The value chain of traded products of medicinal plants in Tanzania: the emerging role of formulators

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eziacka Mathew Mpelangwa ◽  
Jeremia Ramos Makindara ◽  
Olav Jull Sørensen ◽  
Kenneth Michael-Kitundu Bengesi
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Production Process ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Relational Governance ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Output Structure

PurposeProducts of medicinal plants play significant roles in management of diseases. Their accessibility through trade plays a key role in health, economic and livelihood improvement. However, the traceability of the production process from their source in Tanzania is lacking. This study aims to depicture the production process of formulated products of medicinal plants.Design/methodology/approachThe study applied the value chain theory using qualitative data from literature review and survey to practitioners of traditional medicine. Survey data were collected through 15 in-depth interviews and ten focus group discussions in five regions of Tanzania.FindingsInput to output structure is performed through a five actors' value chain. The raw material is provided by harvesters who collected medicinal plants from wild. The processing is conducted by wholesalers and formulators. The wholesalers add value by drying, milling and bulk packaging of individual medicinal plants. Formulators mix different medicinal plants to create readymade products for specified diseases. Distribution is done by retailers and healers. There were six regulating and two supporting organizations. Private supporters were millers and transporters. Governance structure was deduced to be relational. Relational governance was a result of lack official standards along the value chain.Originality/valueThe described value chain can be used to guide investments in production of products of medicinal plants by improving formulation technology.

Effect of social capital on agribusiness diversification intention in the emerging market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Le Dang Lang ◽  
Abhishek Behl ◽  
Nguyen Trung Dong ◽  
Yama Temouri ◽  
Nguyen Hong Thu
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Interviews

PurposeCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has seriously affected the global economy. How agribusinessmen are overcoming this crisis is being noticed in emerging markets. Using social capital to diversify agribusiness for getting more customers is a useful solution for the growth of agribusiness. However, there is a lack of evidence on the aggregate measurement scale of social capital and the influence of behavioral goals on the intention toward agribusiness diversification. Therefore, this study aims to develop an integrated measurement of social capital and investigate its effect on agribusiness diversification intention using the expanded theory of planned behavior (TPB).Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods approach is used, including four in-depth interviews, three focus group discussions and two surveys. Structural equation modeling is applied to a sample of 484 respondents to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe study shows the role of social capital in influencing the intention to diversify agribusiness under the premises of the resource-based view (RBV). The scale of social capital is also developed, which is the first integrated measurement of this asset. The findings contribute significantly to the existing knowledge of social capital, the TPB and diversifying agribusiness.Originality/valueThis is the first study to explore the comprehensive effect of the facets of social capital on behavioral intention through behavioral goals and determinants of the TPB under the premises of the RBV. The findings will help emerging economies, for example, Vietnam, where most farmers are family business owners or microscaled entrepreneurs in agriculture.

scholarly journals The role of relational governance in innovation platform growth: the context of living labs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Luisa Cantù ◽  
Daniel Schepis ◽  
Roberto Minunno ◽  
Greg Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Relational Governance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Living Lab ◽  
Living Labs ◽  
Platform Development ◽  
Innovation Platform ◽  
Collective Goals

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the role of relational governance in innovation platform development, specifically investigating the context of living labs. Design/methodology/approach Two longitudinal case studies are presented, derived from auto-ethnographic narratives, qualitative interviews and secondary documents, which cover the critical stages in the development of each living lab. Findings Empirical insights demonstrate the relevance of coordination activities based on joint planning and activities to support innovation platform development across different stages. The governance role of research actors as platform activators is also identified. Practical implications The paper offers a useful perspective for identifying collective goals between living lab actors and aligning joint activities across different stages of living lab development. Social implications The case provides insights into the challenges and opportunities for collaboration between academia, industry and users to support sustainable construction innovation. Originality/value A relational governance mode is identified, going beyond top down or bottom up approaches, which contributes a new understanding of how collective goals align within a relational space.

