No abstract

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -The purpose of this paper is to investigate the suitability of Greece as a possible market for truffles. Primary data were collected and analysed in a systematic and detailed way to highlight the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of this prospective market development. Design/methodology/approach -A multi-stage survey was conducted using qualitative and quantitative research methods. The data obtained were analysed using the SWOT analysis method. Findings -The survey highlighted the market characteristics of truffles in Greece. These were sorted into four categories: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks. Results show that truffles have an attractive mix of qualities; however, issues such as the lack of intermediary and customer knowledge and the limited communication of their benefits need to be overcome. Research limitations/implications -Findings showed that the use of SWOT analysis in specialized food products provides marketers and professionals' insight and guidance into designing their marketing activities. Practical implications -Truffles production or trading requires strong commitment by professionals who want to succeed in this market field. Social implications -Truffles market growth could contribute to the social welfare through the creation of supplemental income, the cultivation of arid fields and the conservation of natural resources due to their environmentally friendly manner of production. Originality/value -For the first time, SWOT analysis is used to investigate the factors that shape the market of specialized products in the food sector.

The purpose of the present chapter is to demonstrate how an econometric application supported by the use of simple software can augment an environmental nonprofit organization’s (ENPO) environmental performance. An ENPO, whose scope of operation is the protection of natural resources, usually deals with the problem of how to reduce its negative environmental impact without sacrificing the positive one resulting from its work. This chapter argues that the application of cointegration analysis on available time series environmental data can offer an indication for the policy decision-making in terms of such a contrast in impacts. If the time series are not cointegrated, then the ENPO can reduce its negative environmental impact without affecting the positive one. If they are cointegrated, then alternative policies have to be designated for dealing with the negative impact.