AERU Research Report series

Permalink for this collection

Browse

Recent Submissions

  • PublicationOpen Access
    United Arab Emirates beef consumer consumption behaviours and product preferences: A Latent Class Analysis of New Zealand beef mince
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2022-08) Tait, Peter; Saunders, Caroline; Dalziel, Paul; Rutherford, Paul; Driver, Tim; Guenther, Meike
    This study is part of a research programme entitled Unlocking Export Prosperity from the Agri-food Values of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Fund for science research programmes. The research aims to provide new knowledge on how local enterprises can achieve higher returns by ensuring global consumers understand the distinctive qualities of the physical, credence and cultural attributes of agri-food products that are “Made in New Zealand”. Agricultural exports are an important contributor to the New Zealand (NZ) economy. While NZ historically relied on key markets such as the United Kingdom for export trade, NZ has more recently significantly expanded its export markets and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers potential to become established as an important beef product destination. It is critically important for NZ exporters to understand export markets and the different cultures and preferences of those consumers to safeguard market access, and for realising potential premiums. This report describes the application of a survey of United Arab Emirates beef mince consumers designed to examine consumption behaviour and consumer Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) for credence attributes. While search attributes such as price or colour can be observed directly, and experience attributes such as flavour can be assessed when consumed, credence attributes such as environmental sustainability cannot be immediately seen or experienced at the point of sale. For products promoting credence attributes, the role of verification including labelling is of significant importance. Our approach is to apply a Discrete Choice Experiment economic valuation method, analysed using a statistical approach called Latent Class Modelling that describes profiles for different consumer segments identified in the data and provides estimates of attribute WTP across these segments.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Californian wine consumer consumption behaviours and product preferences: A Latent Class Analysis of New Zealand Sauvignon blanc
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2022-08) Tait, Peter; Saunders, Caroline; Dalziel, Paul; Rutherford, Paul; Driver, Tim; Guenther, Meike
    This study is part of a research programme entitled Unlocking Export Prosperity from the Agri-food Values of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Fund for science research programmes. The research aims to provide new knowledge on how local enterprises can achieve higher returns by ensuring global consumers understand the distinctive qualities of the physical, credence and cultural attributes of agri-food products that are “Made in New Zealand”. Agricultural exports are an important contributor to the New Zealand (NZ) economy. While NZ historically relied on key markets such as the United Kingdom for export trade, NZ has more recently significantly expanded its export markets and the United States of America (USA) has become established as an important wine product destination. It is critically important for NZ exporters to understand export markets and the different cultures and preferences of those consumers to safeguard market access, and for realising potential premiums. This report describes the application of a survey of Californian Sauvignon blanc consumers that is designed to examine consumption behaviour and consumer Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) for credence attributes. While search attributes such as price or colour can be observed directly, and experience attributes such as flavour can be assessed when consumed, credence attributes such as environmental sustainability cannot be immediately seen or experienced at the point of sale. For products promoting credence attributes, the role of verification including labelling is of significant importance. Our approach is to apply a Discrete Choice Experiment economic valuation method, analysed using a statistical approach called Latent Class Modelling that describes profiles for different consumer segments identified in the data and provides estimates of attribute WTP across these segments.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    United Kingdom lamb consumer consumption behaviours and product preferences: A Latent Class Analysis (2020)
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2022-03) Tait, Peter; Saunders, Caroline; Dalziel, Paul; Rutherford, Paul; Driver, Tim; Guenther, Meike
    This study is part of a research programme entitled Unlocking Export Prosperity from the Agri-food Values of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Fund for science research programmes. The research aims to provide new knowledge on how local enterprises can achieve higher returns by ensuring global consumers understand the distinctive qualities of the physical, credence and cultural attributes of agri-food products that are “Made in New Zealand”. Agricultural exports are an important contributor to the New Zealand (NZ) economy and the United Kingdom (UK) is established as an important lamb product destination. It is critically important for NZ exporters to understand export markets and the different cultures and preferences of those consumers to safeguard market access, and for realising potential premiums. This report describes the results of a survey of UK lamb leg consumers that was designed to assess consumption behaviour and consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP) for credence attributes. While search attributes such as price or colour can be observed directly, and experience attributes such as flavour or texture can be assessed when consumed, credence attributes such as environmental sustainability cannot be immediately seen or experienced at the point of sale. For products promoting credence attributes, the role of verification, including labelling is of significant importance. Our approach is to apply a Choice Experiment economic valuation method, analysed using a statistical approach called Latent Class Modelling that describes profiles for different consumer segments identified in the data and provides estimates of attribute WTP across these segments.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    United Kingdom lamb consumer consumption behaviours and product preferences: A Latent Class Analysis of New Zealand lamb
