Collaboration for the socially responsible development of rural regions: biogas production in Lithuanian farms

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 877-898
Author(s):  
Rita Vilkė ◽  
Živilė Gedminaitė-Raudonė ◽  
Dalia Vidickienė
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Research Collaboration ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Responsible Innovation ◽  
Quadruple Helix ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Rural Regions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Expert Interview

Purpose This paper aims to examine the collaboration of livestock farming business with other three groups of actors and explore the gap between expectations and reality concerning biogas production as collaborative innovation for the socially responsible development of rural regions in Lithuania. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on the concept of the Quadruple Helix, which focusses on innovation, viewed as a process involving increasingly closer interactions and coordination among the following four groups of actors of the helix: government, academia, industry and civil society. Scientific literature analysis and generalization, expert interview and focus group methods were used to generate data for analysis. Data were collected during the period of July-November 2018 in Lithuania. Findings The research results reveal that the greatest gap among expectations and the actual situation in collaboration for socially responsible innovation, biogas production – is observed among non‐governmental organizations as representatives of civil society and all other questioned Quadruple Helix actors, whereas the government had been recognized as a most isolated part of the collaboration for innovation in biogas in Lithuania. Research limitations/implications This paper presents empirical findings, based on qualitative data, collected in one EU new member state, i.e. Lithuania. International comparative perspectives are given in other related papers. Research findings are promising for further research in the field of socially responsible development of rural regions using the Quadruple Helix approach to foster collaboration for modern circular economy innovation both from theoretical and empirical points of view. Practical implications The methodology might be used for practitioners to research collaboration excellence/gaps in any field of activity. Social implications The research takes into account the public interest from a very broad point of view – how to develop rural regions in a socially responsible way by using already established innovations in biogas in livestock farms by giving another dimension of socially responsible collaboration for innovation. Originality/value The paper proposes using the original Quadruple Helix approach to foster the socially responsible development of rural regions, thus enlarging the scope of the theory of corporate social responsibility (CSR) with the newly emerged discourse in the field. Socially responsible development of rural regions with the use of collaboration for circular innovations has been absent from theoretical to empirical CSR research.

Corporate social responsibility, product innovation, and product line

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-190
Author(s):  
Heng Xu
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Transportation Cost ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Product Line ◽  
Responsible Innovation ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Basic Product ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to investigate a firm’s incentive to innovate its basic product to be socially responsible and its decision on the product line. By constructing a competition model, the paper examines the factors that affect the firm’s choice on its product line with the socially responsible innovation in the presence of altruistic consumers. Such factors include the proportion of the altruistic consumers, the firm’s coordination cost with the basic and innovative products, as well as the consumer’s transportation cost. Design/methodology/approach In a model of differentiated products with the competition, the author assumes that a portion of consumers has a strong preference for the socially responsible product (e.g. altruistic consumers). A firm is able to attract altruistic consumers with a socially responsible innovation but it may incur a coordination cost when both the basic and the innovated products are manufactured and sold. In a framework of a sequential game, the firms make a decision on the prices, innovation inputs, as well as the choice on its product line to achieve the expected profit maximization. Findings The firm has the incentive to engage in socially responsible innovation to better compete with its rivals. More importantly, the results of the paper explain why some firms wish to manufacture and sell the basic product even though the innovation is successful. The main factors that affect such a firm’s decision include the proportion of the altruistic consumers, the aggregate benefit to all the consumers who purchase the innovative product, the firm’s potential coordination cost and the consumer’s transportation cost. Originality/value The paper sheds light on a firm’s corporate social responsibility innovation and its product line determination. The results of this paper can be widely applied in the firm’s strategy of engaging in corporate social responsibility with eco-friendly elements that can attract altruistic consumers in the market. In addition, the findings of the paper can also contribute to policy formulation in terms of innovation. Such a result enables the policymakers to understand the factors that affect the firm’s motivation on innovation and helps them to better guide the firms efficiently participate in the research and development activities.

Responsible innovation at the bottom of the pyramid

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 40-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arpita Agnihotri
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Responsible Innovation ◽  
Bottom Of The Pyramid ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Manner

Purpose This paper aims to explore various routes through firms can meet needs of the Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) consumers in a socially responsible manner. Design/methodology/approach This is viewpoint paper based on evidences from archival sources. Findings The authors list possible and divergent answers to the following question: how to make innovations meaningful at BOP so that they can be acclaimed socially responsible for the BoP consumers. Originality/value Responsible innovation is yet unexplored part of business strategy especially in emerging markets. The authors throw light on this aspect.

