scholarly journals A resource-based view of the firm and micro and small Italian wine firms

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Alessandro Bressan
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Small Enterprise ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Resource Based View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustained Competitive Advantage ◽  
Red Tape

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm is adopted to explore the most important resources among micro and small firms operating in Italy’s wine industry. Second, the study incorporates a SWOT analysis to examine perceived strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats based on the perceptions of owners and managers of these firms. Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire was designed to gather both quantitative and qualitative data from Italian wineries; a total of 211 firms participated in the study. Findings Product quality, managerial/staff capabilities, knowledge, reputation, service quality and the territory/region emerge as most important resources, clearly aligning with the attributes of the RBV, namely, valuable, rare, imperfectly imitable and (non)substitutable resources. However, based on the RBV, the future-sustained competitive advantage is threatened by, among other factors, the firm’s finances, competition, red tape and the complexity of increasing sales. Originality/value Fundamentally, the research contributes to micro and small enterprise literature, and to the limited number of studies that have used the RBV of the firm in the context of micro and small wineries. This theoretical framework is used among wineries of one of the world’s leading wine producing nations. Some dimensions of this country’s wine industry have received limited academic attention. In addition, the study provides practical value in identifying resources, limitations, and threats at a time when micro and small wineries are seeking to develop or increase their international presence.

Confronting the unprecedented: micro and small businesses in the age of coronavirus disease 2019

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Bressan ◽  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Seng Kiat Kok
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behaviour ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Stakeholders

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to understand how micro and small firms are navigating through the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat, and the alternatives they are implementing to coexist with the ongoing crisis. To this end, Italy's socioeconomically and traditionally significant wine industry is examined. The study considers insights of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and develops a theoretical framework, which proposes various emerging theoretical dimensions, including proactiveness, support-reliance and resourcefulness.Design/methodology/approachWinery owners–managers were contacted and invited to partake in the study completing an online questionnaire. Overall, 167 useable responses were collected.FindingsWhile facing the loss of vital income through decreasing demand and exports, participants resort to exploiting various initiatives, including “reinventing” their firms. Their observations also recognise the vital supporting role of various key stakeholders, first and foremost family members, as well as clients and staff. Concerning how owners-managers envision managing their firm post-COVID-19, two predominant groups are identified, one strongly favouring modern-day alternatives, and the second committing to the firm's traditional business model. Overall, the different predictors of the TPB, namely attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control emerged.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first that empirically analyses micro and small firms in a socioeconomically and traditionally significant industry during an unprecedented event. In addition, the proposed theoretical framework provides a roadmap and guide to examine, understand and assimilate the entrepreneurial journey through a devastating event.

scholarly journals Micro and small business innovation in a traditional industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Alessandro Bressan
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Wine Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Traditional Industry ◽  
New Consumer

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore innovation among micro and small business operators in Italy’s wine industry. Moreover, in adopting the theory of innovation, the study examines winery operators’ perceptions on innovation, ways in which wineries are innovating and whether participants’ responses vary based on demographic characteristics. Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire designed for this study gathered the responses of 211 participants, composed by owners, winemakers, directors and business partners. Findings Innovation is fundamentally associated with minimising ecological footprint, investments, making improvements in the winery, adapting to trends and new consumer demands and, importantly, with maintaining traditions while enhancing the quality of the wines. Further, participants primarily agree with involvement in wine tourism and adoption of social media as predominant forms of innovating. Several inter-group differences particularly based on levels of wine production and size of the winery emerged. Overall, the findings align with the dimensions of the theory of innovation, namely, benefits, costs, resources and discounting factors. Originality/value Despite the significance of Italy’s wine industry, in terms of exports and consumption on a global scale, academic research focusing on this industry’s innovative practices has been limited. Similarly, there is scant research on innovation among micro and small firms, or on industries relevant to countries’ socio-economic capital. This exploratory study provides an element of originality and value, exploring and contributing to the literature on these under-researched areas.

Marketing capabilities for small and medium enterprises that supply large companies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emerson Wagner Mainardes ◽  
Gabriela Pessoa de Oliveira Cisneiros ◽  
Carlos Jorge Taborda Macedo ◽  
Amilson de Araujo Durans
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Marketing Theory ◽  
Marketing Capabilities ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustained Competitive Advantage

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of marketing capabilities on market orientation and sustained competitive advantage from the viewpoint of managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that supply large companies. This paper also analyzes the moderating role of exposure to external turbulence in the relationship between marketing capabilities and sustained competitive advantage, and between marketing capabilities and market orientation for SMEs. Design/methodology/approach Based on the literature, this study develops a model to verify the proposed relationships. An online questionnaire collected data from 423 managers of SMEs that supply large companies to test the model. This paper analyzes the proposed model using structural equation modeling with partial least squares. Findings According to the surveyed managers, marketing capabilities tend to play a significant role in the market orientation and perceived sustained competitive advantage of SMEs that supply large companies. Better-developed marketing capabilities can strengthen the market orientation of SMEs, helping to achieve and maintain a sustained competitive advantage. They will, thus, attract more clients and minimize their risk, regardless of the environment in which they operate. Research limitations/implications This research contributes to marketing theory by highlighting the marketing capabilities of SMEs that supply large companies and demonstrating the importance of such capabilities for their survival. Originality/value The study investigated the views of the SME managers that supply large companies about their company’s marketing capabilities. Traditionally, these companies have had little concern for marketing. This research focuses on an emerging market, that is not usually addressed.

