Managing neolocalism outside the locale in real ale and craft beer entrepreneurship: The case of Ben Lui Brewery

The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
This case focuses on the role played by place and neolocalism in real ale and craft beer entrepreneurship, and the dilemma of how to manage neolocalism when a firm extends into markets beyond its established locale. It examines how a sense of belonging and ‘locatedness’ underpins a small, entrepreneurial brewery's vision, mission and market differentiation, contributing to the firm's brand equity amongst its core audiences. The owner-director, Duncan, is currently considering the brand implications of a possible expansion of sales activities into England and Wales. He expects that English and Welsh stakeholders will derive different meanings from the place-oriented aspects of the firm's brand when compared with his established Scottish stakeholders but is unsure how and to what effect. The case considers the extent to which perceptions of neolocalism and place-specificity can differ between local and non-local stakeholders. The concept is explored in the context of rural entrepreneurship, and in the strategic decision making of a small, independent brewery in rural Scotland.

Exploring multi-stakeholder value co-creation as an entrepreneurial approach to survival and sustainability: The case of Pennine Pubs

The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
This case focuses on the entrepreneurial use of multi-stakeholder value co-creation to emerge stronger from challenging trading conditions. In particular, it examines Pennine Pubs, a small-/medium-sized enterprise (SME) operating several rural public houses, which are licensed to sell food and alcoholic drinks to guests. Based in Northern England, it has adapted commercial strategies to mitigate government-enforced Covid-19 lockdowns. Pennine Pubs’ Managing Director is currently considering how to build upon the multi-stakeholder value co-creation strategy which emerged quickly immediately before and during the first lockdown period, when customers were prohibited from visiting pubs. He expects the outcome to be a more refined and sustainable commercial strategy which retains the most significant benefits of his lockdown-period innovations. The case considers how co-creation is applied as a reaction to unforeseen business challenges, and how it can underpin proactive strategies to capitalise upon favourable trading conditions. The concept is explored in the context of rapidly evolving, unpredictable and highly problematic constraints upon retail trade, and the ‘new normal’ of customers returning to retail premises, albeit with expectations modified by recent experiences. Finally, the case considers the impact of SMEs collaborating with suppliers, customers and other stakeholders to co-create mutual, commercially sustainable value.