La categoría de supermercados en Perú resulta importante para el consumidor peruano, pues es un canal de compra vigente pese a la pandemia generada por Covid-19. Por ello, el objetivo de esta investigación es estudiar las posibles relaciones y efectos de las variables brand image, brand trust, perceived value y customer satisfaction en relación a repurchase intention en la categoría mencionada. Asimismo, este estudio se lleva a cabo debido a que se desea evaluar a las variables en conjunto y en un contexto peruano, ya que se considera que será un aporte significativo para mejorar el vínculo entre el shopper peruano y la categoría de supermercados. Además, en este estudio, por el momento, solo se considerarán 5 variables en la categoría. Sin embargo, no se descarta la posibilidad de otros factores que puedan influir en los futuros hallazgos. Luego de la revisión bibliográfica, se identificaron autores como Kim y Chao (2019) enfocados en el estudio de las variables brand image y brand trust; Slack, Singh y Sharma (2020), centrados en investigar al customer satisfaction y perceived value en los supermercados. Por último, Oyedele, Saldivar, Hernandez y Goenner (2018), orientan su investigación hacia repurchase intention. Según los autores mencionados, se propone que la metodología de la investigación se realice mediante el análisis de regresión y correlación en SPSS. Cabe mencionar que la implementación de encuestas con preguntas con escala de Likert se ha reconocido como parte de estas metodologías, por lo que se evaluará su posible uso en este estudio. / The supermarket sector in Peru is important for the Peruvian consumer, as it is a current purchase channel despite the pandemic generated by Covid-19. Therefore, the objective of this research is to study the possible relationships and effects of the variables brand image, brand trust, perceived value and customer satisfaction in relation to repurchase intention in the aforementioned category. Likewise, this study is carried out because we want to evaluate the variables as a whole and in a Peruvian context, since we consider that it will be a significant contribution to improve the link between the Peruvian shopper and the supermarket category. Furthermore, in this study, for the time being, only 5 variables in the category will be considered. However, the possibility of other factors that may influence future findings is not ruled out. After the literature review, authors such as Kim and Chao (2019) were identified, focused on the study of the variables brand image and brand trust; Slack, Singh and Sharma (2020), focused on investigating customer satisfaction and perceived value in supermarkets. Finally, Oyedele, Saldivar, Hernandez and Goenner (2018), focus their research on repurchase intentions. According to the mentioned authors, it is proposed that the methodology of the research be carried out through regression and correlation analysis in SPSS. It is worth mentioning that the implementation of surveys with Likert scale questions has been recognized as part of these methodologies, so their possible use in this study will be evaluated. / Trabajo de investigación

Lean Manufacturing (LM) en la actualidad, es una de las metodologías de trabajo más aplicadas en las compañías que buscan eliminar los desperdicios de la operación, en base a la filosofía de mejora continua. Esto con el fin de que sus procesos internos se vuelvan más esbeltos y por ende más eficientes. En el presente estudio se podrá apreciar cómo un modelo de mejora basado en la combinación de algunas herramientas Lean tales como VSM, SMED y Manufactura celular, puede ser aplicado para optimizar las operaciones de una empresa de supermercados que produce panes a gran escala y de manera automatizada. Los panes son elaborados en una planta de producción de alimentos, para luego ser distribuidos a las distintas sedes del supermercado en donde se produce la venta final del producto. Algunos de los beneficios más relevantes que se identificaron después de la implementación de este modelo son el ahorro de costos de operación y distribución; así como el cumplimiento de la cuota de producción inicialmente planteada para la línea de panadería. / Lean Manufacturing (LM) is currently one of the most applied work methodologies in companies seeking to eliminate waste from the operation, based on the philosophy of continuous improvement. This in order that their internal processes become more slender and therefore more efficient. In the present study it will be appreciated how an improvement model based on the combination of some Lean tools such as VSM, SMED and Cellular Manufacturing, can be applied to optimize the operations of a supermarket company that produces bread on a large scale and in a automated. The breads are made in a food production plant, and then they are distributed to the different branches of the supermarket where the final sale of the product takes place. Some of the most relevant benefits that were identified after the implementation of this model are savings in operating and distribution costs; as well as the fulfillment of the production quota initially set for the bakery line. / Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional

