Building a business model for a new form of hospitality: the albergo diffuso

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 307-323
Author(s):  
Silvia Fissi ◽  
Alberto Romolini ◽  
Elena Gori
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Opportunity ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Local Traditions ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Village

Purpose In recent years, tourists have become more interested in discovery the authenticity of a destination. The albergo diffuso (AD) is a response to this new requirement of tourist experience. The AD indeed is based on an accommodation solution with rooms distributed in various buildings across a village. The purpose of this study is to analyze the AD business model supporting the development of this emerging business opportunity in the accommodation industry. Design/methodology/approach The research is conducted with a multiple case study approach, collecting data from different sources such as semi-structured interviews and archival research. The cases are all located in Italy where the AD was applied for the first time. Findings The AD business model is based on business idea, value creation and innovation. The business idea is based on the aim to contribute to the renaissance of a village with an emotional link between the entrepreneur and the village. Regarding the value creation, the AD is a form of accommodation that offers more than a hotel experience. The tourist can live like a resident and experiencing local traditions and culture. The innovation is indeed related to the services that are totally different from a traditional hotel. Originality/value Considering the previous studies, this research tries to fill the gap concerning the necessity to define the characteristics of the AD business model and to understand the key elements at the base of this hospitality approach.

An employee-oriented perspective in the value-creating mission of social enterprises

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Quynh-Trang Nguyen ◽  
Ming-Yen Lee ◽  
Yi-Chung Hu
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Equal Importance ◽  
Primary Means ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
New Perspective

Purpose This study aims to concentrate on a specific perspective that has mostly been ignored: employees in social enterprises (SEs). It proposes that employees in SEs should be treated with equal importance to outside beneficiaries within the SEs’ value-creating mission. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study approach is adopted, and semi-structured interviews are the primary means of data collection. Findings The results show that while economic values are fundamental for the employment relationship, social values play the leading role in employees’ motivation; thus, they can significantly affect the organization’s operation and development. Research limitations/implications This work contributes to Maslow’s need theory and psychological contract theory regarding their application to SEs. Practical lessons and suggestions are also provided for SEs’ development. Originality/value By emphasizing the value-creating mission of SEs with the new perspective of including employees in it, this work provides empirical evidence and practical lessons for SEs, especially Asian SEs, in terms of management and strategy.

scholarly journals Effectuation logic in digital business model transformation

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 811-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
William W. Baber ◽  
Arto Ojala ◽  
Ricardo Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Model Transformation ◽  
Business Models ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Digital Business Models ◽  
Causal Logic

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study how digital business models evolve when entrepreneurs move to new digital platforms and how this evolution is related to effectuation and causation logics. Design/methodology/approach This study applies a multiple case study approach to investigate how digital business models change in small, Japanese high-tech firms providing their innovations through different digital platforms. To investigate digital business models, this study considers the elements that comprise general business models. The case firms were selected based on size, products and transitions from physical to various digital platforms. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the key decision-makers from the case firms. Findings The findings show that through digital transformation, the case firms’ digital business models evolved by following effectuation logic as well as causal logic. All the firms employed causal logic when moving to new platforms, among other actions. The case firms used effectual logic with success for product development and adjustments to their network. Especially firms providing video games relied on effectuation for high impact products. Effectual logic did not play a role at all in changes to value delivery and had only little impact on revenue structures. Originality/value This research helps understand how digitalization of platforms and subsequent moves to newer digital platforms improve a firm by changing the business model elements through effectuation and causation logics. This research extends the understanding of digital business model transformation to a more granular level, business model elements.

A qualitative exploration of mixed feeding intentions in first-time mothers

2022 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-29
Author(s):  
Amy Burton ◽  
Jennifer Taylor ◽  
Sophie Swain ◽  
Joanna Heyes ◽  
Fiona Cust ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breastfeeding Duration ◽  
Mixed Feed ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Breastfeeding Intention ◽  
First Child ◽  
Feeding Activities ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
First Time

Background Breastfeeding intention can predict breastfeeding behaviour and is influenced by theory of planned behaviour constructs. Despite associations with reduced breastfeeding duration, there is a lack of research to explore the intention to mixed feed infants. Aims This study aimed to explore the factors that influence pregnant women's intentions to mixed feed their first child. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four women pregnant with their first child who intended to mixed feed. An in-depth idiographic multiple case study approach grounded in a ‘subtle realist’ epistemology was used. Results The interviews highlighted the importance of flexibility in feeding decisions, a perception of breastfeeding as restrictive and obstructive to normality and the presence of misinformation and unrealistic expectations about breastfeeding. Conclusions Women need to be informed and supported by professionals, peers, families and broader communities. Cultural narratives must be challenged to enable mothers to feel in control of feeding decisions and without the need to justify feeding activities to protect themselves from anticipated negative emotions.

