Product Portfolio Research Articles

Analyzing the reasons for Apple’s success

Apple is a technological company that designs and manufactures personal computers, smartphones, tablets, and related accessories. The portfolio of Apple products includes the iPhone, MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. It also gets consumers various software applications such as iOS, macOS, watch OS, Apple Pay, Apple Care, and iCloud. Digital content is sold through the App Store, Apple Music, and News. The company’s business spreads universally in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, with headquarters in Cupertino, California. It is the most valuable publicity traded company worldwide, with US$394.3 billion in 2022 revenue.

The role of flexibility, digitalization, and crisis response strategy for SMEs: Case of COVID-19

ABSTRACT We explore the impact of COVID-19 on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and examine how crisis management strategies, particularly related to flexibility and digitalization, have influenced their responses during and after the pandemic. In this regard, we investigate the relationships between strategic flexibility, digitalization, digital technology adoption, COVID-19 perception, and firm strategy after the pandemic by specifically incorporating the mediating role of the crisis response strategy. Based on a survey of 206 Turkish SMEs in manufacturing and service industries, our research employs structural equation modeling using Smart PLS. Our findings indicate that crisis response strategies play a significant role in shaping the firm strategy after COVID-19, mediating the impact of strategic flexibility, digitalization, digital technology adoption, and COVID-19 perception. The findings highlight the importance of crisis response strategies—including optimizing business models, developing marketing channels, investing in technological innovation, diversifying into new business areas, and integrating the supply chain—during the COVID-19 period. These strategies are crucial influencers in shaping the firm strategies of SMEs beyond the pandemic. In particular, SMEs demonstrate adaptation by reassessing and restructuring their product portfolios, expanding their presence in regional markets, and establishing strategic collaborations to thrive in the evolving business landscape.

Impacts of large-scale deployment of vertical bifacial photovoltaics on European electricity market dynamics

Self-sufficiency, climate change and increasing geopolitical risks have driven energy policies to make renewable energy sources dominant in the power production portfolios. The initial boom in the mid-2000s of global photovoltaic installations demonstrated the feasibility of the ambitious renewable energy targets. However, this rapid scale-up has introduced challenges, including price volatility and system integration issues. This communication calls the attention to these emerging challenges and offers quantitative insights on how rapid adoption of a more diversified photovoltaics deployment strategies can mitigate price volatilities, reduce fossil fuel dependence and steer Europe towards a forward-thinking sustainable energy pathway. The analysis reveals that as innovative bifacial photovoltaic systems are incorporated on a large-scale disruptive scenario, four main patterns emerge: economic value of solar production increases, base-load electricity price decreases, sun-rich countries expand their solar contributions, whereas nations with ample grid interconnections enhance their energy imports from neighbouring countries. It also underscores the importance of maintaining photovoltaics an attractive option for energy investors and traders in the future. Establishing this groundwork is critical since a successful integration of large-scale solar systems contributing to decrease price volatilities in Europe and US will carry significant repercussions for global energy policy formulation.

Level of Adoption of Hygiene Practices in Small-Scale Dairy Plants in Serbia.

The main aim of this study was to analyze hygiene practices in small-scale dairy plants (SSDPs) in Serbia. A total of 60 plants were included in the research. A survey questionnaire used for SSDPs was designed to obtain the main information about hygiene practices they perform, as well as the data about the SSDPs, their production portfolio, and improvement plans. For the purpose of this study, a good hygiene practice score (GHPS) was calculated showing that the average score is 75%, spanning from 71.4% to 80.3% depending on the type of dairy plant. This study showed that the biggest challenges for small-scale dairy plants are associated with adequate labeling and external analysis of their dairy products, followed by record keeping and use of appropriate food contact materials. As expected, registered and approved SSDPs had higher GHPS scores and more information on their labels than those still in the approval or registration process. This study confirms the need for supporting this type of dairy producer to improve two main pillars of their business-the infrastructure for where they produce dairy products and awareness/knowledge of food safety legislative requirements. At the same time, approved processors are significantly underutilizing their processing capacity, which implies the need for both policy change consideration and educational initiatives. The policy changes should aim to align regulations with small-scale dairy processing realities.

