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PurposeThe paper analyses the influence of the decision-makers' overconfidence on the intuitive practices' adoption, as well as on the international performance during international strategic decision-making processes (SDMPs) of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Moreover, the study investigates the possible mediating effect of intuition on the relationship between overconfidence and international performance.Design/methodology/approachA semi-structured questionnaire based on a sample of 160 SMEs and a regression analysis have been employed.FindingsResults show a negative relationship between intuition and international performance and a positive one between overconfidence and international performance. Furthermore, a negative relation between overconfidence and intuition has been identified. Findings also highlight the mediating role of intuition in the relationship between overconfidence and international performance.Practical implicationsThe paper provides valuable implications related to the analysis of overconfidence as a critical decision-maker's character and intuition as a feature of the decision-making methodology. Moreover, the study offers indications for SMEs facing complex strategic decisions.Originality/valueThe paper adopts an original perspective by combining the SDMP analysis with that of international strategy within the SMEs context. Additionally, the study enriches the existing literature by (1) investigating overconfidence in the decision-making; (2) enhancing the examination of overconfidence and intuitive practices in the international SDMP; (3) deepening the research field focused on the identification of the intuitive processes' predictors that is still in its infancy.

3D printing application extends to various sectors, such as aerospace, construction, art, domestic, up to healthcare. It is in this domain that its adoption could offer technological solutions aimed at improving the individual life and guaranteeing organizational effectiveness. The aim of this study is to understand the way in which the adoption of medical 3D printers has introduced economic-business changes at the supply chain, organizational and environmental level within business processes considering the point of view of 3D printer manufacturers. A multiple case study has been developed, through the administration of a semi-structured interview to 7 Italian companies that design, manufacture and sell 3D printers offering additive technological solutions to the medical sector. The results show how companies believe that the organizational impact related to the adoption of this technology is quite significant, highlighting how it leads to the definition of a new organizational culture. Secondly, it emerges that the adoption of 3D printers within the medical sector also leads to a change in procedures and production activities. Finally, it also emerges that the impact at the supply chain level particularly affects the reduction in the number of players in the supply chain and product time to market.

Purpose of the paper: The principal aim of this study is to contribute to the literature on family businesses by providing some new insights about international strategic decisions of born global. Methodology: An explorative, qualitative research has been employed. In-depth interviews with four main decision-makers of family businesses, involved in international activities, were conducted to examine the main factors influencing their strategic decisions. Results: The research allowed to verify whether the factors identified by previous studies were correctly defined, by assessing their influence on international development decisions, and whether any other factors of influence emerged. Limits: The main limitation of this paper is the sample’s characteristics, which do not allow a complete generalization of the results. Implications: This study mainly permits to analyze the interactions within the family group involved in the management of companies, enriching the field of analysis that in previous studies was mainly focused on the characteristics of the entrepreneur or the managers. Originality of the paper: This paper is one of the few contributions examining, on one hand, born global family firms and, on the other hand, which factors influence the main strategic decisions in the international context.

PurposeThe aim of this study is to determine how the different age of consumers impacts on some factors that drive consumers to the purchasing of private label products, considering differences and similarities of behaviors.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted through the administration of a questionnaire to evaluate consumers' perceptions about private label food products. To collect data, the convenience sampling method has been used. The valid answers collected and analyzed are 358.FindingsThe results of this study highlight that the response of different age groups to the Private Label Brands (PLBs) must be considered in the light of the positioning adopted by the individual retailers. Value for money and satisfaction on previous consumption are relevant for purchasing decisions regardless of the retailer's strategy and the age of consumers. A third factor, price, is important for the whole sample. Focusing on the specific age clusters, the younger respondents seem to be attentive to factors such as healthy and in-store promotion, while the more experienced consumer are attentive to the origin and traceability of products.Originality/valueAn analysis of the main literature on Private Labels showed that the results of research about the role of consumer age in PLB choices are contrasting. This study aims at integrating the literature, measuring how the factors influencing the purchase of PLB products vary for different age groups of consumers.

PurposeThis research paper aims to understand which factors influence the purchase of private label food products, by measuring the importance of 14 variables for purchasing frequency.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through questionnaires to a sample of consumers. They have been analysed according to the extra tree classifier methodology, which allows providing a more reliable classification – compared to previous studies – of factors affecting consumers' choices of private label products.FindingsResults show that consumers' choices related to private label food products are influenced by groups of heterogeneous variables related to their perception on products, satisfaction of post-consumption, store's role and trust built over time by retailers.Research limitations/implicationsData have been collected through an online survey, which could generate the bias of self-selection; the sampling method is non-probabilistic.Practical implicationsThe study provides useful indications on the role of private labels in retailer management policies and on marketing competences and skills that are necessary for managing retailers' assortments.Originality/valueThe existing literature lacks clarity on the factors that influence the frequency of purchasing private label food products. By considering a higher number of variables than previous studies, it has been possible to classify and measure the importance of each variable included in the analysis framework adopted, also in case of correlation between variables.

The purpose of this study is to understand which factors have influence on the private label products buying decisions. A survey was conducted on a sample of consumers of food products. The have been collected through the administration of a questionnaire to 587 consumers in the Italian market. Results have been analyzed with the Extra Tree Classifier methodology, which allows to measure the importance of each variable included in the model, also in case of correlation between variables. The results show that consumers’ choice seems to be influenced by groups of heterogeneous variables related to: the perception of consumers on the product, the satisfaction of post-consumption, the role of the store, and the trust built over time by retailers. The results of the study provide useful indications on the role of the private label products in retailers’ assortments.

