SWOT analysis of the truffles market in Greece

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (12) ◽  
pp. 1976-1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaia Tsitsipati ◽  
Christodoulou Athanasios

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the suitability of Greece as a possible market for truffles. Primary data were collected and analysed in a systematic and detailed way to highlight the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of this prospective market development. Design/methodology/approach – A multi-stage survey was conducted using qualitative and quantitative research methods. The data obtained were analysed using the SWOT analysis method. Findings – The survey highlighted the market characteristics of truffles in Greece. These were sorted into four categories: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks. Results show that truffles have an attractive mix of qualities; however, issues such as the lack of intermediary and customer knowledge and the limited communication of their benefits need to be overcome. Research limitations/implications – Findings showed that the use of SWOT analysis in specialized food products provides marketers and professionals’ insight and guidance into designing their marketing activities. Practical implications – Truffles production or trading requires strong commitment by professionals who want to succeed in this market field. Social implications – Truffles market growth could contribute to the social welfare through the creation of supplemental income, the cultivation of arid fields and the conservation of natural resources due to their environmentally friendly manner of production. Originality/value – For the first time, SWOT analysis is used to investigate the factors that shape the market of specialized products in the food sector.

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Marie Kennedy ◽  
Andrew Parsons

Purpose – The aim of this article is to explore how social engineering and social marketing are connected, and how social marketing is a tool used to achieve adherence to social engineering. Design/methodology/approach – Through examination of contemporary and historical thinking around social marketing, we present a conceptual argument that social marketing is another tool of the social engineer, and that social engineering, through methods such as social marketing, is pervasive throughout all societies in positive ways. Findings – We develop a conceptual model of social engineering and social marketing, which goes beyond behaviour change to incorporate the essentials of society and the influencers of those essentials. In doing so, we show that social marketing influenced behaviour lies within the social engineering influenced laws, codes and norms of society, which in turn lie within the morals, values and beliefs of society. Originality/value – This article provides for the first time a conceptual grounding of social marketing within social engineering, enabling academics and practitioners to contextualise social marketing activities in a broader societal framework.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwadwo Twumasi-Ampofo ◽  
Rexford Assasie Oppong ◽  
Victor K. Quagraine

PurposeThis study focuses on historic buildings and site preservation (HBSP), which forms part of cultural heritage amidst rampant demolishing and seeming neglect of such heritage in Ghana. The purpose of this study is to assess public awareness of the importance of HBSP in Kumasi.Design/methodology/approachThe study combines qualitative and quantitative research methods. Primary data were collected through questionnaires and interviews based on a purposive sampling technique. Respondents were residents of Kumasi.FindingsThe study revealed that awareness of the importance of HBSP is dependent on the demographic variables. The young generation below 30 years seems more aware of the importance of HBSP.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited by the fact that respondents were not willing to reveal income levels. Laws governing cultural heritage, including HBSP at the MMDAs, was not studied in detail and could be an area for further research.Practical implicationsThis study brings out the need to be aware of the importance of HBSP and train staff to enforce laws governing HBSP in six metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) as part of Ghana's urban regeneration. This study further raises awareness among residents for sustainable architectural heritage preservation in Ghana.Originality/valueThe concept of HBSP is not popular in Ghana. This academic paper apparently assesses the level of awareness of the importance of HBSP among residents in Kumasi with an aim to identify and train staff of MMDAs on laws governing HBSP.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shoaib ◽  
Hazir Ullah

