Dr Olive McCarthy

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Olive McCarthy

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Food Business & Development and Centre for Co-operative Studies
University College Cork
Cork University Business School

[email protected] LinkedIn profile ORCID profile

Biography

Dr. Olive McCarthy is a senior lecturer with the Department of Food Business and Development and director of the Centre for Co-operative Studies at UCC. Her research has been conducted mainly into credit unions and related issues, as well as the role of co-operatives in agriculture and food, on which she has published widely.
She graduated with a BComm in 1994, an MSc in 1996 and a PhD in 2005. Her PhD research involved an analysis of the relationship between member participation and organisational effectiveness in credit unions. She holds a PG Cert and a PG Dip in Teaching and Learning.
Olive was appointed to the statutory Credit Union Advisory Committee (CUAC) by the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure Reform, Paschal Donohue, in September 2018, having previously served on the CUAC from 2005 to 2009, and was reappointed for a further 3 year term in September 2021. She was also appointed to the CIRIEC International Scientific Commission in 2018 and to the Research Advisory Board of the Swoboda Research Centre in 2017. She serves as a director of MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service) Support and chairs its Social Policy Working Group. She is deputy editor (for Ireland) of the Journal of Co-operative Studies and holds positions on the editorial boards of several other academic journals.
She is the academic co-director of the MSc in Co-operative and Social Enterprise by online learning, co-director of the MSc in Co-operatives, Agri-Food and Sustainable Development, and was also involved in the design, development and delivery of the Credit Union Pathways Programme - 5 highly innovative undergraduate programmes aimed at meeting the training and educational needs of credit unions. She won the student-nominated 'Outstanding Lecturer Award' in the UCC College of Science Engineering and Food Science (SEFS) in June 2013. She also won a President's Award for Excellence in Teaching in October 2014 and gained a student nomination to the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching in June 2018.
She has volunteered with credit union, co-operative and social finance organisations.

Grants and Honours

  • 03/10/2022 - Credit Union Prize for research on credit unions and sustainability, Swoboda Research Institute
  • 01/03/2021 - ENERGISE: Enhancing the transition to energy efficient households: Connecting consumers with low disposable incomes, Irish Research Council
  • 01/07/2020 - Consumer credit study, Finance Watch
  • 01/03/2020 - Financial exclusion of social housing tenants, Cluid Housing
  • 01/12/2018 - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories, Cork Chapter XI
  • 01/12/2016 - Interest Rate Restrictions on Credit for Low-income Borrowers, Social Finance Foundation Ireland
  • 08/01/2013 - DAFF 11/5/151 ; Joint ventures to enhance the demographic profile and socio-Economic sustainability of Irish Farming., Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF)
  • 06/01/2013 - Client Satisfaction Survey, Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS)
  • 10/01/2010 - An exploration of Co-operative solutions to increase market success of fruit & vegetable growers in Ireland., Teagasc
  • 09/01/2004 - The Provision of credit to low income and welfare-dependent groups: credit unions versus moneylender, Combat Poverty Agency
  • 01/01/2004 - CREDIT UNION STUDIES, Irish League of Credit Unions
  • 01/01/2003 - I.L.C.U. Training, Irish League of Credit Unions
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Other Activities