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2022-08) Tait, Peter; Saunders, Caroline; Dalziel, Paul; Rutherford, Paul; Driver, Tim; Guenther, Meike
    This study is part of a research programme entitled Unlocking Export Prosperity from the Agri-food Values of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Fund for science research programmes. Information on this research programme including reports of other surveys is available from the AERU website https://www.aeru.co.nz/projects/uep. The research aims to provide new knowledge on how local enterprises can achieve higher returns by ensuring global consumers understand the distinctive qualities of the physical, credence, and cultural attributes of agri-food products that are “Made in New Zealand”. Agricultural exports are an important contributor to the New Zealand (NZ) economy and the United Kingdom (UK) is established as an important lamb product destination. It is critically important for NZ exporters to understand export markets and the different cultures and preferences of those consumers to safeguard market access, and for realising potential premiums. This report describes the application of a survey of UK lamb leg consumers that is designed to examine consumption behaviour and consumer Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) for credence attributes. While search attributes such as price or colour can be observed directly, experience attributes such as flavour or texture can be assessed when consumed, credence attributes such as environmental sustainability cannot be immediately seen or experienced at the point of sale. For products promoting credence attributes, the role of verification, including labelling, is of significant importance. Our approach is to apply a Discrete Choice Experiment economic valuation method, analysed using a statistical approach called Latent Class Modelling that describes profiles for different consumer segments identified in the data and provides estimates of attribute WTP across these segments.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Shanghai and Beijing milk consumer consumption behaviour and product preferences: A Latent Class Analysis of New Zealand UHT milk
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2022-08) Tait, Peter; Saunders, Caroline; Dalziel, Paul; Rutherford, Paul; Driver, Tim; Guenther, Meike
    This study is part of a research programme entitled Unlocking Export Prosperity from the Agri-food Values of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Fund for science research programmes. Information on this research programme including reports of other surveys are available from the AERU website https://www.aeru.co.nz/projects/uep. The research aims to provide new knowledge on how local enterprises can achieve higher returns by ensuring global consumers understand the distinctive qualities of the physical, credence and cultural attributes of agri-food products that are “Made in New Zealand”. Agricultural exports are an important contributor to the New Zealand (NZ) economy. While NZ historically relied on key markets such as the United Kingdom for export trade, NZ has more recently significantly expanded its export markets and China has become established as an important dairy product destination. It is critically important for NZ exporters to understand export markets and the different cultures and preferences of those consumers to safeguard market access, and for realising potential premiums. This report describes the application of a survey of Beijing and Shanghai UHT milk consumers that is designed to examine consumption behaviour and consumer Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) for credence attributes. While search attributes such as price or colour can be observed directly, and experience attributes such as flavour can be assessed when consumed, credence attributes such as environmental sustainability cannot be immediately seen or experienced at the point of sale. For products promoting credence attributes, the role of verification including labelling design is of significant importance. Our approach is to apply a Discrete Choice Experiment economic valuation method, analysed using a statistical approach called Latent Class Modelling that describes profiles for different consumer segments identified in the data and provides estimates of attribute WTP across these segments.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Japanese kiwifruit consumer consumption behaviours and product preferences: A Latent Class Analysis of New Zealand kiwifruit
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2022-08) Tait, P; Saunders, C; Dalziel, Paul; Rutherford, P; Driver, Tim; Guenther, M
    This study is part of a research programme entitled Unlocking Export Prosperity from the Agri-food Values of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Fund for science research programmes. Information on this research programme including reports of other surveys is available from the AERU website https://www.aeru.co.nz/projects/uep. The research aims to provide new knowledge on how local enterprises can achieve higher returns by ensuring global consumers understand the distinctive qualities of the physical, credence and cultural attributes of agri-food products that are “Made in New Zealand”. Agricultural exports are an important contributor to the New Zealand (NZ) economy. While NZ historically relied on key markets such as the United Kingdom for export trade, NZ has more recently significantly expanded its export markets and Japan has become established as an important kiwifruit destination. It is critically important for NZ exporters to understand export markets and the different cultures and preferences of those consumers to safeguard market access, and for realising potential premiums. This report describes the application of a survey of Japanese kiwifruit consumers that is designed to examine consumption behaviour and consumer Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) for credence attributes. While search attributes such as price or colour can be observed directly, and experience attributes such as flavour or texture can be assessed when consumed, credence attributes such as environmental sustainability cannot be immediately seen or experienced at the point of sale. For products promoting credence attributes, the role of verification including labelling is of significant importance. Our approach is to apply a Discrete Choice Experiment economic valuation method, analysed using a statistical approach called Latent Class Modelling that describes profiles for different consumer segments identified in the data and provides estimates of attribute WTP across these segments.