Niche Products Research Articles

Adensamento produtivo e esgarçamento do tecido industrial brasileiro

Resumo A industrialização brasileira por substituição de importações proporcionou níveis elevados de adensamento produtivo, contudo, esses níveis reduziram-se após a abertura comercial. Porém, os estudos existentes utilizaram desagregação setorial que não permite identificar nichos produtivos adensados ou esgarçados dentre dos setores manufatureiros. Este trabalho mapeou e analisou, pela primeira vez para o Brasil, o grau de adensamento produtivo de todas as 258 classes industriais a partir de dados inéditos obtidos do IBGE. Assim, o estudo identificou os nichos mais e menos adensados, possíveis alvos das políticas públicas. Resultados relevam que as classes de baixa e média-baixa tecnologia continuam predominantemente adensadas, porém, metade das classes industriais de alta e média-alta tecnologia possui esgarçamento produtivo moderado a elevado, sendo algumas classes tecnológicas já maquiladoras. Conclui-se que o esgarçamento das classes industriais mais tecnológicas pode retardar o desenvolvimento brasileiro, sobretudo quanto à Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação.

COVID‐19 and the Demand for Online Food Shopping Services: Empirical Evidence from Taiwan

We investigate how the coronavirus pandemic affected the demand for online food shopping services using data from the largest agri‐food e‐commerce platform in Taiwan. We find that an additional confirmed case of COVID‐19 increased sales by 5.7% and the number of customers by 4.9%. The demand for grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, and frozen foods increased the most, which benefited small farms over agribusinesses. The variety of products sold on the e‐commerce platform also increased during the pandemic, which suggests the concentration of sales on niche products could increase as more consumers are drawn to online platforms. Our investigation of mechanisms for the shift to online food shopping indicates that sales were highly responsive to COVID‐19 media coverage and online content.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Road Vehicles and Their Infrastructure: An Option towards an Environmentally Friendly Energy Transition

The latest pre-production vehicles on the market show that the major technical challenges posed by integrating a fuel cell system (FCS) within a vehicle—compactness, safety, autonomy, reliability, cold starting—have been met. Regarding the ongoing maturity of fuel cell systems dedicated to road transport, the present article examines the advances still needed to move from a functional but niche product to a mainstream consumer product. It seeks to address difficulties not covered by more traditional innovation approaches. At least in long-distance heavy-duty vehicles, fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are going to play a key role in the path to zero-emissions in one or two decades. Hence the present study also addresses the structuring elements of the complete chain: the latter includes the production, storage and distribution of hydrogen. Green hydrogen appears to be one of the potential uses of renewable energies. The greener the electricity is, the greater the advantage for hydrogen since it permits to economically store large energy quantities on seasonal rhythms. Moreover, natural hydrogen might also become an economic reality pushing the fuel cell vehicle to be a competitive and environmentally friendly alternative to the battery electric vehicle. Based on its own functional benefits for on board systems, hydrogen in combination with the fuel cell will achieve a large-scale use of hydrogen in road transport, as soon as renewable energies become more widespread. Its market will expand from large driving range and heavy load vehicles.

"Burrata di Andria" PGI Cheese: Physicochemical and Microbiological Features.

In the last century, the exponential increase of industrial food production led to the disappearance of “Italian traditional niche products”. However, national regulations allowed the preservation of several of these products, including the burrata cheese. Twenty-one samples from three different batches of “Burrata di Andria” Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) were purchased from dairy factories of the PGI consortium. Moisture value of PGI Burrata cheese was significantly higher than that before the PGI release. Moreover, a significantly lower NaCl value was detected in PGI raw milk Burrata cheeses with respect to non-PGI ones, while an opposite situation was detected in pasteurized milk Burrata cheeses. As for pH, in all PGI products lower values were observed with respect to non-PGI products, which resulted significant only in pasteurized ones. No Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus were detected, while nine samples were positive for a nonpathogenic strain of Yersinia enterocolitica. Total viable count (TVC) and Escherichia coli resulted significantly lower in pasteurized than in raw milk PGI Burrata cheese samples. Although samples analyzed can be considered microbiologically safe, these were borderline and/or unsatisfactory for E. Coli and coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) according to process hygiene criteria established by European regulation. Therefore, different strategies should be adopted to improve products hygiene in the considered dairy factories.