  • 01/10/2022 - All Ireland Credit Union Awards: Judging panel
  • 04/09/2022 - Credit Union Social Impact Reporting, Irish League of Credit Unions
  • 19/08/2022 - WLR: Radio interview re proposed removal by banks of cash services, Waterford Local Radio
  • 25/07/2022 - Why banks need to maintain cash services for customers, RTE Brainstorm
  • 19/06/2022 - Sunday Independent: Buying on the long finger -times runs out for shoppers - interview for newspaper article by Gabrielle Monaghan
  • 24/04/2022 - Invited presentation to the ILCU AGM, Irish League of Credit Unions
  • 01/04/2022 - Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management
  • 16/02/2022 - ENERGISE: Enhancing the Transition to Energy Citizenship for Households with Low Income, Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS)
  • 27/01/2022 - ENERGISE: Enhancing the transition to energy citizenship, Institute of Social Science in the 21st Century (ISS21)
  • 16/11/2021 - All you need to know about 'buy now, pay later' services, RTE Brainstorm
  • 01/09/2021 - SME co-operative membership in Australia, University of Western Australia
  • 19/02/2021 - RTE Drivetime: interview on moneylending, RTE
  • 13/11/2020 - Interest rate caps on lending, Talking Credit Unions This was part of the Talking Credit Unions podcast in the UK. Here I am interviewed about my research into interest rate caps, high cost credit and credit unions as an alternative. Listen here: https://cfcfe.eu/podcast_13_interest_rate_caps/, Talking Credit Unions
  • 11/11/2020 - MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service) Support
  • 01/09/2020 - Do consumer warnings on financial products work?
  • 01/09/2020 - Do consumer warnings on financial products work?
  • 17/06/2020 - CRC fm: Interview on moneylending, CRC fm
  • 15/06/2020 - Moneylending and Covid-19
  • 12/06/2020 - Dublin Northside Partnership (NSP) and TASC : Financial Capabilities Steering Group
  • 27/02/2020 - Is there a 'say-do' gap when it comes to sustainability in Ireland? CUBS Insights This was part of the CUBS Insights series of podcasts. This episode looks at the approach to sustainability in agriculture and food in Ireland asking how this vital industry needs to adapt and change in light of current issues and external pressures. I participated in this podcast along with Yvonne Cooney, Head of Sustainability, Ornua, and John Curran, Head of Sustainability for Musgrave. Listen here: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2luc2lnaHRzLXRoZS1jdWJzLXBvZGNhc3Q/episode/dGFnOmF1ZGlvYm9vbS5jb20sMjAyMC0wMi0yNzovcG9zdHMvNzUxNjM1Mg?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjozpHfg5zwAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQEw&hl=en-IE, Cork University Business School
  • 03/02/2020 - Certificate in Social Enterprise Management, Waterford Institute of Technology
  • 01/11/2019 - Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management
  • 01/02/2019 - The true cost of Moneylending: CUBS Insights https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-true-cost-of-money-lenders-in-ireland/id1441102257?i=1000432256460, Cork University Business School
  • 29/11/2018 - RTE Morning Ireland: Interview on the topic of moneylending, RTE
  • 09/11/2018 - Agricultural co-ops in Vietnam, University of Western Australia
  • 20/12/2016 - Savings and Credit Co-operatives in Kenya, University of Cape Town
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Pedagogic Experiences

  • 2021 - FE3024 Agri-Food Co-operatives and Sustainability, University College Cork
  • 2021 - FE6308 Practice-Based Research Project, University College Cork, MSc Co-operatives, Agri-Food and Sustainable Development
  • 2018 - FE6304 Co-operative and Collaborative Responses, University College Cork, MSc Co-operatives, Agri-Food and Sustainable Development
  • 2018 - FE6703 Education and Marketing for Co-operatives and Social Enterprise, University College Cork, MSc Co-operative and Social Enterprise (Online)
  • 2008 - FE3016 Micro-finance strategies for development, University College Cork, BSc (Hons) International Development and Food Policy
  • 2007 - FE6601 Co-operatives and the Third Sector, University College Cork
  • 2005 - FE4414 Co-operative Banking, University College Cork, BComm (Hons) Commerce
  • 2005 - FE6701 Co-operative and Social Enterprise, University College Cork, MSc Co-operative and Social Enterprise (Online)
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Thesis

  • 2021 - Deconstructing Cardboard Man: Antagonists, Allies and Advocates in the Quest for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Bangladesh, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2025 - Is there a viable business model for the Irish credit union sector?, University College Cork (Thesis Primary Supervisor)
  • 2026 - Economic and social benefits and challenges of housing co-operatives in Germany, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2014 - The Impact of Saving and Credit Co-operation on Food Security in the West Amhara Region Ethiopia, University College Cork (Thesis Primary Supervisor)
  • 2018 - An Analysis of the Impact of Youth Initiatives on Young Adults' Use of Credit Union Services: A Case Study of Mullingar Credit Union, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2017 - An exploration of the financial capability of Polish emigrants in Ireland, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2018 - An analysis of millennial members’ relationship with their credit union and the significance of social media in that relationship: A case study of St. Michael’s Credit Union, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2010 - Effective structures for farmers' markets in Ireland, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2014 - Urbanization effects on welfare and income diversification strategies of peri-urban farm households in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: An empirical analysis, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2015 - An examination of the impact of support on from external actors on co-operative development, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2015 - Risk or reward: factors that inhibit or support the development of social enterprise within the criminal justice sector in Ireland, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2016 - Rural Co-operatives as Instruments of Promoting Gender Equality: A Myth or Reality, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2017 - The purpose and competitive advantages of credit unions in Ireland today: managers' perspectives, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2018 - Financial remuneration of directors of credit unions: an exploratory study, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2017 - The potential of values-based supply chains to support family farm viability, sustainability and resilience: a co-operative approach, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2024 - Organisational Culture in Credit Unions, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
  • 2022 - Financial Service Deepening: Impact, Sustainability/Commercialization and mission drift in Microfinance. The Case of DECSI-Ethiopia, University College Cork (Thesis Co-Supervisor)
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Publications

