Showing papers in "The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal in 2008"

Logistics and Supply Chain Management in Tourism

Abstract: For the organizations which are involved in tourism, efficiency is conditioned, among other determinants, by the coordination and harmonization of all participants’ efforts from the specific activities chain: tourism services suppliers, tour-operators, travel agencies and tourists themselves. Among these participants, a special role is assigned to the tour-operators. Going from certain tourism attractions, they take upon themselves the fabrication of those products that are required by tourists, assembling the different basic and supplementary tourism services, that are offered by numerous services suppliers, and further, distributing them to the retailers, or directly to the tourists. The impact of their activity is very strong because through the realized products they incorporate different types of tourist services. Going from these aspects and analyzing in a similar manner the tourism activity as the material goods manufacturing activity from logistical point of view, it can be said that, successful activity can be achieved when those different participants categories act like a system, into a supply chain. On tour-operators’ level, the supply chain management incorporates, among the others, planning and management activities concerning purchasing suppliers selection, internal logistics’ management, as well as collaboration with all marketing channel partners. Internal logistics involves activities that refers to purchasing, operations’ support and some aspects that are similar with physical distribution, the supply chain being structured by cooperation between a various number of participants, from raw materials suppliers (their impact is visible especially in catering, foods or beverage suppliers services), up to end consumers. Otherwise, the role of the last category is more important because they lend the tourism activity specific nature, through there’s participation on a successful holiday product.

An analysis of explanatory factors of logistics performance of a country

Abstract: The paper uses standard econometric techniques and the Logistics Performance Index calculated by The World Bank for evaluating the impact of several key macroeconomic variables on the quality of the logistics sector from 42 countries and regions. The regression results and the graphs have revealed that there is a strong relationship between the development of the services sector and the logistics performance of a country. Services are a major source of sustainable economic development, but they are very sensitive to the quality of the infrastructure and the functioning of institutions. Another finding is that many economies where a significant part of value added is generated in industrial activities tend to have high growth rates and lower logistics performance. Many of these countries are located in Central and Eastern Europe and their economic expansion was mainly supported by foreign direct investments in industrial sites and real estate developments. Since these businesses are cyclical there is a high risk of an economic downturn. These countries, particularly Romania, should rapidly improve their trade and transport facilitation framework, i.e., logistics performance. Such measures will allow the emergence of a robust service sector able to make the economic development sustainable by cushioning the cyclical shocks from the industrial side of economy.

The role of the universities in a regional innovation system – a comparative a’wot - analysis

Abstract: Universities have an important role in regional innovation systems. In this study, we evaluate and compare two different case regional innovation systems (RIS), one located in the north of Romania, in Bucovina area and the other in Yla-Savo region, in the middle of Finland. Main focus is on how university is contributing to competences of a RIS. We use the A’WOT analysis, which is a hybrid method connecting Multiple Criteria Decision Support (MCDS) methods to SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis. The method yields analytical priorities for the factors included in SWOT analysis and makes them commensurable. The research work done was based on experts and actors interviews, which were structured according to principles of the steps of the A’WOT analysis. SMART technique was applied in the A’WOT framework. Both case RIS are described and analysed. The main goal is to improve the theoretical and effective knowledge in the innovations and sustainable development field from a country with tradition: how management models are applied in countries with competitive industry; which are the costs of the marketing and management strategy implementation in companies; which are the obstacles for the entrepreneurs’ development. The study will conclude by recommendations how to develop RIS competences, and especially the role of universities in this aspect.

The role of inventory in the supply chain

Abstract: The supply chain is a system coordinated by organizations, humans, activities, information and resources involved in the movement of a product in a physical and virtual manner from the supplier to the client. The activities from the supply chain transform raw materials and components in a product that is delivered to the consumer or to the user. The inventory, together with the transport, the location of the production spaces and of the storage represent an important factor that influences the performance of the supply chain. Inventory contains the raw materials, the work in process and all the finished products of a supply chain. The changes of the inventory policies can lead to a dramatic alteration of the supply chain’s efficiency and responsiveness. The managers of the firms that build up a supply chain have to identify the main categories of inventory and the way that they can be dimensioned. In every company we can identify cycle inventory, safety inventory and seasonal inventory and we can calculate a series of indicators that can offer an image of the inventory. Traditionally, in the management of supply chain processes, inventory management is challenging because it directly impacts both cost and service. Uncertain demand and uncertain supply make it necessary to hold inventory at certain positions in the supply chain to provide adequate service to the customers. As a consequence, increasing supply chain process inventories will increase customer service and revenue, but it comes at higher cost.