Hensher, D.A. and Mulley, C. Mobility bundling and cultural tribalism - Might passenger mobility plans through MaaS remain niche or are they truly scalable?

This short note is a topical issues paper focussing on the role that mobility as service (MaaS) might play in the future with a question as to whether it can grow to become a scalable product offer in the mobility market or whether it is destined to a niche offering. We consider arguments that may enable MaaS to be more than a niche product and have a supporting business case with the key element being a move beyond multi-modality to multi-services.

Challenges of Migrant Entrepreneurship in Selected Regions of Central Europe

Abstract This article addresses the migrant entrepreneurship in selected Central European regions by focusing on a general social and legislative framework, as well as migrants’ own perceptions of their challenges, needs, advantages and future prospects. It is based on the combination of secondary data and fieldwork material referring to the interviews and focus groups. The study shows that entrepreneurship is a successful strategy for effective integration into the host society. Migrant entrepreneurs are facing specific challenges in terms of understanding the legislation and the specifics of the local business environment. They often engage in niche services and production. However, they typically see themselves not as migrants but as entrepreneurs and claim to share the needs with entrepreneurs in general.

Growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and chemical composition of the Shaziling pig and its crossbreeds

The Shaziling pig, an indigenous breed reared in Hunan province in China, is characterized by good meat quality and strong ability of resistance for general diseases. The objective of this study was to compare properties of growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and chemical composition among purebred Shaziling, Berkshire, Yorkshire pigs and their crossbreeds Yorkshire × (Berkshire × Shaziling) (Y × (B × S)), Berkshire × (Yorkshire × Shaziling) (B × (Y × S)) pigs. The results showed that Shaziling pigs had lower average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.01) and higher ratio of Feed/Gain (P < 0.01) than other groups. In contrast, the crossbreeds Y × (B × S) and B × (Y × S) both exhibited faster growth rate and superior carcass characteristics. In particular, the growth performance and carcass traits of Y × (B × S) pigs were very close to the lean-type Berkshire and Yorkshire pigs, including ADG, dressing percentage, loin-eye area and lean percentage. Meanwhile, the parameters associated with meat quality were assigned a normal quality class in all breeds, such as pH, meat color, and drip loss. Furthermore, both crossbreeds had desirable chemical composition, as demonstrated by moderate IMF and abundant mineral elements, SFAs, MUFAs, EAAs, and FAAs. Taken together, the crossbreed of Y × (B × S) is preferably suited for commercial production to provide high tasted quality niche products.

“Everyone comes with their own shade of green”: Negotiating the meaning of transformation in Norway's agriculture and fisheries sectors

This paper analyses how a green transformation is conceptualized by practitioners in Norway’s agriculture and fisheries sectors. Drawing upon a narrative analysis and qualitative interviews in four geographical regions , we examine how practitioners understand, negotiate and contest the green transformation. The paper identifies two main cross-sectoral narratives: ‘Innovative technological solutions’ and ‘Local sustainable resource use’. The two distinct but interrelated narratives demonstrate an inherent tension between ensuring profitability and shifting to more environmentally sound and climate friendly modes of production. The innovative technological solutions narrative draws extensively on large-scale application of technology and market arrangements, where the state is seen as provider of incentives for a new green economy. The local sustainable resource narrative rather emphasizes small-scale niche production and making use of available resources for the benefit of the economy, environment and local communities. Both narratives contest the green transformation at higher policy level when it is framed within singular focus on climate change and GHG emission cuts and instead argue for a definition that encompass broader environmental sustainability concerns. Practitioners within the fisheries and agricultural sectors promote their activities and products as sustainable and as an important part of a green transformation. By doing so, the narratives are not transformational but rather ensure a continuation of current practices with incremental adjustments that may contribute to environmental sustainability. • Empirical study on perceptions of the green transformation in the agricultural and fisheries sectors on Norway. • Two narratives identified: “Innovative technological solutions” and “Local sustainable resource use”. • Similarities between narratives include environmental sustainability as the goal for transformation. • Differences relate to scale, level industrialization and the role of community development. • The narratives promote a continuation of current activities rather than transformation.

