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1 – 10 of 13
Article
Publication date: 2 August 2011

Christopher A. Wolf, Frank Lupi and Stephen Harsh

The purpose of this paper is to determine which financial record‐keeping system farmers use, as well as what system attributes farmers value and to what degree.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine which financial record‐keeping system farmers use, as well as what system attributes farmers value and to what degree.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a choice experiment to examine farmer's demand for attributes of financial record‐keeping systems. A sample from the general Michigan farm population is compared to samples from university and agribusiness record system clients.

Findings

Results reveal that university and agribusiness clients are willing to pay considerably more for a farm‐specific record system to backstop their farm management decisions.

Practical implications

The results provide an understanding of farmer demands for farm financial record systems and can be used to position record‐keeping systems to meet those demands.

Originality/value

This paper describes and analyzes farm financial accounting system use and preferences by type.

Details

Agricultural Finance Review, vol. 71 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-1466

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 February 2019

Abdullah Al Mamun, Roselina Ahmad Saufi, Muhammad Mohiuddin and Syed Ali Fazal

As recycling is associated with various environmental benefits, it is important that it is encouraged in Malaysia. Taking the disappointingly low recycling rate in Malaysia as its…

Abstract

Purpose

As recycling is associated with various environmental benefits, it is important that it is encouraged in Malaysia. Taking the disappointingly low recycling rate in Malaysia as its backdrop, the purpose of this paper is to examine recycling intentions and behaviors among micro-entrepreneurs in Kelantan, Malaysia, drawing on the theory of planned behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a cross-sectional design and stratified random sampling method to select 200 informal micro-entrepreneurs from Kota Bharu, Kelantan; then, quantitative data were collected through structured interviews. For data analysis, this study adopted variance-based structural equation modeling, i.e. PLS–SEM.

Findings

The findings indicated that environmental awareness had a significant positive effect on micro-entrepreneurs’ attitudes toward the environment. They also confirmed a positive and significant effect of attitude and perceived behavioral control on intention toward recycling and the effect of intention toward recycling on recycling behavior among the study sample.

Practical implications

Policies and programs focused on environmental awareness could nurture a positive attitude toward the environment, which, together with the capacities and resources available, could significantly influence the adoption of recycling behavior among informal entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

It is recommended that both public and private environmental protection and socio-economic development organizations combine their efforts to formulate and enforce policies and programs to promote recycling behavior among Malaysian entrepreneurs, which could spread the recycling spirit among all Malaysians.

Details

World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-5961

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2008

R. Bojoi, G. Griva, F. Profumo, M. Cesano and L. Natale

This paper aims to present the prototype of a 140 kVA shunt active power filter (APF) for current harmonics and fundamental reactive power compensation of a 200 kW induction…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present the prototype of a 140 kVA shunt active power filter (APF) for current harmonics and fundamental reactive power compensation of a 200 kW induction heating system.

Design/methodology/approach

Design issues of the power components, of the switching ripple filter and of the digital control are addressed and discussed. The APF control algorithm has been implemented on the 16‐bit, fixed‐point, TMS320LF2407 A DSP controller. The current control is based on proportional‐sinusoidal signal integrators with good performance in current harmonic elimination and power factor compensation.

Findings

The experimental tests, performed in real industrial environment for a 200 kW induction heating plant, show that the performance goals are fulfilled.

Practical implications

The sinusoidal signal integrators (for consistency with the other plural forms of acronyms) of the current controller are implemented in the rotating reference frame aligned with the voltage vector at the point of common connection. This allows the compensation of two harmonics with a single SSI, thus halving the computational effort of the DSP.

Originality/value

In industrial induction heating, the need for harmonic and reactive power compensation lasts a few seconds per minute, making passive solutions not suitable. The presented APF is a valid solution for this application, where only a few tailored implementations are available on the market.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 April 2022

Ou Wang and Frank Scrimgeour

The widespread dietary adoption of cultured meat could provide important benefits to animal welfare, the environment, food safety and security. This study examines consumer…

Abstract

Purpose

The widespread dietary adoption of cultured meat could provide important benefits to animal welfare, the environment, food safety and security. This study examines consumer segmentation and consumer motives for choice of cultured meat in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected by means of a web-based questionnaire (n = 608) distributed in the two cites of Shanghai and Chengdu. Factor analysis, cluster analysis and path analysis were employed for data analysis.

Findings

Three consumer segments were identified with regard to the acceptance of cultured meat in China: Conservatives (25.7%), Acceptors (41.9%) and Pioneers (32.4%). Significant differences were recognised in age, household income, education and household size between the three consumer segments. The following meat choice motives (MCMs) have significant influences on Chinese participants’ attitudes and/or purchase intentions towards cultured meat: usually eat, environmental concern, societal concern, mood, purchase convenience and price.

