Event: Talk 1: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Research: The Past, the Present, the Future ; Talk 2: I am a tourist, get me out of here: Tourist perceptions of the anti-Airbnb movement
Date: Wednesday 26 March 2025
Time: 12:15-14:00
Venue: Online event ()
Speakers: Prof. Dr Christina Theodoraki (Aix-Marseille University, France) and Prof. Anna Farmaki (Cyprus University of Technology)
Programme:
12:15 Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Research: The Past, the Present, the Future
Delivered by:
Prof. Dr Christina Theodoraki, Aix-Marseille University, France
12:45 I am a tourist, get me out of here: Tourist perceptions of the anti-Airbnb movement
Delivered by:
Prof. Anna Farmaki, Cyprus University of Technology
Talk 1:
Speaker: Prof. Dr Christina Theodoraki, Aix-Marseille University, France
Abstract:
Despite the growing interest from researchers, practitioners, and governments in the concept of entrepreneurial ecosystems, our understanding of how to build sustainable ecosystems tailored to diverse contexts, countries, populations, or industries remains incomplete. This research seminar aims to clarify this often poorly defined concept and advance discussions on building entrepreneurial ecosystems by introducing new perspectives. The presentation will propose a paradigm shift in the study of entrepreneurial ecosystems, drawing on recent research, and will emphasize the importance of adopting a more inclusive and sustainable approach to address the challenges of our ever-changing world. The seminar will explore the past, present, and future of scientific debates on this concept, while providing practical tools, methodological frameworks, and actionable strategies for fostering resilient ecosystems. Participants will gain insights into effective strategies to promote a thriving, collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem capable of adapting to future uncertainties.
Speaker's Profile:
Christina Theodoraki is Full Professor (HDR) in Entrepreneurship & Strategy at IAE Aix-Marseille University. She is elected Program Chair at the Academy of Management, Entrepreneurship Division. She is Affiliate Professor at the International University of Monaco, Member of the Advisory Board at the Institute for Development Strategies at Indiana University (No. 1 in the best ranking universities in US News & World Report), Research Associate at the Chair of Entrepreneurship Territory Innovation (ETI) – IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Business Development Manager at the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Research Network (EERN), Editor of ‘Small Business Economics’, Associate Editor of the ‘Journal of Small Business Management’, ‘Management & Prospective – Gestion 2000’, and ‘Revue Internationale PME’, and member of the editorial boards of ‘Review of Managerial Science (RMS)’, ‘Entrepreneurship Research Journal’, ‘Journal of Enterprising Communities’, ‘Journal of the Knowledge Economy’.
Her research interests include entrepreneurial ecosystems, entrepreneurial support, and interorganizational strategies with a focus on business incubators. Her research has been published in journals such as ‘Journal of Supply Chain Management’, ‘Small Business Economics’, ‘Journal of Business Research’, ‘European Management Review’, ‘M@n@gement’, ‘IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management’, ‘The Journal of Technology Transfer’, ‘International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business’ etc.
Her research, contribution and commitment to the scientific society received international recognition: 2 Best Dissertations Awards from the AEI academy and the AIREPME research association, the Babson Collaborative Member of the Year 2021 Award, 2 Best webinar and Best Article Resiliency Awards, and a Best Policy Paper Award from ICSB.
Talk 2:
Speaker: Prof. Anna Farmaki, Cyprus University of Technology
Abstract:
Anti-tourism protests have intensified in cities worldwide, reflecting frustrations over overcrowding, environmental degradation, and housing affordability. Central to this unrest is the proliferation of short-term rentals, particularly through platforms like Airbnb, which are often linked to housing shortages and disrupted neighbourhood dynamics. Although the negative impacts of Airbnb are well-documented, there is limited scholarly attention on the anti-Airbnb discourse, particularly on how tourists perceive local expressions of discontent. This gap is important, as such tensions can lead to dissatisfaction for both visitors and residents. This study draws from semi-structured interviews with tourists visiting Athens (Greece) and examines their perceptions of the anti-Airbnb movement as depicted through graffiti. Specifically, we use social interactionism as a theoretical lens to examine anti-Airbnb graffiti in the visited city. Findings underscore the role of anti-Airbnb graffiti as a form of symbolic communication, bridging tourists to local perspectives and tensions they encounter. We offer a typology of three types of tourists in relation to their perceptions and reactions: pessimists, realists and optimists and offer suggestions regarding platform policies and host practices.
Speaker's Profile:
Anna Farmaki is Assistant Professor at the Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus. She holds a doctorate (PhD) in marketing from Nottingham Trent University. She has published extensively in reputable, peer-reviewed academic journals such as ‘Tourism Management’, ‘Annals of Tourism Research’, ‘Journal of Travel Research’, ‘Journal of Business Research’, ‘Journal of Sustainable Tourism’ and ‘International Journal of Hospitality Management’ among others, and has presented her work in various international conferences, seminars and workshops.
Prof. Farmaki is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) and a member of the Management Committee in several COST Actions. In addition, she is Associate Editor of ‘Tourism Review’ and sits at the Editorial Board of various journals including the ‘International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management’, the ‘Service Industries Journal’, ‘Tourism Planning and Development’, the ‘Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management’ and the ‘Journal of Service Theory and Practice’. Her research interests lie primarily in the areas of tourism planning and development, with emphasis on sustainable tourism, and tourist behaviour.
Both presentations are hosted by the Department of Corporate Communication, Faculty of Media & Knowledge Sciences (MAKS).
This Webinar is part of the MAKS Research Seminar Series.
Registration is free, but kindly confirm your attendance by sending an email.