Differential Effects of Multi-Dimensional Review Evaluations on Product Sales for Niche vs. Mainstream Products

To understand the effect of increasingly popular, multi-dimensional online reviews on product sales, we extend the overall-rating-based analysis by incorporating multi-dimensional ratings to examine how multi-dimensional review evaluations affect product sales for niche vs. mainstream products. We conduct complementary studies in two product categories (i.e., automobile and laptop) with different methods (three lab experiments, in addition to a panel data analysis of a unique proprietary data set). Our paper reveals three key insights to the emerging literature and phenomenon on multi-dimensional review systems: (a) the inter-dimensional rating variance is more negatively related to product sales for a mainstream product than for a niche product; (b) the intra-dimensional rating valence on the dominant dimension of a product is more positively related to product sales for a niche product than for a mainstream product; and (c) the intra-dimensional rating variance on the dominant dimension of a product is more negatively related to product sales for a niche product than for a mainstream product. Our research provides important managerial implications to the product providers and review platforms.

The vegan trend and the microfoundations of institutional change: A commentary on food producers’ sustainable innovation journeys in Europe

BackgroundToday's meat and dairy industry has a vast environmental footprint. To reach the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) of ending hunger globally (SDG #2) and achieving sustainable consumption and production (SDG #12), this food production system needs to change. Recent years have seen the rise in popularity of the vegan or plant-based diet among consumers, which can go some way to reducing the environmental burden. This trend has motivated pioneering food producers to develop innovative vegan food products for niche markets, thus driving the sustainability transition of the food sector. Scope and approachThis commentary tracks how three pioneering food companies have responded to the vegan trend in Europe. From the analysis of the sustainable innovation journeys of these innovative food producers, we propose a framework that presents a multi-level perspective on the socio-technical transition of the food production and consumption system. Key findings and conclusionsThe findings show how food producers, incumbents, and new entrants progress through an early phase of planning a direction and establishing a goal, followed by pivoting and experimenting in response to changes in the business environment. This innovation journey concludes as the company moves from experimentation and learning activities onto innovation implementation. The paper postulates a model that describes how regime level changes arise from the microfoundations of the food production and consumption system, as the innovation journeys of companies drive institutional change towards sustainability. The paper identifies future research avenues to explore the sustainable development of vegan food production in more depth.

Exploring the Case: Slow Tourism and Wine in Alsace

Introduction The interest in studying this case includes the long history of rural and wine tourism in Alsace, led by a well-endowed and sophisticated tourism department. For researchers and students of wine tourism, it is therefore a good best-practice model. The Alsace case clearly demonstrates how wine tourism – apparently a niche product – has multiple links and tendrils, reaching into many other sectors. The case shows how these links can be made to work effectively, driving cultural tourism, cultural events, outdoor activities and other forms of tourism. It also shows how quality experiences keep their appeal despite changing fashions. In Alsace, some very traditional forms of tourism have morphed into fashionable leisure activities, under the label of ‘slow tourism.’

