Swedish Retail Research Articles

Handling of unused prescription drugs — knowledge, behaviour and attitude among Swedish people

Unused prescription drugs can pose a security risk particularly for children or addicts; and they can pose an environmental risk if they are not disposed of properly through correct destruction. The general recommendation in Sweden is to return the unused medicines to a pharmacy. The Swedish Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry AB (LIF) has together with the Swedish retail chain Apoteket AB conducted surveys in 2001, 2004 and 2007 to investigate the level of knowledge in the general public on this issue. The result from the survey in 2007 shows, inter alia: 85% knew that correct disposal was to return unused medicines to a pharmacy and 43% had in fact returned their medicines to a pharmacy during the last 12 months. Of those who saved their medicines, 55% implied they would in the future return it to a pharmacy. 50% answered that they returned the unused medicines for environmental reasons and 42% answered that they worry about the environmental impact of medicines. Comparing the results from the earlier surveys it can be concluded that an increasing number of the Swedish population does return unused medicines to a pharmacy for correct disposal. Environmental concerns are getting more important than security concerns as a reason for returning unused medicines to a pharmacy and a growing fraction is worried about the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals.

The Territorialisation of a Pedestrian Precinct in Malmö: Materialities in the Commercialisation of Public Space

This paper sets out to describe and conceptualise four different ways of investigating material stabilisation involved in the territorialisation and commercialisation of a centrally located pedestrian precinct. In recent decades, Swedish retail areas have tended to grow larger and more visible; a large number of new large shopping areas have been established on the outskirts of cities, whereas stores in the city centre tend to be concentrated in certain streets or pedestrian precincts. This paper investigates the case of Malmö. Malmö has been quite successful during the past decade in terms of retail business and the on-going pedestrianisation has resulted in a large and coherent pedestrian precinct, consolidating the city centre as a shopping district. On the basis of an empirical investigation, the paper discusses how this urban type (and its paraphernalia) has developed in Malmö and how it has stabilised over recent decades as a `territory for shopping'. This territorialisation has also been accomplished by material means. The main aim of this discussion is to investigate the delegations and mediations involved in the process. In so doing, a spatial perspective on materialities is proposed, discussing networks, bodies, framings and sorts, as four intersecting ways in which materialities can be described as having territorial impacts on the everyday life and culture of the pedestrian precinct.

Elements in rice on the Swedish market: Part 2. Chromium, copper, iron, manganese, platinum, rubidium, selenium and zinc

A survey of the levels of some essential and non-essential trace elements in different types of rice available on the Swedish retail market was carried out in 2001–03. The types of rice included long and short grain, brown, white, and parboiled white. The mean levels found were: chromium (Cr) = 0.008 mg kg−1, copper (Cu) = 1.9 mg kg−1, iron (Fe) = 4.7 mg kg−1, manganese (Mn) = 16 mg kg−1, platinum (Pt) < 0.0003 mg kg−1, rubidium (Rb) = 3.3 mg kg−1, selenium (Se) =0.1 mg kg−1; and zinc (Zn) = 15 mg kg−1. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for the determination of Pt, Rb, and Se, after acid digestion. All other elements were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after dry ashing. Intake calculations were performed and it was concluded that rice may contribute considerably to the daily requirements of the essential elements Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn if rice consumption is high. The levels of some elements, e.g. Fe and Mn, were significantly higher in brown compared with white rice.

Swedish pig producers and their perspectives on animal welfare: a case study

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the views of Swedish pig producers concerning animal welfare, the schemes practised for animal welfare in Sweden, and the ramifications of animal welfare for Swedish retailers and consumers.Design/methodology/approachThe Swedish study for animal welfare covers a pig‐production sector of 2,794 producers (2005). The pig production study was one of three such studies conducted as part of the EU's Welfare Quality project with semi‐structured interviews (the other two studies were on cattle and poultry production). The stratified sample included 60 pig producers, both conventional and organic, selected from all areas of Sweden.FindingsThe main results show a high level of animal care exercised in the Swedish pig production sector. Although there are no specific animal welfare schemes implemented, there is a high level of animal care provided by farmer participation in quality assurance schemes that include animal welfare stipulations, among other criteria.Practical implicationsThe results from this pig production study will serve as input for a subsequent study of the on‐farm practice of animal welfare for the Welfare Quality project and as information material for policy to argue for more compatible criteria of welfare schemes at national level as well as for more homogeneous practice and standards of animal welfare within the EU.Originality/valueThis is the first in‐depth study on animal welfare in Swedish agriculture that takes into account a wide array of views and experiences of both conventional and organic producers. Prior to this animal welfare study only studies with a narrow focus on animal welfare, for example about organic production, and the State Audit Institution's report, which focuses on the effectiveness in animal welfare monitoring, have been produced.

