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The purpose of this research was to investigate e‐business and e‐supply strategies in Scottish small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The paper reviews academic literature and recent survey reports on the degree of e‐business adoption in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The qualitative methodology undertaken is described, findings are discussed and implications from this study for e‐business strategies outlined. This was an exploratory study using a small sample with possible geographic biases. Nevertheless, the data so far are in line with findings from larger studies. The role of support agencies is examined, as well as how government could better serve the SMEs. Finally conclusions and future research plans are presented.

Investigates the issue of retail buying by focusing on the process rather than on any specific point in time. Considers the use of information and information technology (IT) during the buying process, building on case studies from three European countries. Analyses how buying processes in food retailing are structured in different buying contexts; what information is utilised in the process; and how IT is utilised throughout the buying process. Reveals that in all the case studies the activities of the retail buying process were quite similar. It was mainly the same sequence of activities that was performed (even though there were some differences related to what parts of the process the retailers emphasised). Concludes that it was not possible to detect any real process innovation but rather everybody follows basically the same routine processes.

Points out that the small and cottage industry (SCI) sector is often neglected despite its potential for contributing to economic development, especially in the third world; and reports an investigation of the use of the Bai‐Muajjal (BM) method of financing in the Bangladesh SCI sector. Explains the theoretical basis and methodology of the study, the possible sources of funds for SCI owners, the particular characteristics of Islamic banks and the fund investment methods they offer. Describes the BM lending activities of one such bank with 40 “grass root level” SCIs (poultry farming and handloom industry), which require borrowers to create groups, undergo monitoring and open savings accounts; and assesses their effects on SCI owners’ saving habits and the mobilization of savings towards productive ends. Identifies many social and economic advantages in the BM system and welcomes it as a way to channel savings productively and reduce poverty.

This paper seeks to develop a framework for understanding what drives customer‐based brand equity and price premium for grocery products.

The paper reviews empirical studies made within the area of brand equity and studies of grocery products. It compares and analyses the results from an explorative and qualitative field study with previous research on brand equity and food quality.

The study finds that brand equity and price premium focusing on the grocery sector specifically highlights the role of uniqueness, together with the four traditionally basic dimensions of brand equity proposed: awareness, qualities, associations and loyalty. Relevant brand associations (origin, health, environment/animal friendliness, organisational associations and social image), and quality attributes (taste, odour, consistency/texture, appearance, function, packaging and ingredients) specific to groceries are identified and proposed for future measurement scales and model validating research.

The development of a customer‐based brand equity model, that adds awareness, associations and loyalty to previous discussions on price and quality, brings to the table a more nuanced and multi‐faced tool for marketing of consumer packaged food.

The paper provides a framework for understanding, evaluating, measuring and managing brand equity for grocery products. As this paper presents the first conceptual brand equity framework for groceries, there is a contribution to research on food branding. Also, there is a contribution to the general field of brand equity as previous models have been very general.

The purpose is to investigate how a retailer identifies critical network actors and gains their support when entering an emerging market. and to examine the role of a firm's relationships with different types of actors on the new market.

The study is of an exploratory nature, and based on an inductive and qualitative research method. A case study of IKEA's entry into Russia and China was conducted.

It is argued that IKEA's entry into China and Russia was successful because of its dynamic utilization of matching and networking capabilities. The study explains how the support of relationships with, for example, political actors, interest groups and media supported the entry and the development of a positive consumer image.

This is a qualitative, in depth study and future research is needed in order to test the generalizability of the proposed framework and models.

The paper shows how retail managers can generate the support of different types of actors and relationships when entering new markets.

Traditionally consumer product firms' entry to new markets is regarded as a function of dealing with environmental, cultural and legal differences, and adapting products and strategies accordingly. This paper extends understanding by showing that matching and networking capabilities to mobilize resources, actors and activities on global, macro and micro levels are also critical components. It also relates the firm's business relationships with relationships to socio‐political actors on the new market.

Managing a set of relationships to other firms is a complex task, since each relationship is likely to have consequences on the other ones. Highlights the co‐ordination of interorganizational ties during a process of internationalization, and the consequences that different types of relationships have on a firm’s overall relational marketing opportunities. Systematizes the relational issues that face a firm when the boundaries surrounding its home market network dissolve. Presents a framework which stresses four types of relationships and the interplay between them. Based on the notion that a firm must co‐ordinate the management of horizontal and vertical dependencies, and pursue new marketing opportunities while simultaneously safeguarding its original relations. Illustrates the significance of the framework and the interplay between the four relational issues, by the alliances presently developed by two Swedish food companies to organizations in other EU countries.

Considers the economic aspects of food consumption patterns by looking at the relationship between value structures and personality profiles as a means for assessing consumers′ basic need orientations, and at eating behaviour as a compensatory strategy when other‐than‐physiological needs are frustrated. Seeks to demonstrate that the concept of values is a promising tool for ascertaining the conditions under which consumer behaviour phenomena might occur. Introduces the concepts of values and compensatory eating behaviour in order to demonstrate their relevance for consumer behaviour research, and describes how these concepts can be measured. Presents some first results from an empirical study, conducted in West Germany, and concludes with some remarks on the implications of its findings.

Discusses several propositions on the causes and realized strategies that are likely to be found in different industrial marketing‐purchasing situations involving rejecting versus accepting superior technological innovations ‐ innovations independently verified to provide superior operating characteristics and lower total costs compared to currently used products and manufacturing processes. Develops a theory of customer rejection of superior manufacturing technologies and product‐service innovations as a vehicle for summarizing a set of related propositions explaining such behavior. Reviews suggestions for empirical research to test the theory.

The network construct is in common usage in entrepreneurship research. However while the increasing use of the construct has furthered our understanding of the phenomenon of entrepreneurship, its popularity has sometimes led to misapplication and inconsistent research findings. Traces the development of the network concept in the two strands of research that have dominated this field, namely inter‐organisational networks and the entrepreneur’s personal network. Discusses the specific contexts in which these two branches have received most attention. Proposes that several key areas have been relatively neglected and offers direction for future research which would serve to improve our understanding of the entrepreneurial process.

Current theories of organization tend to discuss the management of change across networks in a grammar of instrumental reason, thereby offering legitimacy to the imperialism that emerges when groups come together in a shared‐change experience. However, by adopting principles of critical theory, the social research project initiated by a group of scholars known as the “Frankfurt School”, we may challenge this degradation of knowledge and its companion, human domination. A critical theory of interorganizational change reveals three forms of organizational imperialism: cultural domination, cultural imposition, and cultural fragmentation. From this perspective, we may understand the deleterious human, social and cultural consequences of organizational expansionism, and thereby initiate a dialogue for cultural emancipation, a more meaningful, culturally sensitive approach to change.