The role of stakeholders in shifting environmental practices of music festivals in British Columbia, Canada
International Journal of Event and Festival Management
ISSN: 1758-2954
Article publication date: 30 April 2020
Issue publication date: 5 May 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to increase understandings of the complexity of stakeholder relationships and their impact on environmental practices in music festivals in Western Canada, but also to highlight how managers can leverage their festival platform for stakeholders to create new partnerships that foster and support primary values around sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
We use a community-based participatory framework to guide this study, and qualitative research methods in the form of in-depth interviews and surveys at three separate music festivals within the interior of British Columbia, Canada.
Findings
The majority of patrons are aware of the environmental impacts of music festivals and are more likely to attend a festival with effective practices. By making environmental sustainability a core value of the festival and communicating environmental objectives with both stakeholders and patrons, managers can begin to alleviate the operational barriers to environmentalism.
Originality/value
One of the primary contributions of this study is that it provides management with deeper understandings of a wide range of barriers to effective environmental practices in Western Canada. We consult directly with both festival management and attendees about environmental practices. This paper presents a fuller perspective of how to move beyond simple measures and craft a more sophisticated and flexible environmental strategy that reduces risk, anticipates obstacles and greatly improves the odds of successful implementation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: This research was awarded funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) - Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship ($17,500).
Citation
Hazel, D. and Mason, C. (2020), "The role of stakeholders in shifting environmental practices of music festivals in British Columbia, Canada", International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Vol. 11 No. 2, pp. 181-202. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEFM-07-2019-0037
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited