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Business, Enterprise & Management

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/5

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End date: 2019Subject: search.filters.subject.United Kingdom

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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Generating effective change in school meals: a case study
    (Emerald, 2006) Seaman, Claire; Moss, Julia
    Purpose - Obesity among primary school children is an area of current concern throughout the UK, alongside much discussion surrounding the opportunities and challenges of effecting change. School meals may contribute to obesity, tending to be high in fat and sugar and lacking in essential nutrients. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the success of a healthy eating programme and to examine the work that had been done to identify areas where further work was required, where lessons might be learned for future campaigns and areas where further research would be useful. Design/methodology/approach - The current study uses a case study approach to examine food provision and education within a primary school in Edinburgh, which adopts a healthy eating programme based on the guidelines of Hungry for Success. Within the case study, both quantitative and qualitative methods were used, including semistructured interviews, recipe analysis and observational research. Findings - Results indicate some considerable success has been achieved and more ways in which healthy eating can be promoted within the school have been identified. The manner in which change can most effectively be implemented is explored and some indicators for future work highlighted. In addition, results indicate that slow subtle change will be more effective than well intentioned attempts to achieve the ideal in a peremptory manor and that persistence is likely to play a key role. Research limitations/implications - The study was carried out in one school where the school meals were prepared on an in-house basis. Nonetheless, looking at ways in which effective change in children's eating habits and food choices can be achieved on a small scale provides some useful pointers for future research with schools where meals are prepared by contract caterers. Originality/value - The paper focuses on a healthy eating programme.
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    Consumer perceptions of meat production: Enhancing the competitiveness of British agriculture by understanding communication with the consumer
    (Emerald, 2005) McEachern, M. G.; Seaman, Claire
    Purpose - To identify factors that could influence consumer perceptions relating to meat production and areas where further development would be of assistance to British agriculture. Design/methodology/approach - Qualitative semi-structured interviews of a quota sample of Scottish meat purchasing consumers. Findings - Results indicate that consumer views on meat production vary widely and that while there are some differences between rural and urban consumers the differences are rarely simple. Views were expressed on a variety of factors including livestock producers, agricultural production, certification and traceability. Relatively few consumers were routinely concerned with assurance labels. Consequently, knowledge of underpinning standards was limited. Primary sources of meat were the major supermarket groups with a distinct bias towards older consumers among those who preferred to shop in small butchers shops. Attitudes towards producers were mainly positive but some consumers remained sceptical about producer behaviour during hard times. Research limitations/implications - While more research would clearly be required to consider a broader spectrum of UK consumers, these current data indicate that consumer understanding of food information and indeed their interest and credibility of the current systems is a subject that would benefit from much wider research. The practical implications for the development of Government policy and for the idividual producers are substantial and would benefit from considerable clarification. Originality/value - Prior research concerning meat production and the views of consumers is limited. Theses findings have implications for future sector-based communications to consumers, in that equal emphasis should be given to both rural and urban consumers. More collaborative communications measures must be implemented to ensure consumer awareness/understanding of underpinning assurance label standards and bring about loyal purchase preferences for British produce.
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    Exploring Scottish family businesses: economy, geography and community
    (Inderscience Enterprises, 2010-12-27) Seaman, Claire; Graham, Stuart; Falconer, Peter K.; Stepek, Martin
    The results from this debate will provide a starting point for future theoretical and action research and a key aim of the proposed discussion paper is to encourage interested parties with diverse expertise to contribute and highlight their interest in future participation. The implications of this debate are profound and will impact upon Scotland in a variety of ways in terms of economic, cultural and community development. The role of those different groups involved - entrepreneurs, policy makers, practitioners, researchers and educators - will be key. The value of this paper lies primarily in its contribution to a debate and the call for further research in an area of key importance to the Scottish and, indeed, the UK economy.
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    Public sector business support providers : marketing business support to the ethnic business sector
    (Emerald, 2007) Bent, Richard; Emslie, Lisa
    Purpose - The economic and social importance of minority ethnic-owned businesses (MEBs) is widely recognised, but it is also well-known that the providers of business support services have so far fallen short of the ideal in identifying, targeting and communicating with MEBs. This study seeks to add to the very limited academic literature on the topic by investigating the application of marketing principles to the task, in Scotland. Design/methodology/approach - Data for interpretation were collected by six semi-structured in-depth interviews with public-sector business-support providers in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Findings - Providers are aware of the lack of awareness among MEBs of the services available, and the consequent poor take-up rates. Some have made limited efforts to initiate change by beginning to differentiate their products and services, and market them proactively, but others still favour a generic approach. A constraint on further progress is the lack of useful databases. Research limitations/implications - This was a small-scale exploratory study. It would be useful to use its tentative findings as the departure point for broader-based studies, especially where MEBs are more numerous. Practical implications - The findings contain lessons for academic researchers and marketing practitioners with an interest in ethnic minorities. Various differentiated- marketing strategies are discussed, and promotional strategies for targeting the owners and operators of MEBs. Originality/value - This study adds significantly to the published body of knowledge. Its findings are potentially applicable in the wider context of non-profit, public-sector and services marketing.