Browsing by Author "Nicholson, Andrew"
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- ItemCreating shared value: An exploratory case study assessing the shared value that a company is creating through a protected area and its unique relationship with local communities(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03) Nicholson, Andrew; Child, Brian; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With the world’s population continuously growing, extreme pressure has been placed on the unsustainable drain of the earth’s natural resources. There is an increasing trend from a range of stakeholders to call on businesses to take the lead in resolving this problem. Shared value, a development from Corporate Social Responsibility, is a relatively new concept in management literature, with little empirical research having been conducted in this field. This research set out to examine the experience of shared value creation within the eco-tourism sector in South Africa. A qualitative case study was performed on an organisation’s pioneering work in this field, at a selected reserve within their portfolio, which is situated in Mpumalanga. A series of 76 interviews were carried out with the organisation’s head office management, the community development management partner organisation, the guests at both lodges visiting the reserve, the managers and employees at these lodges, and members of two local impoverished communities. Content and frequency analysis was carried out on the data. Through the analysis, it was established that shared value is being created in a broad range of aspects between the organisation and the two neighbouring communities studied. A close match exists between the perceived benefits identified by management and the actual benefits realised in the communities. Ideas for improving shared value from both parties only received a partial match. The study demonstrates that eco-tourism, if responsibly managed, is a valuable form of land use, is economically viable, and can help to uplift the poor through education and healthcare initiatives, job creation and economic growth. A shared value approach in eco-tourism can lead to more satisfied and educated staff who are motivated to conserve and protect the natural resources in the area, while delighting the organisation’s guests. This pioneering work has laid the foundation of an apparent sustainable relationship.