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This study explores the intersection of state‐driven policies, patriarchal culture, and gender precarity in the Saudi Arabian retail sector, drawing on twenty‐six in‐depth interviews with employees and other stakeholders. We offer a comprehensive understanding of the multi‐layered nature of precarity, focusing on the role of the patriarchal state and culture in perpetuating gender inequalities and shaping individuals' subjective experiences of precarity against the backdrop of structural precarity. For Saudi men, state‐driven policies exacerbate job insecurity and challenge traditional family ideology and the breadwinner model. However, Saudi women faced socio‐economic vulnerability and organisational neglect, leading to underreporting of sexual harassment and limited protests against it. This antagonistic interplay of state policies and entrenched socio‐religious norms creates both structural and subjective precarity in workplaces. Our study highlights the complexities in addressing gender disparities, emphasizing the intersectionality of gender, religiosity, and power relations. It contributes to understanding gender dynamics in Saudi Arabia by illustrating how state policies and patriarchal culture shape both structural and subjective forms of precarity and emphasizes the importance of fostering feminist consciousness amongst women as part of a broader strategy for addressing gender inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study attempts to determine the extent to which the financing of microenterprises (from the retail sector) by a bank loan is dependent on current and expected changes in the unstable economic situation in Poland in 2019-2021 (sample period). Design/methodology/approach: The study used the Pearson's correlation and the DTW methods to explain the relationship between the number and value of loans granted to micro-enterprises (from retail sector) and economic indicators. Findings: The study shows a strong positive correlation between the change in a number and a value of working capital loans granted to micro-entrepreneurs and the assessment of a direction of change in the economic situation and an indication of a lack of barriers, a decrease in an importance of the barrier (a high competition) or an expected general economic situation of an enterprise. Using the DTW model, a strong adjustment of a change in the number of investment loans granted to micro-entrepreneurs to the assessment of a direction of changes: economic situation, market mechanism, barriers, towards high costs (staff and interest) was observed, and when a dominant sources of financing working capital loans were own funds, bank loans and trade credits. Theoretical implications: The survey results confirm: unstable times require decisions to be based on a variety of economic factors. Practical implications: The results of the study indicate a decision-making sensitivity of retail micro-sized enterprises regarding a choice of a type of bank loan in relation to the assessment of a direction of changes in an economic situation in the short term. They may help them build good business relationships with their suppliers. They may be used to banks and other financial providers for building a market offer and for forecasting a credit demand, too. Originality/value: The value of the study is to present (from two perspectives) a correlation between a number and a value of loans granted to micro-entrepreneurs with changes in selected economic indicators. Conclusions have application value for banks and other financial institutions, as well as micro-entrepreneurs to determine an impact of specific economic indicators on a loan market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the issue of social impact and its associated measurement methodologies has attracted considerable scholarly attention. This paper makes a contribution to the ongoing debate surrounding the dissonance between the theoretical conceptualization of social impact and the practical understanding of it held by business managers and consumers. To elucidate the discrepancies between theory and practice, as well as among the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of stakeholders targeted by social impact initiatives, a qualitative research approach was employed. This paper has two main objectives. The first is to elucidate the concept of social impact within the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The second is to examine the understanding of social impact as depicted in CSR reports of retailers and its reception by consumers, particularly in the context of social activities undertaken by retail chains. The findings highlight significant discrepancies in the perception of social impact. Among enterprises, social impact is often associated with engagement in various activities. However, the resulting outcomes of these endeavors are frequently not quantified. Despite this absence of empirical data, managers often draw inferences regarding the presence of such impact. Conversely, consumers predominantly interpret social impact through changes in their purchasing behavior, prioritizing this aspect over heightened product knowledge, brand perception or corporate image enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small business branding is a relatively under-researched field, and available research largely excludes the African region. As a result, the brand development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets is a topical issue. The aim of this study was to analyse whether brand development factors such as brand barriers, brand characteristics, perceived advantage, and brand perceptions are perceived by owners/managers as having a positive effect on retail SME brand development. A cross-sectional survey method was used to obtain data from 265 owners/managers of SMEs in South Africa using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling, with the results showing that brand barriers, brand characteristics, and brand perceptions have a significant positive effect on brand development, while the effect of perceived advantage was found to be insignificant. It is recommended that SME owners/managers invest more resources in brand development efforts and management develop better attitudes towards branding, as the study revealed that owner/manager perceptions of the brand and the branding process have the biggest impact on brand development. Further, SMEs are encouraged to find innovative ways to engage in brand development, considering that brand barriers do not seem to particularly affect a firm’s ability to engage in brand development. This study contributes towards an understanding of SME brand development in emerging markets, hence SMEs in these markets can benefit from its findings. The practical findings of this study should be of interest to SME owners/managers, as they carry the responsibility for the SME brand development process

