Determinants of technology adoption in the retail trade industry - the case of SMEs in Spain

This paper analyzes the determinants of small and medium-sized enterprises’ technology adoption in the retail trade industry. From the theoretical perspective, two types of influential factors are differentiated in this respect: the personal characteristics of the manager/business owner and the business’s organizational characteristics. The empirical analysis is based on a survey of 268 small and medium-sized enterprises in the Spanish retail trade sector. A logistic regression specification is used as an econometric method. The results indicate that both the acquisition of new technical and electronic equipment and the obtaining of new software are affected by the two types of determinants previously pointed out. The manager/business owner’s entrepreneurial motivation and educational background have significant influences on technology adoption in this type of companies. Furthermore, being part of a business group, carrying out training activities for the employees and inter-firm cooperation also positively influence technology adoption in the retail trade industry

Critical Analysis of Intrinsic Global Business and Human Natures

The objective of this study is to identify the intrinsic global business operations and human natures of the products and services produced and consumed. Global business organizations are very popular and fluid in establishing according to the market feasibility of accepted products/services. Either satisfying needs/wants or creating new tastes and preferences added to the existing products/services. These satisfy human craving, passion, and convenience. The gap identified is between needs/wants and the existence of global businesses on a long period in the market. From where do the marketers derive these market realities? How do global marketers bridge this gap for a sustainable business? This study is a combination of quantitative and qualitative research. Secondary data was used in the analysis of the research question(s)/hypothesis. The observation method was administered, and data were analyzed. The data set include: product/service features/characteristics, advertisements, reviews, up and downsides, and influenced intrinsic human nature of physiological-cognitive-social-spiritual propensities towards needs/wants on consumption that generated company revenue. The findings of this research show the characteristics linked with the downside of human physiological, physio-cognitive, and physio-sociological, physio-spiritual needs. Hence, global organizations use an algorithm based on the human nature of weaknesses to manifest addictions to buy products/services and to lose their individuality.Keywords: Intrinsic, global business nature, human natur

What is smart for retailing?

AbstractWhile the last decade has seen increasing interest in the smart city phenomenon from both scholars and practitioners, little attention has been paid to what extent retailing might be considered as part of smart cities, with benefits for all the actors involved in the process. In fact, retailing is subject to a radical innovation force that makes available several technologies that can be successfully applied. The extensive use of advanced systems gives rise to new questions concerning the smart use of technologies. Moreover, the application of advanced technologies is part of a trend towards the creation of smart cities for a better urban society. In this scenario, the idea of smartness goes beyond the concept of application of new technologies by also including more important dimensions, such as organizational structure. Hence, our work aims at identifying what can be considered smart for retailing, in terms of features of smart technology for retailing, and the challenges emerging from the adoption of such smart technologies

Does the innovation-orientation lead to retail industry growth? Empirical evidence from patent analysis

Competitiveness and complexity in the retail industry are increasing due to rapid technological changes and diffusion. Patent analysis is largely used in innovation studies to assess and monitor technological changes in different sectors. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive view of the innovative forces affecting the retailing sector, by focusing on the evaluation of innovation levels through the classification and analysis of patented innovations. The findings show that retailers might shift to more innovation-oriented strategies in order to propose innovative consumer solutions, due to the support of the technology advancements highlighted by the strong patent track record. Our study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence of critical areas for innovation in retailing and by offering bibliometric and patent analytical methods measures relative to the innovative forces affecting retailing, which might push the sector to be increasingly an innovation-oriented one. Finally, the high level of property rights (defined by the huge amount of patents) pushes retailers to invest more on acquiring patented technologies to achieve advantages over competitors or to adopt novel management practices as substitutes for patents

Integrating Customers and Suppliers in Retail Co-innovation: Mercadona, the Spanish grocery retailer, uses a co-innovation approach in which customers and suppliers collaborate to create new products

