View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Cork Open Research Archive Title Explorations in a meaning making system: Kerry as an entrepreneurial platform and the equine sector as a cluster Author(s) Mangan, Daniel M. Publication date 2013 Original citation Mangan, D.M. 2013. Explorations in a meaning making system: Kerry as an entrepreneurial platform and the equine sector as a cluster. DBA Thesis, University College Cork. Type of publication Doctoral thesis Rights © 2013. Daniel M. Mangan http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ Embargo information No embargo required Item downloaded http://hdl.handle.net/10468/1139 from Downloaded on 2017-02-12T12:57:18Z Explorations in a Meaning Making System: Kerry as an Entrepreneurial Platform and the Equine Sector as a Cluster by Donal Mangan, B.E., B.Eng, Chartered Engineer, MBA A Portfolio of Exploration submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the examination for the DBA (Business Economics) Degree of the National University of Ireland – University College Cork. School of Economics, UCC Head of School: Professor Connell Fanning Research Supervisors: Dr. Eleanor Doyle and Prof. Connell Fanning April 2013 Contents List of Figures iii List of Tables iii Acknowledgments iv Abstract iv INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 1. Portfolio Motivations and Approach ..................................................................... 1 2. Structure of the Portfolio ........................................................................................ 4 ESSAY ONE: THE SENSE OF KERRY ..................................................................... 9 1. Introduction.............................................................................................................. 9 2. Kegan’s Theory of Meaning Making Systems .................................................... 11 2.1 How Development is Triggered ................................................................... 16 3. Personal and Organizational Development Profile ............................................ 16 3.1 1942-2001 .................................................................................................... 18 3.2 The 1990‟s and Beyond ............................................................................... 22 4. Moving Kerry from ‘Subject to Object’ .............................................................. 27 4.1 Brody‟s Iniskillane ....................................................................................... 27 4.2 Driving Through Kerry in the 1960s ........................................................... 30 5. Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 43 ESSAY TWO: FROM ENGINEERING MIND-SET TO AN ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE ............................................................................................................ 47 1. Introduction............................................................................................................ 47 2. Competitiveness: Locations and Firms ................................................................ 48 2.1 Competitive Locations ................................................................................. 48 2.2 Competitive Firms ....................................................................................... 52 2.3 Interactions within Cluster and Potential for Growth .................................. 53 i 3. Effective Business and Growth Potential ............................................................ 56 3.1 Penrose‟s Theory of the Growth of the Firm ............................................... 56 3.2 Drucker on Effectiveness ............................................................................. 61 3.3 Drucker on Innovation ................................................................................. 65 4. Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 69 ESSAY THREE: EXPLORING KERRY’S COMPETITIVENESS ....................... 71 1. Introduction............................................................................................................ 71 2. Doing and Growing Business in Kerry ................................................................ 72 2.1 Overview of Companie: Short Histories ...................................................... 77 2.2 Analysis of Survey Responses ................................................................... 104 2.3 Analysis of Interviews ............................................................................... 108 3. Discussion and Conclusions ............................................................................... 125 ESSAY FOUR: APPLYING A CLUSTER LENS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................................... 131 1. Introduction.......................................................................................................... 131 2. Horses and Clusters ............................................................................................. 131 2.1 Irish Equine Activities – A Cluster Lens ................................................... 132 2.2 Stud Farms – National and Global Context ............................................... 135 2.3 Elements of an Irish Equine Cluster .......................................................... 143 2.2 Challenges to Building Cluster Advantages ................................................. 149 4. Discussion and Conclusion .................................................................................. 154 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................... 157 1. Introduction.......................................................................................................... 157 2. Key Themes .......................................................................................................... 157 References .................................................................................................................... 162 Appendices ................................................................................................................... 166 ii List of Figures Figure 1: Age and Mental Complexity ........................................................................ 11 Figure 2: Revised Age and Mental Complexity ......................................................... 12 Figure 3: Trajectory of Mental Development ............................................................ 13 Figure 4: Plateaus in Development .............................................................................. 14 Figure 5: Map of Kerry Route .................................................................................... 31 Figure 6: Porter’s Diamond ......................................................................................... 50 Figure 7: Porter’s 5 Forces .......................................................................................... 54 Figure 8: Elements of New Global Competitiveness Index ...................................... 56 Figure 9: The Irish Equine Cluster Map .................................................................. 144 List of Tables Table 1: Industrial Landscape of Kerry – Industrial Local Units~ .......................... 73 Table 2: Employment in Kerry by Intermediate Occupation Group ...................... 73 Table 3: Labour Distribution in Kerry Towns, 2011 ................................................ 75 Table 4: Agency Supports - Kerry and Ireland ......................................................... 76 Table 5: Organisations and Interviewees ................................................................... 77 Table 6: Liebherr’s Management Teams 1958 – 2008. ............................................. 81 Table 7: Most Problematic Factors for Doing Business, Kerry and Ireland. ....... 104 Table 8: Microeconomic Business Environment, Kerry and Ireland. ................... 106 Table 9: Organizing Themes and Questions for Interviews ................................... 109 Table 10: Stud Farms and Service Fees .................................................................... 136 Table 11: Productivity of Irish Stallions ................................................................... 137 Table 12: Trends in Irish Horse Racing ................................................................... 143 iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank each and every one that has aided and abetted my journey through this Portfolio of Exploration. The roadmap has been signposted by my supervisors Dr. Eleanor Doyle and Professor Connell Fanning. They were skilful, patient, and supportive in their approach to my efforts in developing this Portfolio. To my wife, my son and daughters and my extended family who kept asking those questions that needed to be asked and who were patient and forgiving when I went silent because I had not advanced sufficiently along my journey, I acknowledge your support. I extend thanks to Brian McCarthy, Gerry Kennelly, Klaus Knolke, Gerry O‟Grady, Eamon Crowley, Mary MacBride, Breda O‟Dwyer, Frank Hayes, Liam Chute, Marie Lynch, Ogie Moran, Thomas Hayes, John O‟Brien, Mike Fitzgerald and many others who gave me time and their views during my interviews with them.