This study is focused on an empirical investigation of the relationship between organizational support perception (POS) and organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB), and also to find out the effect of employee happiness (EH) as a mediating variable on this relationship. The data was obtained from 219 retail sector employees through the survey questionnaire. The data was analyzed with the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) carried out in AMOS 26 to test the hypotheses. The study's findings pointed out that POS predicts OCB both directly and indirectly through the mediating role of EH. The results of this study suggest that management should strive to improve the factors that influence employees' POS to raise EH at work and OCB. Human resource practices such as flexible work arrangements, training and development opportunities, wellness programs, workplace justice, etc. can contribute to strengthening the relationship between the organization and its employees, thereby enhancing the perception of organizational support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, driven by the spread of advanced digital platforms and social media, many traditional brick-and-mortar retailers have ventured into the online marketplace to expand their sales channels. This research explores the crucial factors shaping customer satisfaction in local online retail. Furthermore, it examines how this level of satisfaction influences customers’ intentions to repurchase within the online sales channel. This study collected primary data by administering questionnaires to 410 customers. The research employs both Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling to measure the causal pathways of the outlined in the research model. The study’s findings indicate that information availability, perceived price, perceived quality, customer support, time-saving, and delivery services all have a positive and significant influence on customer satisfaction, with statistical significance at p < .05. Together, these exogenous variables account for 63% of the variation in customer satisfaction. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that customer satisfaction plays a significant and positive role in influencing customer repurchase intention in the online sales channel, explaining a substantial 74% of the variance in repurchase intention. The study’s findings highlight the importance for local retailers to acknowledge and prioritize the factors contributing to customer satisfaction. To achieve this, retailers must ensure that all product information, images, and terms and conditions are not only accurate but also clear and comprehensive. This way, customers have a precise understanding of what products they are purchasing, the quantity, and the details of the delivery process, including when and where they can expect to receive their orders.

The impact of companies' social strategies, such as corporate social responsibility (CSR) and brand activism, on corporate advantages like economic and reputational gains has been well documented in the literature. However, research becomes scarcer regarding the broader impacts of these social strategies, namely the promotion of attitudes in favor of society and the environment on the part of company stakeholders. Furthermore, there is still little research on the variables that can mediate this impact, particularly at an identity and emotional level. To cover this gap, this article aims to study the impact of environmental brand activism on employee pro-environmental attitudes, and the possible mediating effects of identification with the organization and moral elevation by analyzing the brand activism of a Portuguese retail company. The results showed that environmental brand activism can directly affect the pro-environmental attitudes of employees and have also indirect impacts on the pro-environmental attitudes of this group of stakeholders, but only through the mediating role of identification with the organization, thus contributing to a better perception of the potential of brand activism to promote social change and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human Resource (HR) Analytics has emerged as a transformative a tool for improving strategic planning and decision-making within organizations. This study examines HR Analytics in India by conducting a sector-wise analysis, with a particular emphasis on the IT, Financial, Manufacturing, and Retail. The objective of this research is to offer an exhaustive analysis of the ways in which various industries utilize HR Analytics to enhance workforce management and optimize organizational performance. Furthermore, it endeavors to identify sector-specific best practices and obstacles associated with the implementation of HR Analytics. Findings are expected to provide organizations that are interested in improving their HR strategies through data-driven approaches with valuable insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food loss and waste pose significant challenges in both industrial and agricultural food production sectors. In recent decades, their environmental and economic impacts have intensified due to increasing food demand, heightened production activities, and varying standards across the global supply chain. Specifically, the complexities surrounding the causes of food waste at the retail and household levels persist as a multifaceted issue, constituting a crucial topic in food policy. This is driven by various interplaying aspects, such as food security, safety, quality, and environmental sustainability, including greenhouse gas emissions from decaying food, water pollution from leaching, and the proliferation of landfills. Additionally, consumer concerns and