The market opening and the globalization of supply chains, demand a structural changes in which logistics has a strategic role. Nowadays, clients evaluate product quality, its value added and its availability in time and form, which implies a need to make the process efficient. Several experts have proposed some logistics management models to increase competitiveness in the market, but some of these models are too ambitious for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) due to their informal structure and their lack of technical knowledge; other models make indirect reference to the internal information flows, which include whole system disintegration because of the weak interrelation among the different areas. In Mexico, SMEs represent 4.2%, they generate 31.5% of employment and provide 37% of the gross domestic product; that is why it is important to reinforce their competitive position in the market. This research presents the design of a conceptual model of logistic management for SMEs which could provide comprehensive solution through control of the variables involved in the logistics process; to verify that the variables considered in each identified dimension are correct factor analysis was used.

This work describes the relevance of food policies and governance to reach food safety issues along a heterogeneous food chain, in the context of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) food security definition. Using personal interviews with agents in the food chain, and secondary data from 2014–2018, this exploratory research demonstrated that: (a) Mexican food policies regarding food safety are oriented to the exports markets and/or high income producers-consumers; (b) this has split the agri-food chain in two: one serving international and/or high income consumers, and another serving domestic markets; (c) the agri-food chain that serves domestic markets experiences regulatory budget shortfalls, lacks coordination in food regulations across its agents, and brings about alternate informal markets that put peoples’ health and financial stability at risk, especially those lower-income consumers. Only 0.7% of producers, 12.5% of supermarkets and 42.8% of restaurants have some type of food safety certifications. This is worsened by the way public resources have been distributed, focused, prioritized, and planned. If the differences between big, medium and small producers continue to increase, it will increase regional and individual inequality, leading to two different countries: one developed and one developing, challenging its sustainable development.

The use of forest land for ecotourism has been well accepted due to its ability to provide income to local people and to conserve the forest. Preparing the forest with infrastructure to attract and educate visitors has been reported of importance. This study applied Q methodology in a small rural community of the State of Puebla, Mexico, to reveal forest owners' perceptions to build infrastructure in their forest as part of their ecotourism project. It also discloses forest owners' underlying motives to use their forest for ecotourism. Ecotourism is perceived as a complementary activity to farming that would allow women to be involved in community development. Low impact infrastructure is desired due to forest owners' perception to preserve the forest for the overall community well-being.

The incorporation of young farmers' perceptions about ecotourism is important for decision-making. This was an exploratory and descriptive research project aimed at understanding young farmers' views of a community-based ecotourism (CBE) project. Q methodology was used on a population of young adult farmers, of a small community in the state of Puebla. Three factors reflected their views: There was a group of people who wish to stay in Mexico to pursue the ecotourism project, but lack capabilities. A second group included young farmers who perceive ecotourism as a conservation project, but want to migrate to the United States. The third group was composed of people who envision ecotourism as a source of income for the community's women. The analysis elicited an important inquiry in relation to environmental inter-generation: what kind of development are future generations pursuing?

La cadena de suministro del mezcal del estado de Zacatecas Situación actual y perspectivas de desarrollo Fecha de recepción: 22.10.2012 Fecha de aceptación: 06.12.2012 Resumen El mezcal es una bebida alcohólica hecha de la planta de agave que se cultiva en Zacatecas, México, uno de los siete estados que posee la denominación de origen (DO) y el segundo productor de agave y mezcal en el país; de ahí que la industria del agave-mezcal sea una actividad estratégica del estado. Dado que varios agentes interactúan en forma desarticulada en la industria, los principales objetivos de este estudio son: 1) obtener información del proceso global, y 2) desarrollar un modelo táctico de planeación de la cadena de suministro de esta industria. A partir de una investigación preliminar se identifica la información básica de los procesos de negocio obtenida por medio de encuestas y entrevistas, lo que permitió el diseño de un modelo táctico de planeación de la cadena de suministro. Este análisis considera las relaciones entre empresas pequeñas y medianas (Pyme). Los resultados permitieron la obtención de información relacionada con la industria; la identificación de las áreas de oportunidad de los agentes de la cadena; y la evaluación del potencial y restricciones de la cadena de suministro del agave-mezcal del estado de Zacatecas.

The purpose of this research is to determine if positive anticipated emotions, food values, attitudes and subjective norms influence food purchase intention in two different models: a fast food restaurant and a food delivery service via mobile apps. For this study, we utilized a non-experimental, causal, descriptive and cross-sectional design. From October 2020 to January 2021, self-administered online surveys were distributed to a convenience sample of 200 fast-food consumers at restaurants, and users of food delivery services via mobile apps Puebla City, Mexico. IBM–SPSS Statistics and the SmartPLS 3 Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling were used to test our hypotheses. The results underscored a difference in attitudes between the models. The attitude toward the brand positively and significantly influenced purchase intention via mobile apps, whereas attitude toward eating a hamburger positively and significantly influenced purchase intention of visiting a fast-food restaurant. In both models, positive anticipated emotions exhibited the closest relationships with purchase intention, attitude toward the brand and attitude toward eating a hamburger, whereas food values exerted an insignificant effect on attitudes and purchase intention. Future research should consider performing a face-to-face survey with a random sample while accounting for different demographics, regions and countries, as well as including other brands, food types and restaurants.

Abstract:The use of native ornamental plants in urban landscapes and ornamental consumers' designs is one strategy to preserve biodiversity. Sprekelia formosissima (L.) Herb., known as Aztec lily (ALY), is one of the nearly 4000 species of native ornamental plants of Mexico. However, its domestic market is not yet developed and is virtually unknown. The objectives of this study were to: (1) compare consumers' and retailers' knowledge of ALY, and (2) to identify potential clusters of consumers and retailers based on their knowledge and preferences, such that marketing of the ALY could be best tailored to different market segments, leading to its sustainable commercialization. There were 464 interviews conducted in four nurseries in Mexico. Results showed only one consumer knew about the ALY; additionally, we found different behaviors in consumers and in retailers: those not interested in the ALY, but when they know it is Mexican they will acquire it; those interested no matter the ALY origin, and those who dislike the ALY because it is Mexican. Those answers suggest that improving consumers/retailers knowledge about this native flower could lead to a sustainable commercialization in Mexico, helping to ensure its conservation as well.

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