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1 – 10 of 440Vanessa Bechtol and Lucie Laurian
This article aims to show how communities with severe river flooding can develop sustainable flood plans that remediate environmental problems caused by previous river…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to show how communities with severe river flooding can develop sustainable flood plans that remediate environmental problems caused by previous river straightening and other structural flood controls.
Design/methodology/approach
The article builds on a case study of the nationally recognized Napa River Flood Protection Project (USA), which incorporates an ecological living river strategy and builds on strong community participation to restore a river and its floodplain. After discussing the drawbacks of structural flood control measures, and especially of river straightening, reviews the contents of the Napa Flood Project and the public participation process necessary for its design, approval and implementation.
Findings
The key lessons learned from Napa's flood project are that: undoing past structural works is difficult but feasible; ecological criteria can and should be used to design modern flood projects; involvement of a wide and diverse group of stakeholders is crucial to developing and implementing an environmentally sustainable flood management project; and the US Army Corps of Engineers can work with communities and depart from its typical, structural flood control approaches.
Research limitations/implications
Information on straightened rivers is extremely limited. Furthermore, this study focuses on flood planning for US rivers, and may therefore be less useful elsewhere in the world where the frequency of river straightening may differ.
Originality/value
This case study provides a critique on river straightening, which is a poorly documented but fairly frequent approach to flood control. This article helps to fill gaps in the knowledge of how communities can, and are, addressing environmental concerns associated with flood controls and river straightening.
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The concept of National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is advocated at international, regional and national levels. The concept is thought to foster sustainability of…
Abstract
Purpose
The concept of National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) is advocated at international, regional and national levels. The concept is thought to foster sustainability of livelihoods against impacts of climate change. This paper analyses the mainstreaming of NAPA into national development plans in Lesotho as accentuated by policies and programmes.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is broadly qualitative and reviews policies and projects on agriculture and food security, environment, forestry, water and irrigation aimed at sustaining rural livelihoods. Data from relevant government documents, commissioned studies’ reports, literature and key stakeholders are used.
Findings
Although the mainstreaming entry point for NAPA is identified in the country’s Vision 2020 and National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) 2012/13-2016/17, financial, technical, human and other resources are inadequate to ensure its effective implementation. There is little evidence of NAPA mainstreaming into development plans by the line ministries of finance and economic development other than donor-funded projects. Absence of climate change policy influence means NAPA is not well-factored into the national development agenda, as mainstreaming is difficult without appropriate policies. Most projects with effect on climate change impact abatement originate from specific sectors and are disconnected from each other.
Originality/value
Based on the findings, ways to leverage NAPA via mainstreaming are discussed. It is concluded that NAPA mainstreaming offers a promising avenue for initiating and promoting sustainable livelihoods in Lesotho. The study demonstrates the applicability of the presented sustainable livelihood framework.
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Doaa Samir Mahmoud, Medhat Lotfy Tawfic, Abdel Gawad Rabie and Salwa H. El-Sabbagh
The purpose of this paper is to prepare superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) based on acrylic acid, which is considered hygroscopic material to incorporate in rubber formulation, which…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to prepare superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) based on acrylic acid, which is considered hygroscopic material to incorporate in rubber formulation, which results in producing moisten rubber that is used as roofing sheets.
Design/methodology/approach
SAPs were synthesized via free radical bulk polymerization technique using different content of cross-linker N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide and potassium persulfate. Differential scanning calorimeter, thermal gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize SAPs and confirmed the formation of cross-linked hydrogel structure. The water absorbency and the gel fraction for sodium polyacrylate (NaPA) were investigated. Then, the influence of obtained NaPA on the swelling behavior of the prepared natural rubber (NR) compound has been discussed.
Findings
Absorption characteristics and gel fraction of NaPA were found to depend on the content of the cross-linker in the system. SAPs are used to improve the absorbance behavior and performance of the NR to produce, roofing sheets using in hot weather. The morphology of the obtained rubber compound was well-explained by using a scanning electron microscope.
Research limitations/implications
The research provides a simple way to produce moisten rubber that can be used as a roofing sheet to overcome warm weather.
Originality/value
Moisten rubber roofing sheets provide a low-cost option in many developing countries with hot climates, and thus, help save the environment from global warming.
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Rodrigo Berríos and Rodrigo Saens
The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether or not the reputation of a region/country in the international wine market depends on a region/country’s efforts to specialize in a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether or not the reputation of a region/country in the international wine market depends on a region/country’s efforts to specialize in a specific grape variety.