The role of spinoffs and tradeoffs of business-driven sustainable development in the marketplace

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Göran Svensson ◽  
Carmen Padin
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Sustainability ◽  
Synergy Effects ◽  
Ultimate Outcome ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Agricultural Industries

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the role of spinoffs and tradeoffs in business-driven sustainable development in the marketplace based on environmental, economic and social constituents. It is based on the insights gathered from a company’s business-driven sustainable development. It can therefore be used as a teaching case. Design/methodology/approach An inductive approach based on case study methodology is applied to describe a company’s spinoffs and tradeoffs of business-driven sustainable development in the marketplace. Findings The study reports how raw material residuals can be recycled and reused in spinoff processes, and tradeoffs done, to optimize the outcome of business-driven sustainable development in the marketplace. Research limitations/implications The study reveals that spinoffs and tradeoffs between constituents and related sub-constituents enable to improve the ultimate outcome of business-driven sustainable development in the marketplace. The study also illustrates how environmental, social and economic constituents and related sub-constituents connect and reconnect to each other as a whole through spinoffs and tradeoffs, to optimize business-driven sustainable development in marketplace. Practical implications Business-driven sustainable development requires corporate considerations to connect and reconnect the economic, social and environmental constituents and related sub-constituents. It illustrates the pioneering actions of combining existing solutions of business sustainability in conjunction and gaining synergy effects to optimize business-driven sustainable development. Originality/value Contribution is based on the actions of combining existing solutions of business sustainability in conjunction and gaining synergy effects to optimize business-driven sustainable development. This study also makes a contribution illustrating a framework based on a company’s business-driven sustainable development fostering CO2 neutrality and fossil-free fuel in the food and agricultural industries. In addition, it makes a contribution illustrating how raw material residuals are recycled and reused in spinoff processes, so as to optimize the business-driven sustainable development. Furthermore, it makes a contribution illustrating that business-driven sustainable development in the marketplace is neither simplistic nor straightforward, but requires that tradeoffs between constituents and related sub-constituents be made to optimize the ultimate outcome.

Exploring entrepreneurial-group formation by smallholder Burundian farmers

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-102
Author(s):  
Bélyse Mupfasoni ◽  
Aad Kessler ◽  
Thomas Lans ◽  
Rama Lionel Ngenzebuke
Keyword(s):  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Group Formation ◽  
Top Management Teams ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal States ◽  
Farmer Groups

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of specific internal states (i.e. the set of sustainable values and motivations) that underlie group formation and joint business idea identification of farmer groups in the context of Burundi. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative and qualitative data were combined in this study. Quantitative data were analyzed using basic statistics. Qualitative data were collected in focus group discussions with farmer groups. Findings Findings revealed that groups are not just formed on the basis of homophily (same level of internal states) but also on “compensation” and “committed leadership.” Moreover, prior sustainable behavior of members influences sustainability of new group business ideas and the nature (e.g. focus on farming) of that business idea. Research limitations/implications As this study was done at an early stage of group formation and does not include group dynamics over a longer period of time, further monitoring of the groups is needed to examine if the observed motivation persists. Originality/value Although there is a vast amount of literature on entrepreneurial and top management teams, literature on the (early) mechanisms of entrepreneurial group formation in an emerging economy and rural context is relatively scarce.

scholarly journals Young consumers' views on humorous BELFcommunication

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taina Vuorela ◽  
Sari Alatalo ◽  
Eeva-Liisa Oikarinen ◽  
Anne Poutiainen
Keyword(s):  
Communication Tool ◽  
Business English ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Language And Culture ◽  
Young Consumers ◽  
In Transit ◽  
Linguistic Backgrounds

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to gain understanding of how young consumers with varying cultural and linguistic backgrounds experience and perceive humorous Business English lingua franca (BELF) mediated communication used in transit contexts.Design/methodology/approachFor the collection of qualitative data, the present study relies on focus group discussions in three European countries. The data were analyzed by the authors by applying the phenomenographic approach as a method.FindingsYoung European consumers expressed a preference for humor and playfulness in BELF-mediated communication, yet they can be a challenging group to be informed and entertained with humorous BELF communication, as they differ in their taste of humor due to varying language- and culture-based identities. However, BELF as a communication tool was seen as functional and unproblematic by the informants. These informants perceive the role of resonant – wit type of humor in BELF – messages with noncultural references as fulfilling some of the aims of the messages. Yet, the role of comic – wit humor in BELF – messages with cultural references is more challenging to interpret.Originality/valueThe present results bring original viewpoints on the use of humor in cross-cultural corporate communication via a unique perspective of how young consumers' perceive and value humor in BELF-mediated communication.

