Teresa Fayos

A Model for valuation of government export promotion policies: An empirical analysis in the spanish context from a market oriented perspective

In nowadays competitive global environments, public organisms formulate export promotion policies with the aim of assisting companies to develop their internationalisation processes. However, there exists a lack of comprehensive models to valuate the way in which public organizations are investing public resources both from academic and applied points of view.In this study, a model is proposed incorporating economic and market-oriented perspectives that allow identify companies’ different export promotion needs. On the basis of the literature review, several hypotheses are formulated and tested by the use of primary data. Results indicate that the benefits derived from using promotion programs are more indirect than direct and the way they contribute to results obtained by exports companies. Information is also provided on the degree to which companies feel that public promotions are actually able to cover their needs, value the perceived efficiency of those promotions, and perceive there exists a contrast between the needs and the available programs.

Role of cooperation in the relationship between business internationalisation and international success

Firms’ export success has been a recurrent research topic in the last two decades. The explanatory variables and the models linking them have changed over time, adapting to the reality of the world. This paper is based on the idea that the process of internationalisation has a direct influence on a firm’s export success. It also considers that the variable cooperation with agencies involved in the marketing process has a direct impact on firm export performance and that this determinant factor has not been analysed previously. We develop a model that, as well as taking into account traditional explanatory variables, considers the process of internationalisation and cooperation as a basis for firm’s export success. We then apply the model to a large sample of Spanish exporters.

Towards more sustainable food systems. Addressing food waste at school canteens

Food Waste is a global significant issue for ethical, environmental and economic reasons, while its management is difficult due to its frequent low visibility. Individual choices and preferences are closely related to the generation of food waste although likely to be modified through education and awareness campaigns. In particular, school canteens are big generators of food waste and, at the same time, provide a great opportunity to improve habits regarding nutrition and education on sustainability, thus impacting the future of the food system. The end purpose of this research is identifying the causes of food waste and unveiling best practices towards its reduction. To achieve this goal, we have designed and developed a mixed methods research approach including semi-structured interviews with managers and staff in schools and catering firms and waste audits at four school canteens - measuring waste from over 10,000 pupils trays. In order to avoid potential bias due to meal preference, the audit lasted three to five consecutive weekdays per school, thus comprising different menus. We estimated overall food waste between 60 and 100 g per pupil per day. Plate waste represented the highest source of waste, although a big disparity was found among the schools based on their different educational perspectives. Key food waste determinants found were: first, top management standpoint towards food waste and sustainability in general. Secondly, we observed relevant differences among the three catering business models studied, regarding the stages where food waste is usually produced. Finally, food waste was also impacted by the diverse resource availability among the schools. Despite this, the human factor arose as the most relevant one when aiming to minimise food waste.