PurposeThe purpose of this research was to elucidate the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) within the shipping industry in Vietnam, where this industry plays a central role in trade and economic development. Aligned with this focus, the opportunities and challenges of I4.0 uptake, together with how companies are capitalising on its adoption, and how they evolve within the I4.0 environment were examined.Design/methodology/approachThe study was based on semi-structured, open-ended, face-to-face and online interviews with 15 shipping company managers/directors. To assess the interview data, the study employed qualitative content analysis and data structure.FindingsRegarding opportunities, I4.0 was mainly perceived as a channel to transform into a global virtual and productive office, increasing automation and affording seamless transactions, while staff's limited digital capabilities and cybersecurity risks were key challenges. Increased alignment with contemporary developments in the shipping industry represented a fundamental demonstration of maximising I4.0's potential, and achieving readiness for companies' human resources to aim for global competitiveness was a primary form of evolution. Overall, the qualitative analysis helped craft 11 conceptual dimensions and develop a conceptual model.Originality/valueThis study is original and valuable, primarily in revealing conceptual dimensions that helped elucidate how shipping industry stakeholders perceived I4.0 uptake, with profound practitioner and conceptual implications. Regarding the evolution of I4.0, the importance of diversification, being customer-centric or building talent internally can inform practitioners of avenues companies should consider in their evolutionary path. The proposed framework provides conceptual directions to guide future investigations and theoretical development.

This study delves into the experiences of older workers involved in the hospitality industry, investigating the significance of previous, current and future knowledge in equipping their hospitality careers. The conceptual notions of the knowledge-based view of the firm were appraised. Semi-structured open-ended interviews conducted among 56 older workers involved in both managerial and non-managerial positions highlighted the magnitude of 11 conceptual dimensions. Among these, the organisational, human resource, and self-development uplift dimensions help explain how previous knowledge has equipped participants and their firms. Similarly, the organisational momentum or career-enlightening dimensions elucidate current knowledge in fortifying earlier accumulated knowledge, while future required knowledge can be understood by the individual-organisational and generational-team bridging dimensions. The analysis also reveals alignments between the crafted dimensions and the knowledge-based model. A developed framework resulting from the compendium of dimensions, together with the identified alignments, underscores implications for hospitality employees, their firms, industry and policymakers.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine internationalisation processes among micro, small and medium enterprises involved in a leading industry and operating in emerging economies. The study uses a cross-national approach and considers the conceptual underpinnings of the dynamic capabilities approach as its conceptual background. Design/methodology/approachThe perspectives of enterprise leaders operating in five coffee-producing nations were gathered through semi-structured, open-ended interviews. FindingsOpportunities in internationalisation processes include the rising global demand, value-adding potential, image enhancement and self-initiated improvements in the production processes. However, participants also recognise existing inadequate business models to cope with higher quality demands or the market's competitiveness. To evolve, developing stronger adaptive processes is crucial for meeting the continuous pressures of quality standards, supply consistency and perennially unpredictable factors, including prices and the climate. Conceptually, the analysis uncovered 13 conceptual dimensions that inspired a conceptual framework, reinforcing and extending the dynamic capabilities framework. Originality/valueWhile research on firm internationalisation processes is a mature area of inquiry, the focus on micro, small- and medium-sized firms operating in emerging economies using a cross-national approach has been more limited. This study helps narrow this gap, providing original and valuable insights into business processes concerning a global product. The study's analysis and resulting conceptual contributions underscore important implications associated with firm and industry internationalisation processes among emerging economies operating in a significant industry.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is illuminate how company leaders operating in the car dealership industry manage opportunities and transformational steps to adapt to their highly competitive business environment. Embracing the underpinnings of entrepreneurial discovery theory and dynamic capabilities, the study is situated in Vietnam, an emerging market, and focuses on a company case. Design/methodology/approachOpen-ended, semi-structured interviews were conducted with company leaders, including managers and directors, in an emerging market setting. Qualitative content analysis and data structure methods were used to analyse the data. FindingsIn recognising future opportunities, several strategic antecedents are prioritised, including modernising the supply chain and responding to competitors’ actions. Maximising opportunities primarily depends on hiring new staff, conducting more in-house training and investments. However, two paradoxes hamper this process: capacity constraints while growth continues and improving efficiencies while maintaining proven successful standards. The further development of staff and skills and the adoption of new technologies are key drivers of evolution. The analysis elucidated 10 dimensions, resulting in a proposed conceptual model. Originality/valueThe emanating dimensions and a resulting conceptual model constitute the study’s main demonstration of originality and value. They contribute to a deeper understanding of opportunity recognition and maximisation, and subsequent business evolution, and can guide future research endeavours in emerging market contexts in the car dealership or other industries. Similarly, the study’s findings add to the extant body of the literature, thereby partly narrowing an extant research gap.

