Fostering ethical consumption in food sector: Insights from the Italian Solidarity Purchasing Groups

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Sciarelli ◽  
Mario Tani ◽  
Anna Prisco ◽  
Francesco Caputo
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Safety Concern ◽  
Ethical Consumption ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Food Sector ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe paper aims at investigating antecedents and predictors of consumers' buying and consumption processes within the Italian Solidarity Purchasing Groups (SPGs) to enrich current debate about drivers and levers on which act for fostering ethical consumption in food sector.Design/methodology/approachBuilding upon the theory of planned behavior (TPB) a theoretical model is proposed for depicting possible antecedents and predictors of consumers' buying and consumption processes in food sector. The validity of the model has been tested via partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS for analyzing primary data collected through a structured questionnaire from 354 consumers engaged in SPGs.FindingsWithin the domain of food buying and consumptions through SPGS, results show that consumers' behavior intention (BI) is influenced by consumers' attitude (ATT) and perceived behavioral control (PBC). Moreover, the research also demonstrates that consumers' ATT is influenced by consumers' ethical self-identity (ETH), consumers' willingness to support local economy (SLE), and food safety concern (FSC).Originality/valueThe study contributes to the ongoing debate on sustainable consumerism focusing the attention on SPGs as emerging social organizations inspired by ethical food consumption. Both theoretical development and empirical evidences enrich current knowledge about drivers and levers on which act for fostering ethical consumption in food sector.

scholarly journals The importance of knowledge and trust for ethical fashion consumption

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongdan Liu ◽  
Matthew Tingchi Liu ◽  
Andrea Pérez ◽  
Wilco Chan ◽  
Jesús Collado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Subjective Norm ◽  
Ethical Consumption ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tpb Model

PurposeThe clothing industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, although manufacturers and retailers are trying to revert this tendency by applying ethical fashion principles. Drawing on the knowledge–attitude–behavior (KAB) model or practice, this study aims to predict Chinese consumers' purchase intention of ethical fashion by employing and extending the theory of planned behavior (TPB).Design/methodology/approachThe extended TPB model incorporates knowledge of ethical fashion and trust in the fashion industry and two critical variables in ethical fashion literature to explain the purchase intention of ethical fashion. Primary data from 245 Chinese respondents were collected in 2019. The model was tested and analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsResults show that the extended TPB model has higher predictability than the original TPB model. Attitude toward ethical fashion and subjective norm significantly predicts purchase intention while perceived behavioral control (PBC) does not. In addition, trust of ethical fashion is positively related to attitude toward ethical fashion and purchase intention, whereas knowledge of ethical fashion plays a significant role in predicting trust and the three TPB factors. The subjective norm was found to have the most significant impact on consumers' intention to purchase ethical fashion, which shows that social pressure from one individual's reference group is the most dominant factor in forming consumer's purchase intention on ethical fashion.Originality/valueThe findings enrich the past literature on ethical fashion that trusting belief is a salient determinant of consumers' attitude toward ethical fashion and purchase intention of ethical fashion products. The findings also supported the applicability of KAB and TPB in the domain of ethical consumption in the context of a developing country.

Believe they can succeed, and they will: intrapreneurial behavior and leadership

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Farrukh ◽  
Fanchen Meng ◽  
Ali Raza
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Climate ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Chemical Engineering ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Pharmaceutical Chemical ◽  
Participative Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Member Exchange

PurposeA leader's job is not to put greatness into people, but rather to recognize that it already exists and to create an environment where that greatness can emerge and grow (Smith, 2014). Based on Brad Smith's quote, the purpose of this study is to investigate the role of the leader's expectations, leader-member exchange (LMX) and organizational climate for innovation in fostering the intrapreneurial behavior (IB) of employees.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from employees and their supervisors working across industries such as pharmaceutical, chemical, engineering and manufacturing. Collected data were then analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique.FindingsThe authors’ results show that LMX and leaders' expectations are positively linked to employees' IB. Moreover, this association is mediated by organizational climate.Practical implicationsThis study's findings contribute to the literature on intrapreneurship and may also help practitioners formulate interventions to foster IB in organizations that will ultimately lead to higher performance.Originality/valueThis study attempted to investigate the effect of LMX and the Pygmalion effect on IB through employees' perception of organizational climate for innovation. The literature in this field is scarce and theoretical development is weak because traditional collaborative or participative leadership approaches are more relevant to an outcome than innovation.

Information technologies and seaport operational efficiency

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Adabere ◽  
Kwame Owusu Kwateng ◽  
Esther Dzidzah ◽  
Francis Tetteh Kamewor
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Positive Direct

PurposeThe introduction of information technology (IT) in port operations has been a tremendous contributor to transformation in world trade. This study was carried out to examine the influence of IT on the efficiency of seaport operations.Design/methodology/approachThe study is quantitative in nature, and it relied on a closed-ended self-administered questionnaire to collect primary data. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the theoretical model and hypothesis.FindingsThe results indicate that IT has a positive direct effect on port operational efficiency (OE) and an indirect effect on port OE through organizational culture (OC). The mediating role of OC is statistically insignificant.Originality/valueThis is among the first few attempts in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that provides researchers with a contemporary view of IT and seaport operations.