financial losses exacerbate the urgency of addressing this issue. Therefore, this paper aims to highlight these complexities as a focal point of its discussion by the examination of interconnected causes of food waste and potential solutions and initiatives to reduce food waste occurring at these critical points in the food supply chain. Less attention has been paid to retail and foodservice than production and consumer sectors, and this review specifically focuses on these industries, where food waste is more important than food loss. This review also looks at examples in developing countries which have received less attention until now. We believe that because of the complexity of the process to reduce food waste across the food supply chain, and the many stakeholders involved, the goal of a 50% reduction by 2030 set by the United Nations will be difficult to achieve on time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverse logistics has received a lot of attention due to the negative impact it has on the environment and the growing demand for green products. This especially occurred in the fast-moving consumer goods retail sector due to recalls and waste management. This sector significantly contributes to the gross domestic product growth of all countries. This has therefore led to the growing significance of reverse logistics since the fast-moving consumer goods retail sector cannot avoid reverse logistics. The primary objective of this study was for fast-moving consumer goods retailers to prioritize critical success factors for reverse logistics as a source of competitive advantage in the fast-moving consumer goods retailers’ sector. This is because it is essential for the fast-moving consumer goods retail sector to implement critical success factors in reverse logistics that can lead to firm competitiveness. The study employed a positivist research philosophy, where data were collected from 418 fast-moving consumer goods retailers and consumers via SurveyMonkey using two close-ended questionnaires. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and the Analysis of Moment Structures software version 27 were employed to analyze the data. The results offer insight into the critical success factors in reverse logistics that should be carried out to achieve firm competitiveness. Through the implementation of critical success factors, this sector will achieve several goals, such as meeting environmental protocols, decreasing operational costs, cultivating the cumulative value of the brand, and improving customer satisfaction. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-02-018 Full Text: PDF

The purpose of the study was to interrogate factors that influence labour turnover of married female workers in Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the retail industry. The study utilized the qualitative research approach with structured interviews being used to solicit data from twenty-two purposively selected participants who had left employment within the last five years from SMEs in the retail sector. The findings of the study showed that labour turnover of married female workers in the retail sector was alarmingly high. The main drivers of labour turnover were sexual objectification of married female workers at workplaces, heavy and physically demanding work and human engineering. Disputes of rights, glass ceiling and securing marriages were some of the major propellers of labour turnover of married female workers in SMEs in the retail sector. The high rate of labour turnover significantly affects the performance of SMEs. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing information on labour turnover of married female workers an area which has not been explored by many researchers. The results also help managers of SMEs in the retail sector and government authorities to pay close attention and possibly address the problems faced by female employees in the retail industry.

Contemporary trade companies operate within a multifaceted and rapidly changing environment that is shaped by both exogenous and endogenous factors, where digital marketing technologies play a special role. The purpose of the article is to identify the connection between digital marketing technologies and retail business sales regarding their use in marketing budget effectiveness. The study utilized the method of econometric analysis (regression analysis, analysis of descriptive statistics) as well as the method of social network analysis. Regression analysis showed the importance of investment in advertising and customization of marketing campaigns due to the cuttingedge technologies. Factors such as advertising budget, the number of posts, likes, and comments on social networks have a significant impact on sales. Based on the model's findings, every extra dollar allocated towards advertising amplifies sales by 0.0497 units, indicating the importance of investment in advertising campaigns. The sales distribution is somewhat skewed with a mean of 909 and a median of 922. The analysis revealed significant variability in key variables, indicating the diversity of strategies and conditions in which different companies operate. Practical digital marketing solutions for retail businesses include increased investment in social media advertising, regular posts, and engagement through likes and comments. The promising area for further research is to explore the potential of artificial intelligence for personalizing retail business marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quantitative approach was adopted for the study. The study population consisted of four hundred retail employees, 200 research instruments were administered and 102 usable ones were retrieved. Analysis was done by using Multiple Regression and Pearson Correlation. It was revealed that the Time of Introduction has a positive effect on the perceived Relevance of New Technology and Fairness of Performance Appraisal (F = 49.647 with a P value of P<.001 and R2 = 501). Pearson Moment Correlation, the result showed that the TI had a significant relationship with the Attitude of Employees. Employees' Collective Perception of New Technology positively correlated with its perceived relevance and Ease of Use. The relevancy of new technology was linked to its perceived EU, the TI, and the ECP and attitudes. EU positively correlated with