[EN] The retail grocery sector is not a leader in new product development due to inherent innovation risks and retailers' complex relationships with suppliers. Product co-innovation is an effective way to overcome innovation barriers and is feasible when retailers collaborate with customers and suppliers. We present a case study of Mercadona, a leading retailer in Spain that introduces new products developed using a novel co-innovation approach where customers and suppliers collaborate in innovation hubs from the start of the ideation phase. Other companies can learn from Mercadona's innovation journey over the last 20 years.Albors Garrigós, J.; De-Miguel-Molina, M. (2020). Integrating Customers and Suppliers in Retail Co-innovation: Mercadona, the Spanish grocery retailer, uses a co-innovation approach in which customers and suppliers collaborate to create new products. Research-Technology Management. 63(3):33-41. https://doi.org/10.1080/08956308.2020.1733887S3341633Bobot, L. (2011). Functional and dysfunctional conflicts in retailer‐supplier relationships. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 39(1), 25-50. doi:10.1108/09590551111104468Cooper, R. G., & Edgett, S. J. (2008). Maximizing Productivity in Product Innovation. Research-Technology Management, 51(2), 47-58. doi:10.1080/08956308.2008.11657495Esbjerg, L., Burt, S., Pearse, H., & Glanz-Chanos, V. (2016). Retailers and technology-driven innovation in the food sector. British Food Journal, 118(6), 1370-1383. doi:10.1108/bfj-10-2015-0367Grimmer, L. (2017). The diminished stakeholder: Examining the relationship between suppliers and supermarkets in the Australian grocery industry. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 17(1), e13-e20. doi:10.1002/cb.1674Helminen, P., Ainoa, J., & Mäkinen, S. (2015). Designing user innovation toolkits: exploring the interrelation between solution space and module library. International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation, 4(3-4), 162-180. doi:10.1080/21650349.2015.1043351JANSSEN, K. L., & DANKBAAR, B. (2008). PROACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF CONSUMERS IN INNOVATION: SELECTING APPROPRIATE TECHNIQUES. International Journal of Innovation Management, 12(03), 511-541. doi:10.1142/s1363919608002047Kim, S., Kim, N., Pae, J. H., & Yip, L. (2013). Cooperate «and» compete: coopetition strategy in retailer‐supplier relationships. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 28(4), 263-275. doi:10.1108/08858621311313875Londoño, J. C., Elms, J., & Davies, K. (2016). Conceptualising and measuring consumer-based brand–retailer–channel equity. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 29, 70-81. doi:10.1016/j.jretconser.2015.11.004Luceri, B., Sabbadin, E., & Zerbini, C. (2017). Innovation in Tradition: Key Success Factors of New Entrepreneurs in the Retail Trade. International Business Research, 10(12), 239. doi:10.5539/ibr.v10n12p239Pantano, E. (2014). Innovation drivers in retail industry. International Journal of Information Management, 34(3), 344-350. doi:10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2014.03.002Pantano, E. (2016). Engaging consumer through the storefront: Evidences from integrating interactive technologies. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 28, 149-154. doi:10.1016/j.jretconser.2015.09.007Schenk, E., & Guittard, C. (2011). Towards a characterization of crowdsourcing practices. Journal of Innovation Economics, 7(1), 93. doi:10.3917/jie.007.0093Shankar, V., Inman, J. J., Mantrala, M., Kelley, E., & Rizley, R. (2011). Innovations in Shopper Marketing: Current Insights and Future Research Issues. Journal of Retailing, 87, S29-S42. doi:10.1016/j.jretai.2011.04.00

The Impact of Technological and Marketing Innovations on Retailing Industry: Evidence of India

Innovation is usually linked with technology-based change. Retailers form a significant sector in the developed economies and also are picking up in the developing economies. There have been few studies in the area of innovation in the retail industry in both conceptual as well as empirical points of view. The objective of this study is to study the impact of marketing and technological innovations on the retail industry. The sample of the study was drawn from the customers who live in the city of Aligarh in India. The study is conclusive, descriptive and is based on a single cross-sectional research design. Quantitative data was generated on the basis of the research instrument (a questionnaire). The study concluded that technological innovation is more important than marketing innovation with respect to World of Mouth (WOM) referral and satisfaction. Furthermore, the study revealed that technological innovation has an impact on store image, customer value, brand store equity, satisfaction, WOM referral, and WOM activity. The study also recommended that a retailer can take some advantages of introducing new technologies. This means investing in technologies would help in increasing market share and competitiveness of the retail sector in the long-run

Engaging consumer through the storefront: evidences from integrating interactive technologies

Although previous studies identified the importance of storefront windows on consumer’s entry decision, there is still a lack of research on engaging consumers at the storefront through the integration with interactive technologies. The purpose of this study is to carry out an exploratory investigation into the consumers preference for a certain store based on the storefront windows (in terms of entry decision), with emphasis on the current most attractive interactive technologies. Thus, we examine the extent to which an exploratory sample of consumers is influenced by storefront interactive technologies. Emotional aspects emerge as the most influencing ones in the case of traditional storefronts, while both emotional and functional aspects emerge as the most influencing factors while considering the integration of interactive technologies. In particular, our results shed light on the way these elements can be managed for the design of future attractive storefront windows, by providing important insights for scholars and practitioners

Benefits and risks associated with time choice of innovating in retail settings

Purpose- The innovation success requires a deep understanding of risks and benefits of the process, as well as of the best moment for innovating. The aim of this paper is to explore the current retailers’ choice of innovating in terms of being the first innovator imitating competitors’ innovations, by declining the benefits and risks associated with the both strategies. Design/Methodology/Approach- Building on qualitative data from retail industry, with emphasis on fashion (including clothes, jewellery, and accessories), our investigation provides an empirical contribution to the emerging area on innovation management in retailing through its in-depth investigation of the strategies of eight case retailers who introduced technological innovations in the last three years, and by mapping the patterns between strategy and outcomes. Findings - Our analysis revealed how pioneers and followers acted their strategies for achieving benefits and reducing the encountered risks. In particular, findings identify to what extend pioneers act according the technology push and followers according to the demand pull. Originality/value- The research starts from the definition of the time choice of innovating, and the subsequent choice of being the first innovation adopter or the imitator. Our insights support scholarly exploration of innovation management by offering a new marketing management perspective, and providing practitioners with a better understanding on the time choice for innovating in retailing and also in broader empirical settings

Engaging consumer through the storefront: evidences from integrating interactive technologies

Although previous studies identified the importance of storefront windows on consumer’s entry decision, there is still a lack of research on engaging consumers at the storefront through the integration with interactive technologies. The purpose of this study is to carry out an exploratory investigation into the consumers preference for a certain store based on the storefront windows (in terms of entry decision), with emphasis on the current most attractive interactive technologies. Thus, we examine the extent to which an exploratory sample of consumers is influenced by storefront interactive technologies. Emotional aspects emerge as the most influencing ones in the case of traditional storefronts, while both emotional and functional aspects emerge as the most influencing factors while considering the integration of interactive technologies. In particular, our results shed light on the way these elements can be managed for the design of future attractive storefront windows, by providing important insights for scholars and practitioners