In-store quality (in)congruency as a driver of perceived legitimacy and shopping behavior

This research builds on the institutional theory literature to investigate the impact of retailer’s in-store quality (in)congruency on consumer shopping behavior. Specifically, considering the consensual view of legitimacy as a variable of main interest to explain organizational survival, this research focuses on legitimacy as the mediating variable explaining the effects of in-store quality (in)congruency on shopping behavior. Results from a scenario-based experiment show that in-store quality (in)congruency affects legitimacy such that when merchandise quality is low, a high store environment quality leads to lower legitimacy. Also, the results show that legitimacy acts as a mediator that induces a decrease in shopping behavior. By highlighting perceived legitimacy as the underlying mechanism explaining the effect of in-store quality incongruency on consumer behavior, this research offer new insights for retailers.     

Ethical (SRI) funds in Italy: a review

In the past few years, investors from different European countries have become increasingly interested in the new opportunities that socially responsible investing (SRI) can offer. Empirical research into this subject has often assumed as 'given' the meaning attributed to the terms 'ethical' or 'socially responsible', thus concentrating more on other elements (particularly financial performance). This paper, through the analysis of the characteristics of ethical funds traded in Italy, investigates the possible contents that the terms 'ethical' and/or 'socially responsible' can assume in practice, with particular attention to the underlying values and to how these values are integrated into the selection process. This analysis brings to light the impressive variety of ethical funds traded in Italy. In particular, it reveals the 'Italian model', whose distinguishing characteristics seem to be the following: recentness of issue, options for charitable donations, almost exclusive use of screening strategies, use of 'best in class' and 'minimum tolerance quota' indications, preference for ethical indices, application of commissions no higher than the national average, presence of ethical committees and the utilization of consulting or rating agencies.     

Empirical modeling of section 162(a) (2) tax court decisions: Identifying the location of a tax home

One-hundred Tax Court cases concerning Section 162(a) (2) were subjected to several multivariate PROBIT and discriminant analyses to determine which factors best define the location of a “tax home.” In each case, the government disagreed with the taxpayer and contended that the “tax home” was either nonexistent or was located in elsewhere. Various sensitivity analyses were performed to test model specifications regarding linear or quadratic functions, discriminant or PROBIT models, and temporal stability. A seven-variable linear discriminant model achieved an 88% Lachenbruch U classification accuracy and exhibited high stability with regard to the three sensitivity analyses. Implications for taxpayers, practitioners, legislators, and researchers are discussed.     

Franchise failure: a reassessment of the Bates (1995) results

Franchising is often touted as a safe route to business ownership in the service arena. Yet findings by Bates (J Small Bus Manage 33(2):26–36, 1995) suggest that franchising may be a riskier alternative for prospective business owners than starting a non-franchised business. We contend that this conclusion is inappropriate because flaws in Bates’ study lend themselves to alternative interpretations of his results. The most critical flaws and plausible alternative interpretations are explained, and implications for prospective business owners are discussed.     

Investigating the effect of quality of grammar and mechanics (QGAM) in online reviews: The mediating role of reviewer crediblity

Grammar and mechanics are important components of written communication and provide signals of credibility. Although past research has documented general effects of grammar and mechanics, to date, the influence of quality of grammar and mechanics (QGAM) of online reviews remains largely unexamined. Through the lens of ELM, the present research examines QGAM of a review as a peripheral cue influencing the perceived credibility of a reviewer, finding that reviews with high QGAM have higher perceived credibility and exert a stronger influence on purchase intentions. Meanwhile, reviews with low QGAM are not as credible, influencing purchase intentions less. Product type, review length, and review valence moderate these influences, such that QGAM is more important for reviews of experience goods and reviews of shorter lengths. Further, reviewer credibility fully mediates positive reviews but does not mediate negative reviews. Implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.     

The (Failed) Development of a Biotechnology Cluster: The Case of Lombardy

This paper discusses the development of the biotechnology industry in an Italian region, Lombardy. It asks why significant innovative activities in biotechnology did not emerge in what might have been considered at the outset a promising area for the growth of this industry and why in very recent years some timid symptoms of dynamism seem to be appearing. After an overview of the patterns of the development of biotechnology in Italy, the specific case of Lombardy, is described. Then, the paper discusses what kind of factors might explain the lagging behind of the Italian (and more generally, European) biotechnology industry vis-à-vis the United States.     

Service Science Management Engineering and Design (SSMED): a semiautomatic literature review

ABSTRACT

SSMED (Service Science, Management Engineering and Design) is multidisciplinary by nature. However, some authors stated that SSMED publications remain focused on single scientific domains. This paper proposes a Semiautomatic Literature Review (SALR) using integrated techniques for knowledge extraction –‘Time Aware Knowledge Extraction’ (TAKE) – to analyse the interdisciplinarity of SSMED publications and the potential for transdisciplinarity based on the actual adoption of Service-Dominant Logic as the foundation of SSMED research. Findings reveal that: 1) most SSMED publications are not interdisciplinary and are mainly related to Management; 2) Service-Dominant Logic has been adopted very often in SSMED publications, paving the way for SSMED transdisciplinarity.