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Beijing beef consumer consumption behaviours and product preferences: A Latent Class Analysis of New Zealand beef tenderloin
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2022-08) Tait, P; Saunders, C; Dalziel, Paul; Rutherford, P; Driver, Tim; Guenther, M
    This study is part of a research programme entitled Unlocking Export Prosperity from the Agri-food Values of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Fund for science research programmes. The research aims to provide new knowledge on how local enterprises can achieve higher returns by ensuring global consumers understand the distinctive qualities of the physical, credence and cultural attributes of agri-food products that are “Made in New Zealand”. Agricultural exports are an important contributor to the New Zealand (NZ) economy. While NZ historically relied on key markets such as the United Kingdom for export trade, NZ has more recently significantly expanded its export markets and China has become established as an important beef product destination. It is critically important for NZ exporters to understand export markets and the different cultures and preferences of those consumers to safeguard market access, and for realising potential premiums. This report describes the application of a survey of Beijing beef tenderloin consumers that is designed to examine consumption behaviour and consumer willingness-to-Pay (WTP) for credence attributes. While search attributes such as price or colour can be observed directly, and experience attributes such as flavour can be assessed when consumed, credence attributes such as environmental sustainability cannot be immediately seen or experienced at the point of sale. For products promoting credence attributes, the role of verification, including labelling, is of significant importance. Our approach is to apply a Discrete Choice Experiment economic valuation method, analysed using a statistical approach called Latent Class Modelling that describes profiles for different consumer segments identified in the data and provides estimates of attribute WTP across these segments.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    California apple consumer consumption behaviours and product preferences: A Latent Class Analysis of New Zealand apples
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2022-08) Tait, Peter; Saunders, Caroline; Dalziel, Paul; Rutherford, Paul; Driver, Tim; Guenther, Meike
    This study is part of a research programme entitled Unlocking Export Prosperity from the Agri-food Values of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Fund for science research programmes. The research aims to provide new knowledge on how local enterprises can achieve higher returns by ensuring global consumers understand the distinctive qualities of the physical, credence and cultural attributes of agri-food products that are “Made in New Zealand”. Agricultural exports are an important contributor to the New Zealand (NZ) economy. It is critically important for NZ exporters to understand export markets and the different cultures and preferences of those consumers to safeguard market access, and for realising potential premiums. This report describes the application of a survey of Californian apple consumers that is designed to examine consumption behaviour and consumer Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) for credence attributes. While search attributes such as price or colour can be observed directly, and experience attributes such as flavour can be assessed when consumed, credence attributessuch as environmental sustainability cannot be immediately seen or experienced at the point of sale. For products promoting credence attributes, the role of verification, including labelling, is of significant importance. Our approach is to apply a Discrete Choice Experiment economic valuation method, analysed using a statistical approach called Latent Class Modelling that describes profiles for different consumer segments identified in the data and provides estimates of attribute WTP across these segments.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Cultural attributes of Ngāi Tahu food and the international consumer cultures that will recognise them
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2020-08) Rout, M; Reid, J
    There is a general consensus that significantly more export dollars can be earned by Aotearoa agri-food products if their underlying qualities are better communicated to consumers. Among Aotearoa’s high-quality producers and processors, Māori agribusinesses are emerging as national leaders. Among these leaders is Ngāi Tahu Farming, a subsidiary of Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation owned by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. This report demonstrates that food produced by Māori agribusiness has attributes substantively different from Western approaches, but which resonate with a number of cultural traditions and food movements around the world. The report aims to identify consumer markets that value cultural attributes that Ngāi Tahu has to offer in their food products, which may represent premium markets for Ngāi Tahu food. Although the focus is on Ngāi Tahu, the findings have wider relevance for Māori agribusinesses in Aotearoa.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Agri-food leadership case study: Pegasus Bay Wines