scholarly journals Unclogging the pipeline: advancement to full professor in academic STEM

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helga Van Miegroet ◽  
Christy Glass ◽  
Ronda Roberts Callister ◽  
Kimberly Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Governance Structure ◽  
Gender Disparities ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Full Professor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Career Attainment ◽  
Career Trajectories ◽  
Promotion Process ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Women remain underrepresented in academic STEM, especially at the highest ranks. While much attention has focused on early-career attrition, mid-career advancement is still largely understudied and undocumented. The purpose of this paper is to analyze gender differences in advancement to full professor within academic STEM at a mid-size public doctoral university in the western USA, before and after the National Science Foundation (NSF)-ADVANCE Program (2003–2008). Design/methodology/approach Using faculty demographics and promotion data between 2008 and 2014, combined with faculty responses to two waves of a climate survey, the magnitude and longevity of the impact of ADVANCE on mid-career faculty advancement across gender is evaluated. Findings This study documents increased representation of women in all ranks within the STEM colleges, including that of full professor due to ADVANCE efforts. It also demonstrates the role of greater gender awareness and formalization of procedures in reducing the variability in the time as associate professor until promotion to full professor for all faculty members, while also shrinking gender disparities in career attainment. As a result of the codification of the post-tenure review timeline toward promotion, more recently hired faculty are promoted more swiftly and consistently, irrespective of gender. Post-ADVANCE, both male and female faculty members express a greater understanding of and confidence in the promotion process and no longer see it as either a hurdle or source of gender inequality in upward career mobility. Research limitations/implications While data were collected at a single university, demographics and career experiences by women mirror those at other research universities. This study shows that within a given institution-specific governance structure, long-lasting effects on faculty career trajectories can be achieved, by focusing efforts on creating greater transparency in expectations and necessary steps toward promotion, by reducing barriers to information flown, by standardizing and codifying the promotion process, and by actively engaging administrators as collaborators and change agents in the transformation process. Originality/value This study addresses mid-career dynamics and potential mechanisms that explain gender gaps in the promotion to full professor, a largely understudied aspect of gender disparities in career attainment within STEM. It shows how institutional policy changes, intended to alleviate gender disparities, can benefit the career trajectories of all faculty members. Specifically, this study highlights the crucial role of codifying procedures and responsibilities in neutralizing subjectivity and inconsistencies in promotion outcomes due to varying departmental climates.

scholarly journals The search-ification of everyday life and the mundane-ification of search

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olof Sundin ◽  
Jutta Haider ◽  
Cecilia Andersson ◽  
Hanna Carlsson ◽  
Sara Kjellberg
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Online Searching ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand how meaning is assigned to online searching by viewing it as a mundane, yet often invisible, activity of everyday life and an integrated part of various social practices. Design/methodology/approach Searching is investigated with a sociomaterial approach with a starting point in information searching as entangled across practices and material arrangements and as a mundane part of everyday life. In total, 21 focus groups with 127 participants have been carried out. The study focusses particularly on peoples’ experiences and meaning-making and on how these experiences and the making of meaning could be understood in the light of algorithmic shaping. Findings An often-invisible activity such as searching is made visible with the help of focus group discussions. An understanding of the relationship between searching and everyday life through two interrelated narratives is proposed: a search-ification of everyday life and a mundane-ification of search. Originality/value The study broadens the often narrow focus on searching in order to open up for a research-based discussion in information science on the role of online searching in society and everyday life.

