Sustainability is playing a key role in the wine industry as shown by the attention paid at several levels by the academia, institutions and associations. Nevertheless, the principle itself of sustainability opens a wide debate and it significantly affects firms in all their activities. Using a systematic literature review, this paper wants to highlight some of the questions that academics must face when they approach the issue of sustainability with a specific focus on the wine industry. In particular the paper aims to: highlight where research is going and what has already been done; define the contribution of background research in explaining the determinants of sustainable orientation in the wine industry; and understand the role of research (and academics’ social responsibility) for the diffusion of a sustainable orientation within the wine industry. The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed overview of the main research contributions to the issue of sustainability in the wine industry.

Purpose: – This purpose of this investigation is to compare the perceptions of competitive advantage through cost leadership and differentiation with sustainable practices of wineries from the USA, Italy and Spain.Design/methodology/approach: – Data are collected via self-report web-based surveys in California, Tuscany and Catalonia in 2010-2011 during a severe economic downturn in the wine industry.Findings: – Of the 260 respondents among the three country samples, over 75 per cent are family-owned and family-managed. Respondents indicate who has implemented a clear business case for an Environmental Management System (EMS) and who has not. Benefits and challenges of implementing sustainability practices are also addressed.Practical implications: – A comparable percentage of respondents across the three countries indicated a “clear business case for EMS”. Wineries in all three countries perceive that they have competitive advantage through implementation of EMS and commitment to sustainable practices. Top perceived benefits for respondents from the USA and Italy are focused on cost reduction strategies, while top perceived benefits for Spanish respondents are focused on differentiation strategies.Originality/value: – Activities that create competitive advantages for wine businesses in different countries are understudied; this research bridges that gap.

Purpose: – The purpose of this paper is to examine the case of the Italian Food Bank Foundation, highlighting how ongoing global and European challenges are pushing the organization to adapt and change. The paper aims to identify the new role that the Italian Food Bank should play in response to these new challenges. Design/methodology/approach: – A case study was developed. Data were collected through the combination of a survey and in depth interviews with people working for the organization. Findings: – Although the Food Bank has done a lot to improve its delivery of food aid and to respond to changing needs, it appears that the organization has not pursued a clearly defined strategy, and thus it should adopt a strategic mindset. Originality/value: – The paper provides details on the Italian Food Bank and the importance of adaptation to and management of change. Moreover this is the first attempt to describe the work of the Fondazione Banco Alimentare Onlus for an international readership.

This exploratory study seeks to examine the nature of a migrant Chinese network of personal relationships and business interactions, and their level of integration with the traditional Italian firms that are housed in Prato's industrial district. The specific goal is to understand how do the unique socio-economic entity which defines the quintessential Italian industrial district, and the business culture brought over by migrant Chinese entrepreneurs enmesh with each other. Responses directly collected from 50 Chinese entrepreneurs in Prato – that hosts the largest Chinese community in Italy – through a survey. Data analysis revealed that Chinese firms follow different paths than the Italian firms in Prato. Differences happen because of the strong influence of Chinese cultural heritage on entrepreneurial orientation, strategic decisions and know-how improvement.

Purpose: Researchers into entrepreneurial strategy have overlooked the impact of small vs big investments on a venture's return on investment (ROI). The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extent does entrepreneurial behavior impact initial investment size and the return on that investment?Design/methodology/approach: This investigation summarizes research into entrepreneurial leadership behavior and uses data from longitudinal case studies of four innovative start‐up wine businesses in California, India, and Italy.Findings: Investment size and ROI appear to be related to entrepreneurial behavior.Practical implications: Lead entrepreneurs must develop both technical competence and social networking skills to achieve small wins, i.e. early if only modest ROI.Originality/value: This paper develops a model consisting of several testable propositions to measure the impact of entrepreneurial behavior on ROI.