A Market Study of Organic and Fair Trade Coffee in Bolivia

The purpose of this research is to study the commercialization of Fairtrade and Organic coffee in the Bolivia. Fairtrade and Organic coffee are alternative trade systems designed to promote the equitable and environmentally sustainable production of coffee. However, these alternative trading systems often fail to meet these goals. The producers and environment these systems are intended to protect remain marginalized. These failures are due to a number of local institutions. In order to better understand these institutions, this research conducted interviews of various stakeholders including producers, cooperative leaders, organic/Fair Trade certifiers, government agencies and private buyers. All these stakeholders influence the success of the alternative trade systems. By better understanding how these stakeholders impact the commercialization of coffee in Bolivia; new policies can be develop to improve the outcomes of alternative trade, to benefit both producers and the environment. This is especially critical in Bolivia because of the environmentally sensitive area in which coffee is grown, the potentially damaging impact of coca on the region and, the devastating economic impact to farmers.

The paradox of competition for airline passengers with reduced mobility (PRM)

Airline competition with customer service as product differentiator has forced down costs, air fares and investor returns. Two passenger markets operate in aviation: (a) able-bodied passengers for whom airlines compete and (b) passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs) – disabled by age, obesity or medical problems – for whom airlines do not compete. Government interference in the market intended to protect a minority of narrowly-defined PRMs has had unintended consequences of enabling increasing numbers of more widely-defined PRMs to access complimentary airline provisions. With growing ageing and overweight populations and long-haul travelling medical tourists such regulation could lead to even lower investors’ returns. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) (2013) examined the air transport value chain for competitiveness using Porter’s (2008) five forces but did not distinguish between able-bodied passengers and PRMs. Findings during an investigation of these two markets concurred with IATA-Porter that the markets for the bargaining powers of PRM buyers and PRM suppliers were highly competitive. However, in contrast to the IATA conclusions, intensity of competition, and threats from new entrants and substitute products for PRM travel were low. The conclusion is that airlines are strategically PRM defensive by omission. Paradoxically, the airline which delivers the best PRM customer service could become the least profitable.

The effects of trade show environments on visitors

Tourism trade shows that are open to the public as well as to buyers and sellers are an emerging channel for the promotion of products to potential tourists. However, few studies have explored the influence of environmental stimuli on non-business visitors’ emotions. Moreover, the moderating effect of visitors’ expectations remains under-studied in the context of trade show management. To address this issue, this study reports on research derived from 611 respondents at a Taiwanese tourism trade show through a modified Mehrabian-Russell model. Structural equation modeling of the data shows that positive emotions positively influence behavioral intentions, but negative emotions do not negatively influence behavioral intentions. Among the three stimuli (i.e., information rate, service staff quality, and atmospherics), only information rate and service staff quality positively affect positive emotions and negatively affect negative emotions. The results show that visitors with high and low trade show visit expectations react differently to environmental stimuli at trade shows.

El impacto de la crisis en la industria cinematográfica en Europa

Este trabajo analiza el impacto que ha generado la crisis económica y financiera más reciente en las industrias cinematográficas de siete países miembros de la Unión Europea. Las conclusiones señalan que, en efecto, la crisis ha impactado negativamente en las industrias de España e Italia, y muy gravemente en la de Portugal, pero en el lado contrario, la del Reino Unido ha experimentado un crecimiento apreciable y las de Francia y Alemania también lo han hecho, aunque en menor medida. Y en segundo lugar, es muy notable la escasa colaboración alcanzada entre los agentes europeos.

The expansion of soybean cultivation in Campeche, México: Problematic and perspectives

The soybean is the grain in which greater food dependency has Mexico, reason why as of 2008, the government has promoted his culture, granting excellent subsidies, as much to producers as to buyers of the grain, thus contributing to a recent process of expansion in certain states, as it happens in Campeche. The objetive of this article is the analysis of the characteristics and effects of those supports, as well as of the rest of factors that until today they have taken to the producers of the mentioned state to initiate or to expand the cultivation of the soybean. The findings of the investigation reveal that although the producers have improved their levels of income, the process is vulnerable, as it depends on variables like the governmental supports, the international prices of the soybean and exchange rate. Although the study of the negative effects of genetically modified soybeans (GM) in other areas (environment, biodiversity, deforestation, human and animal health) is not the purpose of this investigation, some information will be provided, as on the conflict between soybean producers and beekeepers in the state of Campeche.

