Title: Entrepreneurial intentions in an emerging industry: an exploratory study

Authors: Abel Duarte Alonso; Nevil Alexander

Addresses: Liverpool Business School, Liverpool John Moores University, Redmonds Building, Brownlow Hill, L3 5UG, Liverpool, UK; School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Dr., Joondalup, 6027 WA, Australia ' School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Dr., Joondalup, 6027 WA, Australia

Abstract: This exploratory study examines entrepreneurial intentions in the emerging craft brewing industry from the perspective of predominantly micro and small craft brewery owners/brewing masters through the lens of the theories of universal values and planned behaviour. In doing so, the study makes a contribution to the existing academic literature on entrepreneurial intentions, micro and small businesses, and craft brewing industry. A contribution is also made by refining the adopted theoretical frameworks to study craft brewing entrepreneurship. Employing content analysis and word association revealed that passion for the craft brewing industry, turning a hobby into a professional undertaking, and professional and lifestyle changes - as compared to financial rewards- are predominant reasons for being involved in this industry. Alignments between the findings and universal values and two of the three predicting intentions were noticed, demonstrating the applicability of these theoretical frameworks in the context of the industry under examination.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial intentions; universal values model; planned behaviour theoretical model; craft brewery operators; micro; small breweries.

DOI: 10.1504/JIBED.2017.088709

Journal for International Business and Entrepreneurship Development, 2017 Vol.10 No.4, pp.406 - 426

Received: 24 Sep 2016
Accepted: 02 Nov 2016
Published online: 15 Dec 2017 *

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