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Article
Publication date: 27 February 2024

Quynh Do, Nishikant Mishra, Fernando Correia and Stephen Eldridge

Circular economy advocates innovations that upcycle wastes in the food supply chain to generate high added-value materials. These innovations are not only disruptive and green but…

Abstract

Purpose

Circular economy advocates innovations that upcycle wastes in the food supply chain to generate high added-value materials. These innovations are not only disruptive and green but also they are often initiated by startups, leading to the emergence of novel open-loop supply chains connecting actors in food and non-food sectors. While earlier research has highlighted the need to seek legitimacy for disruptive innovations to survive and grow, little is known about how these innovations occur and evolve across sectors. This paper aims to elaborate on this mechanism by exploring the function of the circular economy as a boundary object to facilitate legitimacy-seeking strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory multiple-case research design is adopted and features food waste innovation projects with multi-tier supply chains consisting of a food producer, a startup and a buying firm. The study is investigated from the legitimacy and boundary object lenses.

Findings

The findings proposed a framework for the role of a boundary object in enabling legitimacy-seeking strategies for novel food waste innovations. First, the interpretative flexibility of the circular economy affords actors symbolic resources to conduct manipulation strategy to achieve cognitive legitimacy. Second, small-scale work arrangements enable creation strategy for the new supply chain to harness moral legitimacy. Finally, pragmatic legitimacy is granted via diffusion strategy enabled by scalable work arrangements.

Originality/value

This paper provides novel insights into the emergence of food waste innovation from a multi-tier supply chain perspective. It also highlights the key role of the boundary object in the legitimacy-seeking process.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 January 2024

Hanna-Anastasiia Melnychuk, Huseyin Arasli and Raziye Nevzat

The purpose of this study is to identify the process of virtual influencer stickiness in the age of influencer marketing, which has received little attention in the literature…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the process of virtual influencer stickiness in the age of influencer marketing, which has received little attention in the literature. This is essential because the research creates a theoretical model of follower loyalty/stickiness to virtual influencer techniques from the standpoint of influencer marketing, which has a substantial effect on the evolution of the global marketing world.

Design/methodology/approach

In 2022, 302 people who currently follow an Instafamous virtual influencer took part in an Instagram self-administered online survey.

Findings

The findings show that both expertise and trustworthiness have a positive and significant influence on parasocial interaction, which in turn has a significant influence on virtual engagement and stickiness.

Originality/value

This research will specifically assist international readers in understanding how to harness and increase the efficiency and efficacy of interactive marketing strategies and methods to engage and retain followers of Instafamous virtual influencer. Moreover, the findings will be beneficial to opinion leaders, brand managers, company investors, entrepreneurs and service designers.

Highlights

  1. The study pioneers a holistic virtual follower stickiness mechanism that comprises the role of source credibility, parasocial interaction, informational influence and virtual follower’s engagement and their interrelationship to each other.

  2. This study is based on parasocial interaction theory and source credibility theory to understand the relationship between virtual followers and influencers stickiness process at social media platforms.

  3. In addition, the study examined the subsequent effects of sources of credibility components on parasocial interaction; as well as, on virtual follower engagement and stickiness.

  4. This study also categorized and examined the moderating effects exerted by the genres of informative influence of virtual influencer.

The study pioneers a holistic virtual follower stickiness mechanism that comprises the role of source credibility, parasocial interaction, informational influence and virtual follower’s engagement and their interrelationship to each other.

This study is based on parasocial interaction theory and source credibility theory to understand the relationship between virtual followers and influencers stickiness process at social media platforms.

In addition, the study examined the subsequent effects of sources of credibility components on parasocial interaction; as well as, on virtual follower engagement and stickiness.

This study also categorized and examined the moderating effects exerted by the genres of informative influence of virtual influencer.

Details

Marketing Intelligence & Planning, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-4503

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 October 2023

Fereshte Rasty and Raffaele Filieri

Consumers’ digital engagement can bring various benefits to both brands and consumers. Besides, few studies investigated the outcomes of engagement with restaurant brands on…

Abstract

Purpose

Consumers’ digital engagement can bring various benefits to both brands and consumers. Besides, few studies investigated the outcomes of engagement with restaurant brands on Instagram. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of consumer engagement (CE) with restaurant brands on consumer-related factors (namely, consumer’s brand knowledge, perceived enjoyment and consumer social interaction) and brand-related factors (namely, e-WOM and brand reputation), as well as the mediating role of consumer-related factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 394 Instagram followers of restaurant/coffee shop brands, and covariance-based structural equation modeling and bootstrapping were used to assess the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The results show that CE with restaurant brands on Instagram enhances brand-related outcomes as well as consumer-related outcomes. Moreover, consumer-related factors partially mediate these relationships.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide insights for restaurant managers and digital marketers to stimulate consumer-brand engagement.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first that examines the effect of CE with restaurant brands on consumer- and brand-related outcomes on Instagram. The context of the study is Iran, which adds to the literature on CE that mainly focuses on developed countries.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

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