SUPPLIER INVOLVEMENT IN NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY FROM THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY

Global competition requires that the companies adapt themselves to technological changes rapidly, develop new products, reduce the cost, shorten the time to market, and increase the quality. In this context, supplier involvement in New Product Development (NPD) is determinant for a company to respond to the requirements of the increasingly dynamic markets. The main purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the importance of supplier involvement in NPD, buyer-supplier relationships and their effects on buyer’s NPD process, highlighting the benefits of supplier involvement, the barriers, the strategic aspects and industry aspects. These issues are addressed with a case study from the semiconductor industry. Besides helping to understand NPD in the semiconductor industry, the contribution and fi ndings of this work are clear: the results achieved confirm the findings of studies referred in the literature review, and confirm that the semiconductor industry sector requires a closer and more complex relationship structure with suppliers, given the specificities and challenges of the sector, such as rapid technological changes, permanent innovation, global competition, reduction of cost and time-to-market cycle, increased capacity, among other. The main contribution of the paper to the scientific literature and to managers is the better understanding of the buyer-supplier relationships in NPD in the semiconductor industry.

Voyage au coeur de la prédation entre vendeurs et acheteurs : une nouvelle théorie en vente et marketing

Résumé : II existe une tension inhérente au sein de la relation en cours de développement entre un vendeur et un acheteur. Le vendeur craint que l'acheteur lui fasse perdre son temps et l'acheteur, lui, doute de l'honnêteté du vendeur. Tous deux s'interrogent sur le niveau de confiance et de coopération à accorder à l'autre. Il est possible, après tout, que le vendeur soit à l'affût de la moindre faiblesse de l'acheteur pour profiter de la situation et s'enrichir à ses dépens, ou, vice-versa, que l'acheteur cherche à profiter du vendeur. La présente thèse examine les tensions entre vendeurs et acheteurs en ayant recours à la théorie enracinée élargie, qui comprend une série de boucles investigatrices formées de revues des écrits scientifiques et de cueillettes de données qualitatives et quantitatives. Elle cherche à démontrer que la prédation perçue (l'impression que l'autre abuse de nous de manière coordonnée) affecte négativement la bonne entente entre les parties prenantes de la transaction. La thèse suggère aussi que le phénomène de prédation existe dans toutes les sphères d'activités humaines, y compris dans le domaine juridique. Le modèle PARDU (prédateur-proie) initialement développé pour discuter du phénomène de prédation débouche, au fil de la recherche, sur le modèle OPERA et la grille MESLY®, qui offrent des applications pratiques pour mieux gérer la prédation informationnelle.||Abstract : There is an inherent tension between a seller and a buyer as their relationship progresses towards closing the deal. The salesperson fears that the buyer wastes his time, which he could otherwise spend towards real potential buyers. The buyer questions the sincerity of the salesperson. Both evaluate the amount of trust and coopération they should invest in the relationship. It is possible, after ail, that the salesperson wants to take advantage of every weakness he detects in the buyer in order to guarantee the sale, and it is equally possible that the buyer tries to fool the salesperson, with false credit information for example. This thesis examines tensions that exist between salespeople and buyers by using an extended version of grounded theory, by which date is collected and analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. It demonstrates that perceived prédation reduces considerably the quality of the relationship. The thesis suggests that the phenomenon of prédation exists in every sphere of human activity, including in the légal system. The PARDU Model (predator-prey) initially developed to discuss the phenomenon of predation evolves, as the research progresses, towards the OPERA Model and the MESLY® grid, which offer pratical tools to better manage informational predation.