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2021-10) Avery, H; Mayes, J; Wall, G; Cammock, P
    This is the fourth case study in a series analysing leadership in New Zealand agrifood companies. It is part of the Unlocking Export Prosperity Research Programme led by the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU) at Lincoln University. This case study examines Pegasus Bay, a winery in Waipara Valley founded by Ivan and Chris Donaldson, and now run by the next generation of Donaldsons. Their passion for wine and the craft shines through in the high-quality products they create. They focus on creating wines they enjoy, rather than being led by the market. They have built a strong brand and garnered an international audience through capitalising on sustainable practices and lifting the image of New Zealand. Achieving this has been no coincidence as founders Ivan and Chris Donaldson, and the next generation of Donaldsons – Matthew, Edward, Belinda, and Di – embody the qualities of leadership that support innovation and coordination, and align people to their vision and core purpose. This aligns with previous case studies and the findings of the earlier literature review.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Agri-food leadership case study: Alex Guichard & Monique Kelly and Revology
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2021-08) Mayes, J; Wall, G; Cammock, P
    This report forms part of a wider Unlocking Export Prosperity Research Programme led by the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU) at Lincoln University. This case study is the third of six instalments and is focused on Revology and its founders, Alex Guichard and Monique Kelly. Establishing themselves in Wanaka, Revology was founded on a vision of a more sustainable composites and design industry in New Zealand. They have focused on the use of sustainable resources to create high-quality products with long life cycles and a circular design model. The Revology DNA underpins their sustainable model of design, and this has required a departure from established practices in the composites and design industries. Alex Guichard and Monique Kelly have been value-driven, innovative, and entrepreneurial in their approach to revolutionising the market. Their leadership is the focus of this case study, and their leadership aligns with the leadership models described in earlier case studies and an earlier literature review. Innovation and a differentiated strategy are qualities that have helped them realise their vision for a sustainable business in New Zealand agribusiness.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Agri-food leadership case study: Mike & Sharon Barton and Taupō Beef and Lamb
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2020-06) Mayes, J; Wall, G; Cammock, P
    This paper forms part of a wider Unlocking Export Prosperity Research Programme led by the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU) at Lincoln University. This is the second instalment in a series of case studies and is focused on Taupō Beef and Lamb, which is owned and operated by Mike and Sharon Barton Mike and Sharon Barton have needed to adapt to changes imposed on them and have responded by increasing the value of their product so that consumers pay a premium that helps cover the cost of operating under a nitrogen cap. This strategy involved shifting away from beef and lamb as a commodity and branding Taupō Beef and Lamb through environmental stewardship and creating unique value propositions. While challenges have arisen over this journey, the change Taupō Beef and Lamb has undergone has been pivotal to its survival. Taupō Beef and Lamb is an example of how leadership is crucial for adding value to agri-food products, protecting New Zealand’s environment, and garnering a price premium for high-value products.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Agri-food leadership case study: John Brakenridge and the New Zealand Merino Company
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2020-06) Mayes, J; Wall, G; Cammock, P
    This paper forms part of a wider Unlocking Export Prosperity Research Programme led by the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU) at Lincoln University. This is the first of six case studies and is focused on The New Zealand Merino Company and its Chief Executive John Brakenridge. The success of the New Zealand Merino Company is the product of a complex network of committed growers, innovative brand partners, a skilled and supportive Board and a great team. Within this complex network, however, Chief Executive John Brakenridge emerges as a central driver of the company’s achievements. This case study looks at Brakenridge’s leadership through the lens of the leadership models described in an earlier literature review. The essence of his leadership, however, can be seen in his ability to foster and persuasively articulate a transformative vision for New Zealand Merino and for New Zealand agriculture.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Governing value creation and capture in New Zealand agribusiness value chains: A case study
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2019-06) McIntyre, Tiffany; Wilson, Mark M. J.; Saunders, Caroline M.; Childerhouse, P. H. J.; Dalziel, Paul C.; Kaye-Blake, William H.; Kingi, T.; Mowat, A.; Reid, John D.; Saunders, John
    This research addresses a key question in the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge concerning the creation and capture of value for New Zealand’s food and beverage exports. It investigates five case studies of established New Zealand global value chains to identify those value chain attributes important for the value chain to return value to the producer. The research developed a theoretical framework, which identified eight value chain attributes for exploration in the case study analysis. A further three attributes were revealed during the research. All five value chains highlighted the importance of ‘values’ to create ‘value’. While value is an important driver of chain activities, firms were largely concerned with developing relationships in which trust became an implicit factor, based upon a foundation of shared values, vision, and culture. The presence of these throughout the chain, in addition to supporting incentives, was crucial in ensuring alignment within the value chain. This and other key findings are described in the report.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    The impacts of changes in agricultural policies in the United Kingdom on trade and agriculture especially in New Zealand – the WTO option
