Doing Well by Creating Economic Value through Social Values among Craft Beer Breweries: A Case Study in Responsible Innovation and Growth

Abstract

Social values are key to the sustainability of organizations. Drawing on value-based research, stakeholder theory, and corporate social responsibility research, this paper builds a case study of the interplay between social values, innovation, and economic growth. The craft beer industry is a fast-growing industry with a potential emphasis on social values built on small-scale production and localism. We examine how craft breweries attempt to resolve tensions derived from pursuing economic and social values simultaneously. As breweries continue to grow, owners face decisions of scale and growth, which may undermine a value-driven industry with close ties to the local community. Findings from six craft breweries, operating in Northern New England, USA, suggest a complex managerial dilemma involving (a) small-batch innovation for niche and mass production for growth, (b) responsible innovation for balancing local authenticity and geographical expansion, and (c) independent and business partnering. We further unpacked the tensions that operated at local and non-local levels.

Building a better society: The Vital role of Family's social values in creating a culture of giving in young Children's minds

“…Tolerance requires an open-minded and non-judgmental attitude towards others, and refraining from discriminatory or prejudicial behavior based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. It is an important value in personal and professional relationships, as it helps build trust, mutual understanding, and cooperation [ 103 ].…”

Analysis of the Financial and Non-Financial Indicators of the Beer Sector: Italy and Spain

“…However, such recovery has not yet arrived in 2023 due to the reduction of tax incentives, the necessary repayment of loans, increased inflation, decreased investments, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, high energy and barley prices, difficulties in supply chains and further reduction of margins, especially in the artisanal sector [50,51]. On the other hand, the pandemic has left a reminder of changes in customer behaviors, marketing, distribution, and promotion methods [51][52][53][54][55], evidencing the necessary investigation of the sector's financial statements.…”

“…On the other hand, the literature contemplates the interest of the craft brewing sector in achieving economic and social benefits, and for this, margins and profitability must be positive for the survival of the sector [55]. Thus, the brewing sector bets on economic and social benefits, although the chances of survival depend on return on assets (ROA), and the literature indicates that such returns are irregular since there coexist companies that operate with high levels of performance and others with losses, especially small ones, which choose not to increase production, to remain local, with products of recognized quality and diversity [56].…”

The Growth in Demand for Craft Beer and the Proliferation of Microbreweries in Slovenia

“…The exploratory research conducted by Erhardt et al [54] exposes the conflicting dynamics between experimentation, authenticity, and independence inherent within a socially oriented overarching culture, juxtaposed with mass production, geographic expansion, and corporate collaboration aimed at economic advancement. Their findings emphasize the significance of operating at a local scale to effectively navigate non-local economic expansion while reconciling the demands of profit-driven business goals with the aspirations for long-term sustainability and societal value.…”