A dyadic perspective of socially responsible mechanisms for retailer-manufacturer relationship in an apparel industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aswini Yadlapalli ◽  
Shams Rahman ◽  
Helen Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Factor ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Dyadic Relationship ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relational Mechanism

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritise social responsible mechanisms in apparel supply chains to extend social responsibility from large retailers in developed countries to producers in developing nations. Design/methodology/approach A framework that consists of supplier qualification and supplier relational mechanisms as two socially responsible mechanisms, with five factors and 18 dimensions is proposed. To prioritise the dimensions, analytic hierarchy process is employed by using a case study methodology of a major Australian retailer sourcing from Bangladesh manufacturers. Findings Results indicate that at the mechanism level, both retailer and manufacturers perceive qualification of manufacturer as by far the most critical element compared to the relational mechanism. However, substantial differences exist at the factor level; namely, that the social factor is critical for the retailer, whereas the economic factor is critical for the manufacturer. Within the relational mechanism, evaluation helps retailers to enforce social responsibility, while manufacturers believe collaboration helps. Research limitations/implications The major limitation of this study is the generalisation of the findings. The results obtained by focusing on a particular context in the Australian retail sector importing from Bangladesh, may not be applicable to other nations. Practical implications By highlighting the difference of opinion, this study assists managers in developing guidelines to better understand the socially responsible mechanisms in the retailer-manufacturer dyadic relationship and to propose strategies to address the differences. Originality/value This study advances the literature on inter-organisational relationship to retailer-manufacturer dyad for the implementation of social responsibility by including supplier qualification along with supplier relational mechanism.

Food “buycott” as an ethical choice against mafia in Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 490-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Rivaroli ◽  
Arianna Ruggeri ◽  
Roberta Spadoni
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Type Systems ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Marketing Ethics ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Italian Law ◽  
Critical Choice

Purpose As indicated in the Italian law (No. 109-1996), agri-food co-operatives can also play a role in combatting mafia-type systems by choosing to grow their food products in lands confiscated from mafia-type organisations. These food products provide individuals with a new opportunity to fight criminal organisations on the marketplace. The purpose of this study is to explore how people react to a social marketing initiative devoted to promoting food “buycotting” to counteract mafia-type organisations in Italy. Design/methodology/approach The data were obtained from a convenience sample of 339 Italians, and the study adopted a model inspired by the general theory of marketing ethics. A structural equation model was applied to estimate both the parameter and coefficient functions. Findings Individuals recognise the ethical value of “buycotting”. However, they perceive this form of critical choice as not yet being fully effective in counteracting mafia-type systems in Italy. Practical implications The results suggest that promotional and psychological approaches from marketing literature can be effectively used to influence the consumer’s ethical judgement by selectively communicating and emphasising the benefits of the critical consumption investigated. Originality/value This is one of the first studies to address consumers’ ethical judgments and their reactions towards buycotting food as a critical choice to reward socially responsible corporations.

Responsible innovation and social innovation: toward an integrative research framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 742-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karsten Bolz ◽  
Anne de Bruin
Keyword(s):  
Social Innovation ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Responsible Innovation ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Practice ◽  
Integrative Framework ◽  
Integrative Research ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Innovation Study

PurposeResponsible innovation (RI) and social innovation (SI) are two fields of innovation study experiencing burgeoning policy, practice and research interest. Despite this rapid rise in popularity, the scholarly literature in these two related areas of innovation study remains quite separate, stymieing the growth of shared research insights. The purpose of this paper is to propose a pragmatic, process-based framework that lends itself to advancing systematic research in both fields while retaining their distinct identities.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper outlines an analogy-inspired framework that builds on the logical thinking put forward by Philosopher Willard Van Orman Quine in 1962. It focusses on key processes that cross-cut both fields.FindingsReflexivity, collaboration and design are identified as three broad core processes that span both the RI and SI fields and form the basis of an integrative framework that highlights the scope for cross-field research pollination.Originality/valueThe literature that draws these two fields together is virtually non-existent. The paper uses analogy to facilitate awareness of the parallels between these two areas of innovation study. The integrative framework put forward in the paper is of value for advancing cumulative research in innovation fields of critical importance to the society.

The effects of materialism on consumer evaluation of sustainable synthetic (lab-grown) products

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 579-590
Author(s):  
Jessica Keech ◽  
Maureen Morrin ◽  
Jeffrey Steven Podoshen
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Evaluation ◽  
Positioning Strategy ◽  
Consumer Markets ◽  
The Future ◽  
Promotion Strategies ◽  
Alternative Sources ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The increasing desire of consumers for socially responsible luxury products combined with fluctuating supplies in consumer markets are leading various industries to seek alternative sources to be able to meet the needs of its customers. One possible solution that may meet the demands of the future is lab-grown products. Because these products confer multiple benefits, this study aims to investigate the most effective ways to appeal to consumers by aligning the benefits of the products with their values as marketers seek to find effective promotion for these items. Design/methodology/approach We examine the effectiveness of an ethical positioning strategy for two types of luxury lab-grown (synthetic) products among high versus low materialism consumers in three experiments. Findings Findings suggest that a positioning strategy stressing product ethicality is more effective for low materialism consumers, whereas the strategy is less effective, and may even backfire, for high materialism consumers. The impact on social status consumers perceive from a lab-grown product explains why this effect occurs among low materialism consumers. Therefore, marketers should take caution and use specific appeals for different segments based on values such as consumers’ materialism levels. Originality/value If lab-grown products represent the wave of the future, it is important to understand how consumers will respond to this emerging technology and how promotion strategies may enhance their evaluation.

