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This article explores in a qualitative manner the motivations of women entrepreneurs who start and run ethnic food businesses in London.
Abstract
Purpose
This article explores in a qualitative manner the motivations of women entrepreneurs who start and run ethnic food businesses in London.
Design/methodology/approach
Our approach is qualitative and deploys phenomenographical analysis of interview narratives around categories of motivation.
Findings
We find that women ethnic food entrepreneurs are driven by a combination of desire for self-actualisation, identity-maintenance and community considerations. We demonstrate that women ethnic food entrepreneurs often go against the logic of the market, and they do so not because they lack other options, but for reasons that have to do with their (self-)identification as women and professionals, their prerogatives as mothers and daughters, their ethnic heritage, their emplacement in urban and global communities and their need to contribute. Our findings enrich understanding of female-led ethnic food entrepreneurship not as a demanding, overall unproductive undertaking for women with no other options, but as a realm of inspiration, community engagement and female-led innovation.
Originality/value
Our main contributions are the qualitative interrogation of perceptions and experiences of identity and difference in urban entrepreneurship from the point of view of our interviewees; providing concrete empirical evidence for it through our sample and proposing an approach to thinking women-led ethnic food entrepreneurship as a vehicle for translating urban superdiversity into social interactions across barriers of difference. We speak to the field of women entrepreneurship studies but specifically to the understudied realm of women-led food entrepreneurship, and to the cross-disciplinary field of (im)migrant entrepreneurship.
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Carolina Molinari and Fatima Annan-Diab
Mining activities can promote development despite issues of environmental and social impact; however, corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation is still an issue in the…
Abstract
Purpose
Mining activities can promote development despite issues of environmental and social impact; however, corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation is still an issue in the industry, which has received little attention in the literature and almost none to the operational level. This paper aims to address this gap by adopting the perspective of CSR practitioners to explore the way mining companies implement CSR at site level.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses an exploratory approach with in-depth interviews to investigate site-level CSR implementation and challenges in the context of mining in Brazil.
Findings
This study identifies primary challenges in CSR implementation and several ways in which they might be addressed. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper identifies for the first time two implementation-hindering aspects of the routine of CSR practitioners – excessive time spent at the office as opposed to in the field engaging in the community and a disproportionate amount of time spent on complaint management. In addition, this paper demonstrates the applicability of stakeholder theory in the CSR field, highlighting the need for increased collaboration among internal and external stakeholders to advance CSR implementation.
Originality/value
This study adopts the perspective of CSR practitioners, who are key stakeholders in CSR implementation, working in mining sites in Brazil, as the impact of mining can be especially marked in developing countries.
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Farah Shahrin, Zerafinas Abu Hassan and Ross Azura Zahit
This interdisciplinary study re-evaluates the Sungai Melaka flood mitigation project’s impact on community success in Malaysia’s UNESCO World Heritage site, broadening the…
Abstract
Purpose
This interdisciplinary study re-evaluates the Sungai Melaka flood mitigation project’s impact on community success in Malaysia’s UNESCO World Heritage site, broadening the definition of success considering historical and cultural significance. This study aims to revisit success metrics, focusing on the project’s influence on people’s interactions, cultural well-being, social cohesion and heritage preservation.
Design/methodology/approach
This study explored visitors’ reviews of their experience visiting Sungai Melaka in several data collection stages. The first data collection involved a Web survey posted on Facebook to capture diverse perspectives of the population and grasp the core strand of knowledge to focus on the second data collection, the questionnaire. The final stage involved interviews to generate rich qualitative data.
Findings
The findings of this study revealed that the impact exceeded tangible outcomes, as the project impacted people’s interactions and practices. This research assesses cultural benefits, incorporating these indicators into evaluating cultural ecosystem services by capturing local visitors’ and communities’ perceptions, preferences and behaviours. The findings found that other project success attributes include identities, capabilities and experience, further defining learning, health, economics, connection to nature and symbolism.
Originality/value
This research explores the meaning of project success beyond the traditional metrics by capturing success from the users’ perspectives and people’s interaction and their impact on culture and well-being. The cultural ecosystem services framework used in this study is applied to explore the interactions between people and the facility and its effect on the people.
