The impact of corporate volunteering on CSR image: a consumer perspective

Received: 29 June 2013 / Accepted: 15 January 2014Abstract Corporate volunteering (CV) is known to be an effective employee engagement initiative. However, despite the prominence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in academia and practice, research is yet to investigate whether and how CV may influence consumer perceptions of CSR image and subsequent consumer behaviour. Data collected using an online survey in Australia show perceived familiarity with a company’s CV programme to positively impact CSR image and firm image, partially mediated by others-centred attributions. CSR image, in turn, strengthens affective and cognitive loyalty as well as word-of-mouth. Further analysis reveals the moderating effect of perceived leveraging of the corporate volunteering programme, customer status and the value individuals place on CSR. The paper concludes with theoretical and managerial implications, as well as an agenda for future research.Carolin Plewa, Jodie Conduit, Pascale G. Quester, Claire Johnso

Regional differences in portion size consumption behaviour: Insights for the global food industry

Abstract: Given the influence of globalization on consumer food behaviour across the world, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to the theoretical discourse around food portion size as a global consumption-related symbol and its underlying socio-economic drivers for food industry strategy. Overall, 25,000 global food consumers were surveyed across 24 countries to elicit insight on portion size consumption behaviour as well as consumer perception on eating and drinking small portion size within selected socio-economic classes. The data was quantitatively analysed to answer the pertinent research objectives. In 20 out of the 24 global markets surveyed, large food portion size was statistically established as a prevalent consumption-related symbol. The paper found that there are regional differences in portion size food consumption behaviour, and further disparities exist across age, gender and income status in 24 countries covering all regions, including Australia, China, Mexico, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America. The outlined food industry implications reveal that adaptation and standardisation strategies are still relevant in global food and nutrition strategy as revealed by the variations in the preference for food portion sizes across various countries of the world

Network Management of Multi-Sectoral Innovation

http://www.mbs.ac.uk/research/marketingstrategy/imp2007/index.asp

Management of networks involving Technology Transfer from public to private sector: a conceptual framework

Copyright © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises LimitedOver recent decades, increasingly complex networks have emerged among universities, industries and governments involved in technology transfer from public to private sector. Despite the growing international importance of such networks, academic research examining the key management factors leading to their effectiveness is still sparse. This exploratory study investigates such network management factors in various industries in Australia. Based on interviews held with members from university, industry and government, we provide an analysis from a network-level perspective. Findings are used to develop a conceptual framework concerned with managing networks involving technology transfer from public to private sector.Giselle Rampersad, Pascale Quester and Indrit Troshan

Managing innovation networks: An exploratory study

ANZMAC 2007: Reputation, Responsibility, Relevance Invalid ISBN 9781877156299 as shown on the publicationDespite the increasing relevance of innovation networks comprising government, business and universities, little research has investigated factors influencing their successful management. In order to fill this gap, this study presents a critical review of literatures in the areas of the innovation and networks. It then discusses findings from interviews held with key informants of innovation networks which revealed that cognitive, structural and relational factors influence network success

Towards more reliable network scales

ANZMAC 2007: Reputation, Responsibility, Relevance Invalid ISBN 9781877156299 as shown on the publicationDespite the increased prominence of innovation networks comprising university, business and government, empirical studies are still sparse. This is partly due to methodological challenges involved in empirical network research and the subsequent dearth of suitable network scales. To address these issues, a pilot study is conducted based on a particularly innovative network in the Australian wine industry. It adopts a solution of an issue-based network to overcome the challenge of the boundaryless nature of networks. It also surveys multiple key informants within each organization to improve reliability of findings. Based on exploratory factor analysis and reliability testing, the study provides preliminary network scales of acceptable internal reliability and consistent with the dimensions identified in both the network literature and exploratory interviews. The paper concludes with directions for future research

Developing and evaluating scales to assess innovation networks

Despite increasing recognition that innovation networks comprising university, business and government are important in fostering innovation, few scales have been developed for use in assessing their management. Existing measures are predominantly biased towards technical and financial aspects. Furthermore, the few scales that examine social factors remain limited to the viewpoint of only one type of participant involved such as businesses, ignoring the multitude of views of the other network participants. Based on both qualitative and quantitative research, this contributes addresses these issues by proposing validated scales to assess power distribution, coordination, harmony, communication and R&D efficiencies of innovation networks.Giselle Rampersad, Pascale Quester, Indrit Troshan

Management of multi-sectoral innovation networks

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