Coping with COVID-19. Dugnad: a case of the moral premise of the Norwegian welfare state

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Christin Eklund Nilsen ◽  
Ove Skarpenes
Keyword(s):  
Moral Ideal ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Working Classes ◽  
Collective Effort ◽  
Orders Of Worth ◽  
Pragmatic Sociology ◽  
Interview Studies ◽  
Welfare Model

PurposeThis paper provides an analysis of the notion of dugnad (collective effort) in the context of the first weeks of the outbreak of COVID-19 in Norway. By appealing to people's sense of collective effort (dugnadsånd) Norwegian leaders successfully managed to coordinate the actions of the population and beat the outbreak.Design/methodology/approachThe argument builds on the pragmatic sociology associated with Boltanski and Thévenot and their “orders of worth”. Building on qualitative interview studies of the Norwegian middle and working classes a moral ideal type labelled “the socially responsible citizen” is identified.FindingsThe authors argue that dugnad is embedded in a moral repertoire of the socially responsible citizen that is indicative of a specific Norwegian welfare mentality and that is imperative for the sustainability and resilience of the Norwegian welfare model. This repertoire is found across social classes and has to be understood in light of the Norwegian welfare model and the role of civil society.Social implicationsThe analysis explains the societal impact of the appeal and endorsement of the notion of dugnad in the context of the outbreak of COVID-19.Originality/valueThe paper explores the roots and impact of a social phenomenon that has not been a matter for much sociological analysis.

Private ethical fund investors across countries and time: a survey-based review

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anett Wins ◽  
Bernhard Zwergel
Keyword(s):  
Keyword Search ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Screening Criteria ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
Private Investors ◽  
Ethical Funds ◽  
Fund Portfolio

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an overview of the literature to point out similarities and differences among private ethical investors across countries and time. Over the past three decades, many surveys have been conducted to advance the understanding of the demographic characteristics, motivation and morals of private ethical investors across countries and time. To date, the survey-based evidence on private investors into ethical funds is geographically rather segmented, and the research questions are fairly diverse. This permits only very temporally or regionally selective conclusions. Thereby, the authors identify interesting topics for future research. Design/methodology/approach – To identify the relevant literature for our review, the authors carried out a structured Boolean keyword search using major library services and databases. Findings – When questions about negative screening criteria are presented in a direct investment context, the consensus of private ethical investors “worldwide” (on average) is that social screening issues are most important, followed by ecological and moral topics. The percentage of ethical funds in the fund portfolio of the average private ethical investor in Europe seems to increase when the investor exhibits high degrees of pro-social attitudes and perceived consumer effectiveness. European private ethical investors are of the opinion that ethical funds perform worse but are less risky than conventional funds. Practical implications – The authors make suggestions on how investment companies should design their funds so that they can attract more socially responsible investors. Originality/value – The paper is of particular value because it focuses on private investors in the fast growing retail market of socially responsible investment funds.

scholarly journals “A child with autism only has one childhood”: main themes and questions for research from the “Digital Bubbles” seminar series

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Parsons ◽  
Nicola Yuill ◽  
Mark Brosnan ◽  
Judith Good
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Responsible Innovation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Stakeholders ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Seminar Series ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Main Ideas

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the main messages and key questions for further research arising from the seven-seminar series entitled, “Innovative technologies for autism: critical reflections on digital bubbles”, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council in the UK. Design/methodology/approach A synthesis of the main ideas is presented, drawing on the presentations, discussions, participant feedback, and short papers from across the seminar series, which took place between November 2014-2016. Findings There were many positive examples where technologies were positioned and used as facilitative “bridges” between ideas, communities, understanding, and experiences. Researchers and community stakeholders also emphasised the importance of taking different perspectives and working in stronger partnerships with each other. Four overarching research questions were developed from these themes to provide a roadmap for future research, relating to: responsible innovation, technology-enabled social interaction, learning and pedagogy, and engagement. Originality/value The findings and methodologies produced by the Digital Bubbles seminar series, available on the project website (http://digitalbubbles.org.uk/) and in a series of short papers, provide a rich repository of state-of-the-art thinking in the field of autism and technology that is being utilised nationally and internationally in teaching and learning. This paper suggests some valuable future research directions and highlights the importance of establishing and maintaining multi-disciplinary research teams, with autistic people and their families at their core.

Intertwining CSR with strategy – the way ahead

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shital Jhunjhunwala
Keyword(s):  
Business Strategy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Corporate Strategy ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Business Models ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance and means of making corporate social responsibility (CSR) an integral part of corporate strategy with the help of case studies. Design/methodology/approach – The article explores the transformation of business from being egocentric to socially responsible. With the use of examples it demonstrates how integrating CSR into strategy can create sustainable business models. Findings – Firms need to develop a framework for integrating CSR into their business strategy for long term successful survival. Social implications – Corporates and society are intertwined and mutually dependent. Business cannot survive without society's acquiescence nor succeed without its active support. Originality/value – The article explains the benefits of CSR and how to make it an integral part of business strategy to gain a competitive advantage.

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