Consumer groups as grassroots social innovation niches

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 803-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Signori ◽  
Francesca Forno
Keyword(s):  
Surveys And Questionnaires ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Local Politics ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Effectiveness ◽  
Consumption Choices ◽  
Grassroots Initiatives ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Very High

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to draw on the theoretical framework based on grassroots social innovation niches to analyse how and to what extent participation in consumer groups helps to foster food-related sustainability changes (both at individual, niche and potentially regime levels). Design/methodology/approach The data have been collected via two online questionnaires: 204 consumer groups (named GAS, from the acronym of Gruppi di Acquisto Solidale) and 1,658 families belonging to the same groups participated in the research. Findings The findings reveal that participation in GAS not only makes individuals more responsible towards their consumption choices and lifestyles, but also makes consumers more willing to collaborate with others, more interested in politics (especially local politics) and increases their sense of social effectiveness. Social implications The paper shows how collective consumption can represent a way to increase and foster sustainable behaviours, with the potential to modify socio-economic regimes. Interesting implications are advanced on the relationship between consumers and mainly local and small-scale food producers and on local public governments’ policies. Originality/value Due to the very high number of respondents, this research represents a unique opportunity to observe a phenomenon which is difficult to study with surveys and questionnaires because of its informal nature. Understanding the mechanisms and processes that give rise and sustain such forms of collective action is highly relevant for finding ways to promote grassroots initiatives and community actions, which are an often neglected area of system-changing innovation towards sustainability.

Does TeamSTEPPS affect psychological status?

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinori Fukushima ◽  
Atsushi Yamada ◽  
Naruaki Imoto ◽  
Toshiaki Iba
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Team Performance ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Teams ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) program is known to improve team and clinical performance, but the relationship to psychological stress has not been clarified. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate team performance, clinical performance and psychological stress simultaneously in a simulation-based training combined with or without the TeamSTEPPS program. Design/methodology/approach This randomized, controlled, prospective pilot study was performed to reveal TeamSTEPPS impact on psychological stress. The course included an emergency care training course, the TeamSTEPPS program, and a scenario simulation. Ten medical student teams were randomly allocated two groups: a TeamSTEPPS group and a non-TeamSTEPPS group. Team performance, clinical performance and psychological stress were evaluated simultaneously in the course; i.e., questionnaire evaluation and an observational evaluation for team performance; an assessor’s evaluation and a simulator’s evaluation for clinical performance. Autonomic nervous activity, represented by salivary amylase levels and heart rate variability, were measured as psychological stress indicators. Findings Team performance and clinical performance were significantly better in the TeamSTEPPS group, while psychological stress did not differ between the groups. Originality/value This is the first study to examine the relationship between TeamSTEPPS and psychological stress. Although only preliminary conclusions can be drawn from this small-scale study, results suggest that the TeamSTEPPS program improved team and clinical performance without increasing psychological stress.

scholarly journals Technical innovation: trigger or threat for organizational learning? A curvilinear relationship revisited

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Teresa Ortega Egea ◽  
María Isabel Roldán Bravo ◽  
Antonia Ruiz Moreno ◽  
Carmen Haro Domínguez ◽  
Dainelis Cabeza Pullés
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Technical Innovation ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Organizational Complexity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Very High ◽  
Curvilinear Effect

Purpose Although most research considers organizational learning as an antecedent of innovation, the relationship is complex and could be reciprocal. Therefore, more research is needed on the profit gained from the learning and organization acquires from its innovation activities. Using the concept of fit, this paper aims to investigate whether organizational learning increases when an organization’s technical innovation level exceeds that of its competitors (positive misfit), theorizing the curvilinear effect of positive technical innovation misfit on organizational learning. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses regression analysis with survey data gathered from 202 European firms. Findings The findings support the argument that positive technical innovation misfit has an inverted-U shaped effect on organizational learning. Practical implications The findings obtained should orient firm managers to developing a work environment that enables optimal levels of technical innovation and learning – levels at which the technical innovation developed drives learning among the organization’s members but avoids becoming trapped in the organizational complexity involved in very high levels of positive technical innovation misfit. Originality/value This study resolves conflicting views of the relationship between organizational learning and technical innovation and adds to the existing literature that indicates that proactive innovative firms can fail when becoming learners.

Influence of Hindu right in India may rise in 2016

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Small Scale ◽  
Cultural Education ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nationalist Movement ◽  
Legislative Agenda ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Reservation System ◽  
Bihar State ◽  
The Relationship

Subject Influence of the Hindu nationalist movement on politics and policy. Significance The relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and the Hindu nationalist movement has taken political centre stage in the wake of important recent developments, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) defeat in the Bihar state elections and the growing public assertiveness of Hindu nationalist leaders. Impacts The RSS's policy influence will be most palpable vis-a-vis the reservation system and cultural-education policies. Small Hindu extremist groups will orchestrate violence so long as they believe they have the protection of the state. Emboldened by the BJP's defeat in Bihar, opposition parties will successfully obstruct Modi's legislative agenda. Sporadic and probably small-scale anti-minority violence is likely to continue.

