Halen Môn: The Story of an ‘Uncomfortable’ Innovation

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Carr ◽  
Nerys Fuller-Love
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Family Business ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Strategic Leadership ◽  
Strategic Partnerships ◽  
North Wales ◽  
Start Up ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Uk

Halen Môn is a family business in Anglesey, North Wales that began life in a saucepan of seawater on the Aga in the family kitchen. Today Halen Môn supplies Marks and Spencer, Waitrose and Harvey Nichols in the UK and their salt can also be found in 22 countries and some of the world's top restaurants. This case study views the development of this small business from the start-up phase to the present day. The resulting analysis illustrates the importance of three key elements of the innovation process: the need to develop an innovative organization; strategic leadership; and the formation of rich networks and strategic partnerships.

scholarly journals Do entrepreneurial knowledge and innovative attitude overcome “imperfections” in the innovation process? Insights from SMEs in the UK and Italy

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1637-1654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Usai ◽  
Veronica Scuotto ◽  
Alan Murray ◽  
Fabio Fiano ◽  
Luca Dezi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Asymmetric Information ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Management Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Knowledge ◽  
The Uk

PurposeEntrepreneurial knowledge spurs innovation and, in turn, generates a competitive advantage. This paper aims to explore if entrepreneurial knowledge combined with the attitude to innovate can overcome the key “imperfections” of the innovation process generated by dynamic, current technological progress in the knowledge-intensive sector. The “imperfections” identified in risk management, asymmetric information in the knowledge management process and hold-up problems can all disrupt collaborative partnerships and limit opportunities for innovation.Design/methodology/approachA theory-building approach is applied which offers a case study analysis of two small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These two SMEs operate in Europe but in two different territories: the UK and Italy. The study explores three key imperfections, risk management, asymmetric information in the knowledge management process and hold-up problems, which occur in the innovation process.FindingsThe entrepreneurs face these imperfections by adopting an open innovation model. Notwithstanding, both entrepreneurs had to deal with all “imperfections”, and their skills, attributes, attitude and aptitude allowed them to grow their business and continually develop new products. Therefore, the imperfections do not limit the innovative capacity of an entrepreneur but rather enhance their challengeable attitude. In this regard, the case studies induce a further analysis on entrepreneurial knowledge intertwined with entrepreneurial risk management and networking skills.Research limitations/implicationsThe empirical significance of the two cases does not allow theorisation. However, this research offers interesting results which can be strengthened by a comparative case study with other countries or deeper investigation by applying a quantitative approach.Originality/valueBy leveraging entrepreneurial knowledge, the imperfections noted in the innovation process can be overcome. Entrepreneurial knowledge is recognised as the main asset of an enterprise if it is combined with external talent or human resources. Entrepreneurs aim to develop innovative approaches and ideas through establishing both formal and informal collaborative partnership relationships which are used thanks to the entrepreneurs’ networking skills, knowledge and abilities.

Evaluating the Prince's Trust's Young People's Business Start-up Programme, 1994–1999

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
Stratis Koutsoukos ◽  
John Shutt ◽  
John Sutherland
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Business Policy ◽  
Start Up ◽  
The Uk

The authors were the principals in the evaluation of the Prince's Trust's Young People's Business Start-up Programme, 1994–1999, as it operated nationally in the UK and in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. In this paper they report the methodologies used in the evaluation and the key findings. They then use their reflections on both the research process and its outcomes to comment on small business policy.

scholarly journals Family Business: An Entrepreneurial Longer-Term Perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Ratna L. Nugroho
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Family Business ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Business Research ◽  
The Family ◽  
Business Case Study ◽  
The Many

This family business case study is concerned with investigating the issue of the complexity of the many views of the family business research, focusing exclusively on the entrepreneurial concept. In taking this concept, three characteristics were identified in this case study, namely: the attitudes, the skills, and the behavior. Along with these findings, it is suggested that the conceptual model, the so-called “the three circles,” where this three circle has an overlap and identify as a longer-term entrepreneurial perspective within the family-owned enterprise.

scholarly journals Tacit knowledge, as a source of competitiveness: case study

2021 ◽  
pp. 27-33
Author(s):  
Patricia RIVERA-ACOSTA ◽  
Rosa Elia MARTÍNEZ-TORRES ◽  
Maricela OJEDA-GUTIÉRREZ
Keyword(s):  
Tacit Knowledge ◽  
Family Business ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Formal Training ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
The Family ◽  
Study Methodology

In the society of the XXI century it is generally accepted that a new intangible resource of organizations is knowledge, in addition to the other existing resources: human, capital, raw materials and equipment. This is particularly true in a knowledge-based society and economy, where knowledge has become an invaluable medium for all organizations, particularly businesses. The objective of this paper is to make a diagnosis to describe how to apply knowledge management in the family business Campechanas la Escondida de la Trinidad. This project is based on a case study methodology, with a descriptive type of research; the collection of information uses as instruments with a qualitative approach, observation and interviewing. The results obtained show a dependence on the tacit knowledge possessed by bakers who apply in the artisanal process, in addition to family members, lack human talent management, formal training and innovation, which has limited their competitiveness.

Establishing a retro-marketing rental company

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-133
Author(s):  
Justin O’Brien
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
New Ventures ◽  
Business Planning ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Service Concept ◽  
Teaching Case ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Management Students

‘Establishing a retro-marketing rental company: VW Kamper’ is a teaching case study primarily targeted for postgraduate and advanced undergraduate entrepreneurship, marketing and management students who are seeking to learn a range of small business start-up business planning and evaluation methods. The case draws theoretically on the brand revival characteristic framework of Brown, Kozinets and Sherry to consider the allure of renting a nostalgic Volkswagen (VW) campervan for a glamorous camping experience while relating some of the growing literature pertaining to the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs. The case provides financial and marketing contextual information to practically engage students with an intriguing and authentic motorhome rental service concept to help develop financial reasoning skills related to new ventures and risk.

