Environmental proactivity and firms' performance: Mediation effect of competitive advantages in Spanish wineries

The main aim of this paper is to show the extent to which environmental proactivity is able to generate competitive advantages in a firm in order to improve their economic-financial performance by introducing the role of managerial perception into the analysis. This study focuses on Spanish wineries and their environmental practices and covers a total of 4598 wineries with a sample of 142 valid responses during the month of November 2015. The results can be summarized as follows. Firstly, there is positive environmental proactivity in terms of obtaining both cost-based and differentiation-based competitive advantages. Likewise, this proactivity has a positive impact on the manager’s perception of performance. Secondly, obtaining differentiation-based competitive advantages has a positive impact on the manager’s perception of performance although a negative impact on performance itself. There is, however, no significant evidence of the impact of cost-based competitive advantages on financial performance nor on the perception of performance itself, nor the impact of environmental proactivity on financial performance

TREM-2 plays a protective role in cholestasis by acting as a negative regulator of inflammation

Background & Aims: Inflammation, particularly that mediated by bacterial components translocating from the gut to the liver and binding to toll-like receptors (TLRs), is central to cholestatic liver injury. The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM-2) inhibits TLR-mediated signaling and exerts a protective role in hepatocellular injury and carcinogenesis. This study aims to evaluate the role of TREM-2 in cholestasis.Methods: TREM-2 expression was analyzed in the livers of pa-tients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) or primary scle-rosing cholangitis (PSC), and in mouse models of cholestasis. Wild-type (WT) and Trem-2 deficient (Trem-2-/-) mice were subjected to experimental cholestasis and gut sterilization. Pri-mary cultured Kupffer cells were incubated with lipopolysac-charide and/or ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and inflammatory responses were analyzed.Results: TREM-2 expression was upregulated in the livers of patients with PBC or PSC, and in murine models of cholestasis. Compared to WT, the response to bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced obstructive cholestasis or alpha-naphtylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis was exacerbated in Trem-2-/-mice. This was characterized by enhanced necroptotic cell death, in-flammatory responses and biliary expansion. Antibiotic treat-ment partially abrogated the effects observed in Trem-2-/-mice after BDL. Experimental overexpression of TREM-2 in the liver of WT mice downregulated ANIT-induced IL-33 expression and neutrophil recruitment. UDCA regulated Trem-1 and Trem-2 expression in primary cultured mouse Kupffer cells and damp-ened inflammatory gene transcription via a TREM-2-dependent mechanism.Conclusions: TREM-2 acts as a negative regulator of inflamma-tion during cholestasis, representing a novel potential thera-peutic target.Lay summary: Cholestasis (the reduction or cessation of bile flow) causes liver injury. This injury is exacerbated when gut-derived bacterial components interact with receptors (spe-cifically Toll-like receptors or TLRs) on liver-resident immune cells, promoting inflammation. Herein, we show that the anti-inflammatory receptor TREM-2 dampens TLR-mediated signaling and hence protects against cholestasis-induced liver injury. Thus, TREM-2 could be a potential therapeutic target in cholestasis.Spanish Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) [J.M. Banales (FIS PI18/01075, PI21/00922 and Miguel Servet Program CPII19/00008); M.J. Perugorria (FIS PI14/00399, PI17/00022 and PI20/00186); J.J.G. Marin (FIS PI16/00598 and PI19/00819); P.M. Rodrigues (Sara Borrell CD19/00254)] cofinanced by “Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional” (FEDER); “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” [CIBERehd: M.J. Monte, J.J.G. Marin, J.M. Banales, M.J. Perugorria, P. Aspichueta, P.M. Rodrigues and L. Bujanda], Spain; “Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa” (M.J. Perugorria: DFG18/114), Department of Health of the Basque Country (M.J. Perugorria: 2019111024, 2015111100 and J.M. Banales: 2021111021), “Euskadi RIS3” (J.M. Banales: 2019222054, 2020333010, 2021333003), and Department of Industry of the Basque Country (J.M. Banales: Elkartek: KK-2020/00008); “Junta de Castilla y Leon” (J.J.G. Marin: SA063P17). La Caixa Scientific Foundation (J.M. Banales: HR17-00601). “Fundación Científica de la Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer” (AECC Scientific Foundation, to J.M. Banales and J.J.G. Marin); “Centro Internacional sobre el Envejecimiento” (J.J.G. Marin: OLD-HEPAMARKER, 0348_CIE_6_E); Fundació Marato TV3 (J.J.G. Marin: Ref. 201916-31). O Sharif was funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF-P35168). Work in the lab of T. Luedde was funded by the European Research Council (ERC) (Grant Agreement 771083), the German Research Foundation (DFG – LU 1360/3-2 (279874820), LU 1360/4-(1461704932) and SFB-CRC 1382-Project A01) and the German Ministry of Health (BMG – DEEP LIVER 2520DAT111). Contributions of M. Marzioni were funded by the Università Politecnica delle Marche PSA2017_UNIVPM grant. Contributions of DAM were supported by programme grants from CRUK (C18342/A23390) and MRC (MR/K0019494/1 and MR/R023026/1). MJ Perugorria was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO: “Ramón y Cajal” Programme RYC-2015-17755), I. Labiano, A. Agirre-Lizaso, P. Olaizola, A. Echebarria and F. González-Romero by the Basque Government (PRE_2016_1_0152, PRE_2018_1_0184, PRE_2016_1_0269 PRE_2020_1_0080, PRE_2018_1_0120, respectively), I. Olaizola by the Ministry of Universities (FPU 19/03327) and A. Esparza-Baquer by the University of the Basque Country (PIF2014/11). The funding sources had no involvement in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the article

