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Brexit, the wine sector and organisational resilience: an exploratory study of Spanish Wineries

Abel Duarte Alonso (Department of Management, Curtin University Bentley Campus, Perth, Australia)
Seng Kok (Liverpool John Moores University – City Campus, Liverpool, UK)
Seamus O'Brien (Liverpool John Moores University – City Campus, Liverpool, UK)

Review of International Business and Strategy

ISSN: 2059-6014

Article publication date: 6 July 2020

Issue publication date: 11 September 2020

437

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of winery owners/managers concerning the impacts of Brexit on the Spanish wine sector and propose a theoretical framework based on the extant organisational resilience literature to facilitate an understanding of this concept. The framework facilitates understanding of this concept through the perspective of winery operators.

Design/methodology/approach

Attendance at a large Spanish wine fair in 2017 allowed for brief face-to-face interviews with owners and export managers of 156 predominantly micro and small Spanish wineries. The data were analysed through qualitative content analysis.

Findings

Despite the general sense of uncertainty and negative perceptions regarding the outcomes of Brexit, the interviews revealed various forms of resilient responses, including ongoing efforts seeking to broaden the scope for exports into new, niche markets alongside more traditional ones. These findings have important implications for businesses engaged in international business, particularly in the wine industry, where the potential challenges resulting from a major political decision can exacerbate existing issues of competition.

Originality/value

From a practical perspective, this study examines an emerging issue with potential consequences for international business. From a theoretical point of view, the proposed framework provides a baseline to illuminate the understanding of the links and stages following turbulence within organisations. Notably, the activation of responses emphasises the importance of developing a resilient organisational culture, as well as developing internal and enabling factors and bundles of resources that help create firm capabilities.

Keywords

Citation

Duarte Alonso, A., Kok, S. and O'Brien, S. (2020), "Brexit, the wine sector and organisational resilience: an exploratory study of Spanish Wineries", Review of International Business and Strategy, Vol. 30 No. 3, pp. 301-322. https://doi.org/10.1108/RIBS-09-2019-0128

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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