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2019-09) Saunders, John; Guenther, M; Saunders, Caroline
    The United Kingdom’s (UK) exit from the European Union (EU) will have a range of implications for the UK, the EU and other countries like New Zealand (NZ). The nature and extent of its impacts will be determined by the terms under which the UK exits, hence the impact of Brexit is yet unknown. This study assessed how the agricultural sector in the UK, the EU and NZ would be affected if the UK does not reach a trade agreement with the EU by 31st October 2019, then by default, the UK will have to comply with the WTO rules to trade with the EU, and third countries. The Lincoln Trade and Environment Model (LTEM), a partial equilibrium trade model that simulates international trade, production and consumption of agricultural commodities was used for the analysis. A WTO scenario was developed applying trade weighted outbound facing MFN (WTO) tariffs to imports from the EU and other third countries. In addition, the change in trade facilitation costs was set at 10 per cent. Modelling results showed a large impact on UK’s production and consumption of agricultural goods while the agricultural sector in the EU and NZ would be only slightly affected by this trade policy. However, the UK leaving the EU could work to strengthen the trading relationship with NZ depending on the UK’s access to the EU’s Single Market
  • PublicationOpen Access
    California apple consumer consumption behaviours and product preferences: A Latent Class Analysis
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2021-03) Tait, Peter R.; Saunders, Caroline M.; Dalziel, Paul C.; Rutherford, Paul; Driver, Tim; Guenther, Meike
    This study is part of a research programme entitled Unlocking Export Prosperity from the Agri-food Values of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Fund for science research programmes. The research aims to provide new knowledge on how local enterprises can achieve higher returns by ensuring global consumers understand the distinctive qualities of the physical, credence and cultural attributes of agri-food products that are “Made in New Zealand”. Agricultural exports are an important contributor to the New Zealand (NZ) economy. It is critically important for NZ exporters to understand export markets and the different cultures and preferences of those consumers to safeguard market access, and for realising potential premiums. This report describes the application of a survey of Californian apple consumers that is designed to examine consumption behaviour and consumer Willingness-to Pay (WTP) for credence attributes. While search attributes such as price or colour can be observed directly, and experience attributes such as flavour can be assessed when consumed, credence attributes such as environmental sustainability cannot be immediately seen or experienced at the point of sale. For products promoting credence attributes, the role of verification including labelling is of significant importance. Our approach is to apply a Choice Experiment economic valuation method, analysed using a statistical approach called Latent Class Modelling that describes profiles for different consumer segments identified in the data and provides estimates of attribute WTP across these segments.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    UK and USA alternative proteins consumer consumption behaviours and product preferences
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2020-10) Driver, Tim; Saunders, Caroline M.; Dalziel, Paul C.; Tait, Peter R.; Rutherford, Paul; Guenther, Meike
    This study is part of a research programme entitled Unlocking Export Prosperity from the Agri-food Values of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Fund for science research programmes. The research aims to provide new knowledge on how local enterprises can achieve higher returns by ensuring global consumers understand the distinctive qualities of the physical, credence and cultural attributes of agri-food products that are “Made in New Zealand”. Food exports are an important contributor to the New Zealand (NZ) economy and both the United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (US) are established as important destinations for New Zealand's food product exports. It is critically important for NZ exporters to understand export markets and the different cultures and preferences of those consumers to safeguard market access, and for realising potential premiums. Alternative protein products have emerged as a significant alternative to traditional protein sources such as meat or fish, driven in part by changing consumer preferences and the ecological and climate impacts of traditional livestock production systems. While the rise of alternative protein products has been projected to decrease the global market share for traditional meat products into the future, they also represent a significant opportunity for New Zealand producers and exporters to diversify their offerings, capture additional market share, as well as capture potential premiums for the attributes of these products. This report describes the application of a survey of UK and US (Californian) consumers regarding their consumption of alternative protein. While search attributes such as price or colour can be observed directly, and experience attributes such as flavour or texture can be assessed when consumed, credence attributes such as environmental sustainability cannot be immediately seen or experienced at the point of sale. For products promoting credence attributes, the role of verification including labelling is of significant importance.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Emergent practices in agile people management: a multiple-case study of SMEs in New Zealand and Switzerland : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
    (Lincoln University, 2021) Mollet, Léonie S.