Selecting a cross-national approach and embracing the diffusion of innovations framework, this study investigates digitalisation in the context of the winery experience, thereby responding to calls for further research in this area. Specifically, the types of digital tools used, the approximate time of usage, the perceived benefits of 'digitalising the winery', how digitalisation can contribute to 'consuming the winery', and digitalisation in the context of the 'future winery experience' are examined. Data gathered through semi-structured interviews with winery owners and managers across eight countries revealed that external visibility was a key perceived benefit of digitalisation, while reciprocal information exchanges and convenience help 'consume' the winery, and the future entails an evolution of digitalisation, though mainly as a complement to traditional winery encounters. Differences between New and Old World wine nations were noticed. The analysis helped develop a conceptual model supported by 12 emerging dimensions underscoring theoretical and practical implications.

Embracing the underpinnings of ontological security/insecurity and the fresh start mindset, the study examines the reflections of hospitality and tourism business operators/leaders (owners/managers) in the aftermath of two severe crises affecting the ultra-peripheral region of La Palma Island. Specifically, the participants’ perceived impacts and their views regarding the medium- and long-term future of their business following COVID-19 and the recent volcanic eruption were gathered. The study used an inductive approach through semi-structured, in-depth, open-ended interviews, complemented with on-site observations and note-taking. The analysis reveals the significance of seven dimensions. For instance, the financial loss/gain, the turmoil, and dejection dimensions help deepen the understanding of the crises’ impacts. The tailoring and buoyancy dimensions underscore adaptiveness and optimism in responding to unprecedented crises, while the despondency and prudence dimensions indicate pessimism and caution. A developed framework highlights the dimensions’ contribution and theoretical and practical implications for communities facing extreme disruptive challenges.

The purpose of this study is to examine different forms of wine experiences and their extension into food and dining-out settings, including wine consumption patterns, knowledge, interest levels and the perceived 'ideal dining-with-wine' experience through the experience economy framework. The perceptions of 777 wine consumers residing in Singapore and Vietnam were gathered through online and face-to-face approaches. Among other findings, the analysis highlights the need for hospitality businesses to create and maximise attributes representing antecedents of hospitality experiences. Indeed, consumers' interest in learning about wines, or wine and dining consumption patterns, can be influential in educational, entertainment, escapist or esthetic endeavours; such is predominantly the case among Singaporean wine consumers. The analysis identified additional differences as well as similarities between these groups. Verbatim comments contributed to the development of three conceptual dimensions that deepen the understanding of experiential encounters. Furthermore, the resulting framework underscores important practical and theoretical implications.

Purpose While coffee is a primary commodity and a popular beverage worldwide, research on innovation in this industry that incorporates the voices of coffee firm managers/owners operating across various national boundaries is scant. Drawing on the diffusion of innovations theory, this study aims to address this gap by examining how firms approach innovation, including how its role is perceived within their context, its potential contributions to their industry and the challenges that prevent innovation.Design/methodology/approach The viewpoints of 131 coffee firm operators representing five coffee-producing nations were gathered and analysed using qualitative content analysis and a data structure method.Findings Innovation primarily encompasses immersion in product- and production-based approaches; it can enhance the coffee industry's potential by raising production standards and stimulating interest in coffee products. However, behavioural and attitudinal barriers, together with a lack of knowledge and preparation, prevent the full maximisation of innovation. Differences between leading and emerging coffee-producing nations were identified.Originality/value In addition to addressing an important gap in cross-national research examining innovation in the coffee industry, the study reveals nine emerging conceptual dimensions that contributed to a model. Important practical implications emerge, as innovation requires constant effort beyond firm boundaries and involves a variety of supply chain stakeholders. Ultimately, these efforts that promote excellence and improvements must also positively affect the original source of coffee production: coffee growers.