Journal article

Year Publication
2017 HOOKS, T., MACKEN-WALSH, Á., MCCARTHY, O., POWER, C. (2017). The Impact of a Values-Based Supply Chain (VBSC) on Farm-Level Viability, Sustainability and Resilience: Case Study Evidence. Sustainability. Details
2014 BYRNE, N., MCCARTHY, O. (2014). Value proposition preferences of credit union members and patronage activity. International Journal of Bank Marketing. doi:10.1108/IJBM-11-2013-0128. Details
2007 BYRNE, N., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2007). Money-Lending and Financial Exclusion. Public Money & Management. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9302.2007.00554.x. Details
2017 HOOKS, T., MCCARTHY, O., POWER, C., MACKEN-WALSH, Á. (2017). A co-operative business approach in a values-based supply chain: A case study of a beef co-operative. Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management. doi:10.1016/j.jcom.2017.10.001. Details
2014 MOORE, O., MCCARTHY, O., BYRNE, N., WARD, M. (2014). Reflexive Resilience and Community Supported Agriculture: The Case that Emerged from a Place. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems and Community Development. doi:https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2014.043.007. Details
2009 MORONEY, A., BRISCOE, R., MCCARTHY, O., O'SHAUGHNESSY, M., WARD, M. (2009). The potential of the Co-operative Form for Farmer's Markets in Ireland - Some Lessons from the USA and the UK. The potential of the Co-operative Form for Farmer's Markets in Ireland - Some Lessons from the USA and the UK.
2016 SIOBHÁN, C., MCCARTHY, O., POWER, C. (2016). Risk and reward: the development of social enterprise within the criminal justice sector in Ireland - some policy implications. Irish Probation Journal.
2014 POWER, C., O’CONNOR, R., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2014). Merging into the mainstream? An empirically based discussion of the potential erosion of competitive advantage in a restructured Irish credit union movement. Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management. doi:10.1016/j.jcom.2014.09.001. Details
2012 POWER, C., O’CONNOR, R., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2012). Credit unions and community in Ireland: Towards optimising the principle of social responsibility. International Journal of Co-Operative Management.
2009 MCCARTHY, O. (2009). The Centre for Co-operative Studies in co-operative education and research.
2007 BYRNE, N., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2007). An alternative approach to oversight: the case of the supervisory committee in Irish credit unions. International Journal of Co-Operative Management.
2006 MCCARTHY, O. (2006). Ongoing research issues: governance, identity and ethics in education. International Journal of Co-Operative Management.
2005 BYRNE, N., MCCARTHY, O. (2005). An analysis of the credit union's use of Craig's commitment building measures. Journal of Co-Operative Studies.
2004 BYRNE, N., MCCARTHY, O., O’CONNOR, R. (2004). The development of new rural credit unions in Ireland within a context of service rationalization in rural areas. Details
2003 MCKILLOP, D., BRISCOE, R., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M., FERGUSON, C. (2003). Irish credit unions: exploring the gender mix. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Non-Profit Organizations, 14, 339–358. doi:https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025670704720. Details
2002 MCCARTHY, O. (2002). A values perspective of the Irish credit union movement.
2001 MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2001). Communicating the co-operative message: a case study of the Irish credit union movement.. International Journal of Co-Operative Management.
2001 MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2001). Opportunities and Challenges in Communications for Credit Unions.
2001 BUENDIA MARTINEZ, I., MCCARTHY, O., BRISCOE, R., WARD, M. (2001). The input of co-operative banking in local development structures: an empirical study of the European LEADER Programme in Ireland. Revue Economies et Solidarités, 32 (1-2), 133-147.
2006 KAUPELYTE, D., MCCARTHY, O. (2006). Risk Management in Lithuanian and Irish Credit Unions: Trends and Impacts on Credit Union Development. Journal of Rural Co-Operation.
2012 BYRNE, N., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M., MCMURTRY, J. (2012). Credit union restructuring: don't forget the member! International Journal of Co-Operative Management.
2017 HOOKS, T., MACKEN-WALSH, Á., MCCARTHY, O., POWER, C. (2017). Farm-level viability, sustainability and resilience: a focus on cooperative action and values-based supply chains. Studies in Agricultural Economics. doi:10.7896/j.1718. Details
2012 POWER, C., O’CONNOR, R., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2012). Credit unions and Community in Ireland: Optimising the principle of social responsibility. International Journal of Co-Operative Management.
2018 HOOKS, T., MACKEN-WALSH, A., MCCARTHY, O., POWER, C., HENCHION, M. (2018). Co-Operation among Irish Beef Farmers: Current Perspectives and Future Prospects in the Context of New Producer Organisation (PO) Legislation. Sustainability, 10 (11). Details
2021 MCCARTHY, O. (2021). How are Ireland's credit unions coping with the pandemic? Journal of Co-Operative Studies, 54 (1), 55-56.
2006 KAUPELYTE, D., MCCARTHY, O. (2006). Risk management of Lithuanian and Irish credit unions: Trends and impacts on credit union development. Journal of Rural Cooperation, 34 (2), pp. 179-196.
2003 MCKILLOP, D. G., BRISCOE, R., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M., FERGUSON, C. (2003). Irish credit unions: Exploring the gender mix. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Non-Profit Organizations, 14 (3), 339-358. doi:10.1023/A:1025670704720. Details
2021 MCCARTHY, O. (2021). Social impact measurement and reporting for Irish credit unions. International Journal of Co-operative Accounting and Management, 4 (2). Details
2023 MARWOOD, S., BYRNE, N., MCCARTHY, O., HEAVIN, C., BARLOW, P. (2023). Examining the Relationship between Consumers’ Food-Related Actions, Wider Pro-Environmental Behaviours, and Food Waste Frequency: A Case Study of the More Conscious Consumer. Sustainability, 15 (3). Details
2017 MURPHY, L., MCCARTHY, O., CARROLL, B. (2017). No Heir apparent? Exploring the Worker Co-operative Model as a Solution to Family Business Continuity. Journal of Entrepreneurial and Organizational Diversity, 6 (2), 20 - 39. doi:10.5947/jeod.2017.008. Details