Analysis of Investment Value of Beverage Industry Enterprises: Evidence from Coca-Cola Company

Financial indicators and operational efficiency are crucial for the long-term development of enterprises. This article takes Coca-Cola Company as an example to conduct a detailed analysis of the investment value of the enterprise from various aspects such as current financial performance, operational efficiency, and competitive landscape. Explore the future development trends of Coca-Cola Company by reviewing and reviewing its financial statements, operational indicators, competitive positioning, and economic factors that influence the company. Research data shows that although Coca-Cola has maintained profitability, its operating profit margin has slightly declined in the past few years. By doing so, it is more profitable in certain aspects than competitors such as Pepsi and Monster Beverages. The organization faces obstacles to constantly changing consumer choices through healthier choices and supply chain/geopolitical chaos. This may require Coca Cola to diversify its product portfolio and supply chain to maintain expected profits. This study has important practical significance for investors in the beverage industry and researchers interested in this topic.

Branding consistency across product portfolios in the wine industry

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine branding consistency for wine labels. The front label on wine bottles is important for identifying the brand and aiding purchase. Many brands are part of brand families, with the sub-brands linked to the overall brand family. This research provides an overview of how the front label varies across product portfolios of wine brands, noting the importance placed on branding elements and the level of consistency in their use across the brand portfolio.Design/methodology/approachThe authors propose and test a new method to measure branding consistency on labels from the same brand family. Two coding frameworks were created. The first recorded the incidence of brand elements and wine attributes. The second coded wine labels within a company’s portfolio based on the consistency of various brand elements. A total of 3,000 branding elements and wine attributes from 300 wine labels were examined across 60 wine brands from a list of Australian wineries.FindingsGrape variety, brand name and region are used across >90% of wine labels. Branding is presented more prominently than wine attributes. Sub-brand, region, price and variety did not influence branding consistency. Logo presence, logo image on label and colour elements contribute to the greatest variation in branding consistency across a product portfolio.Originality/valueThis study proposes and tests a novel method to measure branding consistency on wine labels and explores the extent to which consistent branding is used across product portfolios. Descriptive research is the first step to theory building. This study provides industry norms for attribute use and a measure of branding consistency for product portfolios giving valuable descriptive knowledge.

Enhancing competitive advantage through a strategic product ‎portfolio ‎and design for variety in weather radar products

Enhancing competitive advantage through a strategic product ‎portfolio ‎and design for variety in weather radar products

An ontological knowledge-based method for handling feature model defects due to dead feature

The specifications of a certain domain are addressed by a portfolio of software products, known as Software Product Line (SPL). Feature Model (FM) supports domain engineering by modeling domain knowledge along with variability among SPL. The quality of FM is one of the significant factors for the successful SPL in order to attain high quality software products. However, the benefits of SPL can be reduced due to defects in FM. Dead Feature (DF) is one of such defects. Several approaches exist in the literature to detect defects due to DF in FMs. But only a few can handle their sources and solutions which are cumbersome and difficult to understand by humans. An ontological knowledge-based method for handling defects due to DF in FMs is described in this paper. It specifies FM in the form of ontology-based knowledge representation. The rules based on first-order logic are created and implemented using Prolog to detect defects due to DF with sources as well as suggest solutions to resolve these defects. A case study of the product line available on SPLOT repository is utilized for illustrating the proposed work. The experiments are performed with real-world FMs of varied sizes from SPLOT and FMs created with the FeatureIDE tool. The results prove the efficiency, scalability (up to model with 32,000 features) and accuracy of the presented method. Therefore, reusability of DFs free knowledge enables deriving defect free products from SPL and eventually enhances the quality of SPL.

Activating the sustainable consumer:The role of customer involvement in corporate sustainability

AbstractTackling grand challenges and making sustainable development a reality through sustainable consumption crucially depends upon both companies’ activities as well as individuals’ consumption choices. In opinion polls, many consumers claim to favor sustainable products over conventional ones. However, a large gap remains between their stated purchasing intentions and actual decisions, posing a challenge for companies in predicting product demand and strategically managing their product portfolios. In this study, we develop a conceptual framework to demonstrate how companies can encourage sustainable consumption behavior among their customers by involving them in their corporate sustainability (CS) activities. We introduce psychological ownership as the underlying mechanism explaining how customer involvement in CS activities translates into changes in their consumption choices. We further argue that the link between customer involvement and psychological ownership depends on the type of a company’s CS—that is, whether CS is embedded in or peripheral to the company’s core business. The results from three experiments, including one field experiment conducted in collaboration with a fashion retailer and involving real customer purchase decisions, support our theorizing. The findings reveal the power of customer involvement as a marketing tool in promoting sustainable consumption.

Joint venture offer: should Agastya accept or decline?

Learning outcomes This case study is designed to enable students to understand the demand for flexible containment products in India, understand the need for a joint venture (JV) with an international company, assess Agastya Inventions Private Limited’s (AIPL) cost and benefits of acceptance of the JV offer, evaluate the growth possibilities in the Indian biogas sector, and conduct the valuation of AIPL for its better positioning during the JV deal. Case overview/synopsis The case study is about the dilemma faced by Prantik Sinha, co-founder and director of Indian company AIPL, to accept or decline a JV offer from a French industrial conglomerate Serge Ferrari Group SA (SFG). AIPL is a leading manufacturer and trader of biogas storage tanks, water storage tanks, airlifting bags, floating boom barriers, trash floating boom barriers and inflatable swimming pools. The company adopts business-to-business and direct-to-customer business models. It develops products as per clients’ specifications and their exact requirements. In 2022, SFG proposed collaborating with AIPL to market its biogas digesters in India and abroad. As per the partnership deal, AIPL needed to split its biogas digester portfolio and sell it to the proposed JV for a specific one-time value. Sinha believed that the JV was an opportunity to scale the business globally and would likely shape the company’s future. However, he was in a quandary about making a final decision on accepting the JV offer because biogas digesters remained the company’s highest revenue-generating product portfolio. It was against this backdrop, what would Sinha do to accomplish his business objective and protect the interest of the company? The case study highlights Sinha’s commitment to nurture and expand AIPL’s business in India and beyond. It provides ample scope for students to analyze the pros and cons of AIPL’s JV initiative with SFG and suggest whether the company can leverage this offer for business growth. Complexity academic level This case study is meant for MBA-level students as part of their strategic management and financial management curriculum. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 1: Accounting and finance

Harnessing the Intrinsic Chemical Reactivity of the Mycotoxin Patulin for Immunosensing.

Mycotoxins are globally pervasive contaminants that threaten food safety worldwide. Regulatory authorities have established maximum permissible levels for certain mycotoxins, and their presence is routinely monitored throughout the food chain to ensure the provision of healthy food and safe feed for humans and animals. While immunoanalytical methods are essential for mycotoxin screening, monoclonal antibodies for the detection of patulin are notably absent. Moreover, leading immunodiagnostic companies currently do not offer rapid tests for patulin in their product portfolios. This deficiency in mycotoxin testing is primarily due to the electrophilic reactivity of patulin. In this study, we exploit this reactivity to develop an innovative strategy that targets the stable adduct formed by the reaction of patulin with aryl-1,2-dithiolates, rather than analyzing the mycotoxin itself. Based on this previously unknown reaction, we present the first collection of monoclonal antibodies, enabling the long-sought goal of sensitive, simple, and user-friendly immunosensing of patulin.