Drivers affecting the adoption and effectiveness of social media investments

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonino Galati ◽  
Salvatore Tinervia ◽  
Antonio Tulone ◽  
Maria Crescimanno
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Latent Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
Communication Plan ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to identify distinct organisational models in a sample of firms operating in the wine industry; and second, to identify the main internal resources that characterise those firms most motivated towards the adoption of social media (SM) tools and those that perceive SM investment as more effective. Design/methodology/approach The empirical investigation was carried out by administering an online questionnaire to a sample of 82 Sicilian wineries. The principal component analysis was used to identify latent factors that drive managers to invest in SM technologies and to measure the impact perceived by managers. Subsequently, a cluster analysis was performed to identify similar organisational models. Findings The findings show that large wineries with a high number of employees possessing knowledge and skills in regard to SM tools and social network (SN) management are highly motivated towards the adoption of SM and perceive their SM investment as more effective. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of the paper lies in the limited sample size, which does not allow the results to be generalised. Practical implications The findings provide support for managers, who could use these results to better focus their investment on infrastructure that facilitates the development of specific skills needed to manage SM tools and SNs, as well as customer relations. Originality/value To date, very few empirical studies have focussed on providing evidence on the role and impact of SM integration into the marketing communication plan of a strategic industry, such as the wine industry.

“Micro” versus “small” family businesses: a multinational analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 380-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert N. Lussier ◽  
Matthew C. Sonfield
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Family Businesses ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Small Enterprise ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Family ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Micro Level

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare “micro” enterprise (0-9 employees) to “small” enterprise (10-49 employees) family businesses with regard to 12 important managerial characteristics in eight countries: Argentina, Croatia, Egypt, France, Kosovo, Kuwait, Serbia, and the USA (n=601). Design/methodology/approach – The research methodology was survey research. To statistical test 12 hypotheses, MANCOVA was run to compare differences between micro and small family business, while controlling for years in business. Findings – Six significant differences were: “small” firms are more likely to employ non-family member managers, are more likely to engage in the formulation of succession plans, are more likely to utilize outside advisory services, make greater use of sophisticated financial management methods, and have a more formal management style than “micro” firms; but the influence of the founder is greater in “micro” firms. Practical implications – For practitioners and consultants the findings of this study should enable family business owner/managers, and their advisors, to better understand the possible impacts of moving from a “micro” level to a “small” size level, and thus lead to more effective family business management. Originality/value – This research fills a gap in the literature, as there has been minimal prior research with the specific focus of comparing “micro” vs “small.” Thus, it develops a foundation for further study in this area.

Green marketing innovations in small Indian firms

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prashant Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Green Marketing ◽  
Strategic Partnership ◽  
Ethical Behaviour ◽  
Resource Based View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Commitment ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Downstream Market

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore green marketing innovations in small Indian firms which serve as decisive dimensions for developing green identity of small firms in the market. Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained by interviewing marketing managers for green products in small Indian firms. Findings – Six categories of green marketing innovations are identified – marketing compliance, marketing strategic partnership, marketing environmental commitment, marketing green team, marketing benchmarking and marketing (environmental) ethical behaviour. Research limitations/implications – Though limited to small Indian firms, this study determined their distinct green marketing approaches and innovations. Practical implications – The distinct green marketing approaches and innovations determined indicate that contemporary marketing innovations and decisions have moved beyond limited alternatives predetermined by product and market definitions, and downstream market-related activities such as advertising, packaging, selling or distribution, and are now based on compliance, commitment and leadership in context of small firms. Originality/value – This study is unique to employ natural resource-based view theory in context of determining green marketing innovations in small firms.

Exporting wine in complex times: a study among small and medium wineries

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Alessandro Bressan ◽  
Michelle O’Shea ◽  
Vlad Krajsic
Keyword(s):  
Business Environment ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Business Climate ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Wine Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Wine Market ◽  
Internationalisation Strategies

