasme-Berríos, Mercedes Sanchez, Marcos Mora, Berta Schnettler, German Lobos and José Díaz
The purpose of this paper is to explore the differences in consumers’ preferences to food safety label (FSL) on vegetables in central and south central Chile in terms of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the differences in consumers’ preferences to food safety label (FSL) on vegetables in central and south central Chile in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, consumers’ food safety knowledge and frequency of vegetables consumption.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was applied to 1,201 consumers in charge of buying vegetables for their households. The questionnaire measured consumer preference for FSL using tomatoes as a case study.
Findings
The most important attributes for consumers were price (57.3 percent), FSL (19.7 percent), point of sale (11.86 percent) and production system (11.07 percent). Cluster analysis was used to differentiate three types of consumers. The majority (50.5 percent) are consumers oriented to price of tomatoes more than other attributes. A second group (30.1 percent) considers it important to purchase tomatoes at the lowest price with the existence of a FSL. A minority (19.4 percent) was oriented to purchasing tomatoes with a FSL. The groups differ according to sociodemographic characteristics, food safety knowledge and frequency of vegetables consumption.
Research limitations/implications
The study was conducted in country in South America. The results revealed that the majority of consumers choose price over FSL. Nevertheless, a potential market niche was identified that was motivated by FSL as a potential risk-reduction strategy when making choices about fresh vegetables purchase.
Practical implications
FSL is a marketing tool to help the consumers about food decisions.
Social implications
To avoid problems associated to unsafe vegetables, FSL is used as a potential risk-reduction strategy when making choices about fresh vegetables purchase.
Originality/value
The research provides information about a market niche of consumers interested in the existence of an explicit FSL, due to their awareness of the risks associated with the consumption of vegetables. This topic has received little research in Latin American developing countries.
Details
Keywords
Mercedes Sánchez and José Maria Gil
Conjoint analysis has become an increasingly popular approach to estimate the benefits derived from the attributes of a product. This decompositional method provides information…
Abstract
Conjoint analysis has become an increasingly popular approach to estimate the benefits derived from the attributes of a product. This decompositional method provides information about the structure of consumers' preferences, as obtained from the overall judgement of a set of alternative products defined as a combination of levels of different attributes. A two‐Limit Tobit Model approach for conjoint analysis has been used to examine and compare wine attribute preferences within and between different retail outlets (wine shops, direct‐from‐producer and supermarkets) in two Spanish regions: Aragon and Navarre. Three attributes have been used in the conjoint design: price, origin and vintage year. Among these attributes, price is the principal aspect for consumers who buy in wine shops, origin is the most important attribute for supermarket buyers and grape vintage has more utility for buyers who obtain wine directly from the producer. Finally, three wine consumer segments have been identified and characterised in the two regions.
Details
Keywords
Rafael Triguero-Sánchez, Jesús C. Peña-Vinces and Mercedes Sánchez-Apellániz
The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderator role of hierarchical distance (HD) in the relationship between human resources management (HRM) practices and organizational…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderator role of hierarchical distance (HD) in the relationship between human resources management (HRM) practices and organizational performance (OP, perceived/financial). To date there is no empirical evidence that demonstrates whether HD affects this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
These relationships are examined through an empirical study of 102 small- and medium-sized enterprises from Europe (Spain). Partial least squares structural equation modeling is used to test the moderator effect of HD.
Findings
The results show that HD is a cultural dimension which moderates the relationship between HRM practices and OP. Furthermore, when OP is studied in relation to HRM practices, the use of perceived measures are considered more appropriate as these indicate the opinion of employees and managers regarding about OP.
Research limitations/implications
The non-cross-sectional character of the paper.
Practical implications
Organizations should consider HD when deciding the structure and application of their HR practices, since a lesser HD has positive effects on business results.
Originality/value
Little attention has been paid to non-linear models, with particular reference to the inclusion of cultural dimensions – such organizational culture (i.e. HD) – in HRM models.
Details
Keywords
Ana María Angulo, José María Gil, Azucena Gracia and Mercedes Sánchez
In this paper, market values for most of wine attributes are measured through the estimation of a hedonic price function, which relates the price of a wine to its various…
Abstract
In this paper, market values for most of wine attributes are measured through the estimation of a hedonic price function, which relates the price of a wine to its various attributes. As more expensive wines are also associated with higher recognition of wine attributes, results also reflect consumers’ valuation of wine attributes. Data used in this paper comes from a wine catalogue in which only price categories are available. As independent variables, the following wine attributes have been considered: region of production, the year vintage, grape variety, alcoholic content and expert quality ratings. Due to the nature of available data, the hedonic price function has been estimated in the form of a Multinomial Logit model. Results indicate that the two first variables (region of production and the year vintage) are the main market price determinants while grape variety and the alcoholic contents are not significantly correlated with red wine prices.
