The evolution of food retailing systems: Contrasting the experience of developed and developing countries

Most writings on the evolution patterns of food retailing institutions have dealt with developed country experiences. This article reviews the evolution of food retailing systems in the developing economies and relates it to the experience of developed economies. Variations in food retailing systems among countries are related, in a systematic manner, to the differences in the environmental factors. The difficulties of introducing an innovative institution, the supermarket, in developing economies are also discussed.     

A replication and extension of quality management into the supply chain

As competition moves beyond a single firm into the supply chain, researchers are beginning to explore quality management (QM) in a supply chain context. The literature suggests that supply chain management (SCM) consists of internal practices, which are contained within a firm, and external practices, which cross organizational boundaries integrating a firm with its customers and suppliers. Supplier quality management and customer focus are two QM practices that are also clearly in the domain of SCM. In this study we investigate how these two supply chain management-related quality practices lead to improved performance and examine the practices that precede and mediate those relationships. In doing so, we replicate and extend the relationships among the QM practices and their effects on firm performance suggested in Kaynak [Kaynak, H., 2003. The relationship between total quality management practices and their effects on firm performance. Journal of Operations Management 21, 405–435] using survey data gathered from firms operating in the U.S. The inclusion of customer focus and supplier quality management in the QM model supports the importance of internal and external integration for quality performance. Implications of the results for researchers and practitioners are discussed, and further research implications are suggested.     

Book briefs

World food marketing systems, Butterworth & Co, London, 1986.

Faces of hunger. An essay on poverty, justice and development, Studies in applied philosophy, Allen & Unwin, London, 1986. xiii + 178, distributed in South Africa by MacMillan South Africa, Braamfontein.

Decentralization and development — Policy implementation in developing countries, Sage Publications, London, 1983, 319 pp

Soviet interests in the Third World, Sage Publications, London, 1985, xi + 329 pp

No shortcuts to progress — African development management in perspective, Heinemann Educational Books Ltd, London, 1983, xv + 223 pp.

Strategies for African Development, University of California Press, London, 1986, xii + 603 pp.

Labour and poverty In Kenya 1900‐1980, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1986, xii + 296, £20,00     

EDITORIAL

No abstract available for this article.     

The Role of Product Planning for Export Marketing

Service quality measurement methods are mostly focused on customer perception. There is a lack of method, combining organisational quality with perceived customer quality. This study proposes a measurement concept focusing equally on both of the above-mentioned factors. For validating this approach, experimental measurements were conducted in five service companies. The gathered feedback allowed the acceptance of the proposed concept. This is not a strictly defined method, but a measurement scheme which is supplemented by a set of known measurement techniques. The proposal constitutes extending the integrated measurement of service quality, which facilitates a deeper understanding of relationships between processes and customer perceptions.     

The Impact of Service Supplier’s Unethical Behavior to Buyer’s Satisfaction: An Empirical Study

In today??s marketing conditions, it becomes really vital for companies to establish an appropriate relationship with suppliers and salesperson based on ethical values in order to survive. Besides, ensuring an effective relationship between the parties would contribute to increase buyer satisfaction along with economic and social satisfaction. In this study, the direct effects of suppliers?? and salespersons?? unethical behaviors on buyer satisfaction, and the moderator effect of communication between buyer?Csupplier relationships are examined. The results of the study have revealed that unethical behaviors of suppliers and salesperson affect buyer satisfaction negatively and the communication variable has moderately affected. The results are providing important advantages for buyers who want to improve the relationships between the suppliers and their salesperson for pharmaceutical enterprises.     

Editorial

No abstract available for this article.     

Editorial

Although a substantial body of literature exists on the country-of-origin bias, the issue of whether or not such perceptions are uniform across product classes has not been resolved. This study examines how quality perceptions of consumers vary across four product classes: electronic items, food products, fashion merchandise, and household goods. Responses obtained from a sample of Nova Scotian consumers suggest that quality perceptions tend to be product-specific. Quality perceptions vary also for the 25 countries studied. A number of policy implications are also offered in the paper.     

Editorial

No abstract available for this article.