The effects of the lack of coordination within the supply chain

Abstract: The present article refers to the bullwhip effect that negatively influences the supply chain performance. This effect is experienced by various industries, from fast moving consumer goods to IT products. The consequences for the supply chain members are the following: increased costs, lower profitability, longer lead times and lower product availability. The main factors that generate this effect are the types of incentives provided by suppliers to the downstream customers, the information distortion, the order placing practices, the pricing policies encouraging the forward buying and the specific behavior of the supply chain members focused on local optimization. The only way in which supply chain members may eradicate the bullwhip effect is to enhance coordination among the subsequent stages. Some of the strategies to be considered are the alignment of goals and objectives, data sharing among members, single stage control of replenishment, strategies for the improvement of the operational performance, stabilizing orders with appropriate pricing strategies and building strategic partnerships and trust. The incidence and amplitude of the bullwhip effect may be reduced by strategies and decisions that are harmonized along the stages of the supply chain. The key words in the endeavor to diminish the bullwhip effect are cooperation, coordination, communication and trust.

The importance of reverse logistics for retail activity

Abstract: Reverse logistics (RL) refers to a set of programs or competencies aimed at moving products in the reverse direction in the supply chain (i.e., from consumer to producer). It entails more than the mere re-use of containers and the recycling of packaging materials. It is the process of moving a product from the point of consumption to another point for the purpose of recapturing the remaining value, or for the eventual proper disposal of the product. The state of development of RL is analogous to that of inbound logistics between 10 and 20 years ago. The scope of RL has, since, expanded from service parts management to include other areas and has attracted significant attention of a great majority of companies. The reverse logistics process can generate periodic negative cash flows that are difficult to predict and account for, but are important when managing retailer liquidity. Uncertainties surrounding reverse logistics create the possibility that the retailer may be strained in meeting short-run financial obligations or opportunities.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP IN THE 21th CENTURY

Abstract: The emergence and evolution of globalization have produced major changes not only in the economy, but also in society and environment. In the 21st century, today’ s companies are increasingly operating at a global scale. They have to act locally and think globally. Today’ s companies are facing higher expectations from society and stakeholders. This is why, they must assume multiple responsibilities both locally and globally. Besides their economic responsibility, social and environmental responsibility has become a key element of their business success. The best-run companies are aware of the importance of the three main dimensions of sustainability in the 21st century: social sustainability, environmental sustainability and economic sustainability. In this respect incorporating social responsibility into the corporate strategies and policies represents a major concern for all kinds of companies. Derived from corporate social responsibility, the concept of corporate citizenship has become a main issue in the business literature. Corporate citizenship is about companies taking into account the impacts of their products and/or services and activities on the society and the environment. More and more people, groups and NGO are calling on businesses to be good citizens. A responsible corporate citizenship imposes an ethical behavior upon companies and represents a main factor in obtaining business success.

Distribution in Romania at the shelf supremacy’s moment of truth: competition and cooperation

Abstract: This article explores the development of the Romanian retail market, the recent evolutions on this market and the impact of the recent conflict between the retailers and the Romanian producers, starting from current questions not only in Romania but also at European level. The beginning of this conflict producers-retailers emphasized the accent placed on the retailers’ ethical behaviour in the context of the buying process of products from suppliers, namely the numerous slotting fees imposed on the suppliers so that their products reach the store’s shelves, covering the supply chain’s path whose efficacy depends on the collaboration relationships between participants, who also confront with a series of legal and ethical constraints, the legal ones resulting, in general, from the competition legislation and the one concerning consumers protection. Romania has confirmed its positioning as an important market for the large distribution chains. The promoter of the development of retail networks has been the consumer behaviour, within the challenging framework of the relation between marketing’s impact on consumer and consumer’ impact on marketing strategies. At the moment, numerous well-known distribution chains are actively participating on the Romanian market. The necessity of building an ecosystem of conversation, based on interpersonal communication, is being emphasized, creating a shared experience, building trust and strengthening the relationships between the participants in the supply chain. This involves evaluating the relationship between Romanian producers and the large distribution chains and the impact of this relationship on the social welfare.

