Local small-scale food enterprises: ambitions and initiatives for achieving business growth among male and female owners and managers

Abstract

Since 1990 close to 2000 small-scale food enterprises have been established in Norway. This can be seen as a result of a proactive policy promoting diversification in rural areas. Part of the funding has been dedicated to women and young people to ensure better gender equality and recruitment. The instruments have been successful in terms of gender equality with women receiving over 40 percent of the new business start up grants. However, a recent evaluation reveals that the goals of increased profit, settlement and employment in rural areas have not been met. In this article we are analysing growth ambitions and initiatives for achieving business growth among male and female owners/managers of small scale food enterprises in Norway. We are also asking how these owner/managers ambitions correspond to public goals for such enterprises. Our analysis shows that growth aspirations are explained by wishes of owners to secure their businesses and receive higher income. Contrary to policy aims of expansion of small scale food products into a national market, enterprise owners/managers consider growth in established local and regional markets to be most relevant. Among small scale food enterprises, there are close to 50 percent female owners/managers