collective perceptions, perceived relevancy, and employees' attitudes. FPA was positively associated with the timing of technology introduction, perceived relevance of new technology, and employees' attitudes. Employee attitudes displayed positive, significant relationships (p < 0.0001) with all variables of the study. To further enhance employee performance upon introducing new technology, organizations should design training and development programmes grounded in cognitive psychology that focus on enhancing employees' cognitive abilities, crucial for successful technology adoption. Organizations should involve employees in the decision-making process regarding the introduction of new technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying customer behavior and anticipating future trends is a challenging task, as customer behavior is complex and constantly evolving. To effectively anticipate future trends, businesses need to analyze large amounts of data, use sophisticated analytical techniques, and stay up-to-date with the latest research and industry trends. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive framework to identify trends in consumer behavior using multiple layers of processing, including clustering, classification, and association rule learning. The aim is to help a major retailer in Saudi Arabia better understand customer behavior by utilizing the power of big data analysis. The proposed framework is presented as being generalized to gain insight into the generated big data and enable data-driven decision-making in other relevant domains. We developed this framework in collaboration with a large supermarket chain in Saudi Arabia, which provided us with over 1,000,000 sales transaction records belonging to around 30,000 of their loyal customers. In this study, we apply our proposed framework to those data as a case study and present our initial results of consumer clustering and association rules for each cluster. Moreover, we analyze our findings to figure out how we can further utilize intelligence to predict customer behavior in clustered groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to interrogate factors that influence labour turnover of married female workers in Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the retail industry. The study utilized the qualitative research approach with structured interviews being used to solicit data from twenty-two purposively selected participants who had left employment within the last five years from SMEs in the retail sector. The findings of the study showed that labour turnover of married female workers in the retail sector was alarmingly high. The main drivers of labour turnover were sexual objectification of married female workers at workplaces, heavy and physically demanding work and human engineering. Disputes of rights, glass ceiling and securing marriages were some of the major propellers of labour turnover of married female workers in SMEs in the retail sector. The high rate of labour turnover significantly affects the performance of SMEs. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing information on labour turnover of married female workers an area which has not been explored by many researchers. The results also help managers of SMEs in the retail sector and government authorities to pay close attention and possibly address the problems faced by female employees in the retail industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary trade companies operate within a multifaceted and rapidly changing environment that is shaped by both exogenous and endogenous factors, where digital marketing technologies play a special role. The purpose of the article is to identify the connection between digital marketing technologies and retail business sales regarding their use in marketing budget effectiveness. The study utilized the method of econometric analysis (regression analysis, analysis of descriptive statistics) as well as the method of social network analysis. Regression analysis showed the importance of investment in advertising and customization of marketing campaigns due to the cutting-edge technologies. Factors such as advertising budget, the number of posts, likes, and comments on social networks have a significant impact on sales. Based on the model's findings, every extra dollar allocated towards advertising amplifies sales by 0.0497 units, indicating the importance of investment in advertising campaigns. The sales distribution is somewhat skewed with a mean of 909 and a median of 922. The analysis revealed significant variability in key variables, indicating the diversity of strategies and conditions in which different companies operate. Practical digital marketing solutions for retail businesses include increased investment in social media advertising, regular posts, and engagement through likes and comments. The promising area for further research is to explore the potential of artificial intelligence for personalizing retail business marketing.

Studying customer behavior and anticipating future trends is a challenging task, as customer behavior is complex and constantly evolving. To effectively anticipate future trends, businesses need to analyze large amounts of data, use sophisticated analytical techniques, and stay up-to-date with the latest research and industry trends. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive framework to identify trends in consumer behavior using multiple layers of processing, including clustering, classification, and association rule learning. The aim is to help a major retailer in Saudi Arabia better understand customer behavior by utilizing the power of big data analysis. The proposed framework is presented as being generalized to gain insight into the generated big data and enable data-driven decision-making in other relevant domains. We developed this framework in collaboration with a large supermarket chain in Saudi Arabia, which provided us with over 1,000,000 sales transaction records belonging to around 30,000 of their loyal customers. In this study, we apply our proposed framework to those data as a case study and present our initial results of consumer clustering and association rules for each cluster. Moreover, we analyze our findings to figure out how we can further utilize intelligence to predict customer behavior in clustered groups.

