Development of strategic options for Italian wine cooperatives through a new membership integration pattern

Italian agro-food cooperatives are involved in mergers, acquisition and alliances processes, that require a renovating model of membership management. Wine cooperatives are particularly dynamic in this context. The aim of the research is to identify new integration patterns between the cooperative and its members, starting from the analysis of the members’ structural and strategic choices. The research has been conducted in a wine cooperative of Veneto Region. Five elements of differentiation have been discussed and moving from five clusters of members, a linear regression model has been applied. The actual mechanism of patronage return does not comprehend the complexity of membership, but it confirms the hypothesis that the cooperative should follow differerentiated integration strategies for the diverse typologies of members. The large structural, strategic, social-demographic and cultural heterogeneity of the members (especially in the big cooperatives) suggests to foresee different patterns in term of development projects, in order to propose diverse solutions for new investment initiatives and the quality improvement of deliveries, ensuring a more widespread satisfaction of stakeholders’ expectations.Wine Cooperative, Cooperative Nexus, Patronage Return, Membership Integration, Agricultural and Food Policy,

Health warnings on wine labels: a discrete choice analysis of Italian and French Generation Y consumers

This paper aims to analyse Generation Y consumers' preferences for, interest in and attitudes towards different formats of health warnings on wine labels in two countries with different legal approaches: France and Italy. A Discrete Choice Experiment was realized on a sample of 500 wine consumers. Three warning options were applied: the long-term effect of drinking (brain damage); a short-term effect (car crash) and no warning option. Four attributes composed the choice set: alcohol content; framing of warning statement; warning size and position. Findings reveal that both the general degree of attention to the label and the level of visibility of the warnings are low, as are their effectiveness in changing consumption. Generation Y tend to prefer the ''no logo option'', short-term effects warnings and a small logo posted on the back label with neutrally framed messages. Results also show some significant differences among preferences in France and Italy, providing inputs to the ongoing debate in the EU on mandatory labelling. Although findings are subject to limitations related to the use of self-reported questionnaire and prone to social-desirability bias, practical implications are clear for private companies interested in implementing marketing strategies focused on enhancing the efficacy and readability of labels. Keywords: Health warning, Wine labelling, Discrete Choice Experimen

Tourism experiences and wine experiences: a new approach to the analysis of the visitor perceptions for a destination. The case of Verona

• Purpose: This paper discusses a new approach to the analysis of visitor perceptions and experiences in a tourism destination. It aims to propose the discrete choice models application to contribute to the study of the tourism destination, in the perspective of visitor experience. The way through which wine and food contribute to tourism experience is analysed. • Design: The city of Verona has been chosen to reach these objectives. It sums up both tourist attractions, and interests related to food and wine tourism. In this paper, the first methodological steps of a market research analysis are reported. These concern: an exploratory survey through a qualitative on line questionnaire; the building of a quantitative analysis; the experimental design for the discrete choice models. • Findings: The exploratory survey identified seven main themes relevant for visitors: Arena, Romeo and Juliet, Monuments, Landscape, Atmosphere, Wine and Food, and People. They have been implemented in a multidimensional map representing the visitor's reference points and experiences. The characteristics of the tourist destination have been outlined to apply the discrete choice models. A questionnaire has been proposed. • Practical implications: The study structures the experience into its components, to estimate the utility perceived by visitors. The methodological innovation is given by the application of the discrete choice models to the study of tourism experience. The empirical innovation consists in a different marketing perspective for the destination, the tourism businesses and the other local stakeholders. This will contribute to a new branding process of the city

Oxidized multiwalled nanotubes as efficient carbocatalyst for the general synthesis of azines