Influence of biochemical composition of above-ground biomass of oilseed radish on the expediency of its green manure application

Over a ten-year period, the volumes of formed ground biomass of oil radish and its biochemical composition were estimated for spring and summer plantings in terms of its green manure application. The formed leaf and stem mass of the oil radish variety Zhuravka was studied using official AOAC international analysis methods, liquid chromatography, methods of field evaluation of yield and weight and equivalent indicators. The effectiveness of green manure application was assessed by the method of multicriteria-decision support. Oil radish was confirmed to have a high adaptive potential at the maximum level of determination of bioproductivity, with an optimal moisture and temperature supply of up to 40%. The long-term average productive and biochemical portfolio of oil radish was identified as follows: 21.19 t/ha of leaf-stem ground mass with 62.3% soil cover 70 days after sowing, 2.8% nitrogen, 22.8% fibre, 0.6% phosphorus, 3.8% potassium, 16.6 μmol/g glucosinolates at the C/N ratio of 14.7, 83% plant-mass quality, and 48.1 mol/ha biofumigation potential based on glucosinolate aucumulation. The study confirmed the high potential of oilseed-radish adaptability to the regimes of unstable moisture of territories, finding interannual variation of the total bioproductivity and biochemical parameters of leaf-mass quality with the value of the variation coefficient ranging 23.6–31.2%, depending on the sowing date. The effectiveness of oilseed radish was also revealed by comparison with the similar interannual variation of hydrothermal conditions of vegetation (the amount of precipitation 48.2%, average daily temperature 27.5%, moisture coefficient 68.1%, and aridity index 58.9%). Oilseed radish was found to be agrobiologically and agrotechnologically feasibile to be used in the system of both spring and summer (intermediate) green manure technologies in grey loess soils under conditions of unstable moisture, as indicated by its bioproductivity and biochemical quality of leaf mass, as well as the results of the components of the multicriteria assessment of the plant as green manure, the value of normalised weight coefficients ranging 0.62–0.99

Adapting of Mental Healthcare Facilities to the COVID-19 Challenges

The healthcare sector is one of the largest in the US economy (generating about 18% of GDP). It is the main employer of American workers. Unfortunately, it has been one of those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as certain medical services had to be suspended under strict quarantine (at least 150 hospitals in the US were forced to send employees on leave or dismiss them, primary care practices reported a 70% decrease in the number of patients). The purpose of the article is to analyse challenges in the US healthcare sector during COVID-19 and to justify ways to overcome these challenges (on the example of the Life Chance Mental Health Medical Group, a leading provider of mental health services in the US with a strong regional network, established good reputation and a wide and loyal customer base). The case of this company was chosen in this context based on the fact that, as the SWOT analysis in the article showed, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the greatest vulnerabilities of medical institutions in the mental health sector are related to the quality of basic services (face-to-face therapy sessions). That is significantly reduced if provided online. In order to operate effectively even during epidemics and pandemics, companies in this specific area should expand partnerships with telemedicine platforms, transform their product portfolio, and ensure that their doctors’ qualification profiles meet the requirements of remote therapy. The article analyses the mechanisms for overcoming pandemic challenges in mental healthcare facilities using the postulates of transformational leadership theory, change management theory, theory of constraints, and organisational culture theory.

Industry perspective on regulatory authority (RA) quality reviews of biosimilar applications – an evaluation of RA guidance and expectations for chemical, manufacturing, and controls information through in-depth query analysis