Monitorização e gestão em turismo : uma proposta de dashboard visual

A presente investigação propõe-se a atuar no sector turístico, uma vez que este é bombardeado diariamente por uma quantidade considerável de dados e informações. Atualmente, usufrui-se significativamente mais da tecnologia com a finalidade de promover e vender os produtos/serviços disponíveis no mercado. A par da evolução tecnológica, os utilizadores/clientes conseguem comprar, cada vez mais, à distancia de um clique os produtos turísticos que desejam. No entanto, há um variado leque de aplicações sobre o turismo que permitem entender os gostos e as necessidades dos turistas assim como a sua atitude para com o mesmo. Porém, nem as entidades nem os gestores turísticos usufruem inteligentemente dos dados que lhes são facultados. Estes tendem normalmente a prender-se pelo turismo em Portugal e de que forma é que a sua entidade é apresentada acabando por esquecer que os dados podem e devem ser utilizados para expandir o mercado assim como entender/conhecer potenciais mercados. Deste modo, o fundamento principal desta investigação remete para a criação de uma plataforma infocomunicacional que analise na totalidade os dados obtidos, assim como fornecer as ferramentas pertinentes para que se consiga fazer esta análise, nomeadamente através de uma representação infográfica adequada e estratégias de a comunicar aos stakeholders.. Para tal foi aplicada no âmbito desta dissertação a metodologia investigação/ação, vista como um processo cíclico que para além de incluir simultaneamente estas duas vertentes, vai alternando entre a ação e a reflexão critica sendo sustentada por bases teóricas. A criação do protótipo da plataforma Smart Tourism, resultou num sistema inovador que tenta responder aos indicadores escolhidos no Dashbord e ao problema infocomunicacional, tentando criar as bases necessárias para que as entidades consigam analisar de forma mais integrada/sistematizada e racional a atividade turística. Foi por isso, desenvolvido e avaliado qualitativamente um protótipo de base infocomunicacional visual (dashboard visual) que para além do que para além do que já foi referido, consegue proporcionar a gestão dos produtos, clientes, staff e parceiros, aumentando assim o valor deste sector.

Do acesso clássico à comercialização: especificidades do mercado imobiliário informal na área especial de interesse social de Mãe Luiza, Natal/ RN.

This study presents research regarding affordable housing and their effects on the spatial reconfiguration of Natal/ RN, aiming to identify the specificities of the informality of urban land. This study aims to understand how informal housing market operates housing provision for the population located in popular informal settlements, through buying and selling market and rental market of residential properties irregular / illegal. This understanding will be through the neighborhood of Mãe Luisa, Special Area of Social Interest (SASI), located between neighborhoods with a population of high purchasing power and inserted into the tourist shaft of seaside of town. The characterization of informal housing market in Mãe Luiza, from buyers, sellers and renters, will help to understand how these informal transactions operate on SASI and housing provision for public policy development and implementation of housing programs and land regularization for low-income population, adequate to dynamic and reality of housing of informal areas

Indicações para o projeto arquitetônico de edifícios multifamiliares: uma análise pósocupação em Natal/RN

Confirming the Brazilian tendency in the field, the multifamily vertical condominium habitats in Natal are defined as buildings with three or more floors which have been an increasingly used solution. In the mentioned project, the connection between the projectarchitects and the user/ buyers are spread out, by which the first people conceive the realestate property as a creation for the market and not the individual client in specific. Such situation along with technical and financial limitations of the project lead to the adoption of standard solutions to be utilized by clients with different profiles. Besides that, there are various legal and urban parameters by the City Director Plan showing elements of great influence in the final solution adopted by the mentioned edifices. Moving to this subject in general, this project is focused on the case study of the Ed. Ville de Montpellier, having as a base of Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE), considered an efficient tool to analyze and keep up with the progress of the construction of the building, including technical approvals, the application of surveys with the local residents and the creation of informal interviews. The data shows that with time some items that initially motivated the acquisition of the realestate property (with a social common area) move to being less valued, and that the residents quickly alter the pre constructed space, thus seeking to alter the property in a more personal and conforming manner. The possibility of a new emphasis for projects on the mentioned space should also be in discussion, the created project calls for the attention of projected conceptual aspects and interdependence within project and construction which permits the indication of some recommendations for the projection of multifamily residential buildings within the studied realm

Marketing in SMEs: the sales process of SMEs on the food and drink industry.

There would appear to be varied approaches to the sales process practiced by SMEs in how they go about locating target customers, interfacing with prospects and new customers, presenting the benefits and features of their products and services, closing sales deals and building relationships, and an understanding of what the buyers needs are in the seller-buyer process. Recent research has revealed that while entrepreneurs and small business owners rely upon networking as an important source of sales, they lack marketing competencies, including personal selling skills and knowledge of what is involved in the sales process to close sales deals and build relationships. Small companies and start-ups with innovative products and services often find it difficult to persuade potential buyers of the merits of their offerings because, while the products and services may be excellent, they have not sufficiently well-developed selling skills necessary to persuade their target customers.