Design/methodology/approach
Data on 19,959 bottles of wine corresponding to six vintages across ten wine producing regions worldwide are used to estimate a hedonic price model that measures consumer valuations of the different wine attributes.
Findings
The results of this study show that although variety specialization has successfully underpinned the reputation of some New World regions, such as the Napa Valley (with its Cabernet Sauvignon) or Oregon (with its Pinot Noir); in others, such as Australia (with its Shiraz), this has not been successful.
Practical implications
Over the last ten years, the exponential growth of Australian bulk wine exports has seriously harmed the reputation of Australian wine. With respect to the Napa Valley wines, price discount received by Australian wines increases between the 1997 and 2007 vintage from 33 to 61 percent. Thus, in order to successfully build a collective reputation of an entrant (New World) country, an institutional framework that mediates differences of interest between the large and small vineyards and, above all, that regulates the free-rider problem in the wine market is required.
Originality/value
This paper empirically illustrates how cooperative (and non-cooperative) behavior between firms can help to build (and to destroy) collective reputation of wines that come from the same region or country.
Propósito
El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar si los esfuerzos de una región/país por especializarse en la producción de una misma variedad de cepa sirven o no para construir la reputación de una región/país en el mercado internacional del vino.
Diseño/metodología/Enfoque
Se utiliza un modelo econométrico de precios hedónicos sobre la base de 19.959 mil observaciones provenientes de 6 cosechas y 10 zonas productoras de vino del mundo.
Resultados
Los resultados de este estudio muestran que aunque la especialización por cepa ha impulsado la reputación de algunas regiones del Nuevo Mundo, como la del Valle de Napa (con su Cabernet Sauvignon) o la de Oregon (con su Pinot Noir); en otras, como la de Australia (con su Shiraz), no ha sido una estrategia exitosa.
Implicaciones prácticas
En los últimos diez años, el crecimiento exponencial de las exportaciones de vino a granel australiano ha dañado seriamente la reputación del vino de dicho país. Respecto a los vinos de Napa, el castigo de precios de los vinos australianos ha crecido desde un 33% en la cosecha 1997 a un 61% en la cosecha 2007. Así, si se desea construir con éxito la reputación de un país entrante (del Nuevo Mundo) al mercado mundial del vino, se requiere de un marco institucional que medie las diferencias de interés entre las grandes y pequeñas viñas, y que, por sobre todo, regule las conductas no cooperativas (free-rider) que surgen al amparo de la reputación colectiva asociada a los vinos que provienen de una misma región o país de origen.
Originalidad/Valor
Este paper ilustra de manera empírica cómo las conductas cooperativas (y no cooperativas) entre productores pueden ayudar a construir (y a destruir) la reputación colectiva de los vinos que provienen de una misma región o país.
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This paper aims to examine the purposive strategy behind the growth of cult wines in Napa California since the 1980s. By leveraging the growing wine reputation of the region, a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the purposive strategy behind the growth of cult wines in Napa California since the 1980s. By leveraging the growing wine reputation of the region, a small number of new owners used extensive financial resources from other ventures to make a finely crafted, high-priced wine, in small quantities and sold through restricted distribution channels. Their aim was to compete with Bordeaux first-growths and create wine that would evoke the luxury connotations of craft, heritage, reputation and exclusivity. Because they were new, they relied upon experts to rate their wine, thus creating instant legitimacy with high scores and appealing to a small group of wealthy wine enthusiasts, many of whom were insecure in their knowledge of high-quality wines.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured in-depth interviews with a sample of 13 cult winery owners, wine makers and a CEO were utilized in addition to descriptive statistics and secondary historical information drawn from public records.
Findings
Certain Napa producers have created iconic wines through purposeful behavior and extensive resources that are rare and difficult to imitate. Their success is also a function of positive accolades by influential wine critics whose scoring sanctioned their status as a luxury good. High prices and limited availability further manufactured the scarcity element that is crucial to maintaining demand for high-status goods.
Originality/value
This study examines the interface between supply of a product, external validation that legitimized it and a small but significant market of wealthy individuals who created the demand for it. This mosaic behind market creation reveals how successful producers have been in realizing the multidimensionality of luxury goods.