Contorted leadership in Chinese hierarchically oriented context

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 502-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Zhang ◽  
Xiaojun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Model ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Organizational Leaders ◽  
Governance Mechanism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese Context ◽  
Social Governance ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Behavior

Purpose – The aim of this research is to explore the behavioral model of Chinese organizational leaders acquiring resources for the development of their organizations under the influence of hierarchically oriented social governance. Design/methodology/approach – The paper compares the differences between Western and Chinese contexts and conducts a grounded multi-case study to explore leadership behavioral model in the Chinese context. Findings – First, the Chinese social governance structure is hierarchically oriented, whereas the Western social governance structure is market oriented. Second, this unique inconformity found in the Chinese organizational leaders as contorted leadership, which refers to the inconsistency between leaders’ cognition and their behavior when acquiring resources for the development of their organizations, is defined. Third, the conflict between leaders’ cognition and behaviors is caused by the social governance mechanism within which leaders are embedded. Research limitations/implications – The authors have just made a first step to understand contorted leadership in the Chinese context, further researches should pay more attention to exploring the origins, functions and impacts of leaders’ contorted behaviors. Originality/value – First, leadership is linked with social governance by emphasizing on the core role of social governance in allocating the resources which organizational leaders scramble for. Second, a new kind of leadership –contorted leadership – in the Chinese context that emphasizes on the contradiction between leaders’ cognition and behavior, which deepens the understanding of leadership contextualization, is identified.

The role of individual adaptive practices for sustainable adaptation

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Wamsler ◽  
Ebba Brink
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Institutional Development ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Policies ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the strategies used by Swedish citizens to adapt to changing climate variability and extremes. There is an increasing consensus that individual adaptive capacities are critical to successfully adapt to climate change and achieve sustainable development. However, little is known about individual adaptive practices, particularly in developed countries. Design/methodology/approach – The study covered a variety of geographical areas and included single-case studies of specific locations, cross-case studies and country-wide studies. Data were collected through literature review, interviews with at-risk people, observation and group discussions with municipal staff. Findings – The paper provides an overview of Swedish citizens’ adaptive practices and highlights how institutional development efforts affect individuals and their activities, including the equitable distribution of adaptation needs and resources. The paper concludes that individual adaptive capacities do not necessarily translate into adaptation. Practical implications – The results show that planned interventions are required. They emphasise the importance of more people-oriented adaptation planning that fosters the sustainable transformation of cities, together with the role that South-North knowledge transfer can play in this context. Originality/value – The paper offers critical insights into the positive and negative effects of citizens’ adaptation strategies (based on criteria such as effectiveness, sustainability and equity), and it discusses their relevance in the formulation of development policies and programmes.

scholarly journals Consumer communication when eating out of home: the role of technology

2020 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 373-386
Author(s):  
Jeff Bray ◽  
Heather Hartwell ◽  
Katherine Appleton ◽  
Sarah Price
Keyword(s):  
Product Information ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Control ◽  
Eating Out ◽  
Aida Model ◽  
Non Communicable Disease

PurposeDespite growing demand, little product information is available when eating out. Information that is provided is often not well understood leading to a lack of consumer control and acting as a barrier to healthy food choices. The AIDA model which highlights the key stages of effective marketing communication (awareness, interest, desire and action) is applied. Information provided through technological solutions is examined to provide clear guidance on future use.Design/methodology/approachExploratory qualitative methods through four focused group discussions allowed consumers views to be probed in-depth and key themes to emerge through thematic analysis.FindingsIn addition to the four key elements of the AIDA model, accessibility and relevance are found to be key constructs relevant to food information provision. Accessibility highlights the need for quick and clear data display, while relevance stresses how salient information is key to each consumer. Technological solutions may offer the most responsive, effective and trusted way to provide enhanced information.Practical implicationsWith increasing consumer demand for clear information, a competitive advantage can be gained through the provision of personalised enhanced dish information when eating out. Findings from this study highlight consumers’ desire for online (app or website-based) platforms.Social implicationsThe provision of enhanced food information when eating out has clear public health implications and may influence choice leading to a reduction in non-communicable disease.Originality/valueThis study evaluates consumers’ perceptions to the provision of enhanced food information out of home providing novel insights and guidance for both managerial and societal impact.

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