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Xiang Gong, Zhenxin Xiao, Xiaoxiao Liu and Matthew K.O. Lee
Active participation is critical to the survival and development of the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game community. However, this issue has not received much attention…
Abstract
Purpose
Active participation is critical to the survival and development of the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game community. However, this issue has not received much attention in the information systems literature. To address this issue, we develop a tripartite model that accounts for the roles of behavioral dedication, constraint, obligation mechanisms on active participation in the MOBA community.
Design/methodology/approach
The research model is empirically validated by online survey data among 971 users of a popular MOBA community.
Findings
The results show that perceived enjoyment, perceived escapism, and affective commitment are key behavioral dedication factors, which further promote active participation in the MOBA community. In addition, past investment, self-efficacy for change, and calculative commitment are important behavioral constraint factors, which ultimately influence active participation in the MOBA community. Finally, subjective norm, group norm, social identity, and normative commitment are influential behavioral obligation factors, which in turn facilitate active participation in the MOBA community.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of active participation in the MOBA community and offers practical guidance for promoting active participation in the community.
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Emily Wilson and Pauline Black
The impact and collective threat of climate change is of key concern to all. Music and arts education can play a role by responding to the ongoing climate crisis through the…
Abstract
Purpose
The impact and collective threat of climate change is of key concern to all. Music and arts education can play a role by responding to the ongoing climate crisis through the creation of artworks as activism. This paper discusses a collaborative online international music project and its potential contribution to sustainable development education.
Design/methodology/approach
10,427 miles and 11 hours apart, music education students undertook the project, working in groups with a mix of students from Aberdeen, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia in each group. Each student collected video footage that captured their experience of climate concerns related to their environment. Students combined and edited the footage then collaboratively composed music to accompany the footage. This research was conceived as a collaborative self-study project undertaken by the authors as music teacher educators.
Findings
The results show a range of musical and extra musical outcomes and challenges. Evidence suggests that a collaborative online international music learning experience may contribute to sustainable development education and regenerative practice more broadly. Students began to develop their practice as educators for school and community contexts embedding learning for sustainability and climate consciousness, thus enabling them to develop as active global citizens.
Originality/value
This paper argues for greater attention to the affordances of digital collaborative music technology tools to facilitate creative projects as well as the need to reimagine musical experience, drawing together strands of music, sustainability education, technology and global citizenship. This paper also argues for the importance of embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals in teaching and learning in Higher Education.
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Evi Chatzopoulou, Athanasios Poulis and Apostolos Giovanis
This study aims to examine the impact of firm-generated content (FGC) on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) influencers, focussing on inclusive…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of firm-generated content (FGC) on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) influencers, focussing on inclusive marketing strategies and enquires the ability of LGBTQ+ influencers to enhance brand engagement and loyalty within diverse communities.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative approach was utilized, and data was collected via social media platforms. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to explore the relationships between FGC, influencer content, dimensions of place attachment and brand loyalty.
Findings
According to the findings FGC positively influences LGBTQ+ influencers, which in turn affect in a significant way place identity and place social bonding. Both dimensions of place attachment were found to have a positive impact on brand loyalty, which indicate that LGBTQ+ influencers have an important role in enhancing brand engagement through inclusive marketing.
Practical implications
Firms in order to increase their brand loyalty and customer engagement, need to adopt inclusive marketing strategies that resonate with LGBTQ+ communities. In order to do so they need to work with LGBTQ+ influencers that can effectively communicate the brand’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, thus fostering a stronger emotional connection with the brand.
Originality/value
This study introduces a conceptual framework that highlights the mediator role of place attachment in the relationship between influencer marketing and brand loyalty. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of leveraging LGBTQ+ influencers in inclusive marketing campaigns.
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Hanafi Hamzah, Siti Norida Wahab, Norashida Othman and Gaven Ferguson
The majority of Malaysian firms are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the hospitality industry is no exception. However, a study on environmental management systems…
Abstract
Purpose
The majority of Malaysian firms are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the hospitality industry is no exception. However, a study on environmental management systems (EMS) reveals that relatively few studies have observed EMS implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises hotels (SMEHs). Hence, this study aims to determine the link between institutional influences and mediating effects of top managers' perceived benefits toward EMS implementation by Malaysian SMEHs.