PurposeThis paper attempts to explore possible contributing factors of females' outperformance and males' underperformance in the higher education in Pakistan from teachers' perspective. The central question of the study is what are the key factors that affect female and male students' educational performance at the university level? Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) as a framework, we attempted to predict differentials of the perceived “female outperformance” and “male underperformance” in higher education. We carried out the study by employing quantitative research methods.Design/methodology/approachThe data for the study come from 253 teachers from University of the Punjab-largest and oldest University in Pakistan. We used a structured questionnaire for data collection. The analysis was carried out with the help of ANN model. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data.FindingsThe testing results of ANN indicated 85.3% of teachers' perception was correctly predicted on various dimensions of performance differentials across female and male students in higher education.Research limitations/implicationsThe study banks on primary data collected from teachers of the University of University of the Punjab, Pakistan. Thus, the study's universe was limited to one university – University of Punjab. It is purely based on a quantitative approach employing ANN.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study have several significant implications, i.e. it makes a significant contribution to the existing body of scholarly texts on the issue of gender reverse change in academic performance in higher education.Originality/valueThe findings of this research, derived from primary data in Pakistan context, qualify this research as an original one. We also claim that this study is one of the first studies on gender reverse change in academic performance among graduate students in a public sector university of Pakistan employing ANN.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Mitchell ◽  
Judith Madill ◽  
Samia Chreim

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the tensions that marketing practitioners in social enterprises experience, and to explore how these tensions impact the development and implementation of marketing activities. Design/methodology/approach Using an approach informed by grounded theory, this paper reports on an investigation of the tensions facing 15 social enterprises. The primary data comprises semi-structured interviews with senior marketing decision-makers, supplemented with archival sources. Findings The analysis shows tensions and dualities inform the social and commercial strategic marketing activities of the social enterprises. These tensions and dualities are linked to how the organization obtains financial resources, the nature of the organization’s growth, working with myriad stakeholders and competitive versus cooperative pressures. A model outlining the dualities and their links to marketing activities is developed. Research limitations/implications The study provides an in-depth analysis of a small, regional sample of Canadian social enterprises. The study serves as a foundation for future research aimed at elaborating the model we propose. Practical implications The findings point to tensions and dualities that play an important role in enabling and restricting the development and implementation of strategic marketing activities in social enterprises. Understanding the nature of these dualities is crucial for social enterprise managers and social marketers as they develop strategic activities. Social implications Social enterprises engage in activities that offer substantial social benefits, yet the development of marketing activities in these organizations requires confronting tensions that must be carefully managed. Originality/value This paper highlights how dualities facing marketing practitioners in social enterprises influence the development of both social and for-profit marketing activities. The paper offers a model of these dualities. The findings help to extend our understanding of the complex environmental influences impacting marketing practices within social enterprise organizations. Understanding the nature of these environmental influences helps to attune marketers to the potential opportunities and challenges of using social enterprise as an organizational form for launching social marketing programs, as well as providing a theoretical basis for future investigations of marketing practice in social enterprise and social marketing organizations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 126-135
Author(s):  
Mujiatno . ◽  
M. Syamsul Maarif ◽  
Yunus Triyonggo

Koperasi Telkomsel (Kisel) as a business of selling and distributing telecommunication products, need to adapt and formulate new strategies in changes of telecommunications sector as a result of customer behavior and the Covid-19 pandemic effects. The aims of this research are to formulate Kisel’s strategy, starting from environment analysis, formulate alternative strategy, and create strategy priority in sales and distribution of telecommunication products changes. This research was conducted using qualitative and quantitative research methods with primary data collection techniques from 31 respondents through surveys, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD), as well as using secondary data from internal data and literature studies. The selection of respondents was carried out deliberately (purposive sampling) considering that the selected respondents have experience and expertise in their fields and have the authority to determine policies and operational decisions. From this research, the results of the identification and analysis of environmental factors were obtained with an Internal Factors Evaluation (IFE) value of 2.74 and an External Factors Evaluation (EFE) of 3.04. These results are in the build & growth quadrant of IE Matrix with intensive strategies such as market penetration, market development, product development and integration strategies. From the SWOT analysis and QSPM decision-making technique, Kisel’s four strategic initiatives and priorities were obtained, such as maintaining and securing existing businesses, strengthening business infrastructure and digital business foundations, strengthening and developing core businesses and expanding non-captive market businesses. Keywords: Formulation of Strategy, Koperasi Telkomsel, Telecommunication, SWOT Analysis, QSPM.