Purpose – For many wineries, internationalisation strategies, particularly in the form of exports may provide opportunities and financial gains. However, as more wine producers enter and compete in an increasingly convoluted wine market, accordingly the “playing field” in the wine industry becomes increasingly complex. To shed more light into wineries’ internationalisation efforts through exports in the currently uncertain business climate, this preliminary study investigates a group of predominantly micro, small, and medium wineries from both New and Old Worlds of wine. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – An online questionnaire was designed to gather data from winery owners and managers that invited to participate voluntarily in the study; a total of 499 usable responses were obtained. Findings – Diversifying and entering new markets, especially due to domestic competition are respondents’ main reasons for embarking in exports, while unfavourable currency exchange, issues of trust, or entry barriers are key challenges many of them face. Further, despite the relatively limited wine production of most participating wineries, respondents perceive a necessity to be present internationally. Indeed, rather than fitting into a specific business model/cycle, the current complex business environment is triggering export strategies among entrepreneurs. Originality/value – The fiercely competitive wine market and continuously changing consumer trends significantly contribute to the complexities the wine industry faces. However, few academic studies have investigated some of the complexities that wineries located in different geographic, economic, political, and social environments face. In this regard, the study makes a contribution by identifying several developments related to complexity theory, including the impacts of globalisation, competition, and change, and the resulting complexity in the wine sector.

scholarly journals Examining the opportunities and challenges of the Kra Canal: a PESTELE/SWOT analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Po-Hsing Tseng ◽  
Nick Pilcher
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
The Political ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
First Time ◽  
Analytical Frameworks

PurposeMuch literature considers future impacts of the Kra Canal on shipping times and on individual countries. In this paper, the authors consider the maritime business potential of the Kra Canal for companies, ports and countries.Design/methodology/approachBased on a combination of a review of the extant literature, quantitative data from relevant calculations and qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with experts (n = 20) from four countries in the region, this paper contextualises the business potential of the Kra Canal through a PESTELE (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, legal and ethical) analysis before outlining a more targeted SWOT (strengths weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis to consider the potential for maritime business.FindingsThe PESTELE analysis reveals that there are a number of challenges related to the construction and possibility of the Kra Canal being built such as its impact on the political balance within the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. The SWOT analysis shows that the potential of the Kra Canal for maritime business is significant, and that the strengths and opportunities of increased route possibilities and reduced sailing times outweigh any weaknesses and threats.Originality/valueMost studies into the Kra Canal focus on highly specific research targets or provide a particular perspective (e.g. historical). This paper, by drawing on two commonly used analytical frameworks, considers the canal for the first time from a wider context perspective as well as a specifically business one. Recommendations are made for policy makers and maritime businesses on the basis of the results.

External accountants’ business advice and SME performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter John Carey
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
External Support ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Resource Based View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This study aims to investigate whether “small- and medium-sized enterprises” (SMEs) benefit from their external accountants’ business advice through enhanced firm performance. Most SMEs draw on external support, and their main advisors are external accountants (Bennett and Robson, 1999). The resource-based view of the firm suggests that firms will seek external support if they perceive a gap in their internal resources. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from a questionnaire mailed to a random sample of Australian SMEs, defined as businesses having between 5 and 200 full-time employees. Findings – An analysis of 380 survey respondents confirms a positive relationship between the voluntary purchase of business advice and SME performance, and that SME performance is further enhanced when business advice is purchased jointly with auditing. These relationships apply to the small (5-49 employees) but not to the medium-sized (50-200 employees) businesses. Findings are consistent with smaller firms having narrower resource bases and thus a greater need to source business advice. Practical implications – The accounting profession has long encouraged a broadening of its service base, and evidence that small businesses perceive a performance benefit from their accountants’ business advice provides support for the profession’s strategy. Originality/value – This research extends the empirical literature investigating the link between the business advice of an external accountant and SME performance. It explains small firms’ demand for business advice by extending the application of the resource-based view of the firm and provides new evidence consistent with “knowledge spillover” from auditing to business advice in the small firm environment.

scholarly journals What is architectural management? Towards a pragmatic definition

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Alharbi ◽  
Stephen Emmitt ◽  
Peter Demian
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Common Understanding

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a pragmatic definition of architectural management (AM) derived from systematic research. Design/methodology/approach – A triangulated approach to data collection was employed, comprising a number of sequential stages. First, a literature review was carried out to analyse the previous attempts to define the term. Then, a preliminary survey was conducted (online questionnaire) to capture the current interpretations of the term. After that, a new definition was formulated based on analysing and synthesising the collected data. The fourth stage was focused on examining the consistency of the new definition through the perspectives of architectural researchers and practitioners. The final stage was refining the definition based on the feedback. Findings – After following a pragmatic approach for constructing a new definition of AM; and based on the results of the several testing stages, it was found that AM is associated with the strategic management of the architectural office and its individual projects; and it is responsible for value design and delivery for its adopter and for the different types of stakeholders. Research limitations/implications – Although there was some quantitative testing in addition to the qualitative data the response rate was low in terms of the population of UK architectural practices. Originality/value – The outcome is the first definition of AM grounded in research. The research is unique in terms of reviewing the scope and limitations of the previous definitions of AM. Based on the research findings, the new definition of AM was found to offer an accepted description of AM that can be used by both researchers, educators and practising architects. The definition provides a common understanding (vocabulary) for those working in the area of AM.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document