Examining the roles of proximity in craft brewery knowledge-sharing and collaboration in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
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Date
2022
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Massey University
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Abstract
The research presented in this thesis examines the roles of proximity dimensions in inter-firm knowledge-sharing and collaboration between craft breweries in Aotearoa New Zealand. I sought to develop a deep understanding of proximity dimensions by responding to the following research questions: (1) What are the roles of proximity in knowledge-sharing between New Zealand’s craft breweries? (1a) How do other dimensions of proximity relate to geographic proximity in the New Zealand Craft Brewing Industry? (2) How are craft brewery collaboration modalities influenced by proximity dimensions in the New Zealand Craft Brewing Industry? Extant literature in this domain focuses on understanding the role of geography and contends that geographic proximity is neither necessary nor sufficient for inter-firm learning or collaboration. Such literature is constrained by static methodological approaches, grounded in positivism. Static positivistic approaches limit understanding as to how the roles of proximity dimensions inter-relate and change over time. Addressing this limitation with an exploratory qualitative approach deepens understanding of proximity in knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Towards this approach, I conduct this research following an interpretive research paradigm. Empirical material has been collected via semi-structured interviews with 24 participants, from 21 craft breweries, across six geographic regions of Aotearoa New Zealand. These interviews were conducted and subsequently analysed using a method devised from productive hermeneutic thinking. Findings show that the role of geographic proximity in craft brewery knowledge-sharing and collaboration is complex. It is a direct enabler of inter-firm knowledge-sharing, but it is foremost an enabler of other proximity dimensions that facilitate subsequent knowledge exchange and collaboration. By re-examining established proximity dimensions through a hermeneutic lens, this research presents alternate perspectives of institutional, cognitive, and organisational proximity. Contributions to knowledge are also made through the identification of three novel proximity dimensions: triadic proximity; adversarial proximity; and capacity proximity. The roles of each of these new proximities in craft brewery knowledge-sharing and collaboration are demonstrated in this research. The findings of this thesis may be used to inform New Zealand governmental policy, which has historically sought, and failed, to capitalise on proximity as a mechanism for enhancing national innovation performance. Findings may also be of value to industry practitioners, such as craft brewery managers seeking to learn from and collaborate with their industry counterparts.
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Microbreweries, Location, Cooperation, New Zealand, Expertise