Purpose – The major objective of the study is to investigate the effect of selected customer retention strategies (fair pricing, online marketing and frequent communication) on perceived service quality and organisational performance within the retail sector in Zimbabwe. Also, the study sought to understand the moderating role of ICT on the effect of customer retention strategies on perceived service quality and organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional survey of 280 employees within Zimbabwe's retail sector was adopted and respondents were selected using simple random sampling method. A structured questionnaire with Likert type questions was used to gather data. Findings – The study findings indicate that the performance of organisations within the retail sector is influenced by superior service quality, selected customer retention strategies and also moderated by the use of ICT. Originality/value – The study contributes to the business management body of knowledge by assessing the effect of selected customer retention strategies (fair pricing, online marketing and frequent communication) on perceived service quality and organisational performance within the retail industry of an emerging economy. The study is also unique in that it used ICT to moderate the effect of selected customer retention strategies on perceived service quality and organisational performance.

Purpose of the study: The study aimed to determine employee perception of organisational readiness for Business Continuity during the Pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Mr. Price's employees at the head office. A total of 1,500 online questionnaires were distributed to employees via Google Forms. A Spearman rank order test was conducted to determine the correlational relationships between the variables. Findings: The findings of this study indicate that the Mr. Price Group has made adequate preparations for ensuring business continuity throughout the pandemic. The use of remote working as a strategy for business continuity management (BCM) was enthusiastically accepted by workers. The participants expressed their appreciation for the ease of access to resources, the prominent presence of digital leadership in a remote work environment, and the effective business continuity plan that facilitated their transition to remote work. There was a favorable correlation seen between employees' assessment of organisational preparedness and their level of engagement in remote work. Recommendations/value: The study identified crucial components that can be integrated into remote working conditions. By extension of the study findings, it recommended that research is conducted to examine the effects of remote working on the overall well-being of employees. Furthermore, it is important to explore the moderating factors that influenced their overall experience. Managerial implications: The research study provides illuminating findings for the retail sector that can be useful to both HR academics and practitioners. As they endeavor towards the creation of sustainable remote working conditions as a business continuity management tool.

Copyright of Journal of Economic Cooperation & Development is the property of Statistical Economic & Social Research & Training Centre for Islamic Countries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The success of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in Durban's retail sector is crucial for both local economic vitality and community engagement. Despite this importance, these enterprises often struggle with maintaining visibility and competitiveness. However, there is a solution in the form of integrated promotional strategies, which bring together different marketing channels to deliver a coherent message to the target audience. To better understand the impact of these strategies, this study aims to explore their role in the success of retail SMMEs in Durban. 217 owner-managers of retail SMMEs in Durban provided data using self-administered questionnaires with a 5-point Likert scale, resulting in an 88% response rate. Analysing the data using a variety of descriptive and inferential methods, we utilised the statistical software SPSS Version 29. The results displayed an overall agreement among respondents regarding the effectiveness of integrated promotional strategies such as sales promotion, branding, digital marketing, and social media. However, respondents had divided opinions on the effectiveness of public relations, email communication, and telemarketing. In conclusion, it was evident that integrated promotional strategies play a crucial role in the success of retail small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in Durban by boosting visibility, strengthening brand recognition, and fostering customer engagement. Through the implementation of personalised and cohesive promotional strategies, SMMEs can better navigate the competitive market and ultimately achieve long-term growth and success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although employee engagement has become a vital issue in business, research on how different bundles of Human Resource (HR) practices affect employee engagement remains insufficient. This study addresses two primary aims: firstly, to investigate the direct and indirect effects of general HR practices and organizational support on employee engagement in the Vietnamese retail sector; secondly, to assess the mediating role of job enrichment in these relationships. Using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis