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The teaching case discusses a number of organizational challenges faced by a German vegetable producer. Two business consultants were hired to assist and to explore the situation in the new production facility at Peppers & More. While the CEO assumed the employees were not motivated, the consultants uncovered that various employees’ behavior, as well as a structural problem contributed to the tense situation in the production facility. During the period of analysis, it becomes apparent that there is a communication problem between the production manager and the foremen. The setup of the job rotation system and conflicts between two foremen caused further irritation at the facility. At the end of each consulting day, the consultants and the readers have to link the challenges to motivation theory and provide recommendations how Peppers & More can cope with these challenges.

Cut flower gifting preferences are relatively unexplored in Germany. This study proposes a model that investigates the impact of attitudinal, experiential, and socio-demographic factors on the cut flower gifting preferences of German consumers. For this purpose, an online survey with a representative sample of 978 German residents was conducted. Partial least squares structural equation modelling shows that active and passive engagement with plants and nature positively impact cut flower giving preferences through cut flower knowledge, cut flower fondness, and perceived versatility of cut flowers. For German women and men, the largest driver of cut flower giving preferences is the versatility of cut flowers. For women, cut flower fondness is the second largest driver of cut flower gifting preferences, whereas for men subjective knowledge was the second largest driver. Other socio-demographic factors (age, income, education) were not found to impact cut flower giving preferences.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insights for flower retailers, horticultural practitioners and marketing managers into the prioritisation of cut flower attributes by German residents. Design/methodology/approach Applying a best–worst scaling approach, this analysis identified the relative ranking of importance amongst product attributes relevant to German consumers when buying fresh cut flowers. A latent class analysis determined four flower consumer segments for further study. The study builds on a sample of 978 consumers and is consistent with the most recent German census in terms of age, gender, income and federal state. Findings The best-worst analysis showed that intrinsic flower attributes, in particular appearance, freshness and scent were found to be more important to German consumers than the extrinsic attributes studied, namely, price, country of origin and a certification indicating fair trade. The latent class analysis determined four consumer segments that desire either budget, luxury or ethical flowers or more information about flowers. For all identified consumer segments, appearance was the attribute of greatest importance. The segments that desired luxury or ethical flowers, as well as the segment that desires more information were interested in appearance, but also had relatively large shares of preferences dedicated to flower freshness guarantees. The preference for freshness guarantees in addition to appearance may be interpreted jointly as a desire for not only beautiful and aesthetically pleasing flowers, but for sustained beauty. Originality/value Internationally, the study fills a research gap by exploring consumer’s relative preference for cut flower attributes. In contrast to existing studies on consumer preferences for flowers in Germany, the present study builds on a sample that was targeted in terms of age, gender, net household income and federal state to the most recent German census.

The study investigates the motivation of volunteers to serve at the Federal Association of German Food Banks and volunteers’ interactions with food donors, food pantry managers and users. Social exchange theory is used as a frame to investigate volunteers’ interactions in the context of boundary spanning. Twenty in-depth interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed through qualitative content analysis. Volunteers are predominantly socially motivated to work at the German Food Bank, but this is not necessarily reflected all their interactions with food pantry users. Even though the authority in these interactions rests with the volunteers, they still feel uncomfortable in some interactions. Volunteers’ interactions with managers are essential, because managers tell volunteers, which tasks to carry out in which manner. But the volunteers do not necessarily respect the instructions in all cases. The interaction with food donors are negatively affected through a mismatch in the perception of authority within the collaboration. In some interactions, both parties believe they have authority within the interaction, even though they are rather equal partners. The study provides best practice recommendations on how to train volunteers to avoid interaction problems with food pantry users and donors.

The study investigated flower buying behavior and willingness to pay for cut flower attributes by German consumers in physical and online retail settings. A sample of 978 respondents participated in an online survey, including a hypothetical choice experiment. The choice experiment presented rose bouquets produced in Germany, the Netherlands, or in Kenya and considered the attributes “fairly traded” and “freshness guarantee”. In both retail settings German consumers showed the highest willingness to pay for the rose bouquets produced in Germany. Significant statistical differences in estimated mean willingness to pay were found across retail settings and product attributes.

The study explores expectations and perceptions of German consumers towards the club pear 'Angelys'. Focus group discussions, with 8-10 participants each were conducted and recorded in April/May 2012 in five locations in Germany. The recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results show that quality perception plays an essential role for consumers. They showed mixed reactions to 'Angelys' and expressed both appreciation and rejection, describing the pear characteristics with a wide range of adjectives such as compact, baroque, misshaped and old. Participants also evaluated the current brand concept and packaging. Consumers' reactions aroused from their sensory mind, which recalls memories and leads to certain association and the perception of the product. Besides reactions to the intrinsic features of the pear cultivar, the study also shows that German consumers have good knowledge in terms of brand and trademarks in food and have therefore considered the brand concept particularly critical. Finally, adjustments concerning the marketing concept with regard to the German market are suggested.

Food waste is widely discussed in the German media and in the public as an environmental and societal issue. Several civil society movements and groups aim to address the issue of food waste in a direct manner. The study examines dumpster diving, which is one of the social movements more widely acknowledged and more broadly adopted in this context. The study explores the process of dumpster diving, the knowledge of dumpster divers regarding food waste, as well as their perception of its potential legal and social consequences. In 2014, fifteen in-depth interviews with regular dumpster divers were conducted. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed through qualitative content analysis. Results show that the knowledge of food waste differs profoundly among the dumpster divers interviewed. Few have comprehensive knowledge; others perpetuate stereotypes. The dumpster diving process itself can take different forms. There are individual, as well as group divers. The organization of the dive also varies with respect to actions at the dumpster, e.g., the use or nonuse of protective equipment and the location of sorting activities. All interviewees acknowledge at least a legal gray area regarding their activities. However, most of the divers interviewed ignore the resulting legal risks. For some dumpster divers, social consequences, such as exclusion and revulsion by family members, are of more concern. Therefore, some of the divers interviewed conceal these activities. Other divers report to experience tolerance or acceptance by their social environment.