Effects of innovativeness and innovation behavior on tourism smes performance : the case of Albania

Though SMEs play a crucial role in countries' economic development, some of them succeed and others fail during their life cycle. In this regard, managers/owners continually have to identify the most significant factors that influence performance management. In addition, this is crucial for developing countries such as Albania, wherein such studies are lacking, furthermore, tourism sector is experiencing very fast development. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the interplay of innovativeness, innovation behavior and SMEs' performance indicators. Exploiting face-to-face techniques, data for 211 valid cases have been gathered from Albanian tourism SMEs. By using SEM statistical methodology, the results indicate that innovativeness significantly affects innovation behavior. While innovativeness does not affect SMEs performance directly, its significant effects are indirect, through the mediation role of innovation behavior. Regarding innovation behavior, the results indicate that the more tourism's SMEs innovate in terms of ICT, cooperation (associations, networks etc.), the more their performance will positively increase. Operationalization of the vague term of innovation is a contribution to the literature. Finally, other theoretical and managerial contributions of this study are discussed

Characteristics of farming systems in Albania

This report is based on information collected from a face-to-face survey of more than 1 000 farmers from three regions of Albania (namely Berat, Elbasan and Lezhë To identify a representative sample of Albanian farming systems, a three-step sample design was used. A group of 11 variables dealing with the socio-economic characteristics of farms was selected to build up the farming system typology. Two typologies are used: one for the whole sample (three regions) and a second one for each region. The differences between the two typologies are considered to be a proxy indicator of different characteristics of farming systems in each region. The farm types identified are (1) poly-culture, mainly for the market; (2) leisure farms; (3) arable crops; (4) fruit trees; (5) self-sufficient; and (6) livestock. The farm typology is slightly different for the regions of Berat and Lezhë. The farm types’ strategies are constructed according to the land, infrastructure facilities and the investment availability of farms. Non-agricultural incomes (remittances, income from the construction, trade, pensions, etc.) appear to provide an important economic support for the farm household. Farming structures in rural areas are characterised by the use of more labour and lower inputs. The farm types that tend to specialise in one activity are not always those that make the best use of labour and land. Farming does not provide enough income to repay the work put in at the official minimum wage level. Non-agricultural work is better paid. Albanian farms provide at least a minimal income that is enough to keep the household members above the threshold of extreme poverty. The farm types that base their incomes on agricultural activities are poorer than those that base their income on non-agricultural activities. Income structures and the low incomes generated by work in agriculture suggests that rural migration towards urban areas and abroad is a phenomenon that will persist into the future.JRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Consumer Preferences for Cheese with Focus on Food Safety—A Segmentation Analysis

This research work analyzes Albanian urban consumer preferences and purchasing behavior related to cheese, focusing on food safety and related attributes, including origin, packaging, and certification. This paper is based on a structured survey targeting urban consumers. The analysis consists of a two-step cluster and descriptive statistics. The clustering was based on key sociodemographic variables, namely, gender, education, and age. The results show that the local cheese is preferred to imported cheese, and the main sources of food safety guarantee are the producer name/brand and knowing the seller. Most consumers across all five identified clusters preferred buying unpacked cheese to packed cheese. The cluster of educated female consumers preferred to buy cheese mainly in supermarkets compared to other clusters that preferred convenience shops. Consumer clusters with a university education appeared to be more informed about both HACCP and ISO compared to other (less educated) consumer clusters. Low trust in state institutions to guarantee food safety calls for the need to strengthen their capacities, professionalism, and awareness engagement with consumers

Effects of innovativeness and innovation behavior on tourism smes performance : the case of Albania

Though SMEs play a crucial role in countries' economic development, some of them succeed and others fail during their life cycle. In this regard, managers/owners continually have to identify the most significant factors that influence performance management. In addition, this is crucial for developing countries such as Albania, wherein such studies are lacking, furthermore, tourism sector is experiencing very fast development. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the interplay of innovativeness, innovation behavior and SMEs' performance indicators. Exploiting face-to-face techniques, data for 211 valid cases have been gathered from Albanian tourism SMEs. By using SEM statistical methodology, the results indicate that innovativeness significantly affects innovation behavior. While innovativeness does not affect SMEs performance directly, its significant effects are indirect, through the mediation role of innovation behavior. Regarding innovation behavior, the results indicate that the more tourism's SMEs innovate in terms of ICT, cooperation (associations, networks etc.), the more their performance will positively increase. Operationalization of the vague term of innovation is a contribution to the literature. Finally, other theoretical and managerial contributions of this study are discussed

Characteristics of farming systems in Albania

International audienceIt aims to provide evidence-based scientific support to the European policy-making process. The scientific output expressed does not imply a policy position of the European Commission.Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use which might be made of this publication