on a sample of 796 retail employees in Vietnam, this study contributed to such a gap by investigating the mechanisms connecting different HR practices with job enrichment and engagement. Firstly, our findings confirm the direct positive impacts of organizational support and job enrichment on engagement and of organizational support and general HR practices on job enrichment itself. Secondly, although general HR practices are not found to influence employee engagement directly, their indirect influence is still significant via the full mediation of job enrichment. This research makes a substantial contribution to the current body of knowledge by enhancing our comprehension of the mechanisms that link HR practices and employee engagement. The study provides practical insights for Vietnamese retail organizations, emphasizing the importance of job enrichment, well-designed HR practices, and strong organizational support in promoting long-term employee engagement. This ultimately leads to the development of a more dedicated and committed workforce in Vietnam’s dynamic retail industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from Irving Fisher's equation of exchange ( M V = P T ) at the basis of the quantity theory of money and mainstream (macro)economics linking money (M ) and its frequency of circulation (V ) on the one hand to the general price level (P ) and real goods and services exchanged (T ) on the other, we analyze whether product returns by consumers (reaching 16.5% of total US sales in 2022) affect macroeconomic variables such as the price level and the velocity of money. We explore two different product-return scenarios: (1) reselling, and (2) destroying returned items. Based on a theoretical analysis and data for the US, we find that reselling product returns at a discount price reduces the price level, which is however not taken into account in the statistical measurement of the consumer price index. Moreover, the "modern" equation of exchange used in mainstream macroeconomics is an unsuitable instrument to study the effects of product returns on money velocity, because it neglects non-GDP-relevant transactions such as returning and reselling products. This leads to underestimate the actual velocity of money. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although employee engagement has become a vital issue in business, research on how different bundles of Human Resource (HR) practices affect employee engagement remains insufficient. This study addresses two primary aims: firstly, to investigate the direct and indirect effects of general HR practices and organizational support on employee engagement in the Vietnamese retail sector; secondly, to assess the mediating role of job enrichment in these relationships. Using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis on a sample of 796 retail employees in Vietnam, this study contributed to such a gap by investigating the mechanisms connecting different HR practices with job enrichment and engagement. Firstly, our findings confirm the direct positive impacts of organizational support and job enrichment on engagement and of organizational support and general HR practices on job enrichment itself. Secondly, although general HR practices are not found to influence employee engagement directly, their indirect influence is still significant via the full mediation of job enrichment. This research makes a substantial contribution to the current body of knowledge by enhancing our comprehension of the mechanisms that link HR practices and employee engagement. The study provides practical insights for Vietnamese retail organizations, emphasizing the importance of job enrichment, well-designed HR practices, and strong organizational support in promoting long-term employee engagement. This ultimately leads to the development of a more dedicated and committed workforce in Vietnam’s dynamic retail industry.

Food loss and waste pose significant challenges in both industrial and agricultural food production sectors. In recent decades, their environmental and economic impacts have intensified due to increasing food demand, heightened production activities, and varying standards across the global supply chain. Specifically, the complexities surrounding the causes of food waste at the retail and household levels persist as a multifaceted issue, constituting a crucial topic in food policy. This is driven by various interplaying aspects, such as food security, safety, quality, and environmental sustainability, including greenhouse gas emissions from decaying food, water pollution from leaching, and the proliferation of landfills. Additionally, consumer concerns and financial losses exacerbate the urgency of addressing this issue. Therefore, this paper aims to highlight these complexities as a focal point of its discussion by the examination of interconnected causes of food waste and potential solutions and initiatives to reduce food waste occurring at these critical points in the food supply chain. Less attention has been paid to retail and foodservice than production and consumer sectors, and this review specifically focuses on these industries, where food waste is more important than food loss. This review also looks at examples in developing countries which have received less attention until now. We believe that because of the complexity of the process to reduce food waste across the food supply chain, and the many stakeholders involved, the goal of a 50% reduction by 2030 set by the United Nations will be difficult to achieve on time.

