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- Bogren, Maria, 1962-, et al.
(författare)
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Creating tourism experiences from food products
- 2018
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Ingår i: Destination Dynamics 2018.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Gastronomy is nowadays seen as an important part of tourism. Different kind of food producers are creating places where tourists want to travel to experience the food (e g product) at a certain place (often the production site). Food producers are therefore becoming important tourism producers and they try to find new ways to attract tourists and/or the tourists demand to experience the place where the products are produced. Due to that, the food producers themselves can become a travel reason. The aim with this paper is to discuss how food producers creates tourism experiences. This is further examined by the following research questions: How do food producers create tourism experiences based on high quality products? What are the key values in creating tourism food experiences? The study was conducted as a qualitative multiple case study with eight cases selected by recommendation from local researchers: four cases from northern Europe (two cheese producers in Jämtland, Sweden, and two distilleries in Tröndelag, Norway) and four cases from southern Europe (two olive oil producers and two wine producers from Andalusia, Spain). Data was collected by observations, semi-structured interviews and documentary studies. The results show that food producers creates different products as well as different types of experiences. This can be explained by a theoretical model in three steps namely products (1), tourism visits (2) and tourism experiences (3). When the first step, the basic needs, is fulfilled, the producer can climb higher to the next step. Thereafter, they continue to climb up in the model by providing different types of visits and tourism experiences. The model is also highly dependent on three surrounding influences; from the place, product quality and value in use. When it comes to quality, this is valued in all three steps of the model. This theoretical model can be useful for food producers that would like to expand their products into tourism.
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| 3. |
- Bogren, Maria, 1962-, et al.
(författare)
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Entrepreneurial support systems and potential entrepreneurs´ knowledge of them
- 2017
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- All over the world, governments are supporting entrepreneurial activity in order to develop their countries through successful businesses. There are different support systems supporting active and potential entrepreneurs in the European countries, but do all potential entrepreneurs know where to turn for information and help about starting and running a business? The aim of this study is to explore support systems in Poland, Spain and Sweden and, in addition to this, to investigate what knowledge students have of different support systems that would be of use if they want to start their own business. Previous research shows that students who have participated in entrepreneurship education programs are more likely to become entrepreneurs (Charney & Libecap, 2000; Galloway & Brown, 2002; Davidsson & Honig, 2003; Athayde, 2009). Several studies show how having parents, friends, or neighbors who run a business can inspire a person to start their own business (e g Davidsson & Honig, 2003; Krueger, 1993; Scherer et al., 1989). This explorative study was conducted in three European countries: Poland, Spain, and Sweden. Firstly, a review of existing support systems was performed in each country. Secondly, a questionnaire was distributed in May 2017 to university students in different study programs and at different levels of education. In total, 124 questionnaires were handed out and answered by 64 Spanish students, 34 Swedish students, and 26 Polish students. The questionnaire included background questions such as age and sex, but also asked if the students wanted to start a business or not. We asked if they currently run a business or have run a business in the past, and if their parents, other relatives, or friends run their own businesses. We also asked where they would go to get information and help, and what sources they would use to find information on starting a business. Finally, we asked them what kind of help they thought they would need. The results show that there are valuable support systems for entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs in all three countries. We found more similarities than differences among the support options offered. However, the answers from the potential entrepreneurs show that there is a lack of knowledge about existing support systems. It seems that potential entrepreneurs would rather use their private network, such as family, friends and active entrepreneurs, before turning to consultants in various support system organizations. This study highlights the connection between available support systems and potential entrepreneurs, and is a valuable implication for governments and supporting organizations, focusing on how to reach out with their offered support.
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| 4. |
- Bogren, Maria, 1962-, et al.
(författare)
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Tourism companies’ sustainability communication : creating legitimacy and value
- 2021
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism. - UK : Informa UK Limited. - 1502-2250 .- 1502-2269. ; 21:5, s. 475-493
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this paper is to explore the sustainability values that tourism companies communicate to stakeholders. The following two research questions are addressed: What sustainability value (economic, social, or environmental) do tourism companies focus on and communicate in their sustainability information? Do different types of tourism companies provide different sustainability communications to stakeholders to gain legitimacy? A case study was conducted of 30 Swedish-based tourism companies. Written documents that were available online concerning sustainability information from these companies were analysed using the GRI model. The results show that tourism companies work to create value with the help of sustainability. The results also indicate that the context and prerequisites for each type of tourism company govern what they work with in order to meet the demands of stakeholders. The study's theoretical contribution is that sustainability communication to stakeholders can be of value to tourism companies. Its practical contribution is that, in addition to pursuing sustainability, tourism companies should communicate their sustainability work to their stakeholders in order to create value.
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| 5. |
- Boter, Håkan, 1948-, et al.
(författare)
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Experiences of Small Businesses Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- 2021
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Ingår i: Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability during the Coronavirus Crisis. - Cham : Springer. - 9783030738464 - 9783030738471 ; , s. 135-160
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This chapter reports on how Swedish companies have coped with the first six months of the pandemic. The basis for analyses consists of interviews with 1200 small companies from four different industry segments, whose results show different outcomes. Some categories of companies experienced and are still experiencing significant negative effects, while other businesses have been only marginally affected. A small group has noticed growing sales as well as occasional signals from the market that new products and services are needed in the near future. There are indications that small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) managers are considering social responsibility towards the employees of the companies. We would like to emphasize three different activities. Firstly, over 40% of all SME managers have during the pandemic partly abstained from salary and/or other special salary benefits. In the hotel and restaurant sector, this figure is 70% and for managers with foreign background 55% state that they have done such activities. Second, many SMEs have used governmental support to be able to keep their employed individuals part-time in the companies. As a third example, it could be worth mentioning the many companies which are looking for alternative business ideas as an alternative, which could be seen as examples of effectuation.
