Browsing by Subject "business opportunity"

Challenges of such as biodiversity loss and unsustainable food systems are interconnected. Forests and forest fungi have important roles in the safeguarding of biodiversity. This study aimed to provide insights on mushroom cultivation opportunities alongside forestry activities using environmental expert opinions, individual forest owners’ perceptions and attitudes of mushroom picking hobbyists. Environmental experts, individual forest owners, and mushroom picking hobbyists were selected as key stakeholder for investigating the viability of mushroom cultivation alongside forestry activities. The potential of mushroom cultivation alongside forestry activities was elicited within the theoretical framework of stakeholder theory, corporate social responsibility, sustainable business, and insights from behavioral theories. The data was collected through qualitative interviews and a short survey. The analysis method for the data was thematic analysis. Six themes emerged from the data, showing practical implications that have important implications for the viability of mushroom cultivation alongside forestry activities, and touch upon environmental, economic, legal, social, educational and other practical aspects. Mushroom cultivation services could support and enhance forest biodiversity and offer additional income opportunities for forest owners. From a corporate social responsibility perspective selling mushroom cultivation services to forest owners represents an opportunity to support biodiversity of forests. Turning mushroom cultivation into sustainable business opportunity requires careful consideration of practical implications.