What's the Buzz about Nature Based Enterprises? Examining the the role of Nature-Based Enterprises in Urban Beekeeping for Urban Sustainability Transitions

Abstract

Research problem and aim: Nature-based solutions have emerged as promising strategies for urban sustainability transitions, however, there remains a lack of clear understanding around crucial actors needed to implement them. One such actor is nature-based enterprises. Academic understanding of nature-based enterprises is still in the early stages, with limited insights thus far from the global south and industry sectors. Whilst collaboration is recognised as an enabling feature of both nature- based enterprises and urban sustainability transitions, these research fields have not been combined to date. To address these research gaps, this thesis focuses on urban beekeeping to investigate how nature-based enterprises collaborate and contribute to urban sustainability transitions. This research aims to raise awareness of nature-based enterprises and provide insights into their potential roles in urban sustainability transitions. Theory: This research combines literature on nature-based enterprises, collaboration and urban sustainability transitions to inform the conceptual framework. The framework defines nature-based enterprises in terms of key partners, value proposition, and activities. Furthermore, five mechanisms (replicating, partnering, upscaling, instrumentalizing, and embedding) are identified to better understand their contributions to urban sustainability transitions. Methodology: A qualitative embedded multiple-case research design is employed. The design focuses on the beekeeping sector in Harare and Amsterdam as case studies. Over the course of the research 22 interviews were conducted in total with NBEs, urban beekeeping organisations, key partners, and academic experts. Interviews were supplemented with document reviews and participant observation. A thematic coding strategy was employed to analyse the data. Results: Harare and Amsterdam cases are presented according to operationalized empirical research questions on nature-based enterprises, collaboration, and urban sustainability transitions. Discussion/Conclusion: Upon comparison of case results, findings suggest nature-based enterprises composition and capacity for diverse partnerships, positioning them at the crux of contemporary sustainability challenges. The study identifies five key roles nature-based enterprises can undertake to do so, namely: Context-Specific Educator, Hybrid Upscaler, NBS Provisioner, NBS Coordinator, and Corporate NBS Delivery. This heuristic framework contributes to literature by illuminating ways nature-based enterprises can mobilize and collaborate to contribute to urban sustainability transitions. Alongside academic relevance, the findings hold practical importance for nature-based enterprises seeking to further leverage their platforms for urban sustainability transitions.