SMEs play a crucial role in the economy by creating jobs, alleviating poverty, innovating, and driving economic growth and development. However, they frequently fail due to business challenges such as poor performance. Grounded in the innovation literature and the Resource-Based View Theory (RBV), this study empirically investigates the influence of innovativeness as a dimension of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on retail SMEs' performance indicators (financial and non-financial performance) in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Saunders' research onion model was used to frame the methodology. The study adopted a quantitative research design while following a deductive approach. A survey method was used as a research strategy to collect data from 196 SMEs with the measuring instrument adapted from recent literature and from previously tested instruments. The questionnaire used a five-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = disagree, 5 = strongly agree. The "neutral" response was added to assure respondents that they need not feel compelled to answer every question. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. The results revealed that innovativeness positively and significantly affects both financial and non-financial SMEs' performance directly and that representatives (managers/owners) of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality retail SMEs believe that if their team is open to new ideas and changes, the implementation of innovation in practice within SMEs will rise. Furthermore, managers recognize and value fresh ideas to encourage staff to "think outside the box" and share their creativity, which facilitates and encourages the actual implementation of innovation. Lastly, the study found that the more open SME managers/owners are to innovation, accept new ideas, and support new resources for innovation, the higher the innovation will take place in the organization. Operationalization of the vague term innovativeness is also a contribution to the literature. This research is crucial for developing countries and regions such as the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng province, South Africa, wherein such studies are lacking, despite the retail sector's significant role in this country's economy. SME managers/owners must regard innovation as an intrinsic aspect of their strategy in this line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the online grocery retail industry has faced significant obstacles. To overcome these challenges and adapt to shifting customer attitudes, retailers must embrace innovative strategies. These include implementing a home delivery service with rigorous sanitization measures, leveraging social media advertising to enhance consumer awareness, and utilizing preservation technology to uphold grocery items' quality and freshness. In such a dynamic setting, it is only rational to acknowledge that the demand for products relies heavily upon the delivery firm's service performance and the awareness it generates. The present study explores these vital investments within the online grocery retail store, comparing them with models lacking such investments. By optimizing investments in preservation technology, service, and advertisement, the model seeks to maximize the retailer's overall profit. The findings unequivocally demonstrate that despite incurring additional costs, these investments wield financial dominance, boosting the total profit by an impressive 32%. The study concludes by presenting valuable insights derived from numerical and sensitivity analysis, offering invaluable guidance for the effective management of grocery items in the current post-pandemic era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Telos is the property of Revista Telos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper investigates the unequal effect of Airbnb on the spatial organisation of economic activity in Madrid, Spain. Using establishment-level data from Madrid City Council and consumer-facing information from this short-term rental company, we find that Airbnb reshapes the urban space by encouraging tourist-oriented businesses, defined as businesses where tourists spend more than locals, at the expense of businesses primarily oriented to locals. These findings prove that short-term rentals do displace not only the local population but also resident-oriented businesses. Ultimately, our findings remain solid regardless of how we measure short-term rental activity and are not influenced by the growth of e-commerce or gentrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the Arab American University is the property of Association of Arab Universities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: to study various typological characteristics of the retail pharmaceutical market sector in 23 constituent entities of the Russian Federation (RF), as well as to analyze the availability of socially important types of pharmaceutical care as of 2021.Material and methods. The study materials were the data obtained on the basis of specially developed card-queries in the health authorities of constituent entities of the RF, and data from Rosstat, the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the RF, Roszdravnadzor. Methods of comparative, structural, logical and content analysis, as well as the method of data grouping were used. The study included analysis of the overall structure of retail sectors of regional pharmaceutical markets, the structure of pharmacy organizations (POs) depending on the form of ownership, availability of pharmaceutical care to the population of the RF constituent entities, and quantitative characteristics of POs that provide socially important types of pharmaceutical care: extemporaneous compounding of dosage forms, sales of drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors included in the Lists II and III of the Decree No. 681 of the RF Government of June 30, 1998. Based on the obtained values of the indicative indicators, a typologization of the constituent entities of the RF was carried out.Results. By the total number of retail sales facilities the top five are regional pharmaceutical markets of Novosibirsk Region (2688), Nizhny Novgorod Region (2265), Samara Region (2493), Tula Region (1516), and Belgorod Region (1383). As of 2021, the share of pharmacies in the total pharmacy retail sector structure of the analyzed regions amounted to 45.5%, pharmacy outlets and kiosks – 54.1% and 0.4%, respectively. In most cases, the pharmaceutical market of constituent entities of the RF was concentrated: the mean value of the mean population per PO indicator was 2,215 persons. The pharmaceutical markets of Tula, Kursk and Pskov Regions are the most concentrated, the markets of Chechen Republic, Murmansk Region and Krasnoyarsk Territory are the least concentrated. The main burden of providing socially significant types of medicines falls on the state and municipal sectors, with the state sector accounting for 11.2% in the total structure of POs.Conclusion. Based on the study of basic indicators the situation in the pharmaceutical market retail sectors of different constituent entities of the RF was characterized. The revealed in 2021 downward trend in the total number of retail sales facilities may be caused by an excessively high degree of PO concentration on regional markets, as well as a noticeable reduction in the profitability of pharmaceutical activities (including due to a decline in the solvency of the population associated with the spread of a new coronavirus infection) and the impact of legislative changes.