The verification of effective leadership style for TQM

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 822-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Sik Cho ◽  
Joo Y. Jung
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Effective Leadership ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to verify the universal applicability of total quality management (TQM) across national boundaries. Specifically, the authors examined the validity of the isomorphic nature of TQM leadership style by comparing survey samples from both USA-based firms (n=112) and China-based firms (n=121). Design/methodology/approach – The authors collected the primary data through a survey research method. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were adopted to test the hypothesized research model. Findings – The study results did not support the universality of TQM practices. For example, the results reveal that in the USA-based firms, transformational leadership has a more significant positive influence on TQM practices, while in the China-based firms, transactional leadership has a more significant positive impact on TQM practices. Originality/value – Most of the existing literature on TQM assumed that the most effective TQM leadership style would be universal across organizational or international boundaries. However, our findings imply that the effective leadership style for successful implementation of TQM practices could be contingent on the cultural background embedded within the firms. Therefore, the authors anticipate the findings of the study will guide future research on TQM and create a new path to find solutions not only for optimizing the successful implementation of TQM, but also for minimizing the current high level of TQM failures.

scholarly journals Modeling crowdfunders’ behavioral intention to adopt the crowdfunding-waqf model (CWM) in Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Asmy Mohd Thas Thaker ◽  
Hassanudin Mohd Thas Thaker ◽  
Anwar Allah Pitchay
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Liquidity Constraint ◽  
Muslim Countries ◽  
The Government

PurposeWaqf institutions in many Muslim countries including in Malaysia are facing liquidity constraints in developing waqf land. This paper aims to offer a sustainable model of source of financing for waqf institutions to meet their liquidity constraint in developing waqf land, which is known as the crowdfunding–waqf model (CWM). Later, CWM validated its acceptance in the field among the crowdfunders by adopting the theory of technology acceptance model (TAM).Design/methodology/approachThe primary data are collected from the survey administered to donors or crowdfunders in Selangor, Penang, Johor and Pahang. The total number of respondents aren= 1,000. The analysis is conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsBased on findings, both the perceived usefulness and perceived easy to use of CWM are found to have a positive impact on the behavioral intention of crowdfunders or donors in assisting waqf institutions to develop waqf land in Malaysia. Furthermore, perceived easy to use has a positive relationship and direct effect on perceived usefulness of crowdfunders to use the CWM.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations of the current study. The sample size and area of study become the obvious limitations. Thus, there is a need for caution in the interpretation of the results, and the conclusion cannot be as generalized. Besides, the use of current factors might limit the ability to explore other potentially important determinants of the crowdfunders’ behavioral intention on using CWM. Thus, future research can be conducted by incorporating new factors and provide new insights for optimizing CWM. Other potential moderator variables should be included into the research model in order to obtain more robust results.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper will provide a new avenue for waqf institutions to raise funds for developing waqf land, particularly in Malaysia. The present study also has implications for the government and policymakers. Through CWM, it enables to reduce the expenses of the government for the development of waqf land. Indeed, CWM could be applied in other Muslim countries that are facing liquidity constraint in developing waqf land.Originality/valueThis paper offers an additional literature on waqf and crowdfunding, especially in the Malaysian context. The paper proposes a viable alternative model for waqf institutions as a source of financing by using crowdfunding.

The influence of soft and hard TQM on quality performance and patient satisfaction in health care: investigating direct and indirect effects

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasha Zuhair Alkhaldi ◽  
Ayman Bahjat Abdallah
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Quality Performance ◽  
Private Hospitals ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Care Context

PurposeThe present study conceptualizes total quality management (TQM) in terms of soft and hard aspects and examines their effects on quality performance and patient satisfaction. The indirect effects of soft and hard TQM on patient satisfaction through quality performance are also investigated.Design/methodology/approachA multi-item questionnaire was prepared to gather primary data from a sample of 312 medical employees in private hospitals in Jordan. The measurement model was evaluated for validity and reliability and determined to be acceptable. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to test the research hypotheses.FindingsThe results revealed that soft TQM has a strong positive effect on quality performance and patient satisfaction. Hard TQM was found to positively affect quality performance but to a lesser extent compared to soft TQM. The effect of hard TQM on patient satisfaction, meanwhile, was not significant. Quality performance positively mediated the relationship between TQM – both soft and hard – and patient satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to conceptualize TQM in terms of soft and hard aspects in a health care context. It offers valuable insights for managers of private hospitals looking to enhance quality performance and patient satisfaction. The results reveal that soft TQM is the primary driver of quality performance and patient satisfaction in the health care context, which is in stark contrast to the manufacturing sector.