Author(s):  
Gary Goertz ◽  
James Mahoney

Some in the social sciences argue that the same logic applies to both qualitative and quantitative research methods. This book demonstrates that these two paradigms constitute different cultures, each internally coherent yet marked by contrasting norms, practices, and toolkits. The book identifies and discusses major differences between these two traditions that touch nearly every aspect of social science research, including design, goals, causal effects and models, concepts and measurement, data analysis, and case selection. Although focused on the differences between qualitative and quantitative research, the book also seeks to promote toleration, exchange, and learning by enabling scholars to think beyond their own culture and see an alternative scientific worldview. The book is written in an easily accessible style and features a host of real-world examples to illustrate methodological points.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Ramlo ◽  
John B. Nicholas

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reveal and describe the divergent viewpoints about cybersecurity within a purposefully selected group of people with a range of expertise in relation to computer security. Design/methodology/approach Q methodology [Q] uses empirical evidence to differentiate subjective views and, therefore, behaviors in relation to any topic. Q uses the strengths of qualitative and quantitative research methods to reveal and describe the multiple, divergent viewpoints that exist within a group where individuals sort statements into a grid to represent their views. Analyses group similar views (sorts). In this study, participants were selected from a range of types related to cybersecurity (experts, authorities and uninformed). Findings Four unique viewpoints emerged such that one represents cybersecurity best practices and the remaining three viewpoints represent poor cybersecurity behaviors (Naïve Cybersecurity Practitioners, Worried but not Vigilant and How is Cybersecurity a Big Problem) that indicate a need for educational interventions within both the public and private sectors. Practical implications Understanding the divergent views about cybersecurity is important within smaller groups including classrooms, technology-based college majors, a company, a set of IT professionals or other targeted groups where understanding cybersecurity viewpoints can reveal the need for training, changes in behavior and/or the potential for security breaches which reflect the human factors of cybersecurity. Originality/value A review of the literature revealed that only large, nation-wide surveys have been used to investigate views of cybersecurity. Yet, surveys are not useful in small groups, whereas Q is designed to investigate behavior through revealing subjectivity within smaller groups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-109
Author(s):  
Mattoasi Mattoasi ◽  
Didiet Pratama Musue ◽  
Yaman Rauf

PThis study aims to determine the effect of the internal control system on the performance of local government Case Study in Gorontalo Regency. This study uses quantitative research methods, and the data sources use primary data obtained from questionnaires distributed to respondents. Meanwhile, the data analysis used in this research is descriptive quantitative analysis using statistical t-test and coefficient of determination test (ajusted R-Square). The results showed that the internal control system had a positive effect on the performance of local governments with a determinant value of 48.7%. The result of this study contribute to the government to establish and implement a more effectives Internal Constrol Systems (ICS).  


IMP Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
William James Newell

Purpose The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to examine how buyer-supplier episodes are characterised by their dimensions of time and social space, and how these dimensions interact to impact the criticality of an episode; second, to explore how time and social space create patterns of episodes that lead to buyer-supplier relationship change and continuity; and third, to examine the social space by the different roles that the buyer assumes among their episodes, while focusing on the concept of critical time to denote the temporal context. Design/methodology/approach A case study of a small retailer and five suppliers is employed. The primary data are e-mail communications between the buying and selling firms, along with a two-week field study at the retailer’s location. A total of 2,000 e-mails are coded to yield 75 episodes for the analysis. Findings The criticality of episodes differs depending on the role that the buyer assumes, and whether the episode occurs within a critical time period. The social space affects the type of criticality, while critical times enhance an episode’s criticality. This study outlines five different patterns of episodes occurring within critical times and across social spaces that characterise each of the buyer-supplier relationships. Research limitations/implications This paper focuses on e-mail communication, with little data on interactions occurring outside of this medium. Originality/value To the researcher’s knowledge, this paper is the first to link specific patterns of episode characteristics to the concept of buyer roles. It also examines episodes using e-mail communication, which is not a common source within the IMP research stream.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document