The carbocatalytic synthesis of azines (N-N linked diimines) by mild-oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes catalyst (oxMWNT) is presented. The material, just with a 5 %wt. loading, is able to carry out a smooth room-temperature metal-free condensation of aldehydes and hydrazine, without external additives, to obtain a wide library of symmetric and also asymmetric azines in excellent yields, even in gram scale, with an excellent selectivity for aromatic substrates. This methodology allows the synthesis of azines with application in nonlinear optics, and the organic materials and biological active compounds crafting. oxMWNT catalysed the reaction in just 3 h with full recyclability upon the recovery of the catalyst. In addition, due to the inherent oxMWNT oxidative capacity in the presence of nitric acid, we have also developed the one-pot synthesis of azines starting from alcoholsFinancial support was provided by the European Research Council (ERC-CoG, Contract Number: 647550, ERC-PoC, Contract No. 861930), the Spanish Government (RTI2018-095038-B-I00), the ‘Comunidad de Madrid’ and European Structural Funds (S2018/NMT-4367) and proyectos sinérgicos I+D (Y2020/NMT6469). M.B. wishes to thank the Spanish Government for a Juan de la Cierva contract (IJC2019-042157-I

Estimating preferences for controlling beach erosion in Sicily

This study applied discrete-choice experiments to estimate preferences for a program aimed at reducing the retreatment of the sandy beach at “Lido di Noto”, a renowned Sicilian bathing resort close to Noto (Italy). Econometric analysis of data was based on Multinomial Logit (MNL), Latent Class (LC) and Mixed Logit (MXL) models. Findings shown that users appreciated the advancement of the current coastline through nourishment, and negatively perceived the construction of emerged sea barriers. MXL and LC models revealed that preferences were heterogeneous

Did wine consumption change during the Covid-19 lockdown in France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal?

This article documents how the COVID-19 crisis has affected the drinking behavior of Latin European wine consumers. Using a large online survey conducted during the first lockdown inFrance, Italy, Portugal, and Spain (n= 7,324 individuals), we reconstruct the purchasing and consumption patterns of the respondents. The number of people who maintained their wine consumption frequency is significantly higher than those who increased or decreased their consumption. Wine consumption frequency held up better than other types of alcohol (beer andspirits). We analyze heterogeneities among countries and individuals by employing the Marascuilo procedure and an ordered logit model. The latter identifies the impact of demographic, commercial, and psychosocial factors on wine consumption frequency. The results shed light on changes in wine consumer behavior during the first lockdown and consider possible post-lockdown trends that could be useful to industry players

Development of strategic options for Italian wine cooperatives through a new membership integration pattern

Italian agro-food cooperatives are involved in mergers, acquisition and alliances processes, that require a renovating model of membership management. Wine cooperatives are particularly dynamic in this context. The aim of the research is to identify new integration patterns between the cooperative and its members, starting from the analysis of the members’ structural and strategic choices. The research has been conducted in a wine cooperative of Veneto Region. Five elements of differentiation have been discussed and moving from five clusters of members, a linear regression model has been applied. The actual mechanism of patronage return does not comprehend the complexity of membership, but it confirms the hypothesis that the cooperative should follow differerentiated integration strategies for the diverse typologies of members. The large structural, strategic, social-demographic and cultural heterogeneity of the members (especially in the big cooperatives) suggests to foresee different patterns in term of development projects, in order to propose diverse solutions for new investment initiatives and the quality improvement of deliveries, ensuring a more widespread satisfaction of stakeholders’ expectations

Generation Y's perception of wine and consumption situations in a traditional wine-producing region

Purpose – This paper offers an in-depth analysis of Generation Y’s choices concerning the consumption of wine and other alcoholic drinks by examining the consumption situations in a traditional wine-producing country. Design/methodology/approach – The study applied the Multinomial Logit Model (MNL) involving a sample of Generation Y alcohol consumers in a city in northern Italy. Choice sets were constructed using the Bayesian efficient design, and each choice set included four consumption situations: at bars or pubs, at discos, at home, and at restaurants or pizzerias. Findings – Generation Y is aware of the different functions of alcoholic beverages in different consumption situations. Further, the type of company they keep influences their choice of beverage. Wine is the preferred drink in situations or occasions of conviviality or hospitality. However, this result only partly follows the traditional model of wine consumption. Segmentation elements are highlighted by considering gender and age. Practical implications – The research identifies some advantages of wine over other types of alcoholic beverages and some weaknesses in the strategies of wine companies. Consequently, six marketing topics emerge in order to develop a constructive relationship with Generation Y in Italy. Originality/value – This paper applies discrete choice models to consumption situations in order to analyse the variety of contexts, components and products compared with Generation Y’s preferences. It analyses the role of consumption situations in driving behaviour choices towards alcoholic beverages