Effects of Caponization on Growth Performance and Meat Physicochemical Properties of Crossbred Chickens

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the effect of caponizing on body weight and physicochemical properties of meat of the capons – hybrids obtained from the crossing of hens of the Yellowleg Partridge (Ż-33) breed with meat roosters. The study covered 80 hybrid roosters, which were randomly assigned to two groups of 40 animals each (8 boxes of 10 birds in each group). Group I (control) consisted of uncastrated roosters while group II included birds, which were castrated at 8 weeks of age under local anaesthesia by a vet. Birds were fed ad libitum with the same standard diets and kept on litter under optimal environmental conditions with a stocking density of 7 animals/ m2. At the end of fattening, i.e. in the 20th week of life, 8 birds with a body weight close to the group average were selected from each group for slaughter. After slaughter, the effectiveness of the procedure was checked (lack of testicles), then the slaughter performance of birds, physicochemical parameters of the pectoral and leg muscles were determined, and sensory evaluation was performed. The procedure of castration of hybrid roosters had a positive effect on body weight, feed conversion ratio and carcass traits. The pectoral and leg muscles of the capons were characterized by better water absorption, tenderness and sensory evaluation compared to roosters. Among the assessed groups of birds there was also a variation in the colouring of whole carcasses and muscles, which were lighter (L*), more yellow (b*) and less red (a*) in caponized birds. In addition, the castration procedure had a positive effect on the total protein content in both the pectoral and leg muscles, which in turn, with a higher raw fat content, were distinguished by a favourable ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Based on the results, it can be concluded that the hybrids obtained from the crossbreeding of the Yellowleg Partridge (Ż-33) and Ross 308 meat roosters are good choice for capon production. They can complement poultry meat production with a niche product for consumers looking for products of exceptional quality.

Business Strategy Formulation for Publishing Company (Case Study: ABC Press)

With emergence of technological and social change, rivalry between firms in the publishing industry is becoming more intense. Number of publishers in Indonesia keeps increasing, while switching cost of customer is low. ABC Press is a university publisher that has a volatile revenue, where they experienced revenue decrease in 2016 by 1,73% and in 2019 by 19,36%. Besides that, the business also has not grown much, where the average revenue growth from 2015 to 2019 is only 15,93%. ABC Press needs to formulate and reinvent their business strategy and model to improve their performance, remain competitive and sustainable in the publishing industry. This study uses primary data based on interview with three representatives of ABC Press and examine related secondary data to map the current Business Model Canvas (BMC). Then internal and external analysis is carried out to perform SWOT analysis in BMC, followed by strategy and new BMC formulation. To create value innovation, author used Four Action Framework in the strategy formulation. Cost leadership is deemed as the most appropriate business strategy, which demands ABC Press to conduct process innovation through developed production and distribution methods. Meanwhile, long tail business model combined with multi-sided platform is the appropriate business model, where ABC Press needs to focus on offering large range of niche products through their website as their main platform.

Transaction Costs in Resource Redeployment for Multiniche Firms

Transaction costs strongly influence diversification dynamics, as predicted by resource theory. A mainstream view links the profitability of diversification with the existence of transaction costs that prevent a firm from trading in fungible, scale-free resources. This study applies a neo-Penrosian perspective to transaction costs, with the notion that diversification may be driven by the redeployment of non-scale-free resources. An empirical analysis, using tax changes in the drink sector as a measure of exogenous demand variation, offers results consistent with the prediction that redeployment is particularly relevant when retailing is concentrated and single-product competition within a focal product niche (e.g., beer) is fragmented. This study also measures redeployment across a portfolio of a multiniche firm when changes in its sales-growth rates for a particular product niche might imply contrasting changes in other product niches. The resulting evidence is consistent with predictions that demand uncertainty, and transaction costs create viable redeployment opportunities for multiniche companies.