scholarly journals Customer categorization, relational justice and SME performance in supermarket supply chains

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Malagueño ◽  
Ismail Gölgeci ◽  
Andrew Fearne
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relational Justice ◽  
Supplier Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Key Customer

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of perceived relational justice on the relationship between key customer categorization and performance of small food and drink producers in supermarket supply chains. Design/methodology/approach Survey data are derived from a sample of (small-scale) suppliers of local and regional food to a large British supermarket. Partial least squares regression analysis was used to test a conceptual framework, which positions relational justice as a mediator in the relationship between key customer categorization and supplier performance, moderated by the length of the relationship. Findings The findings reveal that small suppliers who perceive their treatment by their key customers as fair tend to achieve higher business performance, which supports the hypothesized mediating role of relational justice on supplier performance. However, this research found no evidence to support the hypothesis that this role is moderated by the length of the relationship between the supplier and buyer. Originality/value This paper makes a novel empirical contribution, focusing on performance outcomes for small-scale suppliers in a highly competitive environment (fast-moving consumer goods) with customers (supermarkets) who have significant market power. Accordingly, the paper shows that the way supermarket buyers treat their suppliers matters more for the performance of their suppliers than the very fact that they are key customers.

Culture and competitiveness in small-scale Latin-American forestry-based enterprising communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos M. Jardon ◽  
Xavier Martinez–Cobas
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Local Culture ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Formal Sector ◽  
Company Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Small-scale forestry-based enterprising communities are particularly associated with their territory and, therefore, are very conditioned by the local culture. This paper aims to explore the relationship between culture and competitiveness in small-scale Latin-American forestry-based enterprising communities. Design/methodology/approach This study used 212 surveys in companies linked to the production, industrialisation and commercialisation sector of the forestry industry in the province of Misiones (Argentina), using partial least squares to analyse the relationships thereof. Findings Culture and competitive advantages improve the growth of small-scale timber businesses and growth, in turn, increases financial performance. However, culture does not have an impact on competitive advantage and no interaction effect of culture on competitive advantage was detected. The results can indicate that there might be a need to incorporate other concepts and operationalisation that are better suited to the geographical and industrial contexts in developing countries. Research limitations/implications The literature and measures used to operationalise variables in the survey did not necessarily succeed in capturing the culture in the studied small- and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, the design of the sample and subjective measures may partially condition the results. Practical implications For business managers and consultants, this study indicates that they must take into account the local culture to improve performance. Entrepreneurs must reorient the company strategy towards the long term, integrating local culture into their strategy to generate competitive advantages. Social implications Political authorities and social agents should also take into consideration the cultural aspects of the territory when implementing regulations and specific actions to improve the industry and strengthen the sense of community. The results highlight the vitality of animators and development agencies and of any factor that fosters social cohesion. Originality/value The paper shows a new approach to the relationship between culture and competitiveness in small-scale forestry-based enterprising communities, combining performance in a formal sector with the bazaar model.

Market coopetition

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 465-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Khairulnizam Sahlan ◽  
Mohd Fauzi Abu-Hussin ◽  
Aminudin Hehsan
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Understanding ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Religious Influences ◽  
Case Methodology ◽  
Information Pattern ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore coopetition, a strategy that combines cooperation and competition, in addressing relationships between small grocery retailers. Using coopetition as an underlying concept, this study examines how religious influences play a role in determining business strategies for grocery retailers. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper integrates the concept of coopetition into a definition that holds for coopetitive interactions across small-scale retailers. The study uses a qualitative multi-case methodology to gather data regarding horizontal channel relationships in retailing. A preliminary pilot study was conducted to gain a clearer understanding and develop a basic information pattern for the relationship between Halal Mart retailers and coopetition. Findings Preliminary findings have shown that halal mart retailers at Muslim marts may have involvement with four categories of business relationships (cooperation, competition, coexistence and coopetition). Originality/value This paper provides a conceptual understanding of coopetition among small firms, which have not received much focus in the literature. The addition of religiosity extends the theory of coopetition beyond activity, actors and resources.

The effects of knowledge transfer on farmers decision making toward sustainable agriculture practices

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Adnan ◽  
Shahrina Md Nordin ◽  
Imran Rahman ◽  
Amir Noor
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Green Technology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adoption Decision ◽  
Paddy Farmers ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Initial Objective ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to enhance the adoption decision of farmers and observe the factors that affect the adoption decision of sustainable agriculture practices (SAP) which is the major motivating force of Malaysian economy. The idea behind this study is to transfer knowledge to paddy farmers within regional areas of Malaysia and to comprehend their understanding of social innovation and sustainable agriculture engineering and their overall significance. The outcome of this research will suggest a strategic extensive plan to encourage the use of SAP and also help to develop SAP helping toward building a sustainable society. Design/methodology/approach This paper encompasses three phases: analyzing the process of SAP among Malaysian Paddy farmers, to agricultural industrialization, until the stage of SAP led by farmer’s co-operatives, discussing the relevant practice together with literature and historically evidencing that there is no better way to promote SAP among regional paddy farmers within Malaysia. Findings Initial objective of this paper is to establish a thoughtful approach to enable the society to bridge a gap between embracing sustainability. The second objective investigates the misconception among farmers about social innovation. Furthermore, the study builds the conceptual framework and examines the relationship among the relevant constructs, this framework is critically examining the literature within paddy farming context. Harmoniously, there has been limited empirical research performed on the decision of adoption toward SAP usage among paddy farmers in Malaysia. Originality/value The clear worth of this research paper is the illustration from past reviews and practices to endorse SAP usage among paddy farmers in Malaysia. Another literature review suggests that these countermeasures comprehensively, historically, and theoretically are proven result oriented. The information about SAP will be beneficial for farmers and policy maker who are interested in the advancement. This learning delivers a comparative summary of knowledge transfer influencing farmer’s intention and behavior of sustainable agriculture engineering to adopt green technology. In a future study, these construct will be empirically tested.