    Many agile organisations experiment with new approaches to people management. They do so as a response to increasing complexity and a dynamic environment that requires them to abandon previous management practices. In these organisations, hierarchical structures are replaced with self-organisation that relies on empowering every member of the organisation. Consequently, people are no longer seen as a resource that needs to be controlled, but as trustworthy, resourceful, and whole. Instead, their ability to learn and collaborate are the source of future-proofing the organisation. In short, agile organisations can be described as being talent-led instead of being strategy-led. However, this emergent practice is not reflected in theory. In the field of Human Resource Management (HRM), this divide between academic and practitioner interest is a common thread. This research addresses the identified gap between practice and theory in three steps. Firstly, it gives an in-depth and rich description of the emergent practice in ten knowledge-intensive SMEs in the service sector. In the absence of best practice approaches due to the dynamic nature of agile organisations, these diverse portrays of reality serve as a welcome illustration. Secondly, a cross-case analysis identifies recurring patterns and common themes. Thirdly, the insight gathered is integrated into an empirically grounded conceptual framework that frames people management in agile organisations as a social practice – as opposed to a profession in the current HRM paradigm. This practice acts as a driver of business agility: the dynamic capabilities embedded in an organisation’s culture, values and its collective ability. The new framework integrates complexity and tensions instead of omitting them, and describes agile people management as a triadic process where (1a) core principles and a general (1b) approach to people management are embedded in (2) practices surrounded by a fluid (3) enabling structure. (1a) The principles circle around enablers of self-organisation, such as transparency, visibility, pragmatism, and diversity. (1b) An agile approach to people management is then characterised by fostering learning, self-reliance and distributed or servant leadership. (2) The core of bringing agile people management to life is the anchoring of principles in everyday interactions (such as recruitment, onboarding, or professional development). Embedded in practices, these principles act as an enabler of autonomy and reproduce the organisational culture and values. (3) The organisation then wraps itself around practices as a fluid entity that adapts quickly with changing needs. HR work in such an organisation is typically carried out in a network structure, integrated in numerous roles. Consequently, HR work is no longer largely limited to traditional HR functions, but distributed across the organisation – as a shared social practice. As a next step, expanding the new conceptual framework to different sectors or sizes of organisations commends itself. Moreover, investigating the tensions raised in regard to implementing agile people management might also prove fruitful in follow-up research. These tensions include nurturing resilience and self-reliance in the face ambidexterity, enabling visibility in alternative career models, balancing individual and collective needs as well as establishing an open feedback culture. Examining a potential connection between agile people management and an organisation’s financial success is another possible branch of research.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    United Arab Emirates beef consumer consumption behaviours and product preferences: A Latent Class Analysis
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2020-11) Tait, Peter R.; Saunders, Caroline M.; Dalziel, Paul C.; Rutherford, Paul; Driver, Tim; Guenther, Meike
    The Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU) at Lincoln University with the support of research partners under the Unlocking Export Prosperity from the Agri-food Values of Aotearoa New Zealand research programme funded by MBIE has estimated willingness-to-pay (WTP) values for selected credence attributes of beef mince products by United Arab Emirates consumers, with a focus on identifying preferences for attributes considered distinctively New Zealand.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Texas Sauvignon blanc wine consumer consumption behaviours and product preferences: A Latent Class Analysis
    (AERU, Lincoln University | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, 2020-11) Tait, Peter R.; Saunders, Caroline M.; Dalziel, Paul C.; Rutherford, Paul; Driver, Tim; Guenther, Meike
    The Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU) at Lincoln University with the support of research partners under the Unlocking Export Prosperity from the Agri-food Values of Aotearoa New Zealand research programme has estimated willingness-to-pay (WTP) values for selected credence attributes of Sauvignon blanc wine by Texan consumers, with a focus on identifying preferences for attributes considered distinctively New Zealand.