The study of interorganisational cooperation has gained increased currency. An important empirical and conceptual contribution in this field owes much to the network approach. The picture provided by the network approach contrasts with other models that regard cooperation as a mere contractual and legal inter‐corporate connection. Whilst accepting the existence of formal types of collaborative arrangements, the network approach emphasises the importance of informal and emergent cooperation. This paper is an attempt to extend the current perspective by focusing on interorganisational cooperation in the context of collective action phenomena. These usually involve a large number of actors concerned with the formulation of market rules, the prevention of instability and disorder and, in general, the promotion or defence of their mutual interests. The paper offers an institutional explanation of why and how collective actions emerge and influence the shape and evolution of industrial networks.

This research focuses on how consumers behave when they shop in supermarkets. It aims at understanding the relationship between hedonic and utilitarian motivations, cultural dimensions and satisfaction with life in context. Most researchers have studied how motivations and cultural dimensions affect consumer behavior. However, the studies conducted so far do not address the relationship between hedonic and utilitarian motivations, culture, satisfaction with life, and supermarket attributes. This research is mainly exploratory in nature and is based on three samples collected in different continents: Brazil, South Korea and Portugal. Evidence is found that satisfaction with life impacts utilitarian motivation but does not impact hedonic motivation. The study also shows that consumers satisfied with their life tend to be more rational in their purchases. Concerning the cultural dimension, power distance is the unique variable that positively impacts hedonic motivation, while long-term orientation has a negative impact on hedonic motivation. On the other hand, avoiding uncertainty and long-term orientation positively impact utilitarian behavior. Regarding the supermarkets’ attributes, the study puts in evidence the significant positive impact of pricing policy, variety and quality of products, environment, service, and corporate social responsibility in the hedonic motivation.

In order to address new demands from citizens and companies, public agencies are developing new ways of delivering public services within a multi-channel logic. In this context, Citizen Shops have been designed to increase speed of response, to simplify procedures and, above all, to improve service quality. This article aims to evaluate the perceptions of users of public services in order to improve their quality. The article follows a marketing perspective, paying special attention to citizens' expectations and perceptions and to the role of emotions in the encounter. Given the nature of the research issue, the investigation followed a case-study methodology. The authors present an adaptation of the Critical Incident Technique and analyse extensive qualitative and quantitative data collected in six Portuguese Citizen Shops. The findings show that expectations are extremely dynamic and play a relevant role in users' satisfaction. Satisfying and neutral attributes were identified, and the Critical Incident Technique also revealed the importance of emotions in the encounter.