The study's primary purpose is to illuminate the significance of a unique type of business, namely, iconic establishments, for heritage and cultural tourism in a leading visitor destination. While these businesses' historic background and facilities, together with their business acumen, provide key experiential elements, they have remained under-researched in the broader literature. Drawing primarily on the dynamic capabilities framework, the study focuses on the key attractiveness factors of iconic establishments, including their perceived benefits, and how they evolve while providing leisure experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with owners of mostly centenarian iconic establishments operating in Barcelona; subsequently, the data were analysed through qualitative content analysis and data structure methods. The analysis first reveals the importance of various forms of allure, for instance, tangible, perceptive or sentimental. Benefits accrued from their appeal include historical accomplishments and increased tourist flows, alongside extending the business's life and the motivation to respond to product/service expectations proactively. To evolve in their changing business environment, the importance of external support in managing uncontrollable factors and self-initiated entrepreneurial actions emerged. Nine emerging conceptual dimensions and a model further highlight theoretical and practical implications for businesses, their city and tourism endeavours.

PurposeThe purpose of this research is first to examine the extent to which renewable energy providers (supply side) add value to their consumers (demand side) and how these perceive value-adding when acquiring these solutions. Second, the key challenges in supplying renewable energy solutions and how value-adding is manifested for the demand side are investigated. Third, the study ascertains the key resources needed to provide value (supply side) and how the consumption experience could be enhanced (demand side).Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from the supply and demand sides of renewable energy in Vietnam; the data were analysed through qualitative content analysis and data structure.FindingsThe analysis underlines commonalities and differences between the two participating groups. For instance, whereas members of the supply side perceive committing to higher levels of service or providing expert advice as fundamental opportunities to add value, those on the demand side value add-ons, including detailed instructions and consultations, together with the possibility to purchase quality products.Originality/valueIn embracing the underpinnings of the diffusion of innovations theory, this study makes various contributions to the business and renewable energy literature in emerging markets. Importantly, a conceptual framework with implications for practitioners and researchers was developed. This framework is founded on 21 conceptual dimensions revealed in the analysis, including the action-oriented and service-oriented, which help discern tangible and intangible ways to add value from the supply side. Relationships between the analysis and the theory's principles were also uncovered.

This study sheds light on how sustainable wine and food production can influence the wine tourism experience, drawing on the insights from winery owners and managers. Semi-structured, open-ended, face-to-face, and online interviews were conducted with participants in eight different nations. The analysis uncovered multiple conceptual dimensions that help explain sustainability in the above domains. Among others, the wine production antecedents and production philosophy dimensions depict participants' involvement in sustainable practices, while the benign gastronomy philosophy and the sustainable local food-wine linkages dimensions explain sustainable gastronomic production. Additionally, the conceptual, internally-based and alliance-based dimensions deepen the understanding of ways to develop wine tourism sustainably. Theoretical implications emphasise the significance of these underpinnings to illuminate sustainable food and wine development and the uniformity of associated initiatives and strategies. A practical viewpoint considers embracing the territory's food and wine resources and consumer education, regularly reassessing them through product diversification, creativity or investments.