Elements in rice from the Swedish market: 1. Cadmium, lead and arsenic (total and inorganic)

A survey of the levels of cadmium, lead and arsenic in different types of rice available on the Swedish retail market was carried out in 2001–03. The types of rice included long and short grain, brown, white, and parboiled white rice. The mean levels found were as follows: total As: 0.20 mg kg−1, inorganic As: 0.11 mg kg−1; Cd: 0.024 mg kg−1; and Pb: 0.004 mg kg−1. ICP-MS was used for the determination of As (total and inorganic) after acid digestion. Lead and cadmium were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) after dry ashing. In countries where rice is a staple food, it may represent a significant contribution in relation to the provisional tolerable weekly intake for Cd and inorganic As.

Internationalization of the Biggest Finnish and Swedish Retailers in the Baltic States and Russia

SUMMARY The political changes, together with the economic growth, have made the Eastern European emerging markets increasingly attractive for international retailers. This article analyzes why, where, when and how the eastward expansion of the biggest Finnish and Swedish retailers has taken place. This article focuses on the international behavior of five case companies from both the food and non-food sectors. The article shows that the case companies have expanded first, from their small and saturated domestic markets, to culturally and geographically close target markets. Furthermore, their internationalization has developed from less intensive operation modes towards more intensive modes. The case companies display a great variation in the market and operation strategies used to enter the four target markets. There are also great differences in the present and planned future operations in the Baltic States and Russia. The article proposes managerial and research implications based on the key findings.

Do Mergers Result in Collusion?

We examine coordinated effects of mergers in the Swedish retail market for gasoline during the period 1986-2002. Despite significant changes in market concentration and many factors conductive to coordination, the empirical analysis shows that the level of coordination is low. In addition, statistical tests reject the hypothesis that mergers and acquisitions result in coordinated effects. In particular, higher market concentration does not result in more collusive behavior and, consequently, the relevance of simple checklists in merger control can be questioned.

Integration of multiple national markets for electricity: The case of Norway and Sweden

During the second part of the 1990s the Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) countries have created a unique multinational market for electricity. This paper aims to analyse the degree of integration of the different national markets that constitute the Nordic electricity market. In particular the Norwegian and Swedish wholesale and retail electricity markets are analysed. The results suggest that the wholesale markets are well integrated. Thus prices differ significantly only during periods with unusually high or low supply of hydropower. However, the retail markets are not integrated to the same degree. Thus retail prices and trade margins differ significantly. Differences in the national electricity market legislation seem to be a key factor behind these differences.

Internationalization of the organizational field: Swedish grocery retailers in the European integration process

This article describes how import of ideas and practices influence an industry that is in an early stage of internationalization, as well as part of European integration. By using institutional theory, such a situation is depicted as an expansion of the organizational field, in which international isomorphism between organizations has commenced. Studying Swedish grocery retailing, a new set of ideas was found regarding what constitutes an efficient organization. This included centralization, vertical integration and brand management, and it was strongly influenced by foreign actors and markets. We conclude that isomorphism occurs in a decreasingly national field, although not entirely pan-European in character, and that international diffusion of ideas and practices reshape markets, partly independent of goods and capital flows.

The role of top management in supply chain management practices

PurposeDespite the often stated importance, little about top management's role in supply chain management (SCM) practices is known. The purpose of this paper is therefore to explore the role of top management in two retail companies that successfully utilise opportunities given by SCM practices.Design/methodology/approachAs an empirical basis for the research, two Swedish retail companies are explored. Members of the top management teams have been interviewed about their role in the company and their priorities.FindingsThe top management role is described by introducing four archetypes; the supply chain thinker, the relationship manager, the controller and the organiser for the future.Originality/valueThis paper adds to existing theory by giving a more detailed description of top management's role in SCM practices, i.e. how SCM practices could actually be managed, and, in the extension, to the understanding for what is needed to implement more SCM practices in real existing companies and supply chains.

Entry into Swedish Retail and Wholesale Trade Markets

This paper examines, using a zero-inflated negative binomial regression model, what determined entry into the Swedish retail and wholesale trade markets between 1990 and 1996. According to the results, high returns on equity and low sunk costs seemed to attract more entry into retail trade industries, while recent entry and higher total industry sales were associated with more entry into both retail and wholesale trade local markets.

Meadowhall

The purpose of this paper is to empirically explore the relationship between frontline employees' service orientation, negative emotions and handling strategies during situations of customer incivility involving phubbing. In such situations, the logic and the practical implications of service orientation are challenged. Drawing on a survey of 2,940 employees in the Swedish retail sector, the paper shows that service orientation impacts upon how situations involving difficult customers are handled, and that this impact is mediated by employees’ negative emotional reactions. The paper contributes to retail management by pointing to the limitations of solely relying on service orientation and similar ideals in situations of customer incivility.

