Studies on the Characteristic Properties of Fermented, Sun-Dried Orange- Fleshed Sweet Potato Flour

Microbiological, functional, chemical and sensory properties of flours of two (2) cultivars of orange-fleshed sweet potato (centinnial and CIP 440293) being multiplied for distribution in South East and South-South Nigeria were investigated using standard techniques. The flours were observed to have good functional properties and high dry matter contents which were respectively 88.09 ± 0.00% and 86.0 ± 0.00%. The respective values for fat content (0.85 ± 0.00% and 1.75 ± 0.00 %), ash content (2.04 ± 0.00% and 2.40 ± 0.42%) and crude fibre content (2.90 ± 0.28% and 2.67 ± 0.00%) were low but the respective levels of carotenoids values (3.74 ± 0.00 and 5.28 ± 0.00 μg/g) were high indicating a promising source of pro-vitamin A. The sensory evaluation had no statistical difference among the parameters. The flours had high nutritive values with good functional and sensory properties. The microbial loads were within the acceptable limit of < 105 recommended by ICMSF, making the flour samples microbiologically safe and with appropriate packaging, the shelf life could be extended under good storage conditions.Keywords: Orange-fleshed sweet potato, flour, sun-drying, physicochemical properties, functional properties

Costco and the Aussie shopper : a case study of the market entry of an international retailer

Retailing is a globalised industry, yet retailers must respond to local shopping habits if they are to be perceived as legitimate by the host country customers. However, some retailers may be unable or unwilling to respond to all customer requirements. Costco, the membership warehouse club retailer, has been successful in its international expansion efforts, establishing its first Australian store in Melbourne in 2009. In the first 12 months of operation, the store became one of Costco\u27s top five stores in the world. We investigated this success by focussing on the customer and used institutional theory to analyse what concessions were made by the customer and the company. Data were collected from consumer interviews, site visits and secondary media and industry sources. Analysis revealed negotiations based on the rejection, acceptance or adaptation of the regulative, normative and cultural cognitive aspects of the Australian shopper and the Costco business model. Customers made concessions to accommodate the new business model, and Costco responded to entrenched Australian shopping habits. This case is the first to explore the outcome of retail internationalisation from the customers\u27 perspective, revealing the concept of mutual concessions. The interaction and subsequent adaptation by both customer and retailer have resulted in the institutionalisation of new shopping norms in the host country and success for the international retailer.<br /

Ownership decisions in Chinese outward FDI: An integrated conceptual framework and research agenda

This paper, based on an examination of existing literature on foreign direct investment (FDI) ownership decisions of multinational corporations (MNCs) and findings from a qualitative study on Chinese outward investing firms, develops an integrated conceptual framework integrating the strategic behaviour approach, resource-based view, transaction cost approach and institution-based view. It reflects differences between Chinese firms and developed-country MNCs in FDI ownership decisions, with Chinese firms putting stronger emphasis on strategic intent than strategic fit, enjoying government support that eases their assets constraints, and receiving institutional influences not only from the host country, but also from their own government. Altogether nine factors are specified and a research agenda is set up with propositions