Tissue and cell's trafficking: a byproduct of transplant activity's trash. The future is now. A Public Health problem

Transplantation is one of the most beautiful achievements for humanity in the last century and became the last hope to many patients. As other beautiful achievements, it has been used by criminals. The future of transplantation will be focused on tissue and cells transplantation. Trafficking of human beings to organ removal and trafficking of human organs are an early stage of trafficking on tissues and cells comparable with slaves trafficking in the 17th and 18th century. As 400 years ago, the motive for the crime is development, economy and profit. Transplant surgery is the modern “cotton gin” to this new commerce. Poverty exploitation, unprotected people, are always the victims. Even so, there are some differences since then. The paying buyers are the patients themselves and the “cotton” transplanted is not so harmless. Unsafe tissues and cells inappropriately collected and allocated can be so dangerous to the recipient and his family, that the dreamed transplant/implant becomes a nightmare. Beyond the trafficking crime, there is a most dangerous associated crime that is the crime of spreading dangerous infectious diseases.

Types of embedded ties in buyer-supplier relationships and their combined effects on innovation performance

[EN] Purpose of the paper - This research analyzes the impact of three types of embedded ties, namely, specialized complementary resources, idiosyncratic investments, and knowledge sharing, on the innovation capacity of the firms. We also study the particularities of the Machine-Tool industry. Theoretical background – Our evaluation of the embedded buyer-supplier ties is based on the potential sources of relational rents proposed by Dyer and Sing (1998). We also draw on Uzzi and Lancaster (2003), Noordhoff et al. (2011), among others, to discuss the positive and negative aspects of embedded ties. Design/Methodology/Approach ‐ Using data from a survey of 202 European machine-tool firms acting as buyers and sellers, we propose and evaluate a Structural Equation model. Findings ‐ Only knowledge-sharing routines exert a significant positive effect on product innovation performance. Neither an increase in the idiosyncratic investments nor in complementary resources and capabilities enhance innovation performance. Also, knowledge-sharing routines mediate in the effect from idiosyncratic investments on innovation performance. Research Limitations. ‐ The machine tool industry has unique characteristics that make this generalization difficult. Also, there is considerable difficulty associated with testing more deeply the interrelations among these embedded ties in the long run. It is plausible to understand that these interrelations operate within a gradual process. Originality/Value/Contribution of Paper ‐ This research contributes to a better understanding of the role of embedded ties on innovativeness. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous international empirical research analyzing the mediation effects among specialized complementary resources, idiosyncratic investments and knowledge sharing, and their effects on the innovation capacity of firms.

Análise dos prejuízos financeiros da indústria brasileira de aviação civil : influência das forças competitivas de Porter

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Tecnologia, Departamento de Engenharia Civil e Ambiental, 2016.

Interorganizational Innovation: The Role of Suppliers in Enhancing Buyer Innovation

This dissertation explores the effect of innovative knowledge transfer across supply chain partners. My research seeks to understand the manner by which a firm is able to benefit from the innovative capabilities of its supply chain partners and utilize the external knowledge they hold to increase its own levels of innovation. Specifically, I make use of patent data as a proxy for firm-level innovation and develop both independent and dependent variables from the data contained within the patent filings. I further examine the means by which key dyadic and portfolio supply chain relationship characteristics moderate the relationship between supplier innovation and buyer innovation. I investigate factors such as the degree of transactional reciprocity between the buyer and supplier, the similarity of the firms’ knowledge bases, and specific chain characteristics (e.g., geographic propinquity) to provide greater understanding of the means by which the transfer of innovative knowledge across firms in a supply chain can be enhanced or inhibited. This dissertation spans three essays to provide insights into the role that supply chain relationships play in affecting a focal firm’s level of innovation. While innovation has been at the core of a wide body of research, very little empirical work exists that considers the role of vertical buyer-supplier relationships on a firm’s ability to develop new and novel innovations. I begin by considering the fundamental unit of analysis within a supply chain, the buyer-supplier dyad. After developing initial insights based on the interactions between singular buyers and suppliers, essay two extends the analysis to consider the full spectrum of a buyer’s supply base by aggregating the individual buyer-supplier dyad level data into firm-supply network level data. Through this broader level of analysis, I am able to examine how the relational characteristics between a buyer firm and its supply base affect its ability to leverage the full portfolio of its suppliers’ innovative knowledge. Finally, in essay three I further extend the analysis to explore the means by which a buyer firm can use its suppliers to enhance its ability to access distant knowledge held by other organizations that the buyer is only connected to indirectly through its suppliers.