Pharmaceutical Care in Community Pharmacies: Practice and Research in Sweden

To describe the organization and delivery of community pharmacy and medical care, as well as pharmaceutical care practice and research, in Sweden. The Swedish retail pharmacy system of 800 community pharmacies and nearly 80 hospital pharmacies is unique in that it is organized into one single, government-owned chain, known as Apoteket AB. The pharmacy staff consists of pharmacists, prescriptionists, and pharmacy technicians. Some activities related to pharmaceutical care have been directed toward specific patient groups during annual theme campaigns. In the past few years, there has been a growing emphasis on the identification, resolution, and documentation of drug-related problems (DRPs) in Swedish pharmacy practice. A classification system for documenting DRPs and pharmacy interventions was developed in 1995 and incorporated into the software of all community pharmacies in 2001. A national DRP database (SWE-DRP) was established in 2004 to collect and analyze DRPs and interventions on a nationwide basis. Recently, a new counseling technique composed of key questions to facilitate the detection of DRPs has been tested successfully. Patient medication profiles are kept in 160 pharmacies, and a new national register of drugs dispensed to patients became available in 2006. Most pharmaceutical care studies in Sweden have focused on DRPs and resulting pharmacy interventions. Swedish community pharmacy DRP work is in the international forefront but there is a potential for further developing cognitive services, given the beneficial organization of the country's pharmacies into one single pharmacy chain. The introduction of patient medication profiles has been both late and slow and has only had a marginal effect on pharmaceutical care practice so far. The universities do not appear to have any desire to influence the practice of pharmacy and could potentially take on a more active role in preparing pharmacy students for patient-oriented services. Current threats to pharmaceutical care practice and research include organizational changes, budget cuts, and reduced manpower of Apoteket AB. The identification, resolution, and documentation of DRPs are central to community pharmacy practice in Sweden, resulting in a number of research studies. A national DRP database, patient medication profiles, and a new national register of drugs dispensed to patients provide opportunities for growth in pharmaceutical care practice and research in the country.

Sequential service quality in service encounter chains: case studies

PurposeThe objective of the present research is to explore the construct of perceived sequential service quality in service‐encounter chains.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a qualitative approach. Based on two case studies in the Swedish automotive and retail industries, the research applies a six‐dimensional, dual‐perspective construct of sequential service quality. The theoretical framework is derived from the constructs of service quality and service encounter.FindingsThe case studies do not indicate any dramatic differences in perceptions of the sequential service‐quality construct – despite the differences that exist between the industries. Although these industries are thus generically different, sequential service quality in service‐encounter chains is recognized as being important in both industries. It is contended that the six‐dimensional construct employed in the present study contributes to the exploration and conceptualization of sequential service quality in service‐encounter chains both from an upstream‐downstream and from a downstream‐upstream perspective. Although some minor differences exist, the overall conclusion is that the construct is valid and useful in understanding and exploring these important issues.Research limitations/implicationsResearch and practice needs to extend well beyond single interactive constructs of service quality. The research approach introduced here – of sequential service quality in service‐encounter chains – contributes to an extended research agenda.Originality/valueThe approach might be fruitful in a number of areas for both researchers and practitioners that go beyond the boundaries of the currently accepted constructs and applications of service quality.

An Empirical Examination of the Characteristics and Behavioral Tendencies of Swedish Consumers in Patronizing Different Retail Stores

ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to investigate the characteristics and behavioral tendencies of Swedish consumers in relation to their involvement with various types of retail stores as well as their shopping and patronizing behaviors under varying circumstances. In particular, the study focuses on examining the underlying dimensions of Swedish consumers' retail shopping behavior incorporating their lifestyles and attitudinal orientations as well as demographic and socio-economic characteristics. Data for the study were collected through personal interviews in Sweden. The study findings indicate that the most dominant lifestyle dimensions include fashion orientation, adventure orientation and aesthetic orientation. Several of these lifestyle dimensions apparent among the Swedish retail shoppers were found to be related to the number of stores shopped in a given period of time. Also, the most dominant factors were one-stop shopping, merchandise quality and assortment, and store communication factor...

