Breda McCarthy

The cult of risk taking and social learning: a study of Irish entrepreneurs

The focus of this research was on exploring how entrepreneurs think about risk and deal with it in the strategy formation process. Suggests that risk taking is related to several factors: innate personality traits; learning; experience of crisis; as well as business‐related factors such as the type of venture founded and the nature of the industry environment. The analysis is supported by a number of case study examples based on field work conducted between 1994 and 1997. The adoption of a longitudinal‐processual approach, which is still rare in the literature on SMEs, suggested that the entrepreneur’s perceptions of risk, and capacity to bear risk, evolved over time. The main proposal of this exploratory study is that risk taking is not just a static personality trait forged by nature or nurture, but seems to reflect learning in a business context. Also discusses whether risk‐taking behaviour helped or hindered venture performance. The paper concludes with a brief assessment of the implications of these findings for future research and practice.

Strategy is personality-driven, strategy is crisis-driven: insights from entrepreneurial firms

The objective of this study was to explore the main factors influencing the development of strategy in small firms. Among its contributions, the study found that strategy was personality‐driven and crisis‐driven. The study identified two main types of entrepreneurs: the pragmatist and the charismatic entrepreneur, and highlighted how the risk‐taking capacities of some entrepreneurs changed over time. The study suggests that the experience of crisis gave rise to a more rational, planned approach to the strategy‐making process.

The Chinese wine market: a market segmentation study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how the Chinese wine market can be meaningfully segmented and to explore marketing implications for the Australian wine sector. Design/methodology/approach – The research is descriptive in nature, using an online survey to collect quantitative data on wine consumer behaviour. A total of 407 responses were obtained. Data analysis included descriptive analysis (frequency distributions) and cluster analysis. Findings – The research identifies three clusters of wine consumers: “the extrinsic attribute-seeking customers”, “the intrinsic attribute-seeking customers” and “the alcohol level attribute-seeking customers”. These groups of consumers were categorised using a behavioural (benefit) segmentation base. Research limitations/implications – The use of an internet survey and convenience sample limits generalisation of the findings. The adoption of a behavioural basis in conducting the segmentation is a limitation. The use of more complex segmentation bases, su...

From fishing and factories to cultural tourism: The role of social entrepreneurs in the construction of a new institutional field

Starting from the premise that cultural tourism is a new institutional field, this paper explores the construction of cultural tourism in regional Ireland. This paper proposes an institutional framework which consists of three main drivers of change: ‘government policy’, ‘resource-mobilization opportunities’ and ‘social entrepreneurship’. It is argued that the development of cultural tourism was made possible by the unique networks of relationships and associations that underpin music, festival and language fields. This study is situated in the literature on neo-institutional theory, and it draws on a model of change [Seo, M., and Creed-Douglas, W. 2002. Institutional contradictions, praxis and institutional change: A dialectical perspective. Academy of Management Review 27, no. 2: 222–47.] to explore how cultural tourism was shaped by powerful historical, political and cultural forces over time.

Innovations in the agro-food system: Adoption of certified organic food and green food by Chinese consumers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors driving the adoption of “green innovations” notably green food and certified organic food and to examine the attitudes of Chinese consumers towards genetically modified food. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed methods approach was used. A total of 402 consumers responded to a structured questionnaire and 58 consumers responded to a survey designed to gather qualitative data. Data analysis involved content analysis, the probit model, frequency distributions and the t-test for two unrelated means. Findings – This study shows that affluent, middle class Chinese citizens are opting out of the conventional food market. There is a gender divide, with men showing a preference for green food and females showing a preference for certified organic food. Certified food purchase is associated with demographic variables, such as income, education, age, gender, presence of young children, household size, living in developed cities and overseas experience...