Business Management Teaching-Learning Processes in Times of Pandemic: Flipped Classroom at A Distance

The main objective of this study is to present a teaching-learning experience carried out before the appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze its usefulness in times of social and academic restrictions, as well as its fit into an online teaching format. In recent years, much research has been done on the development and application of new teaching methodologies, but the current health emergency situation means that it is necessary to assess how these methodologies are useful in a context of social distancing. Managing teaching-learning processes following the closure of educational centers due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19 presents a significant challenge, not just in Business Management, but across all subjects. In the context of a pandemic, active methodologies take on greater importance as a way of adapting to new, socially distanced educational needs. This article presents a study carried out among students of Business Management at the University of the Basque Country (Spain). The study focuses on the context of the flipped classroom methodology, with students being asked to rate the effectiveness of this methodology, before and after the pandemic. Following the appearance of the pandemic, opinions have been strengthened in favor of the inverted classroom methodology, which is shown to be a powerful methodological alternative compatible with online teaching. Educational authorities must strengthen the technological tools as well as the teacher skills needed to develop capacities related to the rapid response to current and future teaching challenges

Análisis de la influencia de las variables relacionadas con el proceso de compra en el consumo de productos ecológicos: un estudio del País Vasco

The aim of this paper is to analyse the determining factors that distinguish consumers with an environmentally responsible behaviour from the rest, focusing especially on the variables that determine the buying process of environmentally friendly products. The sample was formed by 638 persons in the Basque Country, and the analysis shows the importance of those variables that discriminate between both types of consumers. The results will help the companies in the environmentally friendly sector better address the needs of potential customers.Este trabajo pretende analizar cuáles son los factores que juegan un papel determinante a la hora de diferenciar individuos con un comportamiento ecológico del resto de la población, centrando la atención especialmente en aquellas variables relacionadas con el proceso de compra de este tipo de productos. El estudio se ha desarrollado a través de una muestra de 638 individuos en el País Vasco, y los análisis realizados muestran la importancia que tiene este tipo de variables a la hora de discriminar entre ambos tipos de consumidores. Los resultados obtenidos pueden servir a empresas que pretendan actuar en este sector para actuar en consecuencia, y tratar de satisfacer mejor las necesidades de los consumidores potenciales de productos ecológicos

Green consumers in the Basque Country and Quebec: differences and implications for marketing

This paper is devoted to find the main factors that make it different the consumption of environmentally friendly products in two different markets. Although population from Québec (Canada) and Basque Country (Spain) show a similar level of environmental consciousness, environmental knowledge and attitudes, the consumption of environmentally friendly products is pretty different in these regions. Therefore, we analyze the variables related to the environmental purchase process in order to compare such differences from the point of view of consumer�s costbenefit analysis. Results show that the lower purchase of green products in Basque Country may be due to obstacles regarding the marketing strategy of firms (lack of supply and unreliable communication, mainly). So, while firms in Quebec have overcome these obstacles, Basque firms seem not to have done it yet.El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los principales factores que hacen que el consumo de productos ecológicos sea desigual en diferentes zonas geográficas, aun cuando éstas presentan niveles similares de concienciación medioambiental, conocimiento, actitudes� Concretamente, estudiamos las variables relacionadas con el proceso de compra en dos mercados, el País Vasco (España) y Québec (Canadá), a fin de comparar las diferencias en la compra de productos ecológicos desde un enfoque del coste-beneficio obtenido por el consumidor. Los resultados muestran que los inferiores niveles de consumo de productos ecológicos del País Vasco pueden deberse al predominio de barreras provenientes del lado de la oferta (escasa distribución y comunicación poco creíble, principalmente), barreras que parecen haber sido superadas en Québec

Análisis de precios de alimentos ecológicos en distintos formatos comerciales: el caso de Vizcaya

The aim of this paper is to investigate if price of organic foods have higher premiums than consumers willingness to pay for them. We study two categories of great consumption foods (fresh and dry food products), which are distributed through different kind of retailers (organic food shop, supermarket and hypermarket). The findings show that prices for organic foods are higher than consumers willingness to pay for themEl presente trabajo1 pretende contrastar si realmente el precio de los alimentos ecológicos es superior a la prima que los consumidores declaran estar dispuestos a pagar. Para ello, analizamos el precio de dos tipologías de productos de gran consumo (alimentación fresca y alimentación seca) distribuidas a través de distintos formatos comerciales (hipermercado, supermercado y tienda especializada). Los resultados revelan que los precios de los alimentos orgánicos superan la prima que los consumidores están dispuestos a pagar por este tipo de producto

Análisis de precios de alimentos ecológicos en distintos formatos comerciales: el caso de Vizcaya

The aim of this paper is to investigate if price of organic foods have higher premiums than consumers willingness to pay for them. We study two categories of great consumption foods (fresh and dry food products), which are distributed through different kind of retailers (organic food shop, supermarket and hypermarket). The findings show that prices for organic foods are higher than consumers willingness to pay for themEl presente trabajo1 pretende contrastar si realmente el precio de los alimentos ecológicos es superior a la prima que los consumidores declaran estar dispuestos a pagar. Para ello, analizamos el precio de dos tipologías de productos de gran consumo (alimentación fresca y alimentación seca) distribuidas a través de distintos formatos comerciales (hipermercado, supermercado y tienda especializada). Los resultados revelan que los precios de los alimentos orgánicos superan la prima que los consumidores están dispuestos a pagar por este tipo de producto

Antecedentes y barreras a la compra de productos ecológicos

El principal objetivo de este trabajo es tratar de comprender los mecanismos que explican la compra ecológica a través de un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales, en aras a ofrecer información práctica y útil para las empresas. Así, por un lado, se analiza cuáles son los factores que determinan un comportamiento medioambiental favorable y, por otro, en qué medida diferentes tipos de comportamiento medioambiental inciden sobre el comportamiento específico de compra ecológica teniendo en cuenta, asimismo, las posibles barreras a la compra. Como principal conclusión podemos argumentar que si el objetivo es popularizar el consumo de productos ecológicos, las empresas tendrán que satisfacer las necesidades de una mayoría de consumidores medioambientalmente concienciada pero no movilizada hacia el consumo ecológic

Consumption Of Organic Products: An International Comparative Analysis Of University Students

The aim of this paper is to analyze the point of view of university students about the environment and, more precisely, regarding the consumption of organic products. This analysis has been developed in two different geographical contexts, the State of Nevada in the United States and the Basque Country, Spain. Thus, we surveyed 607 college students from the University of Nevada, Reno, and 1086 from the University of the Basque Country. The results clearly show that American students most frequently consumed products labelled as organic. Through conducting a Chi-square test, it was found out that, beyond values and beliefs, factors that may be behind these differences are related to variables that the company can control