This paper offers theoretical and practical insights by enhancing the knowledge about SSMED literature and enriching the state of the art related to techniques to perform literature reviews. Furthermore, it stimulates the expansion of scholars’ and managers’ views of holistic approaches to service systems while fostering SSMED viability.     

(Mis)trust in marketing: a reflection on consumers' attitudes and perceptions

Consumers are at the focal point of marketers' attention. However, while extensive research is devoted to understanding consumers' motivations, attitudes and behaviour, surprisingly little attention is given to the consumers' views of marketing itself. This paper explores consumers' attitudes towards marketing and their perceptions of it, reflecting critically upon their views. Since much criticism of marketing focuses on its role in promoting consumption, we also consider perceptions of current levels of consumption and the extent to which marketing is held responsible for them. Based on 29 in-depth interviews we find evidence suggesting the prevalence of negative attitudes towards marketing, especially associated with deceptive or dishonest campaigns, although marketing's informative role is acknowledged. Importantly, findings reveal a limited understanding of the discipline, suggesting a gap between the concept of marketing and consumers' perceptions of it. This paper sends marketers important messages from consumers and offers grounds for further debate.     

The all-American beer: a case of inferior standard (taste) prevailing?

America's preference for homogeneous, bland-tasting beer may have been largely derived not from an efficient, market-clearing equilibrium, but rather as a result of a series of interesting historical processes and events. The authors argue that the U.S. market may have become locked in a sub-optimal equilibrium in which most consumers are no longer familiar with the full range of what beer is and can be. As a result, most competition in this market concerns advertising campaigns designed to differentiate between increasingly generic beers. Although the concepts of path dependency, switching costs, and lock-in have been employed principally in studies discussing technology standards, these ideas may be usefully extended to consumer branded products, including foods and beverages.     

Promoting healthy eating to children: a text message (SMS) feedback approach

The paper presents the design and results of a goal‐setting and feedback intervention aimed at increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables. The intervention involved 256 Danish adolescents (aged 12), and consisted of a nutrition education programme and an SMS‐based diary and feedback procedure that involved setting and modifying consumption goals. Effects were measured by comparing consumption goals and consumption data from the SMS diaries as well as from pre‐ and post‐intervention surveys. In addition to assessing the effects of the intervention on the consumption of fruits and vegetables, an objective of the study was to evaluate the intervention process in terms of attrition and goal accommodation behaviours. Based on the pre‐intervention survey, the sample was split into two groups consisting of pupils with low vs. high intake of fruits and vegetables. The diary and feedback design resulted in low attrition for both groups of pupils. Contrary to expectations, however, pupils with a high vs. low pre‐intervention intake were not less likely to reduce their intake goals during the intervention. For the pupils with low pre‐intervention intake, the intervention resulted in small but significant increases in consumption frequencies, whereas the partial effect of the SMS routines was only marginally positive. Unexpectedly, the pupils with a high pre‐intervention intake reduced their consumption of fruits and vegetables during the intervention.     

Country Distance (COD): Development and Validation of a New Objective Measure

We propose a multidimensional and objective measure, country distance (COD), as a comprehensive measure of distance between countries. Although the literature has called for a measure like this, in particular to support international decision‐making by small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), the research carried out so far has relied on measures of limited focus. We use partial least squares to develop the COD index and investigate the relative importance of its three dimensions: socioeconomic development, physical, and cultural and historical distance. We externally validate the measure in an analysis of the international market selection decisions of a sample of SMEs and country‐level export flows.     

城市生态学视野下的动态适度人口规模——兼论上海人口发展的基本态势

提出城市适度人口规模不是一个静态的数值 ,而是动态的过程。不是一个先验的数值 ,而是系统决定的综合结果。建立了一个适度人口规模的概念性框架 ,即EFL模型 ,就是说合理和适度的人口规模是与之相联系的资源环境因素、功能和经济方式、空间区位状态共同决定的结果。生态系统的变动 ,综合决定了一定时期、一定标准下的城市人口适度规模 ,并决定了这一适度规模的变化趋势。基于这一思路 ,讨论了影响上海人口规模变动的积极因素和阻碍因素 ,从资源环境变化、城市功能变化和城市空间变化三个方面对上海适度人口规模的变动趋势作了基本判断 ,提出上海人口规模将出现先上升再下降的趋势。根据动态适度人口规模的观点 ,对城市人口综合调控和城市管理的有关问题提出了一些建议。     

Store of the future: Towards a (re)invention and (re)imagination of physical store space in an omnichannel context

This paper explores the future of the physical store within omnichannel retail and specifically, the prerequisites of the designed retail environment in optimizing customer experience. Adopting an exploratory qualitative approach, primary data was obtained using semi-structured interviews with 20 industry experts.The research makes a valuable contribution to the dearth of extent literature on experiential store spaces of the future, specifically within the fashion field. By connecting three topics of academic research - Omnichannel retail, the role of the physical store and in-store customer experience - it serves to suggest the prerequisites for designed retail environments in optimizing customer experience.     

