Research@Lincoln
Research@Lincoln is an open access institutional repository collecting the research produced by Lincoln University staff and students. You may also be interested in Data@Lincoln or Lincoln University Living Heritage.
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Publication Embargo Explore the perspectives of nascent entrepreneurs in New Zealand on social capital, self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention in the context of the post-COVID-19 pandemic : A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Commerce and Management at Lincoln University(Lincoln University, 2025)The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global economies, with income losses among communities and across countries. Furthermore, New Zealand is grappling with economic imbalances, which have been further intensified by the pandemic. Existing literature indicates that entrepreneurship significantly contributes to the economic development of a country through the setting up of new businesses and the resulting generation of more production, services and job opportunities. Leveraging entrepreneurship as a strategic instrument could also serve as one of the viable solutions for the New Zealand economy to overcome its current challenges in the long term. Entrepreneurship has significantly developed in recent decades due to various economic, political, and socio-economic factors, and research has recommended enhancing entrepreneurial intention. In addition, the significance of social capital, together with self-efficacy, has been recognized as a pivotal factor in initiating a business, as it facilitates obtaining and deploying financial and human capital. Overall, this study offers an understanding of the characteristics of entrepreneurial intention in New Zealand following the post-pandemic period. The effects of post-pandemic factors and cultural support on entrepreneurship have been investigated by examining the utilization and accessibility of resources, entrepreneurial intention, self-efficacy beliefs, and social capital networks. The research findings reinforce the concept of social capital since most emerging entrepreneurs are actively engaged in diverse social networks, seeking chances to enhance their expertise and leverage resources through networking. Research revealed that the presence of bonding social capital has a substantial impact on nascent entrepreneurs' intentions. This study has presented empirical data on the interconnectedness of family, friends, mentors, business contacts, and peer support in the development of emerging entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the research findings confirmed the theory of bridging social capital, since most nascent entrepreneurs actively engage in various social networks, seeking possibilities to enhance their expertise and obtain essential resources through networking. The success of nascent entrepreneurs is greatly influenced by their self-efficacy beliefs. Those who possess greater confidence in their abilities, skills, attributes, and resilience are more capable of overcoming obstacles and capitalizing on available opportunities. Continuous learning, mentorship, and feedback are critical components in building self-esteem. The processes of digitizing entrepreneurial environments worldwide have accelerated following the COVID-19 epidemic and it has been emphasized in the research findings. Cultural and societal influences are important aspects of entrepreneurial intention. Therefore, a comparative analysis of different cultures could be highly beneficial.Item Restricted Evolutionary and ecological pressures shaping social wasps collective defenses(Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America, 2021-02-11)Social insects are well known for their aggressive (stinging) responses to a nest disturbance. Still, colonies are attacked due to the high-protein brood cached in their nests. Social wasps have evolved a variety of defense mechanisms to exclude predators, including nest construction and coordinated stinging response. Which predatory pressures have shaped the defensive strategies displayed by social wasps to protect their colonies? We reviewed the literature and explored social media to compare direct and indirect (claims and inferences) evidence of predators attacking individuals and colonies of wasps. Individual foraging wasps are predominantly preyed upon by birds and other arthropods, whereas predators on wasp brood vary across subfamilies of Vespidae. Polistinae wasps are predominantly preyed upon by ants and Passeriformes birds, whereas Vespinae are predominantly preyed upon by badgers, bears, and hawks. Ants and hornets are the primary predators of Stenogastrinae colonies. The probability of predation by these five main Orders of predators varies across continents. However, biogeographical variation in prey–predator trends was best predicted by climate (temperate vs. tropical). In social wasps’ evolutionary history, when colonies were small, predation pressure likely came from small mammals, lizards, or birds. As colonies evolved larger size and larger rewards for predators, the increased predation pressure likely selected for more effective defensive responses. Today, primary predators of large wasp colonies seem to be highly adapted to resist or avoid aggressive nest defense, such as large birds and mammals (which were not yet present when eusociality evolved in wasps), and ants.Item Restricted Enhancing orchard sustainability: productivity gains and nitrogen loss reduction via partial organic substitution in citrus orchards(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025)Background and Aims: Partial organic substitution effectively