Transportation infrastructure and destination accessibility are essential in developing the tourism industry. However, the situation is somewhat different in mountain peripheral…
Abstract
Purpose
Transportation infrastructure and destination accessibility are essential in developing the tourism industry. However, the situation is somewhat different in mountain peripheral areas, where poor accessibility is a kind of tourist attraction but also a driver of regional development. Thus, improving accessibility by “a bridge too far” can mean not just a lack of development but its regression and even the end of mountain tourism as we know it.
Design/methodology/approach
This exploratory ethnographic study aims to understand accessibility improvement and its impact on local communities. The data were collected in the Nepalese Khumbu region, which is the home of the Everest Base Camp Trek. Based on 18 in-depth interviews, this paper tested a proposed model of the evolution of a peripheral mountain area under the influence of transport development.
Findings
This study demonstrates the threats to local communities from the transport development (road and air) and improved tourist accessibility of a peripheral area that profits from its peripherality. Research shows unequivocally that transport development may result in the loss of business for many of them. Overall, in the opinion of the local communities, unplanned road and air transport development is destroying mountain tourism in this area.
Originality/value
To date, research on accessibility development in mountainous areas shows the main positive sides of change. This article contributes to understanding how accessibility improvements change people’s lives and how these changes can become “community killer”.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how new technology-based firms (NTBFs) overcome established notions of scale and scope through business model innovation, leveraging…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how new technology-based firms (NTBFs) overcome established notions of scale and scope through business model innovation, leveraging the value from digitalization.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts an exploratory research design, drawing on a novel data set of 50 publicly available interviews with vertical farming (VF) industry leaders and insiders who represent 36 different organizations from North America and Europe.
Findings
The study develops a framework showing how NTBFs leverage the value from digitalization via a paradoxical approach combining both efficiency and novelty value drivers.
Originality/value
The study extends current theorizing on the desirability of a combined business model approach leveraging both efficiency and novelty from digitalization. Furthermore, the study is among the first to investigate the unique and highly technological context of VF.
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Keywords
Ulrika Uotila, Arto Saari and Juha-Matti Junnonen
Public authorities are required to organise new facilities to respond to changed user demands in terms of a public-owned school. The number of pupils attending the case study…
Abstract
Purpose
Public authorities are required to organise new facilities to respond to changed user demands in terms of a public-owned school. The number of pupils attending the case study school will increase in the following years, as will the number of children attending a day nursery located on the present campus. In addition, the users of the campus have complained of building-related symptoms. This study aims to understand the municipal decision-making process in organising the school’s facilities, in particular, the factors used for decreasing uncertainty around a project.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is a case study undertaken through an action research approach. The researchers participated in the project planning meetings concerning the future activities to take place in the building.
Findings
Over a 13-month period, multiple stakeholders participated in the project planning meetings providing a deeper understanding of the space demands posed, current challenges and opportunities offered by the existing building. In addition, the alternative solutions generated were evaluated. The problem identification and information gathering periods lasted over nine months, which was far longer than predicted. Thus, generating alternative solutions and evaluation of the solutions also delayed. As the entire process was delayed substantially, the final decision on organising the facilities was not made during this research.
Practical implications
This research may be of practical value for a property owner and a project team for decision-making concerning changed facility demands.
Originality/value
This paper provides information about how public authorities are making decisions on facility organisation during conditions of uncertainty.