城市生态学视野下的动态适度人口规模--兼论上海人口发展的基本态势

提出城市适度人口规模不是一个静态的数值,而是动态的过程.不是一个先验的数值,而是系统决定的综合结果.建立了一个适度人口规模的概念性框架,即EFL模型,就是说合理和适度的人口规模是与之相联系的资源环境因素、功能和经济方式、空间区位状态共同决定的结果.生态系统的变动,综合决定了一定时期、一定标准下的城市人口适度规模,并决定了这一适度规模的变化趋势.基于这一思路,讨论了影响上海人口规模变动的积极因素和阻碍因素,从资源环境变化、城市功能变化和城市空间变化三个方面对上海适度人口规模的变动趋势作了基本判断,提出上海人口规模将出现先上升再下降的趋势.根据动态适度人口规模的观点,对城市人口综合调控和城市管理的有关问题提出了一些建议.     

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Theory and Practice in a Developing Country Context

After providing an overview of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) research in different contexts, and noting the varied methodologies adopted, two robust CSR conceptualizations – one by Carroll (1979, ‘A Three-Dimensional Conceptual Model of Corporate Performance’, The Academy of Management Review 4(4), 497–505) and the other by Wood (1991, ‘Corporate Social Performance Revisited’, The Academy of Management Review 16(4), 691–717) – have been adopted for this research and their integration explored. Using this newly synthesized framework, the research critically examines the CSR approach and philosophy of eight companies that are considered active in CSR in the Lebanese context. The findings suggest the lack of a systematic, focused, and institutionalized approach to CSR and that the understanding and practice of CSR in Lebanon are still grounded in the context of philanthropic action. The findings are qualified within the framework of existing contextual realities and relevant implications drawn accordingly. Dr. Jamali is Assistant Professor of Management at the Olayan School of Business, American University of Beirut. She holds a BA in Public Administartion from the American University of Beirut, and a Ph.D. in Social Policy and Administration, from the University of Kent at Canterbury, UK. Her research interests encompass corporate social responsibility, public private partnerships, learning organizations and women issues. She worked as an expert consultant on projects funded by the World Bank, the US Agency for International Development, NGOs, and other regional and local public and private firms. She is the author of numerous studies and international peer reviewed publications in various international journals, including the Journal of Management Development, the International Journal of Public Sector Management, the International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, Business Process Management Journal, Public Works, Management and Policy and Women in Management Review. Ramez Mirshak Graduated with honors from the American University in Cairo (AUC) with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in February 2001, then worked for two years in Egypt in the field of marketing and management. In 2004–2005, pursued his Masters of Business Administration at the American University of Beirut (AUB), researching primarily issues relating to change management and corporate social responsibility under the supervision of Dr. Dima Jamali, then joined a leading international financial institution as a regional Management Associate, while maintaining links with AUB and working on several research based projects.     

A two-speed Europe: How (un)stable would such a solution be?

Assuming the convergency criteria are not watered down, European Monetary Union will begin on 1.1.1999 with just a few core countries. With the help of the theory of clubs, Professor F. L. Sell analyses the incentive effects of the “monetary club” on founding members and “outsiders”.     

Evaluating performance of a Lead Road Safety Agency (LRSA) in a low-income country: a case study from Pakistan

The World Health Organization recommends identifying a Lead Road Safety Agency (LRSA) within the government to coordinate preventive interventions. As LRSAs in developing countries have rarely been evaluated, this case study describes the performance of the LRSA of Pakistan with respect to the World Bank criteria. The designated LRSA, the National Road Safety Secretariat, was put into operation in 2006 and worked for about two years with World Bank funding. The agency had a stand-alone structure headed by an experienced road safety specialist during the first year only and faced difficulty in recruiting other required experts. The LRSA drafted the first National Road Safety Plan, including strategic review of road safety and existing legislation, articulated multisectorial collaboration nationally and provincially, and collected traffic injury data in some districts. Its progress was halted by its dissolution because of funding problems. Currently, two agencies specialising in traffic enforcement and transport research respectively are fulfilling LRSA functions on an ad-hoc basis. Results suggest that sustainability and consistency of LRSAs in developing countries like Pakistan may only be ensured if they are legally protected, inter-ministerial, have permanent funding and are provided with the required expertise through international cooperation, so they can perform their required functions effectively.