Design/methodology/approach
The results of a questionnaire survey of 252 SMEHs managerial-level professionals using Smart-PLS software provide some explanation for the marginal action taken by these SMEHs to improve their environmental performance.
Findings
Based on the findings, five variables might stimulate the implementation of an EMS: regulatory influences, customer influences, competitor influences, employee influences and manager attributes influences.
Research limitations/implications
This study significantly advances understanding of EMS and SMEHs, offering a replicable research framework applicable across industries and countries. Scholars can leverage the framework for further exploration, while managers should recognize institutional influences on EMS implementation.
Originality/value
Given that this study is one of the few that investigates the institutional influences and perceived benefits of EMS implementation, it may provide valuable information for future research on the hospitality industry and the SMEHs among researchers and practitioners.
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Despite the importance of tourism ethnocentrism in emerging tourism destinations, there is limited, but growing, research interest in this area. This study aims to respond to…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the importance of tourism ethnocentrism in emerging tourism destinations, there is limited, but growing, research interest in this area. This study aims to respond to current calls for investigating mechanisms that can promote tourism ethnocentrism in both emerging and developed tourism destinations.
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Duncan Shaw, Reza Zanjirani Farahani and Judy Scully
This research explores the drivers that determine the ability of spontaneous volunteer groups (SVGs) to sustain their operations. That sustainability aims to support those…
Abstract
Purpose
This research explores the drivers that determine the ability of spontaneous volunteer groups (SVGs) to sustain their operations. That sustainability aims to support those affected in the community beyond the response phases of a disaster and into the recovery and mitigation phases to build resilience to the next disaster.
Design/methodology/approach
To investigate the sustainability of spontaneous volunteering that takes place in the aftermath of a disaster, we conducted qualitative interviews in three English locations where groups of spontaneous volunteers emerged following major floods. We analysed our qualitative data using thematic analysis.
Findings
Our findings theorise the drivers of SVG sustainability and present these in four themes: (1) assessment of ongoing needs; (2) organisation of resources to address that need; (3) leadership and followership creating a weight of operational capability and (4) influence of political will. Through exploring these drivers, we uncover key factors to developing a sustainable SVG system including trusted leadership and social capital.
Research limitations/implications
We show how the four drivers interact to support the continuity of SVGs and sustain their operations. This has implications for how leaders of SVGs create a volunteering environment that encourages ongoing involvement and has implications for officials to view SVGs as a support rather than a risk.
Originality/value
The novelty of our paper is in rejecting the argument of the temporal limit of SVGs to the response phase by theorising the drivers that make their operations sustainable for recovery and resilience building to mitigate the next disaster. This includes our examination of the interplay between those drivers.
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Somayeh Tohidyan Far and Kurosh Rezaei-Moghaddam
The present study aims to seek the strategic analysis of the entrepreneurship of agricultural colleges (AC).
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to seek the strategic analysis of the entrepreneurship of agricultural colleges (AC).
Design/methodology/approach
In terms of approach, this research was a combination of exploratory and hybrid methods. The present study was conducted in four stages. In the first stage, an open-ended questionnaire was designed to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of entrepreneurship in AC (qualitative method). In the second stage, the Delphi-Fuzzy questionnaire was designed based on the results obtained from the first stage. In the third stage, the criteria of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of entrepreneurship of AC were analyzed based on the pairwise comparison (quantitative method) by the sample using a fuzzy hierarchical analysis process (FHAP). In the fourth stage, presented strategies were ranked based on pairwise comparison using FHAP.
Findings
From the analysis of weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats facing AC for entrepreneurship, 12 strategies were presented in 4 groups of aggressive, conservative, competitive and defensive.
Originality/value
The literature review showed that no research has been done so far to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing university entrepreneurship, especially AC. So the present study analyzes the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats and proposes practical strategies for moving toward the formation of entrepreneurship AC. According to the gaps in providing SWOT of the AC, the results of this research can pave the way for policy makers and planners in this field.
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