Strong governance: a result of evolutionary and revolutionary processes

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorna Collins ◽  
Ken McCracken ◽  
Barbara Murray ◽  
Martin Stepek
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Family Dynamics ◽  
Family Businesses ◽  
Formal Structure ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This paper is the first in a regular series of articles in JFBM that will share “a conversation with” thought leaders who are active in the family business space. The world of family business is, like many other arenas, constantly evolving and as the authors learn more about how and why families “do business” the approaches and tools for working with them also evolve. The purpose of this paper is to stimulate further new research in areas that practically affect family businesses and to “open the door” to practical insights that will excite researchers and provide impetus for new and exciting study. The specific purpose of this paper is to explore “what is strong governance.” There has been much interest in governance lately yet there is a tendency to treat governance in a formulaic way such that, at the moment, the notion that every family business must have a family council or a formal structure in order to be considered “effective” and “successful” predominates. The authors’ panel challenges and discusses this notion drawing on the experience and knowledge as family business advisors, consultants and owners. Design/methodology/approach – The impetus for this particular conversation is a result of a brainstorming conversation that Lorna Collins and Barbara Murray held in February 2014 where they focussed on “how JFBM can encourage and stimulate researchers to engage in aspects of research that makes a difference to the family business in a practical way.” This paper reports a conversation between Barbara Murray (Barbara), Ken McCracken (Ken) and Martin Stepek (Martin), three leading lights in the UK family business advising space, all of whom have been involved in running or advising family businesses for more than three decades, held in August 2015. The conversation was held via telephone and lasted just over 60 minutes. Lorna Collins acted as moderator. Findings – Strong governance is not just about instituting a “family council” or embedding formal governance mechanisms in a family business. Evolutionary adaption by family members usually prevails such that any mechanism is changed and adapted over time to suit and fit the needs of the family business. Many successful family businesses do not have recognized “formal” governance mechanisms but, it is contended, they are still highly successful and effective. Future areas of research in governance are also suggested. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the family business discourse because the debate it reports challenges the basic assumptions upon which much consulting and advisory practice is conducted. It also challenges the notion of “best practice” and what is “new best practice” and how is it that any “best practice” is determined to be “best.” Furthermore, the panel provides insights in to the “impact of family dynamics on governance” and “the impact of family dynamics on advisors.” The paper content is original in that it provides an authentic and timely narrative between active family business practitioners who are also scholars and owners.

Das Chamäleon-Modell als Erklärungsmuster für die Organisationsstrukturen von Unternehmerfamilien

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rena Haftlmeier-Seiffert ◽  
Sven Cravotta
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Family Business ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Economic Stability ◽  
Family Organization ◽  
The Family ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Multiple Case

Zusammenfassung Offensichtlich sind es die Unternehmerfamilien, die ihrem Familienunternehmen eine besondere wirtschaftliche Stabilität verleihen. Dies ist allerdings nur möglich, wenn sie sicherstellen, dass sie stets handlungs- und entscheidungsfähig sind. Die hier verfolgte Forschungsfrage lautet deshalb: Wie organisieren Unternehmerfamilien ihre Entscheidungsfähigkeit? Das Chamäleon-Modell zeigt, dass bei Unternehmerfamilien verschiedene Organisationsformen latent vorhanden sind. Diese werden flexibel eingesetzt, je nachdem, was zielführend ist, um schnell zu tragfähigen Entscheidungen zu gelangen. D.h. die Unternehmerfamilienorganisation wechselt also ihre explizite Organisationsform wie ein Chamäleon die Farbe. Das Chamäleon-Modell wurde aus einer multiplen Fallstudie entwickelt, bei der vier traditionsreiche Unternehmerfamilien intensiv untersucht wurden. Abstract Apparently, it is the family that grants outstanding economic stability to the family business. However, this is only possible, if the family ensures to be always capable of acting and of making decisions. This leads us to the following research question: How do entrepreneurial families organize their decision-making ability? The Chameleon Model shows, that there are different types of organization latent available for entrepreneurial families. These are used flexibly, depending on what is leading to quick and stable decisions. That is to say, the entrepreneurial family organization changes the explicit organization form like a chameleon the colour. The Chameleon Model was developed from a multiple case study, analyzing four traditional entrepreneurial families in depth.

The Bonduelle Group's Distribution Strategy

2022 ◽  
pp. 150-176
Author(s):  
Véronique Boulocher-Passet ◽  
Randall D. Harris ◽  
Sabine Ruaud
Keyword(s):  
Market Share ◽  
Family Business ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Distribution Network ◽  
Distribution Strategy ◽  
The Family

This case study discusses the distribution strategy of the Bonduelle Group and the ability to and value of becoming a retail brand for the world's leading producer and supplier of ready-to-eat processed vegetables. In 2010, the family business opened its first flagship store named ‘Bonduelle Bienvenue'. It was entirely dedicated to processed vegetables and offering a big range in the same selling space. The objective of this prototype was not to substitute the company's existing distribution network, or even to hinder it, but to complement it by providing brand visibility and enabling an increase in Bonduelle Group's market share within households. Introducing the reader to the company, the first steps of the concept store back in 2012, and the following other D2C initiatives of the group, this case aims to address the advantages and drawbacks for a food processing brand to engage in selling directly to end consumers.

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