PurposeThe aim of this study is to develop an in-depth case study on the implementation on Lean six sigma (LSS) in Schnell S.p.A., Italian company leader of an important multinational industrial group, highlighting the benefits that can be achieved from a careful application of this method, the main challenges and organizational learning from its implementation.Design/methodology/approachThe study has been developed with a qualitative approach, creating a single in-depth case study, with the participant observation of researchers in the project which lasted 4 months. Periodic weekly meetings were done with the working group to exchange feedback on the development of the project to share opinions and data.FindingsA project has been developed to stabilize the procurement process of a pull-type production cell, which experienced delays in supply lead times. The causes of the problems in their process of managing the supply of the production cell were found and some inefficiencies in the internal process of fulfillment of supply orders have been intercepted, the optimization of which has allowed the generation of an automatic system for sending supply orders, coming directly from the production line.Originality/valueThis study described the path and dynamics of the transformation process that business organizations undertake for optimizing their profitability and competitive advantage, placing emphasis on an innovative methodology for conducting business process improvement projects, which constitutes its operating philosophy on the effective and efficient use of company resources and skills, to guarantee to the company the achievement of a lasting and defensible competitive advantage over time.

Nowadays, as companies are usually a part of a network of relationship, they need legitimacy to operate in an increasingly international competition market. The world is increasing its focus on environmental, ethical and social issues, and this has recently prompted companies to draw up their own annual activity and corporate responsibility report in order to create added value for their stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to analyze six major retailers listed in Deloitte’s global ranking of retailers and compare their corporate social responsibility policies using a conceptual model composed of four areas: (1) company, (2) products and assortments, (3) social commitment, and (4) environmental commitment. The comparative analysis shows up some differences between retailers from different countries of origin and proposes a new starting point for future research.

This study aims at analyzing the level of perceived relevance and satisfaction of customers on the websites of agritourism companies. After a literature review on the website adoption by small and medium-sized enterprises, an empirical research was conducted based on a four-stage model of website adoption. A web-based questionnaire was addressed to a sample of EU tourists who experienced a stay at an agritourism after selecting the accommodation through the agritourism website. By combining the perceived satisfaction and importance attributed to a series of features related to the website, the authors identified the main priorities to be considered when a website is being projected and on-line services have to be established. Moreover, for evaluating which variables have more influence in defining the overall evaluation of a website, a multiple linear regression analysis was conducted. This study provides useful indications at the individual firm level about the main features of a website on which investments for improvement may be addressed and which on-line services should be activated.

The chapter analyzes the contribution of technology for boosting innovation within the retail industry. The study focuses on the main areas of innovation for retailers, both in the relationships with suppliers and the final demand. With reference to vertical relationships (for supplying activities), the key innovation areas are those of technology-based interaction tools, joint management of supplying activities, and E-sourcing. In the relations with consumers, technology is stimulating innovation on checkout technologies, dynamic in-store pricing, electronic and mobile payments, augmented reality, artificial intelligence-supported devices, and self-service technologies.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the influence of the key features of agritourism companies' websites on customers purchasing decision-making process, by measuring the level of perceived relevance and satisfaction of customers about the website's features. Empirical research was conducted based on a four-stage website adoption model, adapted from previous literature. A web-based questionnaire was addressed to a sample of Italian tourists who experienced a stay at an agritourism after selecting it through the website. By combining the perceived satisfaction and importance attributed to a series of website features, the priorities to take into account to design a website and to establish its main on-line services have been identified. In order to identify which variables have more influence in defining the overall evaluation of a website, a regression analysis was conducted. This study provides useful guidance on the main features of a website on which investments for improvement may be addressed, and which on-line services should be activated.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the integration of industry 4.0 related technologies of telehealth within innovative housing models addressed to senior population, in order to facing the growing issue of a sustainable management of the population ageing.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative exploratory analysis of four case studies of senior cohousing facilities located in different countries was performed. The cases analysed were selected as pioneering cases in the adoption of innovative and economically sustainable organizational solutions.FindingsThe study made it possible to identify which are the common characters that successful experiences have highlighted. Although each facility needs to adapt to the social, cultural, demographic and economic context in which it is located, there are some recurring aspects, which have proved to be key success factors.Research limitations/implicationsThis research analyses only four cases. This suggests that the sample does not provide an exhaustive representation of the models adopted in this field. However, the study is an exploratory research and it can provide a basis for further analyses.Practical implicationsThis study provides valuable indications for the design and management of senior cohousing facilities, as regards the services to be offered, the network of services and facilities that can be complementary to the residences, the activities to be conducted and organized, the degree of involvement of the elderly in the planning of activities and services. With regard to the adoption of telehealth-related technologies, the study provides indications on which new technologies resulting from the industry 4.0 revolution are going to be adopted, that is, remote surveillance, remote diagnostics and the use of sensors and video. These technologies, thanks to the artificial intelligence, can detect anomalies and provide predictive analyses on the behaviour and health of the elderly.Originality/valueThe study made it possible to identify the key success factors for senior cohousing facilities regardless of the characteristics of the context in which they are located. In addition, it provides a first analysis of the potential of telehealth-related technological solutions, paving the way for further studies aimed at assessing how, thanks to new technologies, the level of economic sustainability of senior cohousing solutions can be improved.