Information system for the supply chain management

Abstract: Supply chain management SCM is the integration and management of supply chain organizations and activities through collaboration, effective business processes and high levels of information sharing. The supply chain concept has become a concern due to global competition and increasing customer demand for value. Thus, the information must be available in real time across the supply chain and this can not be achieved without an integrated software system for supply chain management. Supply chain members have to collaborate, sharing information for improving customers satisfaction. Web technologies enable enterprises to become more effective, to trade with suppliers and customers over the Internet in real time. For this, businesses have to integrate their information systems and applications with those of their suppliers and customers. First, companies have to redesign their supply chain to create an integrated value system and afterwards, companies can develop business to business applications across supply chain structure for the optimization of the supply chain . The implementation of the supply chain information systems in companies facilitates an increase in their competitiveness and their profits.

Considerations regarding the standardization of services

Abstract: The present article provides an overview of European Union preoccupations regarding services standardization, in the way they were perceived by the authors with the occasion of their participation at the Madrid World Cafe organized as part of the on-going project “CEN Horizontal European Services Standardization Strategy” (CHESSS). Authors share the idea largely supported by experts and various stakeholders that there is a potential for services standardisation to offer advantages in terms of fostering competitiveness and improving satisfaction of consumers and client companies needs, as well as in removing barriers to trade, particularly within the European Union internal market. To date, this potential remains unfulfilled, in part because service providers seek to conserve the information asymmetry that protect them against increased competitive pressures and in part due to a lack of understanding of the nature and process of standardisation and the benefits it can bring This is also the situation in Romania, and thus policy makers are urged to give to services standardization an importance equivalent with the role of services for the socio-economic development. .

The Relationship Between The Integrated Tourism Development Of A Region And The Respective Local Communities Of Romania. A Moral Approach

Abstract: The current social and economic stage of development observed in Romania and, implicitly, that of the national tourism, requires a new type of approach vis-a-vis the “tourism development” concept Until the 90s, tourism development was carried out in a centralized fashion and, in most cases, with little regard to the impact that strategy had on the environment and the local population This strategy- which, in some cases, is still applied today-has had a significant impact on a national level, by creating huge discrepancies among the country’ s regions, with direct repercussions on local communities and the national labor market Recent years have shown a distinct linkage between tourism and local communities, largely owed to the multiplying effect that tourism activities have, but also to the intricate network of correspondences between themselves The purpose of this academic endeavor is to analyze the existing relationship between tourism development and the local community where it occurs, between the need for development and the need to preserve the local traditions, and to obser- ve if such equilibrium is feasible between these two terms The ethics of tourist development should be the niche where the development policy should meet the expectations of the host local community

Business Ethics And The Social Responsability Of The Company

Abstract: Reality has proved that the market economy is based on business ethics, on the high productivity of the labor, on the rigorous organization of the business activity, on the responsibility of the partners for the commitments made on paper or verbally, on the capacity of the business people to assure with better work and life conditions their employees, etc. It is insufficient that the owners and managers only affirm the necessity of social liability and the ethical behavior of the firm’s politics. The actions in this field must be intensified so that the firm’s culture determines the firm’s decision makers find the promotion and control over the social liability and the ethical attitude as the owners and managers decide the economic performances that must be accomplished.

Warehousing – activity which contribute to supply chain performance

Abstract: Consumption economy that characterizes the developed countries, but also the ones in course of development suppose available abundance of products for clients. To achieve this availability the firms make use of logistics activities. These have known continuous developments alongside economic, technical, technological etc. progress that determine transformation in a very competitive branch. This fact it is happening into a context of prevailing rivalry, the globalization process extant leading to a great e extent of dislocation, externalizations and subcontracting of activities, developing of some production modes without stocks or with reduced stocks, flows optimization for obtaining the minimum possible cost. In response to such tendencies, it is emphasized the tendency to develop business partnerships, which transform the logistics from an internal enterprise sector into a sector based on cooperation with external entities as supply chains forms. A basic link of any supply chain is represented by warehousing activity. In the new supply chains development context the warehousing activity is transforming from a passive one, with a simple objective of providing products stocking, into an active one, in which it pursues the achievement of an assembly of services for clients. More and more warehouses are also exploited by logistics services providers that are involved in different logistics activities destined to reduce total logistics cost, with favorable influences on selling price and on firms competitiveness too.