ABSTRACT Purpose Evaluate the type and quantity of quality information (i.e. Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control) requested by the US FDA and EMA in queries pertaining to biosimilar applications. Methods Numbers/types of queries received following regulatory submissions (FDA/EMA, n = 7/n = 5) for seven biosimilars (PF-filgrastim [Nivestym], PF-rituximab [Ruxience®], PF-trastuzumab [Trazimera®], PF-bevacizumab [Zirabev®], PF-pegfilgrastim [Nyvepria®], PF-adalimumab [Abrilada™/Amsparity®], PF-infliximab [Ixifi]) from a single product portfolio were analyzed considering published regulatory authority (RA) guidance and in relation to sections/subsections of Module 3: Quality from the Common Technical Document regulatory dossier and topics based on keyword assignment. Results Queries were most frequently assigned (FDA/EMA %, range) to Drug Substance Manufacture (subsection 3.2.S.2; 21–35%/13–50%), Control of Drug Substance (3.2.S.4; 3–11%/5–17%), Drug Product Pharmaceutical Development (3.2.P.2; 1–12%/1–15%) and Manufacture (3.2.P.3; 17–41%/2–13%), and Analytical Similarity (3.2.R; 4–21%/4–20%). The proportion of Drug Substance and Drug Product queries was significantly different between RAs (n1 = 952, n2 = 468, p-value <0.001; two-sample proportion z-test). Topic assignments included: Control (12–27%/12–28%), Manufacturing (56–72%/34–66%), Stability (1–12%/2–24%), Biosimilarity (5–16%/5–25%), and Container Closure (0–3%/0–9%). Conclusion The focus of both RAs on topics related to manufacturing and controls is valuable in understanding expectations for scientific and technical content related to gaining biosimilar approval.

Exploring the essential features influencing the synthesis of methylenedianiline to support industrial processes

The most important intermediate of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), the most widely and quantitatively produced isocyanate in the world, is methylenedianiline (MDA). MDA is industrially produced from the reaction of aniline and formaldehyde catalysed by inorganic acids, most commonly HCl. The reaction parameters used during the synthesis of MDA have a fundamental impact on the quality parameters of the resulting MDA product mixture, and thus on the properties of the final MDI product mixture as well. Although MDA is an important industrial intermediate, currently its synthesis at the industrial level is based on empirical rules, knowledge and rule of thumbs, the effects of production parameters and their magnitude on product properties are not known and not published in the literature. In this study, the correlations between the independent operating parameters and dependent product quality parameters characterizing the MDA mixture were explored by developing different regression models with the use of experimental laboratory synthesis data in order to support the industrial synthesis process with easily deployable models with satisfactorily high accuracy. After investigating the laboratory experiment data from a total of 46 individual laboratory experiments, it was found that with machine learning models almost all of the independent parameters can be described with satisfactory accuracy. The models presented in this work demonstrate that it is possible to develop models that can be used to adjust the ring distribution, isomer ratios and selectivity of the reaction with minimising by-product quantities according to market demands or to different objective functions by fine-tuning the production parameters., thus achieving an optimal product portfolio and operating cost for the industrial process as well.

New Geo- and Mining Heritage-Based Tourist Destinations in the Sudetes (SW Poland)—Towards More Effective Resilience of Local Communities

This paper explores several geotourist destinations in the mountainous area of SW Poland, either recently created or being developed right now, where the unifying theme is the emergence of a new site of interest in a place formerly inaccessible due to mining operations. We focus on five sites, including three in the territory of Land of the Extinct Volcanoes UNESCO Global Geopark, connected with the legacy of mining (coal, ores) and quarrying (solid rock, aggregates). For each locality, the history of mining is briefly outlined, followed by the presentation of its conversion into a tourist object and current use. The localities illustrate, at the same time, (a) various aspects of geoheritage and its connection with human activities, thus in line with the ABC concept promoted for geoparks and similar initiatives; (b) attempts to alleviate problems of abandoned mining grounds and their management; (c) different ways towards conversion of formerly inaccessible localities into tourist destinations; (d) ideas to increase the portfolio of (geo)tourist products at the regional scale, striving to achieve greater balance in the geographical distribution of sites of potential interest; and (e) a variety of current management challenges. Overall, it is argued that in each case, the emergence of a new site of interest is beneficial for the local community, as the visibility of the place is increasing, tourist visits grow, local identity is strengthened, and new employment opportunities arise, both directly and indirectly.

Status and SWOT Analysis of the Internalization of Operations of S Electronics Company, Ltd.