scholarly journals How ethnic cultures influence practice-based learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-197
Author(s):  
Kwok Wah Ronnie Lui ◽  
Sarojni Choy
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Culture ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Everyday Work ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Work Integrated Learning ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
Vocational Curriculum

Purpose This paper aims to report on a study that used the practice theory lens to understand how Chinese ethnic culture influences restaurant workers' learning through engagement in everyday work practices. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study approach was used. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews and site observations. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify how workers learnt the sayings, doings and relatings in their workplaces. Findings The findings show that the ethnic culture of the participants influences and enriches their learning in practice settings such as small Chinese restaurants. Research limitations/implications The understandings presented here need to be verified through more research in different regions and nations. In addition, cross-cultural studies on other ethnic restaurants may contribute to deeper understandings of the influences of ethnic culture on practice-based learning. Social implications The research contributes to understanding the influence of ethnic culture on practice-based learning. Originality/value The understandings gained from the findings of this study form a useful basis for curriculum development and instructional design of training programmes for practice-based as well as work-integrated-learning components of vocational curriculum. Furthermore, awareness of the strengths of the ethnic culture is of interest to owner/managers of small Chinese restaurants to afford supportive learning environments for workers.

Interpersonal and inter-organizational relationship drivers of supply chain integration

2018 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. 1170-1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill Wang ◽  
Yuanfei Kang ◽  
Paul Childerhouse ◽  
Baofeng Huo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Personal Communication ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Multiple Case

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how interpersonal relationships (IPRs) and inter-organisational relationships (IORs) interact with each other as driving forces of supply chain integration (SCI). More specifically (the) three dimensions of IPR – personal affection, personal credibility, and personal communication – are examined in regards to how they affect inter-organisational relationships during SCI. Design/methodology/approach The research employed an exploratory multiple case study approach with four New Zealand case companies selected as the empirical basis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews of managerial executives in relation to supply chain activities, which were triangulated with company archival data. Findings The authors found that IPRs are able to interact with IORs to influence the integration of supply chains. More specifically, IPRs influence IORs by initiating organisational relationships in the SCI context; and influences from IPR dimensions on IORs tend to be of differing magnitudes and have different evolutional paths across the whole SCI process. Originality/value This research contributes to knowledge about the roles and mechanisms through which IPRs shape and enable inter-organisational level relationships within the SCI context.

Crowdfunding cultural projects and networking the value creation

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-254
Author(s):  
Caterina Foà
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Model Canvas

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how online crowdfunding is strategically applied to artistic productions featuring strong social and cultural values, exploring potential and risks of networking value creation and community engagement. Mission-driven initiatives and their crowdfunding campaigns are analyzed through platform society framework (van Dijk, 2019), considering the business models and marketing strategies that support the scope and intentions of a variety of agents involved within the online networks. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative multiple case-study approach is adopted to sample and analyze in depth significant examples from the most representative crowdsponsoring platforms in Portugal. Agents’ perspectives and practices are collected through semi-structured interviews with campaign creators and platform managers, and complemented by the design of specific business model canvas (Osterwalder and Pigneur, 2010) adapted to crowdfunding projects. Communication strategies and social media marketing are considered, metering agent’s profile and comparing performance and online engagement through profile and official pages observation. Findings Main findings point out that a crowdfunding campaign requires to set up a specific business model and marketing strategy articulation that go beyond the traditional cultural enterprises differentiation criteria, hybridizing them through experience-led marketing logic, extended product conceptualization and a critical cultural entrepreneurship approach. Community engagement operations need to be structured and integrated through online and offline social networks activities, and the value creation is build through shared meaning construction and interpretation between creators and backers, with the support of others agents involved within crowdfunding value network. It also states that the conceptualization of crowdfunding phenomenon as a service ecosystem (Quero and Ventura, 2019) could be extended, to comprehend other actors and power position within intermediation processes, namely, social network and social media platforms corporations, online payments services, online users, legacy media entities and others stakeholders as matchfunding organizations and partners for products’ development and distribution. Research limitations/implications The research design could be improved by adding more quantitative and social analytics data or an international cases comparison to complete these preliminary results. Practical implications The findings could assist arts and media managers as well as cultural agents to adapt their strategies to emergent business and marketing models, strongly influenced by dominant barging positions in the value chain held by new digital intermediaries, and to better explore product levels to strengthen interactions and engagement with communities of interest and supporters for the creation of value. Social implications This paper contributes to elaborate a more accurate scientific knowledge and critical perspective about crowfunding system evolution, concerning both individual and collective agencies, and their implication for different types of agents and networked individuals between institutions (Dutton, 2009). Originality/value This study is unique, as it adopts a multidisciplinary approach and a comprehensive analysis of Portuguese crowdsponsoring phenomenon, and it offers a valid contribution to the analysis of crowdfunding as value-creation network.

