1,721,016 research outputs found
Ellenberg's Indicators for the ecological Assessment of archaeological Zones in Rome
No full textThe use of Ellenberg indicator values in archaeological sites is analyzed in this stud
What really matters? A qualitative analysis on the adoption of innovations in agriculture
Full text linkThe agricultural industry is confronted with the need of increasing the production to feed a growing population, and contemporarily to manage the decreased availability of natural resources. This major challenge boosts agriculture sector to adopt new approaches and technical innovations; anyway, the adoption of innovations in agriculture is not immediate, due to the interaction of many drivers that impact on individuals and enterprises’ decisions. This paper aims at providing a list of drivers for the adoption of technological innovations in agriculture, on the basis of the outcomes of in-depth interviews and focus groups performed in three European countries (Italy, Greece, Turkey). With specific reference to innovations, ease of use, effectiveness, usefulness, resource savings, and compatibility were mentioned as relevant features for an innovation to be adopted. Trials, demonstrations, experience and knowledge sharing, and support from qualified third parties were included among the facilitating factors for conveying and promoting innovations. Finally, public funding, agricultural policies and market conditions were identified as factors that may tip the balance in the process of innovations’ adoption
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Can information affect sensory perceptions? Evidence from a survey on Italian organic food consumers
Full text linkThis paper aims to investigate the influence of information on consumers’ preferences and sensory perceptions of organic food using a sample of 301 Italian organic food consumers. Consumers stated their preferences for “core organic” attributes, labels and information on food products and performed blind and informed tests on strawberry yoghurts and cookies. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney U tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results revealed that consumers appreciate “core organic” attributes, like artisanal production and variability of sensory attributes. Comparing blind and informed tests, results showed that information affects the overall liking of products and consumers’ perception of product-specific sensory attributes. However, the influence of information on sensory perceptions depends on the product category, sensory attributes and the type of information provided
Branded pears? An exploration of German consumers' perceptions of the new club cultivar 'Angelys'®
No full textThe study explores expectations and perceptions of German consumers towards the club pear 'Angelys'. Focus group discussions, with 8-10 participants each were conducted and recorded in April/May 2012 in five locations in Germany. The recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results show that quality perception plays an essential role for consumers. They showed mixed reactions to 'Angelys' and expressed both appreciation and rejection, describing the pear characteristics with a wide range of adjectives such as compact, baroque, misshaped and old. Participants also evaluated the current brand concept and packaging. Consumers' reactions aroused from their sensory mind, which recalls memories and leads to certain association and the perception of the product. Besides reactions to the intrinsic features of the pear cultivar, the study also shows that German consumers have good knowledge in terms of brand and trademarks in food and have therefore considered the brand concept particularly critical. Finally, adjustments concerning the marketing concept with regard to the German market are suggested
Does Information Affect Sensory Perceptions? Evidence from Italian Organic Food Consumers Survey
No full textThis study aims to analyse the influence of information on consumers’ liking and sensory perceptions. A sample of 301 Italian consumers of organic food products participated in a survey performed from November 2010 to January 2011. Consumers were recruited according to age, gender and frequency of consumption of organic foods (they were divided into light and heavy users). Consumers stated their preferences for “core organic” attributes, labels and information on food products and performed blind tests and branded tests on strawberry yogurt and cookies. In the branded tests, sensory test was combined with provision of different information, such as ingredients and the organic logo. Overall liking and sensory perceptions were elicited after blind tasting and after tasting of labelled products. Data was analysed by using descriptive analysis, an independent T-test and a paired T-Test. Stated preferences revealed that consumers appreciate “core organic” attributes, like artisanal production and variability of products’ sensory attributes; heavy and light users show significant differences in preference for whole grain products. Considering labels and information on food products, heavy users appeared to be more familiar with label reading, thus implying higher awareness about usefulness of information delivered on labels. Comparing blind and branded tests, results showed that information affects the overall liking of products and consumers’ perception of product specific sensory attributes; moreover, we cannot find significant differences in the way heavy and light users are affected by information. In conclusion, the survey showed that the influence of food product information on sensory perceptions depends on product category, sensory attributes and the type of information provided. These findings suggest that information (e.g. ingredients, logos, etc.) could be used by the food industry to fill the gap between consumers taste expectations and their actual experience
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Sensory experiences and expectations of Italian and German organic consumers
No full textWe explore sensory experiences and expectations of Italian and German organic consumers when purchasing and eating organic food. Ten focus group interviews were performed and the results were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Outcomes indicated that although sensory attributes are not the main purchase drivers, flavor and odor are the most important in driving consumers' choice. Findings also suggested that training consumers' sensory abilities offers new market opportunities to organic marketers. From a marketing perspective, Italian consumers seem to equally appreciate nonsubjective as well as subjective marketing information about organic products, whereas in Germany non subjective aspects appear to be predominant
Integrating product costing and certification in a Farm Management Information System: The development of CacaoSoftTM
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Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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