Originality/value

This is the first study to develop a factorial construct of MCMs based on a previous theoretical model of food choice motives (FCMs) in China. The study contributes understanding of choice motives for cultured meat in a non-Western setting, particularly in China - the country consuming the largest quantity of pork. Further, this is the first study to recognise segments that are directly based on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions towards cultured meat. The findings of this study will help global producers and policymakers to create effective promotion strategies and policies for this innovative product in developing countries, particularly in China.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2018

Loay Salhieh, Ismail Abushaikha, Muhannad Atmeh and Metri Mdanat

Although recent research acknowledges the importance of reducing the inefficient activities from road transportation, there is still a missing link in literature of how…

Abstract

Purpose

Although recent research acknowledges the importance of reducing the inefficient activities from road transportation, there is still a missing link in literature of how transportation extended wastes impact road haulers efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between waste reduction practices (WRP) and fleet operational efficiency (FOE) in road hauler firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model was developed to assess this relationship. The authors test the model with a sample from logistics companies providing road haulage services in the Middle East, providing a contribution to extant literature from a different setting.

Findings

Results suggest that WRP have a positive and significant impact on FOE. A valuable scale for the measurement of operational efficiency was developed and validated, representing an index toward the most efficient organization.

Practical implications

The findings of this study serves as a tool for shippers to benchmark the efficiency levels of their motor carrier service providers against each other, considering that segmentation is a relevant issue to understand the choice in favor of a given provider to the detriment of another. Furthermore, road haulers can use the efficiency measurements as a basis for establishing future action plans to adopt waste reduction practices.

Originality/value

The research deals with a newly emerging stream of research on linking waste practices to road transport. The authors contribute to this developing body of research through filling a gap in the link between waste and road transport operational performance. The research is also different from recent literature in that the authors provide insights from a larger population, unlike other similar studies who used VSM and studied only a particular case. Thus, the work is important to generalize the findings, especially that the authors provide a perspective from a non-western perspective.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 35 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 22 May 2023

Patrizia Gazzola, Enrica Pavione, Daniele Grechi and Federica Scavarda

Although not yet fully defined, natural wine represents a sector that has gained the widespread attention of final consumers and, therefore, also of the restaurant world, because…

Abstract

Purpose

Although not yet fully defined, natural wine represents a sector that has gained the widespread attention of final consumers and, therefore, also of the restaurant world, because of its promise of sustainability. The objective of this paper is to understand Italian haute cuisine's interest in natural wine, with the aim of analysing what qualifies this product as sustainable.

Design/methodology/approach

After introducing a theoretical framework based on the concept of natural wine, a brief paragraph is dedicated to consumer preferences; subsequently, the analysis focusses on a questionnaire given to restaurateurs to determine the impact that natural wine has had in the Italian context. The results try to identify the importance that restaurateurs give to the characteristics of natural wine and their propensity for using such wine in their own businesses.

Findings

The analysis, conducted on a sample of medium-high range restaurants, highlights their strong interest in natural wine, as a result of the final consumers' attitude towards wine with characteristics attributable to sustainability. The positive perception by restaurateurs is similar across Italy, both geographically and in terms of the size of the restaurant.

Originality/value

The originality of the work is the focus on the world of restaurants. To date, the literature on natural wine remains embryonic and always refers to the final consumer. This research is the first step in a broader study that will involve a greater number of restaurants, extending beyond Italy to all of Europe, with the aim of understanding the real development potential of natural wine.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 June 2015

Giuseppina Migliore, Antonino Galati, Pietro Romeo, Maria Crescimanno and Giorgio Schifani

The purpose of this paper is to detect what experience and credence quality attributes contribute to the consumer decision to consume cactus pear fruit. The authors therefore try…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to detect what experience and credence quality attributes contribute to the consumer decision to consume cactus pear fruit. The authors therefore try to measure the effect of each quality attribute on consumer choice.

Design/methodology/approach

As a theoretical basis, two principal quality attributes emphasised in the literature on consumer behaviour were analysed and adjusted to the specific fruit features. The empirical strategy was carried out by administering a telephone questionnaire survey of 270 interviewees who consume cactus pears in Italy. The questionnaire, consisting of 14 items expressed on a metric scale (five-point Likert scale), was used to rate the importance of cactus pear fruit quality attributes. An ordered logit model was employed for data analysis.

Findings

The results show that consumption of cactus pear fruit is mainly based on credence and experience attributes, which have different effects on the consumer decision to consume cactus pear fruit. Among experience quality attributes, the colour red, a low quantity of seeds, and being peeled are the attributes with major effects, following by credence attributes such as environmental sustainability, healthiness, and Italian origin.

Research limitations/implications

The research was based on a particular fruit, and further comparative research is clearly needed. In fact, further advancement in cactus pear research would require that the validity of the empirical findings and their degree of generalisation be examined in other geographical areas.

Practical implications

The results of this study could help to identify some factors on which business could intervene to create a more effective consumer-based approach.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a better definition of cactus pear fruit quality for consumers with the aim of developing marketing strategies to increase farm business. To the best of the knowledge, no study has ever measured the effects of cactus pear fruit quality attributes on consumer choice.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 117 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 July 2022

Andrew Bradly and Marina Iskhakova

The purpose of this paper is to serve as a comprehensive review of short-term study abroad (STSA) outcomes to help guide future STSA and study abroad (SA) scholars and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to serve as a comprehensive review of short-term study abroad (STSA) outcomes to help guide future STSA and study abroad (SA) scholars and practitioners in the further development of the field.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is the first comprehensive and systematic review of all outcomes of STSA programs within the SA body of research based on 156 papers.