Analysis and competitiveness in logistics

Abstract: In the strategic analysis based on value chain concept, logistics represents main activities. Competing on the global market increase the importance of specific operations like transport of merchandise, warehouse exploitation, i.e. Creating and sustaining competitive advantage in the field of logistic activities is achievable through outsourcing or by in-house strategy. Choosing optimal ways to transport the merchandises, efficient warehouses design and utilization, adequate positioning oh them on the territory, RFID monitoring systems are key success factors in logistics.

The particularities of logistics related to e-commerce

Abstract: The gains related the productiveness and efficiency generated by the e-commerce on the economy ensemble are so promising so that practically any attempt to ignore this new channel of business life development would be against productiveness. The companies must accelerate the incorporation of the new informational technologies in business strategies, and in their logistics activities, because, at present, this seems to be the most efficient solution for the rendering more valuable the advantages of the present globalization wave. The structural and functional organization of logistics related to electronic commerce has to comply with the requirements imposed by the particularities of this modern form of commerce and adapt to a specific model of electronic commerce and to the characteristics of products and services transacted through Internet This article presents the function and specific characteristics of the logistics system related to electronic commerce. Thus this article aims to present the essential differences between the logistics activities required by the electronic commerce and traditional form of commerce based on the characteristics and trends of e-commerce and the impact of innovations supported by the electronic commerce upon transactional processes. The article emphasizes the difference between specific models of electronic commerce in terms of the ratio product value/transportation expenses and the complexity of inventory.

Change and ethics in the higher education

Abstract: The XXI century has brought along radical transformations in the way the society as a whole is organized and in particular in the way of organization of the university world For the universities, this transformation/ change process is not a new item; as time flowed these institutions have transformed permanently in order to serve the society as well as possible At present, the very varied shapes in which they exist, from the traditional university up to the virtual university, are just phases in a long row of transformations The higher education institutions include in their purposes and their mission professional development and affirmation, the evolution of knowledge and research while respecting the state and human rights In this approach the universities must respect the dignity of their members, while promoting the academic integrity In their entire activity the higher education institutions have promoted values and principles like: university autonomy, academic freedom, justice and equity, merit, professionalism, honesty and intellectual fairness, transparency, respect and tole - rance, responsibility, benevolence and care

The implications of the business ethics’ aspects as constitutive part

Abstract: The reflection capacity of values in the taking decisions process, to govern the way that these values and decisions affect the various groups of partners and to establish the way that the managers can use these observations in the company’s daily conditions, represents the named business ethics. The absence of an ethical behaviour in business goes to corruption, falsifies the legal boosts, undermines the institutions legitimacy, leads to the reduction of the foreign investments and assistance from abroad and, not the least, disheartens the consumers with negative causes to the entrepreneurial culture and the business environment. The importance of observing and implementing ethical principles makes possible the elaboration of plans and anticipations for long term concerning not only the company’s activity result but also with the expand of the foreign environment’s relations. The relation between the ethics and the market economy hinge on the political structure, the territorial administration, the structure and objectives of the organizations, culture and legality of affaires. The ethical principles and the implementation of a demeanour code represent constitutive part in elaboration of a strategy at the organization level. The ethical code is a formal statement which constitutes a guide for taking decisions and for the actions from an organization. The demeanour code efficiency is being illustrated when it’s closely connected to the specific features of the competitive environment, efficiency devolved from decreasing situations of conflicts of interest, reduction corruption, fraud, clients’ and purveyors’ suspicion. The present paper proposes to approach the aspects that aim at the implementation or adhesion to ethical principles and values as part of the organization integrated at the strategy level, as well as the benefits that can be obtained by the enterprise from this perspective.

Cultural and moral values- determinants of turism satisfaction

Abstract: In the tourism activity, the cultural impact is very significant. The national cultural values generate the tourist or employee behaviour , but also the organizational values can influence this behaviour . And finally, the regional culture could be the main travel motivation. The tourism behaviour is under the influence of cultural and moral values. We can consider that in fact it is a result of national culture. The research of tourist behaviour under ethic perspective is a new approach in the Romanian academic research, but frequently in the international research frame. In this paper we want to examine the impact of cultural values over the tourist behaviour and over his satisfaction. The research, made in different hotels in Romania, is based on the questionnaire - used as an instrument in finding the information -and on the application of specific techniquesin analyzing the information. The conclusions show significant differences in the perception of tourism services’ quality, depending on cultural differences and interactions.

