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Supply chains in new and emerging agricultural industries typically lack information linking product quality with consumer behaviour. This case study of the emerging persimmon industry in Australia and New Zealand demonstrates how adopting a supply chain orientation can address this situation. Assessing and modelling consumer response to product quality provides information that demonstrates to supply chain stakeholders how better product quality management can improve the performance of the whole chain. Emerging fruit industries, therefore, have more incentive to adopt a supply chain orientation if they understand quality‐related factors that drive consumer satisfaction and repeat buying behaviour.

This essay responds to comments on Southern Theory by Mustafa Emirbayer, Patricia Hill Collins, Raka Ray, and Isaac Reed as part of a larger discussion about the future of postcolonial sociology. It clarifies aspects of Southern Theory that are commented upon while stressing the big claim of Southern Theory, which is that the periphery produces social theory that sociology should take seriously in order to make for a more global and democratic intellectual project of social change.

The final consumer has the exclusive right to define what constitutes value in a product or service. Under increasing pressures of globalization and urbanization, a consumer-focused approach to performance improvement in supply chains can lead to more satisfied consumers and improved returns to growers and retailers. This paper aims to demonstrate that such an orientation, though lacking in agri-food supply chains in developing countries, can mitigate threats to food safety, consumer health and environmental quality.

Data were collected through random survey intercepts (n=418) at different retail outlets for fresh vegetables in Nairobi, Kenya in 2010. Multi-step cluster analysis (Ward Method, K-means) was used to classify fresh vegetable consumers, in terms of their product, production and marketing process preferences.

Four heterogeneous segments in terms of value preferences, behaviour and personal profiles (p<0.05) were derived. They were labelled Prestigious Shoppers (25 per cent), Market Enthusiasts (18 per cent), Ethics Crusaders (41 per cent) and Safety Sceptics (16 per cent). All segments expressed high or moderate preferences for product quality. In addition, the Prestigious Shoppers expressed a moderate preference for customer service. Market Enthusiasts attached the highest values to market conditions and customer service. Ethics Crusaders most highly preferred customer service, while Safety Sceptics most highly preferred safe production.

Since it is difficult to predict consumer behaviour precisely, these findings may be contextual. Yet, the segments have unique value preferences despite actors treating them as homogeneous. Ignoring these differences can lead to unsustainable attempts to improve chain practice and policies.

This paper is the first of its kind. It advocates for use of universal value profiles as a basis for development of consumer-focused strategies for sustainable performance improvement in agri-food chains in developing countries.

It is argued that there are no simple means of giving orders and instructions, but there are considerations which can make orders and instructions more effective: consistency, clear communication and obtainability.

This paper aims to provide a systematic review of the academic literature on the determinants, processes and impacts of indigenous entrepreneurship (IE), highlights its contribution to current knowledge and identifies research gaps to guide future research.

Databases used in this study included Scopus, ABI, Business Source Complete, ProQuest and Emerald Insight. In total, 84 articles were included in the review.

The findings revealed that 33 studies were qualitative, 12 used a survey-based approach, 25 were conceptual and 14 used mixed approaches. The focus on theory-building research underlines the fact that more theory-testing research is needed in the future. In total, 38 studies were conducted in developed countries and 43 in developing countries. The findings indicated that IE was driven by many determinants such as family and clan ties, patriarchy and social stratification, government support and conducive entrepreneurial ecosystems. Processes related to policies, IE development programs, partnerships, expenditure mechanisms, equitable distribution of benefits and resource mobilization. The outcomes of IE included economic development, sustainability, increased indigenous economic participation, enhanced quality of life, self-determination and preserving cultural heritage.

The current paper has some limitations. Firstly, it focuses only on academic journals and excludes conferences, books and working papers. Secondly, it includes only English language academic articles. However, while the current systematic literature review (SLR) has these limitations, it presents a thorough view of the determinants, processes and impacts of IE. Future studies may consider other sources beyond academic journals and also include non-English publications, and this approach may identify interesting areas for future research.