Findings

The study provides the first comprehensive classification of all previously studied STSA outcomes (85) into six categories: cross-cultural outcomes, STSA pedagogy outcomes, personal and professional outcomes; language outcomes; teacher and faculty outcomes; and other outcomes. Distinct sub-categories are identified that provide insights on the current landscape of STSA and related research.

Research limitations/implications

This study makes a significant contribution to the theory and practice of SA, and among the key contributions are a systematic understanding of the scale and scope of STSA outcomes; insights on the most efficient design of future STSA programs; and an expanded understanding of the role and importance of STSA programs in international education. Furthermore, a comprehensive STSA outcomes map develops an extensive research agenda.

Social implications

While the COVID-19 pandemic currently limits the opportunities for STSA, given its previous popularity, the authors envisage a strong return in the coming years of this form of affordable and valuable global learning. STSA programs have become an important component of higher education and which require considerable resources from participants and educational institutions alike. Therefore, further research is needed to understand the impacts of STSA programs and to further improve program design. Such research will serve to better inform both academic understanding of the phenomenon and educational practice.

Originality/value

The study provides the first comprehensive classification of all studied STSA outcomes.

Details

Journal of International Education in Business, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-469X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Florina Ruta, Avram Calin, Mihai Timus, Remus Sipos and Liviu Ciucan-Rusu

This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and consumption of healthy foods, respectively, of oils as sources of omega-3 and dietary supplements with omega-3, among a population of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and consumption of healthy foods, respectively, of oils as sources of omega-3 and dietary supplements with omega-3, among a population of young people in the center of Romania. With the objectives of identifying the factors that can influence the consumption of healthy fats and the orientation toward actions to promote less known food resources, in order to diversify the healthy food intake, the long-term improvement of the health-related effects of food.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the most important aspects of health is nutrition and its role in reducing the incidence of chronic diseases is supported by scientific data. In this research, the authors analyzed the level of information and the factors determining food choices with particular reference to the consumption of healthy fats and/or supplements from these fats, in order to highlight the behavior of individuals in relation to food. For this purpose, a questionnaire about food and healthy fats (omega-3) consumption and frequency was applied to the food groups of interest, along with other factors pertaining to lifestyle. The questionnaire distributed online mainly included questions related to the consumption of fats and the respondents' knowledge about them. The interest in participating in the study was manifested mainly in the young age segment. The collected data were analyzed statistically was done through Graph Pad Prism ver. 9 software with the establishment of a statistical significance threshold of 0.05.

Findings

There is a certain degree of superficiality in the knowledge of the importance and use of foods rich in omega-3. The statistically significant association has been identified both between age and the rules established in the family for observing the schedule of meals and between age and benefiting from an evaluation of the eating behavior. Statistically significant association has also been observed between the level of education and the knowledge on the health benefits of vegetable oils. The statistically significant association was also present between the level of education and the respondents' appreciation of the essential role of eating behavior in disease prevention.

Originality/value

Identifying the consumer profile in relation to their attitude toward healthy foods, especially fats, in order to adapt nutritional interventions with the aim to promote healthy food choices that have an impact on the health of the individual and also of the population.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 May 2019

Ninh Nguyen, Steven Greenland, Antonio Lobo and Hoang Viet Nguyen

This paper aims to address gaps in the sustainable technology literature by evaluating the demographics of energy efficient appliance consumption in Vietnam. Sustainable…

1007

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to address gaps in the sustainable technology literature by evaluating the demographics of energy efficient appliance consumption in Vietnam. Sustainable technologies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address environmental problems such as air quality and climate change. Opportunity is the greatest in emerging markets, where population growth has triggered dramatic rises in electricity consumption. However, their adoption of energy efficient appliances has been slow and understanding why is limited.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a literature review, a questionnaire was designed to capture sustainable consumption attitudes and behaviours. In total, 682 interviews were conducted among Vietnamese electrical appliance consumers to investigate the influence of demographics on sustainable technology consumption.

Findings

While many respondents were aware of the sustainable benefits of energy efficient appliances, this did not generally translate into responsible purchase behaviour. Of the demographic variables, education had the strongest relationship with sustainability. Those with higher incomes and more children were also more likely to exhibit sustainable consumption attitudes and behaviours. Gender and age were weaker sustainability predictors.

Originality/value

This study is relevant to a wide range of sustainable technology contexts. The literature shows contrary findings regarding relationships between demographics and sustainable consumption, and the value of demographics to sustainable consumer segmentation and targeted behaviour change campaigns has been contested by some researchers. This research highlights education as the most significant demographic predictor of sustainable consumption and reveals the consistency of this finding with many other studies. The implications of this for promoting future sustainability are discussed.

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