The ERP capabilities for enhancing the logistic system integration

Abstract: The increase of companies’ competitiveness as a consequence of globalization and the expansion of the business relations in the web environment requires an approach, in a new dimension, on logistic systems based on a model of arborescent integration of logistic processes, on parallelism of the flows and optimization. Four axes of the integration process had been identified in the research, axes which allow the achievement of these systems interface function between demand side and supply side – the two sides of the economic activity. The IT&C support of logistics integration appears to be the ERP systems – Enterprise Resource Planning, which currently have evolved towards the integration with the components of SCM –Supply Chain Management, CRM - Customer Relationship Management. The paper makes a brief analysis of the structure and the functionality of the ERP systems and of the relations SCM – ERP and CRM – ERP, emphasizing the possibilities to improve the performance of logistics systems. This is realized by implementing software modules available as part of ERP solutions which dominate the IT market, namely the SAP, Oracle and MS Dynamic Nav systems. The conclusions emphasize the main advantages but also those disadvantages that must be considered and carefully analyzed to assure a successful ERP implementation.

Specifics of chinese business negotiation practices

Abstract: The new century is a turning point to the People’s Republic of China (further just China), home to one fifth of the world population. This “golden age” is uniquely characterized by a fast growing, internationalized market for products and services. An increasing number of Western companies engage in negotiations with their Asian business partners. These companies need to become familiar with the process of building and maintaining good relations with their Asian business partners. How to understand the Chinese way of negotiation? What are the key elements of the Chinese business culture? What are the philosophical roots of the Chinese negotiation strategy? What should managers and other businessmen know in order to be successful? This paper is discussing to the basic cultural determinants influencing the Chinese approach to business negotiations. This article reviews and summarizes the existing research in the field of international business negotiation with Chinese enterprises and suggests topics for further research, in the hope that this knowledge will be found useful by scholars and practitioners alike.

The performance of the supply chain: Strategical harmonization

Abstract: On this paperwork, we define the strategy of the logistic chain and we explain the way in which the creation of a strategical harmonization between the competitive strategy of the companz and the strategz of the logistic chain affects the performance of the whole company. We also analyse the importance of the extension of strategical harmonization from an operation inside the companyto all the levels of logistic chain. This paperwork propose: explaining why obtaining a strategical harmonization is critical for the succes of a whole company, the description of the way in which a company realize a strategical harmonization between the strategy of the logistic chain and it’s competitional strategy and the disscution about the importance of expanding the strategical harmonization over the logistic chain.

Consumer's perceptions about ethics in agro-food products' marketing

Abstract: The research shows whether tools and instruments used for agro-food products’ marketing are moral or not. Studies on agro-food products’ marketing are available; however , none of these focuses on the ethical approach of marketing activities of agro-food compa- nies. In answering this question, a piece of qua- litative research is carried out on customers, focusing on their perceptions whether marketing is moral or not. The respondents were chosen among clients of hypermarkets, having a background in agricultural marketing studies. The reasons that support this choosing are that theY may critically assess the marketing activity and they have a better level of understanding the questions contained in the guide of discussion. The results show that consumers perceive some activities of agro-food producers less moral in those regarding products’ content, packaging, price, and promotion. This conclusion has implications for processes of decision making on marketing that agro-food companies should take into account. Managers of these companies should know the criticisms that con- sumers bring up to their marketing activities. It requires further research regarding the direction of how these decision processes might be improved in order to be more ethical to consumers.

How Does Sector Concentration Evolve at Country and Region Levels ? The European Case

Abstract: This paper analyzes the evolution of the three main economic sectors – agriculture, industry and services – at the level of European countries and regions. We base our analysis on the Theil index constructed using European gross value added data for 23 EU countries and compare it to regional data for a ten-year period (from 1995 to 2004). Our results show that the most difficult challenges posed by the unequal concentration in the main sectors appear at the wider region not the country level. It will therefore be necessary to devise new regional policies that take into account these disparities.