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The purpose of this paper is to argue that cooperative behavior by key actors is often crucial for collective organizational learning to occur and new markets to become…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to argue that cooperative behavior by key actors is often crucial for collective organizational learning to occur and new markets to become established. Such cooperation is gradually replaced by competition as network interactions become formalized following the codification of knowledge and the growth of a collective identity.
Design/methodology/approach
Using detailed ethnographic studies from a broad sample, this paper uses key informants who played a role in creating and sustaining a viable market for a high status good.
Findings
The sharing of tacit knowledge complements technical skills for key industry actors and facilitates collective organizational learning in ways that expedite the emergence of a high status sector. Once knowledge is codified as the sector gains legitimacy, there is less need for informal structured interactions as vital conduits of knowledge sharing.
Originality/value
This paper shows how knowledge sharing via cooperative relationship underlies competitive market formation and provides firms with requisite quality enhancements necessary for status attainment.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of interactions amongst specialists in an embryonic and emerging network.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of interactions amongst specialists in an embryonic and emerging network.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach taken was qualitative research utilising ethnographic methods of interview of key actors.
Findings
Cooperative activities in the early phase of market growth facilitated information pooling crucial to the sector's growth; following industry legitimacy, there is less incentive or need for such pooling as information becomes codified. Governance structure change as a consequence of such an evolution in organizational form.
Originality/value
The paper examines how tacit knowledge sharing is crucial to industry growth through informal networks, then how such knowledge is less valuable once industry legitimacy has been established. Cooperation thus becomes increasingly replaced by competition between organization and the key actors therein.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the changing competitive landscape in the wine industry, focusing upon how premium Napa valley producers are responding to such changes.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the changing competitive landscape in the wine industry, focusing upon how premium Napa valley producers are responding to such changes.
Design/methodology/approach
The in depth interview technique with 11 privately owned premium wine producers was used, with interviews conducted in early 2005.
Findings
Wineries identify the growing concentration and consolidation amongst distributors and domestic US producers; increased foreign competition, particularly from Australia; and the trend towards homogenised taste following the increased power of numerical wine ranking surveys as principal concerns that they face.
Practical implications
The findings highlight the dilemmas faced by wineries as they attempt to stress their locational advantage for reputation building but endeavour to differentiate their product from other wineries in Napa.
Originality/value
As a pilot project the paper indicates how even firms in high value added product markets are facing heightened competition and what they fear might emerge in the near future from foreign producers.
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Paola Scorrano, Monica Fait, Amedeo Maizza and Demetris Vrontis
The link between wine and tourism is increasingly important for the competitive advantage of the territory and its productions, and it must be adequately communicated, in…
Abstract
Purpose
The link between wine and tourism is increasingly important for the competitive advantage of the territory and its productions, and it must be adequately communicated, in particular, online. Therefore, monitoring the level of convergence between online brand identity and online brand image is increasingly important to implement an efficient strategy of recall of a territory. This paper thus aims to propose an operative framework – assessing Web convergence (AWC) – designed to detect and analyse the online brand image and compare it with online brand identity.
Design/methodology/approach
The AWC framework is designed to extract information from the Web, process it through text-mining techniques – cluster analysis – and interpret it from three perspectives – functional, holistic and sensitive. The operative framework was applied to Napa Valley because it is the most frequently cited wine destination on the top 100 travel blogs.
Findings
The empirical application shows that the proposed logical framework can yield important reflections even in cases such as Napa Valley’s, a destination that already enjoys strong notoriety. In spite of the apparent qualitative homogeneity of the topics discussed, observation of their composition in terms of the three dimensions revealed the existence of a gap on some topics identified between what is communicated by the wine tourism destination and what is perceived and in turn communicated by bloggers.
Research limitations/implications
The limitation of the research is represented by the application of the operative process to a single case study (Napa Valley). The contribution given to managerial studies is the ability of the framework to provide an operative vision of the importance of knowing the blogger’s perception of the brand identity communicated by the company. Testing the framework in other contexts will confirm that the protocol is generalisable.
Practical implications
The identification of the themes that characterise brand identity and brand image in the Web provides a flow of information that, if interpreted according to the functional, holistic and sensitive perspective, transforms the themes into useful knowledge for decisional purposes.
Originality/value
The managerial literature has highlighted, as in today’s communication environment, a strong brand can be created and maintained by strengthening the linkage between identity and image. The proposed framework may be considered an important protocol because it allows a tourism destination to increase the flow of information on which to build or strengthen the brand identity by aligning with the brand image. This could be particularly useful for smaller and less-popular destinations.
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