Organic food women entrepreneurs-TISM approach for challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shweta Dahiya ◽  
Anupama Panghal ◽  
Shilpa Sindhu ◽  
Parveen Siwach
Keyword(s):  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Organic Food ◽  
Free Food ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Food Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Total Interpretive Structural Modelling

Purpose Organic food is getting attention these days from consumers and producers, in pursuit of safe and chemical-free food. In India, there is an upsurge in entrepreneurs in the organic food sector, with women entrepreneurs signalling higher numbers. Women entrepreneurs have the potential to contribute significantly to the field of organic food; the only requirement is to address the challenges faced by them. This paper aims to attempt at exploring and modelling the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in the organic food sector. Design/methodology/approach Significant challenges were identified through literature review, primary data collection and expert opinions. The identified challenges were then modelled through total interpretive structural modelling and fuzzy-matriced impact cruises multiplication applique techniques to give a meaningful contextual relationship. Findings This study identified “poor government support” and “less awareness” amongst the stakeholders, as the most strategic challenges with the highest driving power to influence other challenges. In contrast, “low funding options” and “fewer buyers” emerged as the most dependent challenges for organic food women entrepreneurs in India. Originality/value The model proposed in the study gives a roadmap for different stakeholders in the food industry to scale up organic food women entrepreneurs in India.

Structural equation modeling of residents' attitudes and tourism development: a SET based - study of the Kashmir region in India

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aasif Ali Bhat ◽  
Kakali Majumdar
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Tourism Development ◽  
Exchange Theory ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social

PurposeThe present study tries to develop a model that assesses the factors that determine support for tourism development by residents of the Kashmir region.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data have been collected (n = 650) from the residents of the top five tourist destinations through a pre-tested questionnaire by a multistage convenient sampling method. A model has been drafted and tested through the technique of structural equation modeling by applying the social exchange theory as a theoretical framework.FindingsThe results revealed that residents who perceived more benefits were more expected to support tourism development, and residents who perceive more costs were less expected to support tourism development, thus supporting the social exchange theory.Originality/valueThe results of this study are extremely useful for the local government and tourism institutions in the future planning of tourism development and also fill the vast gap in the tourism literature with a theoretical base.

Effects of internal brand knowledge dissemination on the employee

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Bravo ◽  
José Miguel Pina ◽  
Beatriz Tirado
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Brand Management ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Dissemination ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Knowledge ◽  
Brand Authenticity ◽  
Employee Identification

PurposeThis study aims to examine the internal brand knowledge dissemination process in the banking sector and its effects on employees. Specifically, it focuses on the key roles of employee identification with both the organization and with the customer as antecedents of behaviors supportive of the brand, i.e. employee citizenship behaviors and recommendation behaviors.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study was carried out in a major Spanish bank. Data gathered from a survey of 315 employees were analyzed through structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results showed that employees' perceptions of brand value congruence are key in explaining their identification with both the organization and with the customer. However, the employees' perceptions of the brand's authenticity explained only their recommendations of the bank as a good place to work.Originality/valueThese findings contribute to the advance in the current knowledge of the role of variables such as brand authenticity and employee–customer identification in internal brand management. From a managerial viewpoint, the results provide insights into the importance of employees' perceptions and attitudes when it comes to brand knowledge dissemination.

Motivating factors in a teacher’s research and developmental activities and their impact on effective quality teaching in higher education institutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-632
Author(s):  
Debarun Chakraborty ◽  
Wendrila Biswas
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Teaching Quality ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Higher Educational

Purpose Research and development pursuits have always been an integral part of a teacher’s professional development. Today, the higher educational institutes (HEIs) are chiefly prioritizing and providing a sustained support toward research-based and research-oriented learning. But as revealed by the broad outlines of the entire scenario, a fall in research productivity and developmental attempts is witnessed among the faculties of higher educational establishments. To put it succinctly, the motivating aspects that reinforce such activities are not adequately taken care of and have thwarted their progression. The purpose of this paper is to delve deep and explore the factors that inspire teachers toward an enriched research and learning, which equally gets reflected in their teaching practices. Design/methodology/approach This is a descriptive research with a cross-sectional survey on faculties from different HEIs of West Bengal. A questionnaire has been designed with a five-point Likert scale to draw the primary data. Convenience sampling technique has been utilized. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis have been performed with structural equation modeling on the hypothesized research model through AMOS. Findings The major findings of the research have revealed that improved research and development activities of faculties had an immense impact on their teaching quality. The level and accessibility of infrastructure posits a strong influence in augmenting a teacher’s research and developmental endeavors. Working climate influences teachers’ research activities as well their teaching adroitness. Research limitations/implications Results may vary when an extensive study is conducted on teachers of HEIs of two or more states or of the country as a whole. Suppression of the real underlying facts by few respondents may affect the result to a small extent. Practical implications When faculties orient themselves toward research intensive learning and teaching, the students actively get involved in a platform of greater interaction. It elevates their persistence level, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and cognitive skills. Research-based teaching is also instrumental in honing their analytical skills, promoting creativity. Originality/value The study identified a vital role of the higher education institutes in motivating the faculties toward research-based teaching. There is a dearth of empirical research in identifying the factors that enrich the learning patterns and research activities of the teachers. Thus, it can prove to be a constructive study if implemented.

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