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Network evolution and the growth of artisanal firms: a tale of two regional cheese makers

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  • Richard Blundel

Abstract

This paper explores the growth trajectories of two specialist food producers and the business networks in which they are embedded. The context is provided by a brief overview of today's complex and dynamic food industry supply chain, seen from the perspective of a small, craft-based firm. The sector chosen for this study, English regional cheese making, is characterized as displaying a long-standing tension between industrial and artisanal modes of production. The conceptual framework combines insights from the network and resource-capability literatures. This blend of ideas prompts several questions relating to the transfer and appropriation of artisanal knowledge in a network setting. The empirical section provides some illustrations of the processes in action. It charts the development of two regional farm-based cheese makers from their inception in the early 1950s up to the year 2000. The analysis identifies distinct ‘episodes’ characterized by significant structural and processual changes at both firm and inter-firm levels. A series of network maps is used to highlight the distinct pattern of linkages formed by each firm. The maps are supported by a commentary that draws on the managers' own perceptions of the changes, including the reasons why they occurred, and the consequences for their businesses. The discussion section points to underlying structures and mechanisms that appear significant in explaining the surface-level events. The paper concludes by outlining the practical implications for firms in similar situations and assessing the extent to which the findings may be generalized to other business networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Blundel, 2002. "Network evolution and the growth of artisanal firms: a tale of two regional cheese makers," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(1), pages 1-30, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:14:y:2002:i:1:p:1-30
    DOI: 10.1080/08985620110094647
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    Cited by:

    1. Shingo Yoshida & Hironori Yagi, 2021. "Long-Term Development of Urban Agriculture: Resilience and Sustainability of Farmers Facing the Covid-19 Pandemic in Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-23, April.
    2. Leona Achtenhagen & Lucia Naldi & Leif Melin, 2010. "“Business Growth†—Do Practitioners and Scholars Really Talk about the Same Thing?," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 34(2), pages 289-316, March.
    3. Macpherson, Allan & Holt, Robin, 2007. "Knowledge, learning and small firm growth: A systematic review of the evidence," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 172-192, March.
    4. Karla Zimpel-Leal & Fiona Lettice, 2021. "Generative Mechanisms for Scientific Knowledge Transfer in the Food Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-23, January.
    5. Uswatun Hasanah & Badri Munir Sukoco & Elisabeth Supriharyanti & Wann-Yih Wu, 2023. "Fifty years of artisan entrepreneurship: a systematic literature review," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-25, December.
    6. Kiki Yuliati & Ruth Samantha Hamzah & Basuni Hamzah, 2022. "Feasibility study on indigenous confectionery business - the case of gulo puan industries," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 24(1), pages 1-30.
    7. Shingo Yoshida & Hironori Yagi & Akira Kiminami & Guy Garrod, 2019. "Farm Diversification and Sustainability of Multifunctional Peri-Urban Agriculture: Entrepreneurial Attributes of Advanced Diversification in Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-21, May.
    8. Alvarez, Antonio & Garcia-Cornejo, Beatriz & Perez-Mendez, Jose A. & Roibas, David, 2016. "Diversification in Spanish Dairy Farms: Key Drivers of Performance," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 19(B), pages 1-26, August.
    9. Jose Cadima Ribeiro & Jose Freitas Santos, 2006. "Regional Products, Regions' Reputation and Commercial Strategies: A Tale of Two Cheese Suppliers," ERSA conference papers ersa06p66, European Regional Science Association.
    10. Haugum, Margrete & Grande, Jorunn, 2017. "The Role of Marketing in Local Food Networks," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 8(1), pages 1-13, January.
    11. Jianli Luo & Chen Ji & Chunxiao Qiu & Fu Jia, 2018. "Agri-Food Supply Chain Management: Bibliometric and Content Analyses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-22, May.
    12. Yuliati, Kiki & Hamzah, Ruth Samantha & Hamzah, Basuni, 2022. "Feasibility study on indigenous confectionery business – the case of gulo puan industries," Economia agro-alimentare / Food Economy, Italian Society of Agri-food Economics/Società Italiana di Economia Agro-Alimentare (SIEA), vol. 24(1), April.
    13. Xavier Gellynck & Bert Vermeire, 2009. "The Contribution of Regional Networks to Innovation and Challenges for Regional Policy," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(3), pages 719-737, September.

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