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| 7. |
- Ghannad, Navid, et al.
(författare)
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Entrepreneurial education in a pandemic era : Timeframes, demographics, and the nexus between teaching and experiential learning
- 2024
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Ingår i: Industry & higher education. - : SAGE Publications. - 0950-4222 .- 2043-6858.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: This study examines the transformative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on entrepreneurial education during and after the pandemic. Methodology: Using action research-based case study with a mixed data collection method, that spans pre-, during, and post-COVID-19. Data collection involved class discussions in a final mandatory class, surveys sent after the end of the class, and official course evaluations. Findings: The pandemic-induced changes highlighted that extended instructional timeframes do not necessarily yield better entrepreneurial outcomes. A condensed, immersive approach fostered innovation and improved entrepreneurial mindsets. The hybrid teaching model introduced by the pandemic enriched class demographics, offering a broader spectrum of perspectives and enhancing discussions. Implications: The shift to digital and hybrid teaching models brought diverse student profiles, which, when appropriately harnessed, can enrich classroom discussions and peer learning. Future research should delve deeper into the motivations of distinct student groups and the long-term effects of current teaching strategies on entrepreneurial endeavors.
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| 9. |
- Grande, Jorunn, et al.
(författare)
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The role of regional support system in driving innovations
- 2018
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- We explore the role, influence and interaction with the support system for entrepreneurial initiatives in two non-core Nordic regions. The analyses are based on interviews 34 nature-based business owners about development their business and their experience with the support system and rural advisors in this process. Data from support system and business advisors were gathered through their websites, policy documents, 4 workshops and supplemental interviews. We found a complex picture of entrepreneur/firm (internal), environmental (external) and relational/supporting (system) factor combination promotes nature-based business establishments and employment. Several entrepreneurs asks for a more flexible support system and tailor made solutions. Firms that already have a high knowledge base and absorptive capacity seem also most efficient in getting the help they need. A dilemma is that those in most need for help don’t know how to ask for it, or do not have capacity to internalize new knowledge and resources offered. To make use of external support it critical that they find their match in a well-functioning support system adjusted to their needs. The support system must be aware of varying level of absorptive capacity in the entrepreneurial businesses. The various roles of intermediary /mentor roles/functions and the need for industry-specific knowledge seem pertinent.
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| 10. |
- Pierre, Anne, 1974-
(författare)
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The influence of wicked problems on community-based entrepreneurship in rural Sweden
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Entrepreneurship research has, since the 1930’s, mainly focused on so-called traditional entrepreneurship and studies have to a large part discussed management processes. During the past 40 years social entrepreneurship research and research into community-based entrepreneurship and practice has emerged, as a response to changes in society due to global, regional and local events that affect local development. Such changes often affect rural areas severely, for instance depopulation, which often leads to a decrease in small business development, a decrease in social services such as healthcare, schools, banks and road maintenance, and a decrease in local and regional economic health. These structural changes are usually due to political decisions taken at a governmental level, which trickle down through society and affect local economic development and, indirectly, small business development. Local enthusiasts, business associations and in particular entrepreneurs often try to meet these structural changes through community-based entrepreneurship, which involves processes through which new businesses are created and can operate within the existing social structure of the local community. However, the practical problem is that there are factors influencing communitybased entrepreneurship and hence the establishment of small businesses and local development, such as wicked problems, which in the rural context in this thesis refers to structural changes and complex relations. The theoretical and practical research gap is found in that there is a lack of studies exploring how wicked problems influence community-based entrepreneurship in rural contexts. Complex relations can be found in the three pillars of institutions based on regulative, normative and cultural-cognitive elements, where the same person can have many different roles, hence influencing local rural development. For this thesis, the theories of community-based entrepreneurship, state-society synergy, and small business development have been used to explore how wicked problems (structural changes and complex relations) influence community-based entrepreneurship in rural Sweden. Two literature studies were made on social entrepreneurship and community-based entrepreneurship, followed by three case-studies. The context of the first case-study was rural areas in the county of Jämtland and is based on results from the findings in the cross-disciplinary project on societal entrepreneurship in sparsely populated areas (SESPA). The context of the second case-study is the municipalities of Berg, Krokom and Östersund in the county of Jämtland, where a total of 23 interviews were conducted with farm owners, participants in the service social farming and municipal officials and politicians. The context of the third casestudy is the municipality of Sorsele in the county of Västerbotten and the municipality of Berg in the county of Jämtland, which are both situated in rural areas, where a total of 39 interviews were conducted with owners of small businesses, municipal officials and politicians. Results show that the development of community-based entrepreneurship research has furthered the possibilities to better understand the processes of entrepreneurship in local rural contexts. Furthermore, results indicate that the complex relations influencing communitybased entrepreneurship that appear in this thesis call for caution. The structural changes that are interrelated with community-based entrepreneurship are, in spite of facilitating increased interest, not necessarily positive for local rural development. It was also seen that the rural context studied is a semi-stable institution, indicating that local rural development, and thereby small business development, is incoherent. If a municipality and the owners of small businesses are well in tune with the regulative, normative and cultural-cognitive elements in their rural context, have an understanding of what wicked problems are, and if they are properly understood and dealt with, then there is a chance that, although experiencing a semistable institution, local rural development can be attained. The theoretical contributions of this thesis pertain to entrepreneurship in rural contexts, community-based entrepreneurship, and wicked problems. This thesis concludes that wicked problems, in the shape of structural changes and complex relations, are present in the rural contexts studied. These wicked problems influence communitybased entrepreneurship by being disruptive factors, affecting policy creation and implementation by the municipality. A flow-chart model has been created in order to show how wicked problems influence community-based entrepreneurship and hence local rural development.
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