Existing reviews of IE take a narrow perspective and fail to present a comprehensive view of the IE phenomenon. The current study aims to fill this gap in the literature and provides a SLR pertaining to IE’s determinants, processes and impacts. The review is both timely and relevant because it identifies gaps and serves as a springboard to guide future research.

The concept of knowledge as a strategic asset of a firm underpins the idea that the “learning” in a learning organisation can be a source of competitive advantage. The principles of learning organisations can also be applied to integrated supply chains, where they demonstrate the same potential to improve competitive advantage. Product flows in chains are linear, but relationships in chains may exist in clusters or nodes that are non‐linear because they involve more than two chain participants. Within these relational nodes, firms have enhanced prospects of learning from one another, and in the process they can create more value than could otherwise be possible. When added value is created through joint learning, a “locus of value” exists. We propose that a locus of value is the hallmark of a learning chain. It improves competitiveness and is difficult to emulate by competitors.

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the importance of a strategic approach to collaborative innovation and the use of a value chain research methodology for identifying opportunities for co‐innovation.

Value chain analysis is used to map three flows in the Houston Farms value chain; material flow, information flow and relationships. Having diagnosed the current level of co‐innovation we then identify improvement projects and opportunities for co‐innovation to reduce cost and add value, for the benefit of the value chain as a whole.

The application of the value chain analysis methodology to the Houston Farms value chain revealed the importance of strategy and robust processes in key areas for co‐innovation – R&D and new product development. It also revealed that small businesses can enjoy a degree of success as a result of comparative advantage in certain areas but that sustainable competitive advantage cannot occur by chance – identifying the potential for co‐innovation is an important first step in the right direction.

The value chain innovation roadmap represents a useful framework for exploring the current state and future capability for co‐innovation in a value chain. The value chain analysis methodology is an effective diagnostic tool as it focuses on what happens at the interface between stakeholders and how this relates to what final consumers regard as value adding, rather than traditional financial and functional KPIs which make it difficult to explore the competitiveness of the value chain as a whole.

The explicit and objective measurement of what consumers value is an important addition to the value chain analysis methodology and the co‐innovation roadmap is an original attempt to illustrate the core drivers and capabilities for achieving co‐innovation in a value chain. The insights from the case demonstrate the value of this approach to companies who are open to innovation and recognise the need to focus the use of scarce value‐adding resources on specific value chains and the needs and wants of final consumers therein.

A number of food safety systems have been implemented in Australia but information regarding the motivators, constraints, costs and benefits of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) as a food safety programme, as well as novel verification methods in the meat industry, has been lacking.

Semi‐structured reviews were used as part of an industry‐level study of 50 per cent of businesses.

Results show that the benefits of food safety systems incorporating HACCP within the meat industry in Australia have been widespread and significant. In particular, Australian firms reported a reduction in rejects/rework/out of specification products, reduction in customer complaints, improved product hygiene, improved morale and an increase in overseas markets. However, this has been at the cost of refurbishment for small businesses, training and the exiting of firms that have not complied/been able to comply with the HACCP requirements.

Most of the costs involved with HACCP could not be recouped in the short‐term. Also, the unwillingness of small firms to participate in the research had repercussions on the outcome.

This article helps to define the HACCP system and will be of interest to those involved in the implementation of it.

The paper aims to review the website of the UK Cybernetics Society, with appreciation of its function in disseminating news, including its mention of the death of the Soviet/Israeli scientist Alexander Lerner and to review some internet sources of information on health matters.

The approach is to review developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest. Recent discoveries of cave art in Britain are described.

The UK Cybernetics Society website is a valuable source of current news. The death of Lerner is a notable event to which it drew attention. Information on health matters includes an account of a new organisation to monitor performance of health services, and sources of health advice.

The information sources, including those offered by the monitoring organisation, are of immediate value. Cave art is significant as an early form of communication.

It is hoped this is a valuable periodic review.