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| Daymer Bay, Camel Estuary, Cornwall |
I have updated my PhD research here is the current proposal.
Subject Area: Business and Environmental Sustainability.
Research question
How can the 2022-2027 Cornwall National Landscape Management Plan, serve as a framework to define and implement best practices that promote economic resilience and environmental stewardship in areas of outstanding natural beauty?
Research overview and context:
This multi-disciplinary research aims to explore the conflict that exists between the mandatory requirement to promote sustainable business growth and development in Cornwall's National Landscape, (CNL) formally known as the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Beauty.
Recent studies on Natural Landscapes (NL) have covered many topics. Yet, the role of fostering sustainability and business development in protected landscapes is a topic which lacks is under-explored. This research focuses on Cornwall's NL a significant part of the county's economy. The research will use and through practice and action research contribute to the CNL's Management Plan (2022-2027) by investigating the identified and often perceived conflict between sustainability and business development.
This research examines and critically analyses the CNL in promoting sustainable businesses. It will analyse their Management Plan (2022-2027) to identify opportunities and challenges for current and future businesses that align with the Cornwall NL vision and strategic priorities.
The research will involve stakeholders at various levels and incorporate lessons from successful models in the UK and globally.
Sustainable development has emerged not only as a global and local strategy through the Sustainable Development Goals but has also generated ongoing epistemological and theoretical debate. The research will draw on a theoretical approach that integrates social, economic, and environmental dimensions. This research will be informed by these broader theoretical discussions and in particular draw on theoretical frameworks that explore the relationship between sustainable development and reflexive modernity (Borne 2010; Borne 2018)
Significance of the Research:
The research fills a critical research gap by exploring sustainable business operations within protected natural areas, specifically Conservation Landscapes (CLs) in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Cornwall and the key focus areas include:
Unexplored Sustainable Practices: It will delve into how businesses can operate sustainably in these protected zones, an area not extensively covered in existing research.
Economic-Environmental Equilibrium: The research addresses the underexplored balance between economic development and environmental conservation using a sustainable development lens.
Community and Policy Dynamics: It provides new insights into partnership working, engaging local communities and policymakers, a relatively neglected aspect in current literature.
Broader Applicability: The study offers generalisable findings and empirical evidence relevant to similar regions worldwide.
Expected Aims:
An in-depth critical analysis of promoting sustainable businesses in the CNL, based on its Management Plan, identifies key opportunities and challenges.
Development of a practical framework in line with CNL's goals to guide and grow sustainable SMEs in the region, including a section on sustainable tourism certification, aiding SME investment and community engagement across CNL.
Suggestions for policy improvements, stakeholder engagement strategies, and partnerships to foster sustainable business growth in the CNL, emphasising the creation of CNL business support networks.
Critical examination of the relationship between environmental conservation, economic sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and community welfare within the CNL.
The development of a sustainable academic research partnership between Falmouth University and CNL.
Research Objectives:
Opportunity Assessment: Identify and evaluate the opportunities embedded in the CNL's Management Plan (2022-2027) for the development of sustainable businesses within CNL.
Barrier Analysis: Examine barriers and challenges to sustainable businesses in the CNL, covering tourism, technology, infrastructure, second home ownership, access equality (diversity, economic affordability), business dynamics, planning, skills, funding, education, environmental management, and aging population impacts.
Best Practice Models: Explore and assess existing best practice models for sustainable business development, drawing lessons and strategies from both national and international contexts, and evaluate their relevance to the CNL and Cornwall.
Key Attributes of Sustainable Businesses: Define the core attributes of a sustainable business in a Natural Landscape (NL), supported by research on business success and failure to develop a picture of what “sustainable business” looks like.
Framework Development: Construct a comprehensive and adaptable framework that aligns with the CNL's Management Plan, guiding the establishment and growth of sustainable businesses in this unique natural environment.
Define pathways for innovation, creativity, and incubation of new Student businesses. The development of a strategy that supports identifying and supporting new and existing student businesses within the CNL.
Sustainable community and business stakeholder engagement models. The research aims to establish a tangible model for stakeholder engagement in project implementation and future community projects, involving community, political, educational, environmental, and business leaders.
Research Methodology
I will employ a mixed methods approach collecting both qualitative and quantitative data. This data is triangulated to deliver robust conclusions and recommendations.
Literature Review: Conduct a review of academic literature, CNL business plan, UK Government Environmental frameworks, case studies, and exemplary models related to sustainable business development within CNL and comparable protected areas.
Data Collection and Analysis: The research will use a mixture of both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect analysis from CNL and stakeholders. This will include In-depth interviews and focus groups as well as relevant case studies. Content and discourse analyses will be employed to explore relevant themes and issues. Broader surveys will be developed to explore the broader issues relating to the national landscapes and sustainable business. Both inferential and descriptive statistics will be used to analysis the surveys.
Comparative Analysis of existing/new UK data: Using the UK Government Environmental Plan (2023) targets and assessment framework as a benchmark.
Framework Construction: Develop a practical and adaptable framework informed by research findings and tailored to the specific needs of the CNL for promoting sustainable businesses.
Impact Assessment: Utilise a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods including cost-benefit analysis (Boardman, 2018), Narrative Analysis (Riessman, 2008) and Social Impact Assessment (Vanclay, 2003).
Participatory Action Research (McIntyre, 2008) in a live environment developing relationships with stakeholders within CNL to support research findings from practical application of their delivery plan, captured through journalling and reflection.
Research outcomes will be presented as:
An 80000-word written thesis capturing the objectives listed above.