The values and ethical aspects of CSR has received a large number of researcher attentionover the last decade and this study is focused on value of CSR in the context of bothSweden and Egypt. Results of this Quantitative research indicated that customers attentionand purchase decisions are motivated by CSR activities by corporations if people aware ofthe importance of CSR value.Customers are frequently mentioned as the key stakeholder group, that appears to beconcerned about a company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Also, thesubject frequently requires a balancing act between multiple stakeholder interests. Themain goal of this thesis research is to gain a better knowledge of the importance of CSRand customer perceptions in two countries: Sweden and Egypt. Furthermore, this researchsatisfies the need to understand the value of CSR in retailing supermarkets. The study wasconducted with the Swedish customers as the main country of the study and Egyptiancustomers as one of the largest eastern countries in the Middle East, the home country forone of the thesis authors too. The current literature on CSR in retailing supermarkets isstill in its infancy, allowing us to identify a research gap. Similar studies did not pay muchattention to the concept of CSR in the supermarket sector, or even the value of CSR in adeveloping country like Egypt. This study used a quantitative method to discover howcustomers in Sweden and Egypt value corporate social responsibility (CSR) in thesupermarket sector.We questioned customers in both countries (Sweden and Egypt) for the quantitativeportion of our study. We received 238 responses through our survey questions tounderstand what inspires them and what might influence their opinions about CSRinitiatives in supermarkets. Furthermore, we used the SPSS method tool to analyzewhether CSR efforts in supermarkets have a beneficial impact on customer perceptions ofCSR activities or not. Our findings suggest that CSR activities in supermarkets might be abeneficial strategy for enhancing customers' incentive to engage in green environmentalactions, such as Eco-friendliness, and hence can lead to better practices from customersthemselves in the future.

Institute for Rural Development / PhDRDV / Studies conducted in some parts of the world have highlighted the fact that Asian-owned small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) always thrive better than those that other racial groups own. For example, a Global Entrepreneurship Monitor study revealed that in South Africa, Blacks owned few businesses and rarely took advantage of the entrepreneurial opportunities available to them even though there are policies that underpin the promotion of SMME. The aim of this study was to compare the determinants of performance of Asian and Black-owned small supermarkets in Thulamela Local Municipality. Specific objectives of the study were to: (1) assess the indicators of performance of small supermarkets; (2) compare the performance factors of Asian- and Black-owned small supermarkets; and (3) suggest intervention strategies to improve the performance of the small supermarkets. A cross-sectional study underpinned by a mixed methods approach and techniques was applied in two sequentially integrated phases. The first phase was qualitative in nature and participants were officials from the Local Economic Development units in Thulamela Local and Vhembe District Municipalities, representatives of Associations of Business Owners, Blacks (Venda and Shangaan speaking) small supermarket owners and Asian (Indians/Pakistanis and Chinese) small supermarket owners. Snowball sampling was used to select interviewees. Data was analysed using the Atlas- ti.7.0.81 software. The second phase was quantitative in nature. Small supermarket owners who were involved during qualitative phase also participated in phase two. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) ver 24.0 for windows. Mann-Whitney tests were conducted to establish if there were differences in the perceptions of participants due to race, gender and geographic location. The indicators of success commonly mentioned were number of employees, profit, survival of the business over a long period, and stock or inventory and growths. Asian-owned small supermarkets were performing better because they used more effective and efficient purchasing plus supply systems. Their collectivist culture and networking abilities made them realise higher levels of efficiency when purchasing goods compared to the Black entrepreneurs. Black-owned small supermarkets were performing poorly because of their weak entrepreneurship culture, human capital and business ties. Unfair competition from spaza shops negatively affected their performance. Other factors hindering the performance of the latter were crime and rigid labour laws. In small supermarkets owned by Asians, shoplifting and burglaries were monitored using surveillance cameras during the day. Security companies were deployed during night hours. iii Regarding perception of motivation to start a business, there were significant differences due to race of small supermarket owners and location or area of operation (P < 0.05). Significant differences in perception (P < 0.05) among the races and due to gender and location were attributed to the culture of business owners. Effects of social capital on performance of small supermarkets were reported (P < 0.01). Based on the findings of this study, small supermarket owners should strengthen their human capital through participating in training programmes, especially on supply chain management, marketing and financing. The need for creating networks that help to access information needed to take advantage of the support from the state institutions and the non-governmental sector was evident. Thus, it was concluded that improved performance of small supermarkets could be realised through strengthening human capital, joint purchasing, establishing effective networks and diversifying business activities.