Expanding the Domain of Festival Research: A Review and Research Agenda

Abstract

Festivals are an important sub‐field within event studies which, until recently, have not been studied as separate experiences. A systematic review of the emerging literature on festivals reveals several key characteristics. While festivals are diverse in nature and geographical location, scholarly interest focuses on five main themes: the motivations for organizing, funding and attending festivals; the experiences of festival attendees; the relationship between festivals and their local environments; the economic and sociocultural impacts of festivals; and the management of festivals. Despite growing interest in festivals as research sites, little attention has been afforded to investigating festival processes. In particular, considerations of how festivals are established, and which individuals are involved in their initiation and regular staging, offer opportunities for research. This paper highlights the significant role festivals play within their local communities, including their facilitation of social cohesion and regional identity. Our study reveals that the literature rarely discusses the development of festivals over time and the wider networks in which festivals are embedded. This critical review of festival research identifies various research gaps and directions for future research to develop theory and practical understanding of festivals.

How Do Regulations Affect SMEs? A Review of the Qualitative Evidence and a Research Agenda

“…In common with Mabey (2013) and Wilson et al (2017), we restricted our searches to articles contained within journals included in the Chartered Association of Business Schools' (2015) Academic Journal Guide. From the journal list, searches were concentrated in journals from the most relevant categories for this study: Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management; General Management, Ethics & Social Responsibility; and Human Resource Management & Employment Studies in outlets rated as grade three and above (after Wilson et al 2017). These journals, as a minimum, are considered to: publish original and well executed research papers and are highly regarded.…”

Entrepreneurial implications, prospects and dilemmas in rural festivals

“…There are many definitions of festivals. Inspired by Getz (2012) and Wilson, Arshed, Shaw, & Pret, 2016 this study defines festival by using five characteristics: (1) Festivals are limited in time with a clearly defined start and end; (2) Festivals are confined to a specific location; (3) Festivals are planned occasions with predefined objectives, themes and programs in recognizable structures, although they may contain some elements of spontaneity; (4) Festivals combine several activities into beneficial symbioses; and finally (5) Festivals are open and inviting, meaning that anyone can join.…”

The Relationship of Subjective Well-Being in Residents’ Perceptions of the Impacts of Overtourism in the City of Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil

“…Thus, the perception is that their routine is directly altered, there is a considerable increase in the displacement of people and means of transportation [8,48], increase in sound and noise levels [8,47], vandalism and violent trends in the city [45], generating a feeling opposed to the achievement of festivals and events and, consequently, reducing their well-being in the destination [9]. It is worth mentioning that in most cases, the festival's participants are predominantly residents, reinforcing the argument that building relationships with communities over time is fundamental to the success of these events and should be adopted as a central management activity [49].…”