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper investigates the socioeconomic and cultural transformation in food artisan entrepreneurship due to the complexification of the food sector and ongoing globalisation through a case study conducted among the artisan butchers of Genoa, Italy. The butcher's trade has enjoyed centrality and social and cultural promotion that made butcher shops key places in the urban foodscape. However, this centrality is challenged by both new consumption trends and the imposition of large-scale organised distribution as the fulcrum of mass food trade. These changes raise the question about the future of the profession and its knowledge. This paper addresses this question by investigating the structure of the butcher's business and the practices involved in knowledge creation and transmission, exploring the factor of change and its effects on the butcher's profession, as well as the very foundational aspects of the artisanship. The research suggests that artisanship should be read as a form of entrepreneurship capable of placing and moving the craftsman within the global social hierarchy of a community. Therefore, the preservation of artisanship and its sociocultural complexity cannot be limited to the mere preservation of gastronomic forms and techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to examine the challenges of preventing internal identity theft related crimes (IIDTRC) in the UK retail sector. Using an in-depth multiple case studies of a selected number of cross-functional management teams in the UK retail companies, management roles were analysed. We used semi-structured interview as a qualitative data collection technique and used Nvivo aided thematic analysis and interpretivism underpinned by Role-Based Framework (RBF) for analysis. Our findings revealed that vagueness of roles and lack of clarity in sharing data security responsibilities are the major challenges of preventing IIDTRC in UK retail companies. We suggest an application of RBF which provides a conceptual analysis for cross-functional management team to address the challenges of preventing IIDTRC. RBF enables clarity of shared roles where both information security and crimes prevention teams work in unison is required to prevent IIDTRC to maximise internal data security. Contributions for policymakers are offered in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Agribusiness and commerce are two major sectors that consume electricity. Agribusiness can generate energy but not enough to meet its needs. Thus, energy efficiency is fundamental for the sector’s sustainability. This study aimed to apply PROCEL energy evaluation methods in a Brazilian agribusiness company, specifically in the meat retail sector, located in the Alta Paulista region. This research has a quantitative approach, and PROCEL’s RTQ-C manual, bibliographical research on the energy issue, and the functioning of the company’s environment were used. The commercial establishment received the B classification index, which can be considered good but has several points of improvement, mainly on air conditioning, which provides better energy efficiency to the company. Therefore, the company can obtain economic and environmental returns by improving such areas, and the present research serves as a basis for evaluating energy efficiency in other companies in the same sector.

Customers are diverse, and their preferences have changed tremendously, especially post-pandemic, as many business organizations are facing major challenges in meeting those needs. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of consumer buying decisions plays a vital role to develop effective strategies. The aim of this study is to determine whether the marketing mix (4Ps) elements and their attitude have a significant effect on organic food product buying decisions among retail consumers in Beijing, China. A quantitative method was used in this study, whereby 334 questionnaires were physically collected randomly from walk-in customers at Walmart, Darunfa, and Yonghui supermarkets in Beijing, China. Based on the results of the hypothesis test using PLS-SEM, it was confirmed that product, place and promotional strategies had a significant positive relationship with attitude and consumer buying decisions. Interestingly, price had no effect and income was not a moderator. The results of this study provided relevant suggestions to marketing practitioners, especially organic food producers and retail stores on developing and implementing marketing strategies effectively to address changing consumer preferences.

The retail sector is one of the most important sectors of the economy because it deals directly with consumers. It includes all stores, from kiosks and small groceries to supermarket chains and shopping malls that sell products and services to the final consumer for personal and household use. The aim of this paper is to make an investigation into the benefits and problems faced by retail entrepreneurs in Thiruvananthapuram district. Both primary and secondary data are extensively used in this study. In this study, the secondary data was collected from various journals, books and websites. Then, the primary data was collected through the questionnaire method from the retailers. For this study, 120 respondents were selected from Thiruvananthapuram District collecting necessary information by using simple random sampling method. The analysis reveals that the benefits received by the retailers are influenced by their area of business and the major problem faced by the retailers is retailing the customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Proceedings of the Faculty of Economics & Business in Zagreb / Zbornik Ekonomskog Fakulteta u Zagrebu is the property of Ekonomski Fakultet u Zagrebu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)