International purchasing offices in China: roles and resource/capability requirements

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1125-1157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Sartor ◽  
Guido Orzes ◽  
Guido Nassimbeni ◽  
Fu Jia ◽  
Richard Lamming
Keyword(s):  
Stable Configuration ◽  
Global Sourcing ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Change Over Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Effective Performance ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Over Time

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address global sourcing organisational design through the following research questions: how do the roles performed by International Purchasing Offices (IPOs) change over time?; what are the resources/capabilities required by an IPO for an effective performance and how do they change over time?; and what are the contingent factors affecting such changes? Design/methodology/approach – The authors employed an exploratory multiple case study approach and analysed 14 Western IPOs located in China for a period between 2007 and 2012. The data were primarily collected through 34 direct, semi-structured interviews of IPO heads and sourcing managers or senior buyers. Findings – The authors identify and discuss the importance of ten roles played by IPOs and 12 required resources/capabilities. Furthermore, considering the changes that occurred to these IPOs over a five-year period (2007-2012), the authors observe three distinct evolutionary behaviours (i.e. “overall development”, “selective development”, and “stable configuration”) and highlight three contingent factors that jointly affect these behaviours (i.e. the architectural and technological complexity of the sourced items, annual volume sourced abroad, and experience in the foreign context). Originality/value – This paper contributes to the resource-based view of the firm in a global sourcing context by highlighting the resources/capabilities required by IPOs and discussing their characteristics. Furthermore, it proposes a typology of IPO micro-organisational evolutionary behaviours. Finally, it applies contingency theory and identifies three factors that might affect the evolutionary behaviours.

scholarly journals Using the business model canvas to improve investment processes

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesper C. Sort ◽  
Christian Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Business Angels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Business Model Canvas ◽  
Business Cases ◽  
Communication Challenges ◽  
Investment Process

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how entrepreneurs market their business opportunities towards business angels in the investment process. This is achieved by introducing the business model canvas as a mitigating framework to help entrepreneurs in communicating and structuring the information desired by business angels. Design/methodology/approach This paper mobilises a case study approach by following a series of investment processes and investment meetings between entrepreneurs and business angels through 27 semi-structured interviews as well as participant observation and qualitative participant feedback from 13 investment processes. Findings The findings illustrate how introducing a framework like the business model canvas helps alleviate the informational and communication challenges between entrepreneurs and business angels. However, some problems occurred when the entrepreneurs and the business angels did not fully agree on the value proposition of the investment opportunity. Research limitations/implications The findings show that entrepreneurs who market their business cases to investors obtain better feedback and a higher chance of funding using the business model canvas. Implications of this paper also relate to the preparation of the entrepreneurs and that matchmakers between entrepreneurs and investors can use the business model canvas to facilitate such processes. Originality/value This paper contributes to both the theory of the investment process as well as the application of the business model canvas.

scholarly journals Sustaining extended enterprises as a matter of institutional logics: insights from the railway sector

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Lammerdina Bobbink ◽  
Andreas Hartmann ◽  
Geert Dewulf
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Context ◽  
Institutional Logics ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Business Units ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Resource Coordination

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effect of institutional logics on the intended resource coordination and integration in extended enterprises (EEs). Design/methodology/approach The qualitative multiple case study approach collected data from three EEs and their hierarchical organizational context in the restructured and privatized railway sector of the Netherlands by observing 40 meetings, conducting 31 semi-structured interviews and 9 feedback meetings and perusing organizational documents. Findings Performance and professional logics characterized the EEs and their hierarchical organizational context. Aligning these logics failed to support the resource coordination and integration in the EEs because of the logics’ resource-centric nature. The co-creation logic in one of the EEs mitigated this resource centrism by addressing the resource personifications and representations of the professional and performance logics. Business unit representatives having hierarchically overlapping organizational positions supported this change process by offering protection from resource-centric logics. Research limitations/implications The chosen research design limits the generalization of the findings but reveals new scientific and practical insights on the role of institutional logics for sustaining EEs. Practical implications The various EE business-units, but especially their contract and concession authorities, need to realize the crippling effect of resource-centric logics on sustaining an EE. Becoming aware of the resource personifications and representations of these logics can assist in addressing their negative effects. Originality/value No previous studies have empirically investigated the effect of institutional logics on the intended resource coordination and integration in EEs.

Social urbanism: public policy and place brand

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Social Problem ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Local Stakeholders ◽  
Place Brand ◽  
The City

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on how a public policy designed to address a social problem ultimately became the place brand.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a qualitative case study approach focusing on the city of Medellín, Colombia. It draws from fieldwork conducted in Medellín over 2014 and 2015, including semi-structured interviews with an array of local stakeholders.FindingsThe paper concludes that local governments should be aware that the policymaking process can become part of their branding. It also shows the importance of the continual involvement of stakeholders in the place brand process to ensure it is a sustainable brand.Originality/valueThere are limited studies which focus on how a public policy designed to address a social problem ultimately becomes the place brand. This paper shows how a public policy, social urbanism, became the branding of Medellín.

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