The purpose of this study is to examine the significance of previous, current, and future knowledge among stakeholders from the supply and demand sides in the renewable energy industry. Supported by the notions of the knowledge-based view, this line of enquiry will develop a conceptual framework to illuminate the understanding of this two-pronged view while contributing to the extant literature. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Vietnamese CEOs and company managers, 12 from the supply side (e.g., equipment providers) and 12 from the demand side (e.g., end users, energy providers). The undertaken inductive analysis revealed 11 dimensions that highlight the significance of previous formal/informal knowledge acquisition, current knowledge to create efficiencies and build adaptive knowledge, and future knowledge to diversify renewable energy offerings and to "pre-empt" future developments in the renewable energy environment. Theoretical and practical implications and insights associated with the findings and the developed framework will be discussed.

The purpose of this research was to examine Vietnam's gastronomic resources as development tools to become a gastronomy tourism destination. Integrating the underpinnings of the dynamic capabilities approach, which predicates sensing opportunities, seizing them and reconfiguring, the study gathered the experiences of 35 executive chefs through semi-structured open-ended interviews. The ensuing analysis generated 12 dimensions and a conceptual framework. For instance, sensing is symbolised by internal, external, chef, and industry-related triggers, emphasising the nation's gastronomic traditions, its growing international recognition, and chefs' trailblazing role. The 'enticing palates' and 'pre-empting potential' dimensions are key seizing representations, the first underlying the distinctiveness of Vietnamese gastronomy and the second its extensive repertoire. Finally, reconfiguring is reflected by 'banking on uniqueness', which stresses maintaining a gastronomic identity while 'championing the home-grown' the involvement of gastronomy 'gatekeepers'. The resultant framework provides an in-depth guide, enhancing the practical and conceptual understanding of gastronomy tourism's development.

The purpose of this study is to deepen the understanding of a nation's gastronomy and beverage resources and associated strategies to enhance its destination potential. Considering the notions of the resource-based view (RBV), the viewpoints of 492 restaurant leaders were gathered through an online questionnaire in Vietnam, a nation featuring a burgeoning food, beverage and hospitality industry. The applied qualitative content analysis and data structure helped craft 16 conceptual dimensions. Among these, 'imaginative gastronomy' stresses the development of competitive consumption-based attributes, while 'implicit charm' highlights resources representing expressions of distinctiveness and rareness. The 'tangible applications' dimension emphasises capitalising on food and beverages' potential through hands-on activities, while 'conveying narratives' underscores products' appealing attributes, for instance, based on promotion and storytelling. A proposed conceptual framework illuminates relationships between the RBV and the developed dimensions, extends this framework in a hospitality and tourism context, and discusses practical and theoretical implications.

Purpose The purpose of this research is to advance the conceptual and practitioner understanding concerning the maximisation of Industry 4.0 technologies industries in an emerging economy. The study first examines the internal resources that companies possess to implement Industry 4.0 effectively and, second, identifies the critical gaps that necessitate external resources, both at the industry and government levels.Design/methodology/approach The study embraces qualitative and inductive approaches with semi-structured interviews conducted with 112 company leaders representing nine industries and operating in various cities/regions of Vietnam.Findings The data analysis helped unveil 16 critical dimensions. Notably, the organisation-developed competences dimension illuminates the understanding regarding firms' available internal resources, while the financial management and technological leap ability dimensions help explain firms' required resources. More broadly, the business community unity and business community learning dimensions ascertain the significance of industry-level support, while the technological sponsorship and legal framework guide dimensions underline government support.Originality/value First, the study unpacks various key aspects of their daily, mid- and long-term operations associated with their current internal resources, gaps identified and the support they require to progress within the Industry 4.0 environment. Second, the study proposes a framework that advances the extant conceptual understanding of operational, strategic, managerial and production aspects among firms operating in an emerging economy. Third, it focuses on companies operating in nine industries in an emerging economy. Fourth, the study contributes to addressing various extant research gaps.