The cost-effectiveness of candesartan-based antihypertensive treatment for the prevention of nonfatal stroke: results from the Study on COgnition and Prognosis in the Elderly

Patients who survive a first stroke are often left with permanent disabilities, and have significant needs for rehabilitation and long-term care. Antihypertensive treatment reduces the risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of candesartan-based antihypertensive treatment for the prevention of nonfatal stroke. The cost-effectiveness analysis was based on data from Study on COgnition and Prognosis in the Elderly (SCOPE), where patients were randomly assigned to receive the angiotensin receptor blocker candesartan or placebo, with open-label active antihypertensive treatment added as needed. The analysis was carried out using a Markov model, which combined clinical and resource utilization data from SCOPE with Swedish retail prices for drugs and unit costs for in-patient stays, and outpatient visits. The cost per patient was 1949 EUR in the candesartan group and 1578 EUR in the control group. The largest share of the cost was attributed to antihypertensive treatment in the candesartan group and to the long-term cost of stroke in the control group. Candesartan-based antihypertensive treatment was associated with 0.0289 additional quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) per patient and an incremental cost per QALY gained of approximately 13,000 EUR. Sensitivity analyses showed that these results were fairly stable. In conclusion, the cost per QALY gained with candesartan-based antihypertensive treatment lies within the range of society's willingness to pay for health gains. The results indicate that candesartan-based antihypertensive treatment is cost-effective for the prevention of nonfatal stroke.

Business ethics in TQM

PurposeThe objective of this research is to introduce and describe a conceptual framework of business ethics in TQM.Design/methodology/approachIn order to highlight the concepts proffered, a case study in the Swedish retail industry was conducted. The data that underpin the case illustration have been collected as part of a larger research project in the Swedish retail industry. This paper draws on and reports the findings from one case of the larger research project that has been used in this instance to inform the role of business ethics in TQM. The case illustration is based on a qualitative approach. The data were collected through interviews with leading executives in the corporation,FindingsBoth time and context become crucial parameters to manage the quality and spectrum zones of core values in the marketplace. In fact, the necessary quality management of business operations has to be performed without delay, minimising the damage. Therefore, the importance of business ethics becomes evident in TQM. In the long run, TQM will not succeed in business operations unless business ethics is considered in the core values to support the techniques and tools applied.Research limitations/implicationsThe model has only been tested by relating it to one case in the Swedish retail industry.Practical implicationsTQM is dependent on the contextual and evolutionary issues in the marketplace. Therefore, TQM should be interpreted as a continuous process. The importance of continuously monitoring the spectrum zones and qualities of core values in TQM should not be under‐estimated. Therefore, business ethics should always be present in TQM. Further research would benefit from other case studies of how business ethics benefits TQM. Therefore, the dynamics of business ethics in TQM should be further explored.Originality/valueBusiness ethics needs to be an essential consideration of any TQM process. This paper examines how an organisation can incorporate this task.

Intellectual Capital Disclosure through Annual Reports: A Study of the Swedish Retail Industry

This article is based on a content analysis of intellectual capital (IC) in annual reports from 1998 to 2002. The aim of the study was to compare the content of voluntary information on IC in the corporate annual reports covering a period of 4 years. The results from the study, based on 15 Swedish companies in the retail sector, show that for the year 2002 the information on human capital in the annual reports was, on average, 8.4% of the total text mass, with 14.9% pertaining to external capital, 21.2% to process capital and 7.4% about innovation capital. Further, the amount of IC information in 2002 increased when compared with the amount of information in 1998. The findings indicate that companies dealing with daily goods provide more information about IC in their annual reports than fashion companies.

A firm’s driving force to implement and incorporate a business philosophy into its current business activities: the case of ECR

Focuses on a business philosophy, usually labelled efficient consumer response (ECR), applied in the retail industry. Its application in a firm’s current business activities may lead to the achievement of substantial business potentials but there can be problems in its implementation. Explores and describes the perceived potentials and obstacles in the implementation of ECR in the Swedish retail industry and introduces a model of a firm’s driving force to implement and incorporate ECR in its current business activities. A firm’s driving force may be in part analysed, if ECR’s achievable and non‐achievable potentials, as well as ECR’s probable and non‐probable obstacles, are simultaneously taken into consideration. Furthermore, a model is introduced in order to analyse the driving force of a business philosophy in a specific firm. The models may be applicable also in the context of classifying, measuring, and evaluating a firm’s driving force to implement and incorporate any other business philosophy.

Gender-determined Jobs and Job-rotation - Problems and Possibilities

The aim of the article is to discuss and analyse the strategy for quality introduced by a Swedish daily-ware retailer and especially what role organisational rationality, irrationality and gender plays for some aspects of this strategy. The strategy was motivated by the intense competition. One of its key components was work rotation in the stores. Six out of 90 stores were studied. In five of these work rotation was selective: the most female-labelled duty, cashier work, and the most male-labelled, butchering, were excluded. In the sixth store the work rotation was total. Before analysing the results, the national, sector and company contexts are presented. The analytical tools and concepts are drawn from different feminist organisational researchers. The main conclusions are that decisions made by top managers are necessary but not sufficient to create changes in organisations. The importance of middle management is emphasised although it is obvious that power is present everywhere. These findings indicate that there is not one all-embracing decision behind the outcomes but rather many small decisions made by both women and men on all hierarchical levels. The outcome also suggests that economic rationalities are weaker than gender rationalities, an outcome which ought to influence organisational theories.