S Electronics Company Ltd. demonstrated a well-defined management structure, agile organizational design, and a commitment to superior customer service, forming the foundation for its global expansion in markets like Vietnam, Thailand, and India. The company's diversified product portfolio, including cutting-edge connectors, strategically positioned it, supported by robust technological development and financial stability. A SWOT analysis highlighted its competitive edge while emphasizing the need to address weaknesses for successful internationalization. Opportunities for market expansion, technological advancements, and financial growth were identified, alongside threats in the global business landscape. Strategic planning leveraged SWOT analysis to enhance strengths, mitigate weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities, and counteract threats. Opportunities offered pathways for market expansion, technological prowess, and overall competitiveness. Threats related to trade policies, exchange rates, intellectual property, cultural disparities, and legal systems underscored international business complexities. Adherence to trade, intellectual property, tax, anti-monopoly, and labor regulations formed a strategic shield against risks, contributing to sustained growth. Prioritizing cultural intelligence ensured effective operations in diverse contexts and maximized global workforce productivity.

Capacidad transmedia de los VTubers: expansión narrativa y de producción de contenidos a partir de la intersección con la cultura fan por parte de la agencia Hololive

The present article proposes to analyze the transmedia capacity of VTubers, content creators, independent or under agencies, who interact with the audience via a virtual 2D or 3D avatar generated by computer graphics and controlled by human movement capture. For the course of this work, through the perspective of a marketing strategy composed of collective construction, the analysis found an opportunity to prove that, through the use of moe sentiments, kawaii aesthetics, and incentives towards the participative culture of other social actors, VTubers have the ability to expand their media market beyond that of their original live streams in media platforms. To prove such a hypothesis, case studies of the current portfolio of cultural products from Hololive, one of the biggest international VTuber agencies, and of the consumer/fan productions of these content creators under the Hololive brand were promoted. Other than proving the initial hypothesis, the results show that the agency’s interface with the consumers/fans, constructed via providing infrastructural and financial incentives by the company, takes it to promising corporate results, indicative that such actions represent the birth of a new transmedia perspective.

Multiscale Equation-Oriented Optimization Decreases the Carbon Intensity of Shale Gas to Liquid Fuel Processes.

Shale gas is revolutionizing the U.S. energy and chemical commodity landscape and can ease the transition to a sustainable decarbonized economy. This work develops an equation-oriented (EO) multiscale modeling framework using the open-source IDAES-PSE platform that tractably incorporates microkinetic detail in process design via reduced-order kinetic (ROK) models. Using multiobjective optimization with embedded heat integration and life-cycle analysis, we simultaneously minimize the minimum selling price of liquid hydrocarbons (e.g., liquid fuels/additives from shale gas) and process emissions (via a CO2 tax). Optimization reduces greenhouse gas emissions per MJ of fuel produced by over 35% compared to the literature and achieves a carbon efficiency of 87%. The optimizer changes the recycling rate, temperatures, and pressures to mitigate the effect of ROK model-form uncertainty on product portfolio predictions. Moreover, we show that the optimal process design is insensitive to changing CO2 tax rates. Finally, the EO framework enables a fast sensitivity analysis of shale gas composition variability across 12 regions of the Eagle Ford basin. These results highlight the benefits of the open-source EO framework: fast, scalable, customized, and reproducible system analysis and optimization for sustainable energy technologies beyond shale utilization.

Ecological design of a production plant

The concepts and solutions of sustainability, resource efficiency, and waste-free production are increasingly influencing our thinking, policy guidelines, and corporate strategies. However, some strategies extend beyond conventional sustainable approaches by embracing the fundamental operating principles of ecosystems. In this context, resilience—a natural risk management strategy—is incorporated into the design of a manufacturing company, considering all types of material flows, including solid, liquid, gaseous, and thermal. This ecological approach to resilience is applied to both the operational and financial aspects of the company, via concurrent analysis.Results indicate that merely achieving zero waste emissions does not ensure sufficient resilience, a core requirement of ecosystems and a fundamental principle of the blue economy. Furthermore, it is found that a production system with a flexible product portfolio can adapt into a more ecologically resilient system, despite technological constraints. The resilience level of the production system in ecological and financial terms is similar. Several types of sensitivity analyses are conducted to deepen the insights into the processes.