This research contributes to a deeper empirical and conceptual understanding of coffee tourism development. By using a qualitative cross-national approach encompassing five coffee producing nations and guided by the dynamic capabilities framework, this study examines the potential, capitalisation and further consolidation of coffee tourism. The experiences of coffee firm leaders were gathered through semi-structured open-ended interviews; the qualitative analysis uncovered 12 overarching dimensions and helped craft a conceptual framework, with implications for understanding coffee tourism development from a practitioner and conceptual perspective. For instance, coffee tourism's potential is mainly explained by the visitor-centred and firm-centred dimensions, while the individual firm and upstream supply-chain capitalisation dimensions illuminate capitalisation demonstrations. The findings also exhibited relationships with the dynamic capabilities framework. Among these, educational experiences elucidate coffee tourism's potential (sensing) the capitalization of financial gains (seizing) while working alongside the government underlines further tourism development (reconfiguring). Various differences were also noted between countries and regions.

Drawing on the dynamic capabilities framework, this study examines business leaders' viewpoints on the expected and perceived outcomes from the recently awarded UNESCO status of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Hills region in Italy, and how they can capitalise on this recognition in the future. Data collected through semi-structured open-ended interviews with wine, tourism, and hospitality businesses and Prosecco Consortium representatives uncovered the significance of 12 dimensions. Among these, the harmonising mechanism dimension elucidates the increased visibility through the award while confirming the gradual capitalisation of diversification strategies. The tangible and intangible asset provider dimensions identify infrastructural and human resource needs to strengthen the region under the World Heritage regime. Relationships between the findings and dynamic capabilities were revealed, and a developed conceptual model highlights practical and conceptual implications.

While the tourism and hospitality literature discusses different crises affecting businesses and their stakeholders, few studies examine firms confronting sequential extreme situations, in particular, firms operating in ultra-peripheral regions. While addressing this research gap, this study makes conceptual and empirical contributions. First, the experiences of La Palma Island's hospitality and tourism firm owners and managers, after experiencing COVID-19 and the 2021 volcanic eruption, were gathered through semi-structured interviews to determine their impacts, ways to overcome them, and lessons learned. The analysis helped develop 12 dimensions with conceptual and practical value, including the bottom-line predicaments (impacts), harnessing entrepreneurship (overcoming impacts), and community welfare (key lessons learned) dimensions. Differences in perceptions between those living near and more distant from the volcano's impacts were identified. Second, the study proposes a theoretical model that enhances understanding of sequential, unprecedented crises, offering insights into the future sustainability of tourism and hospitality firms.

This study examines the amalgamation of food and wine based on the importance of a) star dishes, b) star wines and c) how gastronomy could play a stronger role in the winery experience. Embracing the notions of the resource-based view and experience co-creation, the perspectives of 142 winery owners and managers operating in five established and three developing wine-producing nations were gathered through semi-structured, openended interviews. The qualitative analysis revealed multiple overarching dimensions. For instance, 'gastronomic inventory' and 'gastronomic niche' underline the multiplicity of gastronomic offerings and representations of uniqueness, respectively. Similarly, the 'distinctive and intrinsic product resources' illustrate the diversity of wine products and their unique and historical attributes, while the 'stimulating gastronomy's pull' suggests accentuating the interest in local foods and wines. Differences between established and developing wineproducing regions were also uncovered. A conceptual framework that further deepens the data analysis and its associated implications is proposed.

In considering complexity theory as its conceptual lens, this study examined the potential for pepper farming to develop as a tourism activity on Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with tourism stakeholders, including owners and managers of pepper farms, tour guides, and hotel managers. The applied content analysis and data structure helped reveal the indirect and reciprocal benefits between the existing conventional tourism and the development of niche tourism, with the former providing an existing baseline, including through infrastructure, for the latter to grow and become a viable proposition. Importantly, this natural alignment can motivate pepper farmers to preserve their industry, which is experiencing decline, while improving the quality of their products and contributing to the island's tourism offerings. Nevertheless, while the uniqueness of the local pepper industry suggests potential opportunities, the findings also reveal various barriers at the industry level that undermine pepper tourism's further growth. Conceptually, the analysis resulted in the identification of 11 dimensions. These dimensions illuminate the theoretical understanding of niche tourism development in two ways: as a standalone conceptual foundation and through strong alignments with complexity theory.