Pricing Strategies in Presence of Online Consumer Ratings - from the Product Customization Perspective

Although there is abundant evidence that online consumer ratings have significant impacts on firms’ pricing strategies, it is unclear how such impacts are influenced by the degree of product customization. This paper sets up a two-period dynamic model to analyze a firm’s pricing strategies and the changes in its profitability when it sells products with different customization degrees (i.e., niche, neutral or mainstream). Consumers are uninformed of the product value. However, the first-period consumers generate online consumer ratings after their consumptions, and such ratings enable the second-period consumers to better understand the product value and thus to improve their purchasing decisions. Our results show that, in anticipation of the impacts of online consumer reviews, the firm should adjust its pricing strategy according to the customization degree of its product. In particular, for neutral products, the firm should lower its expected price in the second period comparing to its first period price, but for niche and mainstream products, the pricing adjustments over periods depend on the product value.

Physical Parameters and Fatty Acids Profiles in Milanino, Mericanel Della Brianza, Valdarnese Bianca and Commercial Hybrids (Gallus Gallus Domesticus) Table Eggs.

Simple SummaryConservation of traditional poultry breeds is closely linked to product valorization considering the renewed interest in local poultry breeds production and consumers’ orientation towards food items considered healthier and safer. The aim of the present research is to investigate the differences in egg physical parameters and fatty acid profile of three traditional chicken breeds (Mericanel della Brianza, Milanino and Valdarnese Bianca) and two commercial hybrids using marked-procured eggs. We evaluated the effects of the breeds and of the genetic origin (traditional breed or hybrid strain) on egg physical and chemical parameters, furthermore we analyzed the most influencing parameters and their effects on egg groups differentiation via Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Eggs produced by traditional breeds differentiate from eggs produced by commercial hybrids in physical and fatty acids parameters. The nutritional value of eggs obtained from traditional breeds has been demonstrated to be higher considering the yolk content, the Polyunsatured Fatty Acids - PUFA fraction, the n6/n3 ratio and the atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes. Commercial layers’ eggs revealed their higher commercial value based on weight, albumen content and percentage of edible content.The aim of the present study is to investigate the physical parameters and fatty acid composition and related nutritional parameters of market-procured table eggs from Milanino, Mericanel della Brianza and Valdarnese Bianca hens compared to two commercial hybrid strains’ eggs to determine characterizing quality traits for traditional breeds conservation and valorization through high quality niche products. Fifty-four market eggs by three traditional breeds (Mericanel della Brianza—MRC; Milanino—MLN; and Valdarnese Bianca—VLD) and two commercial hybrid strains (Commercial Hybrid Brown—CHB; Commercial Hybrid White—CHW) have been analyzed—physical parameters, fatty acids profile and atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes were investigated. A General Linear Model—GLM was applied to data analysis with breed and genetic origin (traditional breed—TRD; commercial hybrid—HYB) as sources of variation. Two Principal Component Analyses (PCA) were carried out with physical parameters and fatty acid parameters as variables. Eggs produced by traditional breeds MRC MLN and VLD differentiate from eggs produced by commercial hybrids CHB and CHW in physical and chemical parameters (fatty acids parameters). The nutritional value of the traditional eggs has been demonstrated to be higher considering the yolk content, the PUFA fraction, the more favorable n6/n3 ratio and the atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes. Commercial layers’ eggs revealed their higher commercial value based on weight, albumen content and percentage of edible content.

Quality assessment of refined red palm-pressed mesocarp olein

Palm-pressed mesocarp oil has been found to contain plenty of naturally occurring valuable phytonutrients. The application and study of the oil are limited, therefore, quality assessment of refined red palm-pressed mesocarp olein (PPMO) is deemed necessary to provide data in widening the applications as a niche products or raw material for the nutraceutical industry. Results showed that refined PPMO has comparable physicochemical properties and oxidative stability with commercial cooking oil, palm olein (PO). The food safety parameters and contaminants (PAH, 3-MCPD ester, 2-MCPD ester, glycidyl ester and trace metals) analyses proven that refined PPMO is safe to be consumed. Besides, refined PPMO contains remarkably greater concentrations of phytonutrients including carotenoids, phytosterols, squalene and vitamin E than PO, postulating its protective health benefits. The overall quality assessment of refined PPMO showed that it is suitable for human consumption and it is a good source for food applications and dietary nutritional supplements.