Human factor in sustainable tourism between ethics and social responsibility

Abstract: The new conceptual approach, through sustainable prism, redirects the managerial activities of tourism firms to responsible strategies from the social point of view. The solution is not an innovating one but reshaped in ethicalcivic spirit. The success of tourism businesses underlies unconditionally on the human component and especially on the implication level of that, in the administration of tourism services. Relying on a study made in the spring of this year, analysis that regards the human resource from tourism, it has been revealed for example that at housing units level of Suceava, the ethic manner of approach is impercipient, even superficial. The employers from the tourism are esspecially interested in the young work force, appreciated for its big capacity of sustained effort, for its great level of interaction with its tourists and especially for the ease with which they can talk in an international language. But most of the times, the emoluments don’t requite the laid effort from the employers, and the ethical principles are applied aleatory and discriminating. So, more intense focalization on the human component in the implementation of the social responsibility principles is needed. In this case, the ethic becomes the support for the improvement of tourism competitive through sustainable prism.

Rules on business ethics. sox standard

Abstract: The Sarbanes-Oxley law, officially named „Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act” was adopted in 2002 in the United States in order to review the accounting practices and to rebuild community’s confidence in the Public Companies Financial Reports. What were the events that triggered the implementation of such ruling? The answer lays in the over-displayed cases of corporate frauds as Enron, WorldCom and other famous bankruptcy scandals, all of them having the same roots into the „creative accounting” practices. This concept refers to diverse actions taken in order to bewilder, hide and embellish the economic and financial reality of the companies throughout fraud Accounting Reports. Business environment is anyway subject to various demands to rule against sophistication of corporate frauds, thus legislation towards ethics in business was to be expected. Question is how these new rules and regulations will become effective for the purpose they were created, given the fact that they determine as well negative effects such as the increase of the companies’ expenses for financial and audit services or the limitation of free action once the Surveillance Commission [8] has mandate to stop their transaction when appear to be doubtful. This kind of standards is for now applicable only in the American business environment, but it already has effects on the companies everywhere, including the Romanian ones. This article explores the way this may occur, as well as the pros and cons of the implementation of such standards in our legislation.

Accumulations and development in commercial logistics

Abstract: The work presents a connotative periplus and an evaluation of one of the most dynamic business fields- logistics. Although used for a long time in the military department, logistics has affirmed itself relatively recent in business field, where it brought revolutionary contributions and where it has a privileged statute. There are presented particular significations of logistics from some of the application fields: production, distribution, merchandise study. In addition, the whole vision of the work is presented taking in consideration the merchandise matter, situation explained by the writer’s affiliation to the specialized academic environment (teaching staff of The Science of Commodities and Quality Management Chair, of the Academy of Economic Studies, from Bucharest.) In the conceptual evolution of the term “logistics”, there are emphasized the concepts and the keys of the definition, that express the whole context- technical, economic, organizational and social- where the term has distinguished itself: science and art statute, programming/planning as an approach method, organization of flow activities (material, financial, informational), affirmation of the “logistical chain” concept and passing from distribution logistics to the Supply Chain Management-SCM, and further, to the actual concept. The matter of inverse logistics is presented as a descendent of the actual extensions and of the socio- economic and normative imperatives of the period that we are crossing through. There are presented considerations regarding the importance of logistics in business field and there are given information about the tradition of preparing students in The Higher Education System, in Romania.

The logistics of information flow in managing the quality of food products

Abstract: Attempting to introduce quality in production, distribution and trade companies, leads to a rise in their level of competitiveness on the market. The lack of informational feed-back on quality among economic operators causes a series of dissensions that may contribute to product degradation, stock blocking, supply irregularities, conflicts with customers, even activity stop. Food products get to the consumers by means of logistic chains which can involve different types of factors and can pass more frontiers. A weak link may affect the safety of the food products that may become dangerous to human health, producing risks for consumers and considerable costs for the suppliers. As the risks related to foods safety may appear in any part of the chain, it is essential to have an appropriate control of the whole chain. Food quality and safety are the common responsibilities of all the factors that intervene in the processes and it is necessary that they combine their efforts. The wide range of food products on the market, together with the correct information broadcast, as a main factor of promotion strategy, allow the end user to adopt a critical attitude and develop the selective capacity that may favor some forms of competition based on quality, to the detriment of the ones based on costs. Thus, it is necessary to re-think the concept of quality, in the attempt to propose innovative solutions that can give answers to the market’s signals, assessing correctly the implications that come from facing the collectivity and the delicate relationship between man and the environment.