Decomposing the relationship between wage and churning

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 660-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Duhautois ◽  
Fabrice Gilles ◽  
Héloïse Petit
Keyword(s):  
Content Type ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Wage Effect ◽  
Quit Rate ◽  
Wage Effects ◽  
Lower Mobility ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Very High ◽  
Labour Turnover

Purpose – Applied research shows higher wages are associated with lower mobility at the establishment level. A usual interpretation is that high pay decreases labour turnover. The purpose of this paper is to test if such relationship holds for every type of worker in every type of firm. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is based on a linked employer-employee panel dataset covering the French private sector from 2002 to 2005. The authors compute establishment wage effects and use them as explanatory variables in labour mobility equations (for churning rate and quit rate). Using spline regression models enables to investigate for potential non-linearities. Findings – The authors show that the relationship between churning rate and wage is non-linear and has the shape of an inverted J: the relation is negative and intense for establishments with low wage effect, weaker for average paying establishments and even becomes positive for very high-paying ones. This is true whatever the skill group of workers. It is also true for large establishments while the relationship is still negative but linear for small ones. The relationship between wages and quit rates has a strikingly similar pattern. This suggests that the link between churning and establishment wage effect is strongly related to quit decisions. Practical implications – A possible interpretation of our results is that paying higher wages may be an effective stabilizing tool especially for employers in small establishments and when starting wages are relatively low. Originality/value – The paper is the first to decompose the relationship between wage and mobility. It shows the relationship differs across establishment size and is not linear. The paper also shows quits play a role in this relationship.

Predicting visitors’ satisfaction and behavioral intentions from service quality in the context of a small-scale outdoor sport event

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Tzetzis ◽  
Kostantinos Alexandris ◽  
Sophia Kapsampeli
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Behavioral Intentions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Quality Model ◽  
Sport Event ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Quality Dimensions ◽  
Sport Events ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test if the service quality model, proposed by Shonk and Chelladurai (2008), can be applied in the context of a small-scale sport event. Design/methodology/approach – This model proposes the following dimensions: access quality, venue quality and contest quality. Furthermore the study aimed to test if satisfaction acts as a mediator of the relationships between service quality and behavioral intentions. Findings – The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) provided support for the factorial validity of the service quality model. The psychometric properties of all the scales were satisfactory. In terms of the mediation analysis the results provided partially support for the hypotheses. Satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between access, venue quality and intention and partially mediated the relationship between contest quality and intentions. Furthermore, satisfaction partially mediated all the relationships between the quality dimensions and word-of-mouth communications. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed. Originality/value – This paper fulfils a need to develop a service quality model and its influence for visitors’ satisfaction and behavioral intentions at small-scale sport events.

Exploring offender manager’s experiences of psychologically informed consultation on relationships with service users within the offender personality disorder pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-328
Author(s):  
Kay Radcliffe ◽  
Bethany Carrington ◽  
Max Ward
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Psychological Consultation ◽  
Probation Service ◽  
Harm To Others ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The Yorkshire and Humber Personality Disorder Partnership (YHPDP) provides psychological consultation and formulation to offender managers (OMs) within the National Probation Service as part of the offender personality disorder (OPD) pathway. The pathway highlights the importance of formulation-led case management to develop pathways for offenders with personality difficulties at high risk of causing serious harm to others. This study aims to ask what is the experience of psychological consultation/formulation on the relationship between a sample of service users (SUs) and their OMs. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with five OMs who had engaged in at least three consultations with YHPDP psychologists/psychotherapists within the OPD pathway. Qualitative methods were used to analyse the data, specifically interpretative phenomenological analysis, which is useful when dealing with complexity, process or novelty. Findings OMs experienced the consultation/formulation process to be containing and reflective. They found complex, emotionally demanding clients who have offended and have personality disorder traits could be responded to differently as a result of this process. From an OM perspective, this improved the relationship between themselves and their SUs and supported risk management. These conclusions must be tentative, as they are drawn from a small-scale qualitative study, but provides the basis for further research. Originality/value Although there is increasing research into the outcomes of the OPD pathway, little has been done regarding the experience of the relationship between OMs and SUs. This research takes a qualitative perspective to explore this area.

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