Beyond ‘get big or get out’: Female farmers' responses to the cost-price squeeze of Australian agriculture

This research examines how female agricultural producers are responding to the cost-price squeeze of Australian agriculture. Thirty-six in-depth interviews were conducted with female producers in a variety of sectors from across Australia. In order to maintain viability female producers are seeking alternative methods of production and marketing, rather than pursing economies of scale. Female producers are seeking alternatives to hegemonic agriculture due to its gendered financial and social constraints. This involves the sustainable production of niche products on smaller plots of land and direct marketing to capture more of the economic value of their products and to reduce risk. This research highlights ways in which producers can stay on farm and contribute to the creation of alternate food systems. It represents an alternative to the competitive productivist agricultural approach of “get big or get out” and improves the visibility of women farmers and a shift in the masculinist construction of farming. These alternative production and marketing methods have the potential to benefit Australian agriculture, rural communities, to create more equal gender regimes and to improve environmental sustainability. • Female producers are responding to the cost-price squeeze of Australian agriculture by turning to the production of niche, sustainable produce. • This produce is marketed directly or through short supply chains. • Sustainable agriculture provides female producers with greater access to resources and acceptance. • Values driven production and emerging consumer activism is driving the creation of an alternate food system in Australia.

Fruit Sector Strategic Management: An Exploration of Agro-food Chain Actors’ Perception of Market Sustainability of Apple Innovation

The fresh fruit industry is a highly dynamic sector in the food market. Fresh fruit chain actors have to adapt to the changing market environment in order to face upcoming challenges. The objective of this study is to analyze the market sustainability of red-fleshed apples (RFA) by exploring consumers’ and fresh fruit industry experts’ and stakeholders’ opinions in Italy and New Zealand. The study was carried out in Italy and New Zealand from December 2018 to June 2019 including 778 consumers and 29 expert and stakeholder interviews. Results show a promising market potential of RFA. Innovative attributes and nutritional value of RFA are the most important factors that push consumers’ interest and willingness to buy RFA. New Zealand consumers and women show a higher appreciation of RFA. The nutritional value of the fruit can be a strategic marketing management attribute especially for health-conscious consumers. However, experts think the market for RFA will develop slowly, and will remain a niche product. Some stakeholders are skeptical about consumer RFA appreciation, and fear that RFA are too radical a novelty on the market. The RFA may be perceived as not natural. There is the need to coordinate food chain stakeholders’ management practices on RFA. This allows to mitigate risks, set food standards acceptable for all chain stakeholders, and make sustainable economic investment on innovation.

The evolving role of hit and niche products in brick-and-mortar retail category assortment planning: A large-scale empirical investigation of U.S. consumer packaged goods

Long tail theory, the notion that the future of retailing could involve shifting product assortments to offer more product variety to precisely serve the unique needs of individual customers, has largely been proven true in the context of online distribution. However, it has been implicitly assumed that this theory does not apply to brick-and-mortar selling situations due to higher supply side inventory costs and higher demand side consumer search costs. Academics and practitioners alike have thus advocated for the use of Pareto rules to make category assortment planning decisions about product inventory breadth and depth in the brick-and-mortar channel. This research directly challenges this received wisdom by noting that the widespread prevalence and use of mobile technology is causing information flows to speed up for consumers even while performing traditional shopping tasks. Such information flows should theoretically favor the strategic importance of niche products in the long tail of the sales distribution. A large-scale empirical analysis of consumer packaged goods brick-and-mortar retailing data indicates that this alternative prediction is indeed true. This research contributes to a larger body of research as well that has documented how major environmental forces are shifting the nature of retail strategy, particularly in the brick-and-mortar channel.