The Landscape of Music Festivals in Australia

The landscape of festivals in Australia is a diverse one, ranging from large urban festivals to small, community-based rural festivals. Music, in all its forms, has the potential to contribute social, financial and artistic capital to a community. This chapter seeks to explore the human needs fulfilled by music and understand why such festivals and events have become so popular with policy makers and researchers alike. The chapter is organised as follows. Firstly, the universal appeal of music is explained by drawing on academic concepts of emotion, authenticity, experiential consumption, fandom, subcultures and identity. Secondly the concept of a festival is explored, their cultural value is highlighted and a profile of music festivals in Australasia is given. Recent studies strongly suggest that the number, diversity, and popularity of festivals have grown spectacularly over the past several decades. Thirdly, the commodification of music in modern times is described and the ramifications of festivals for local economies, tourism development and the natural environment are explored. Finally, conclusions are drawn about the future of music festivals in the light of the digital age.

Waste not want not

Purpose Scholarly research on food waste is growing, but it tends to focus on households in general. The purpose of this paper is to explore the attitudes of green consumers towards food waste, reasons for wasting edible food and acceptance of policy actions that could help address the food waste challenge. Design/methodology/approach Based on a quantitative survey of 346 respondents, frequency distributions, cross tabulations and non-parametric tests were performed. Findings This study finds that there is inconsistency between attitudes and behaviours. Green consumers, including those who value organic food and vegetarianism, waste quite a lot of edible food. Food is thrown away mainly due to spoilage, short shelf life, being forgotten in the fridge and eating outside the home. Hence, consumers, even those with the best of intentions, face behavioural constraints when it comes to reducing food waste. A surprising finding is that some consumers lack awareness of the environmental burden posed by food waste. Several policy measures to reduce food waste are acceptable to the respondents Research limitations/implications Reliance on self-reported data for food waste. Practical implications The research identifies actions that local governments could undertake to reduce consumer-related food waste. An environmental awareness campaign targeting green consumers could correct information deficits. Originality/value The focus on the green segment has practical implications for reducing the economic and environmental burden of food waste

Green Food Consumption in China: Segmentation Based on Attitudes Toward Food Safety

ABSTRACT The objectives of this report are twofold: to examine the demographic factors that drive demand for green food and to segment Chinese consumers based on their attitudes toward food safety. An online survey was used to collect consumer behavior information. A total of 402 responses were obtained covering participants who lived in 24 provinces and municipalities in China. Probit modeling, analysis of variance, and cluster analysis are used. Income, education, age, gender, presence of young children, household size, and overseas experience are variables that have an impact on green food purchase. Young, wealthy men, who have young children and live in a small household, are likely to buy green food. The survey shows that Chinese consumers are willing to pay a price premium for green food; however, price will be a major factor restricting the growth of the green food label in China, given market prices. Three segments―the “distrustful consumer,” the “ambivalent consumer,” and the “trusting consumer”―are identified for market segmentation purposes.

The importance of networks in special interest tourism: case studies of music tourism in Australia.

Music tourism can be seen as a type of special interest cultural tourism. This paper addresses the role of themed music festivals in regional development. Three diverse and recurring music tourism events in regional Queensland, Australia are studied. The case studies describe the festivals and their impacts and contributions to tourism development in their area. These analyses specifically examine the roles of clusters and networks in the contributions made by these events to regional tourism and associated development. The results of the analyses are used to examine government policies and recommendations are made to support better outcomes for host communities.

Risky business: growers’ perceptions of organic and biodynamic farming in the tropics

ABSTRACT Organic and biodynamic farming are growing, niche sectors in the agricultural industry. Research into stakeholders’ risk perceptions of organic and biodynamic farming is surprisingly scarce. This article uses qualitative data from a series of 32 interviews with Australian growers and key respondents to illuminate how risk is interpreted in the agricultural community. The study shows, despite the sample’s diversity, there is broad consensus on the risks facing organic farmers. Risk perceptions, however, seem to vary depending on personal values and institutional trust. Some farmers lack confidence in agricultural institutions, are strongly opposed to the use of chemicals in farming on health and environmental grounds, and perceive risk differently from their counterparts in conventional agriculture.