reduces chemical fertilizer application in orchards and significantly impacts fruit production, soil fertility, and nutrient losses. Yet few studies have evaluated these effects in a unified manner, limiting the comprehensive understanding of the impact of partial organic substitution on orchard sustainability. Methods: Using an ecosystem service framework, this study assessed the economic benefits of provisioning (fruit production), regulating (soil carbon sequestration, fertility maintenance, and soil water conservation), and dis-services (N losses) in citrus orchards with a 6-year application of organic/green manure (OM/GM) accompanied by a 30% reduction in chemical nitrogen fertilizer inputs. Results: Compared to conventional fertilizer application (CK), both OM and GM maintained citrus yield, improved fruit quality, and significantly increased the value of provisioning services by 36.6% and 26.8%, respectively. Cumulative N₂O emissions, N losses via leaching and runoff were mitigated by partial organic substitution, and OM and GM decreased the value of ecosystem dis-services by 13.6% and 20.7% compared with CK, respectively. Regulating services constituted a relatively small portion of the net ecosystem services value, while GM showed the greatest promoting effect on it compared with other treatments, due to its remarkable role in increasing soil carbon sequestration. Overall, the net ecosystem services value of CK (93.7 × 103 CNY/ha) was significantly increased to 130.3 × 103 and 122.2 × 103 CNY/ha for OM and GM, respectively. Conclusion: Partial organic substitution sustains ecosystem services and curbs dis-services, thereby highlighting its beneficial role in the sustainable development of citrus orchards.Item Restricted Knowledge brokers at the science–policy interface: Insights from biosecurity and environmental management(Springer Science+Business Media on behalf of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, 2025)Determining appropriate mechanisms for transferring and translating research into policy has become a major concern for researchers (knowledge producers) and policymakers (knowledge users) worldwide. This has led to the emergence of a new function of brokering between researchers and policymakers, and a new type of agent called Knowledge Broker. Understanding these complex multi-agent interactions is critical for an efficient knowledge brokering practice during any given policymaking process. Here, we present (1) the current diversity of knowledge broker groups working in the field of biosecurity and environmental management; (2) the incentives linking the different agents involved in the process (knowledge producers, knowledge brokers and knowledge users); and (3) the gaps, needs and challenges to better understand this social ecosystem. We also propose alternatives aimed at improving transparency and efficiency, including future scenarios where the role of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies may become predominant in knowledge-brokering activities.Item Restricted A rising tide of green: unpacking predictors of New Zealand consumers’ willingness to drink, pay a price premium, and promote micro-algae-based beverages(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025-08-20)In Australasian countries such as New Zealand, algae consumption is gaining in popularity within consumer markets. Beverages containing macro-algae, like kelp, and those containing micro-algae, such as spirulina, are considered novel products. While consumer preferences for algae-based products are well explored, less attention has been given to beverages, despite their importance for consumers, specifically those interested in health and well-being. The present study is dedicated to this research gap and investigates the key factors driving and hindering New Zealand consumers’ willingness to drink, pay a price premium, and spread word of mouth about micro-algae-based beverages, such as tea, smoothies, and cuppa soups. Theoretically, the present study is grounded in a seminal Australasian driver and barrier model of seaweed consumption. The current research design both confirms and extends the consumer behaviours previously examined. An online consumer study was distributed and collected via an opt-in panel provider, resulting in 437 responses. Consumers mirroring the NZ population in age, gender, and household income were the target sample, and descriptive statistics and a quantitative analysis via a partial least squares structural analysis served as the methodological foundation for the study. Food neophilia and involvement with algae were significant drivers for all three behavioural intentions investigated. Food neophobia was a significant inhibitor to the willingness to drink but not significantly related to the willingness to pay a price premium or spread word of mouth. Consumer perceptions of product attributes were a significant driver of New Zealand consumers’ willingness to spread word of mouth. The study provides best practice recommendations for marketers in Australasian beverage industries. In terms of its theoretical merit, two aspects stand out. Micro-algae beverages are an emerging beverage product category in Australasian markets, requiring wider exploration and complementary consumer research dedicated to algae-based food items. The focus on food neophobia and neophilia is original, as it helps to understand the barriers and drivers essential to beverages. In contrast to food items, beverages cannot hide novel ingredients such as micro-algae, making them simultaneously more appealing to food neophilic consumers and extremely challenging to food neophobic consumers.
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