Vlad Krajsic

Exporting wine in complex times: a study among small and medium wineries

Purpose – For many wineries, internationalisation strategies, particularly in the form of exports may provide opportunities and financial gains. However, as more wine producers enter and compete in an increasingly convoluted wine market, accordingly the “playing field” in the wine industry becomes increasingly complex. To shed more light into wineries’ internationalisation efforts through exports in the currently uncertain business climate, this preliminary study investigates a group of predominantly micro, small, and medium wineries from both New and Old Worlds of wine. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – An online questionnaire was designed to gather data from winery owners and managers that invited to participate voluntarily in the study; a total of 499 usable responses were obtained. Findings – Diversifying and entering new markets, especially due to domestic competition are respondents’ main reasons for embarking in exports, while unfavourable currency exchange, issu...

The challenges in the wine sector, and winery entrepreneurs’ ways of coping: an international perspective

The study examines, from an international perspective, contemporary challenges of wineries, as well as ways in which owners and managers are coping with those challenges. Marketing issues, including wine sales and finding international clients, competition, bureaucracy and the economic crisis emerge as the most prominent challenges for respondents. Increased involvement from government, the wine sector, as well as government-wine sector collaboration are identified as the most significant ways of coping with some of the challenges. At a time when the forces of competition and growing consumer markets appear to intersect, the findings have very important implications for wineries, their sector, and for consumers.

Perceptions and images of “typical” Australian dishes: An exploratory study

ABSTRACT The research investigates the perceived images that “typical” Australian dishes evoke in the minds of consumers, including words they associate with descriptions of typical Australian dishes. A questionnaire designed and distributed among undergraduate students at various universities yielded 561 usable responses. Three predominant responses were associated with typical Australian dishes: grilled/barbequed meats, steaks, and meat pies. In addition, Australian dishes evoked four different images among respondents: positive (related to specific images e.g., barbequed foods), neutral, negative, and food related. Overall, the findings underline a limited knowledge. Consumer education could help broaden understanding and enhance images of the country’s culinary attributes.

The theory of planned behaviour, micro-growers and diversification: an exploratory study

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to study diversification among Australian olive growers in various regions, as well as perceived opportunities and challenges of olive growing from the perspective of micro olive growers. In doing so, the study considers and adopts the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews with 24 micro olive growers operating in the Australian state of New South Wales were conducted. Findings – The findings partly identify alignment with the TPB. Essentially, attitude or growers’ favourable assessment to diversify appears to determine growers’ intention to implement diversification strategies, including adding value to olive production, and marketing it through tourism. In contrast, subjective norm, which refers to the impact of social influence or pressures, in the case of the present study to growing olives or to diversifying into olive oil production, was to a great extent disconfirmed. Originality/value – Very limited research...