Details
Keywords
Francisco Soler, José M. Gil and Mercedes Sánchez
Organic production and its consumption have grown tremendously in recent years. However, in the case of Spain demand still represents only 1 per cent of food expenditure. The main…
Abstract
Organic production and its consumption have grown tremendously in recent years. However, in the case of Spain demand still represents only 1 per cent of food expenditure. The main obstacle seems to be that organic food faces problems related to consumers’ acceptability; lack of food availability and seasonality make it difficult to establish appropriate retailing outlets; also, higher costs of production and retailer margins jointly may result in higher prices than consumers are willing to pay for organic food attributes. Research studies have mostly elicited consumers’ willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for organic food through contingent valuation. Alternatively, explores, using an experimental second‐price sealed‐bid auction, the value that consumers place on organic food and the effect that information included on ecolabel and physical appearance have on their WTP. This methodological approach involves the use of real money and real products, which, in fact, may overcome the hypothetical bias detected in previous studies. Also discusses the effect on WTP of consumers’ demographic characteristics and lifestyles, as well as attitudes towards food safety and buying behaviour. Results show, that as more accurate information is offered, consumers’ acceptability of labelled organic food products increases; and that WTP is highly correlated with consumption habits variables.
Details
Keywords
Ramo Barrena and Mercedes Sanchez
This paper aims to test whether the effects of wine consumption on the emotions vary with the age of the consumer, the objective being to use the results to orient further product…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to test whether the effects of wine consumption on the emotions vary with the age of the consumer, the objective being to use the results to orient further product differentiation in a highly saturated and competitive market.
Design/methodology/approach
The decision structures of various age groups of wine consumers were explored by means of laddering interviews, a technique drawn from means‐end chain theory, to reveal consumers' attribute‐consequence‐value chains.
Findings
The results reveal that wine consumers perceive an emotional benefit from drinking wine and that this varies with the age of the consumer. The degree of abstraction in the cognitive process involved in the perception of this benefit increases inversely with the age of the consumer. Older people report less complex decision‐making processes. In general terms, consumers drink wine for the sensory pleasure it gives, but younger drinkers are also motivated to drink it for reasons relating to cultural identity and social status, while older generations focus primarily on the potential of wine as a social catalyst.
Originality/value
This study offers the wine industry new alternatives to enhance information, communication and product differentiation campaigns.
Details
Keywords
José M. Gil and Mercedes Sánchez
Examines and compares wine attribute preferences within and between two different Spanish regions, Aragón and Navarra, by means of the weighted least squares approach for conjoint…
Abstract
Examines and compares wine attribute preferences within and between two different Spanish regions, Aragón and Navarra, by means of the weighted least squares approach for conjoint analysis. Uses three attributes in the conjoint design: price, origin and grape vintage year. Among these attributes, Navarra consumers assigned more importance to the origin of the wine, followed by price and grape vintage year. Aragón consumers also considered origin as the most important attribute, followed, in this case, by grape vintage year and price. Comparing the different attribute levels, consumers from Aragón preferred locally produced and cheaper wines, while consumers from Navarra preferred Rioja and more expensive wines. Identifies and characterizes four wine consumer segments. Describes how a market simulation experiment was designed to simulate market shares of three alternative wine profiles.
Details
Keywords
Percy Mafanele, Eugine Tafadzwa Maziriri, Alfred Mojalefa Masakale and Brian Mabuyana
The study explored how supplier evaluation, selection, development and segmentation affect supply chain performance in pharmaceutical organizations. It also determined the…
Abstract
Purpose
The study explored how supplier evaluation, selection, development and segmentation affect supply chain performance in pharmaceutical organizations. It also determined the moderating influence of top management support on the link between supply chain performance and organizational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The research philosophy of this study was positivism, leading to the adoption of a quantitative research method. Empirical data were gathered from a significant sample of supply chain experts at leading pharmaceutical companies in South Africa. Data collection scales were derived from existing studies. The collected data were analysed using structural equation modelling.
Findings
The results confirmed the validity of the proposed model, which is based on selected criteria (latent variables). This study emphasizes the crucial influence of supplier evaluation, selection, development and segmentation on supply chain performance in pharmaceutical organizations. The research shows a positive correlation between supply chain performance and organizational performance, with top management support playing a moderating role.
Originality/value
The study’s originality and value stem from its thorough examination of how supplier relationship management practices affect supply chain performance and organizational performance in the pharmaceutical industry of South Africa. Furthermore, the research adds to the current body of knowledge by considering the moderating influence of top management support on the link between supply chain performance and organizational performance. These findings offer valuable insights for academics and industry professionals in the realm of supply chain management.