Book

Year Publication
2002 O’CONNOR, R., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2002). Innovation and Change in Irish Credit Unions Innovation and Change in Irish Credit Unions. Details
2019 MCCARTHY, O., CASEY, W. (2019). Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories. Cork Chapter of Credit Unions.

Book chapter

Year Publication
2012 MCCARTHY, O., MICHAEL, W. (2012). Sustaining the co-operative approach in an era of change: A case study from Cork Ireland. The Co-operative Model in Practice: International Perspectives. Community Enterprise Trust Scotland.
2016 MCCARTHY, O., FARRELL, S., HEWSON, D. (2016). The Financial Co-operative System in Ireland. Credit Cooperative Institutions in European Countries. Springer Publishing. Details
2013 MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2013). Irish agricultural modelling and remodelling - responding to a dynamic business and policy environment. Research Handbook Sustainable Co-operative Enterprise: Case Studies of Organisational Resilience in the Co-operative Business Model.
2012 MORONEY, A., CARROLL, B., MCCARTHY, O. (2012). From Co-operatives to Conventional Business and Back Again: The Irish Co-operative Experience. A Co-operative Dilemma: Converting Organisational Form.
2006 MCCARTHY, O., BRISCOE, R., WARD, M. (2006). People in control: the promise of the co-operative business approach. Irish Business & Society: Governing, Participating & Transforming in the 21st Century.
2005 MCCARTHY, O. (2005). Financing ourselves. Helping Ourselves: Success Stories in Co-operative Business and Social Enterprise.
2003 MCKILLOP, D., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M., BRISCOE, R., FERGUSSON, C. (2003). Women in the Irish Credit Union Movement: North and South. Oak Tree Press.
2001 WARD, M., MCCARTHY, O., BRISCOE, R. (2001). Mutuality through credit unions. a cross-national approach. The New Mutualism in Public Policy. Details
2011 POWER, C., O'CONNOR, R., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2011). Credit unions and community wellbeing. The origins, ethos and evolution of co-operative credit in Ireland.
2011 BYRNE, N., POWER, C., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2011). The role of credit unions in financial capability. The Origins, Ethos and Evolution of Co-operative Credit in Ireland.
2012 CARROLL, B., MCCARTHY, O., O'SHAUGHNESSY, M. (2012). Co-operatives - what relevance now?. In Doyle, G. and Lalor, T. (Eds.), Social Enterprise in Ireland: A People's Economy?. Oak Tree Press.
2014 MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2014). Irish agricultural co-operative modelling and remodelling: Responding to a dynamic business and policy environment. Research Handbook on Sustainable Co-operative Enterprise: Case Studies of Organisational Resilience in the Co-operative Business Model (pp. 67-81). Edward Elgar Publishing.
2023 CARROLL, B., MCCARTHY, O., BYRNE, N., BOLAND, M., WARD, M. (2023). Role of the Farmer and their Co-operative in Supply Chain Governance: An Irish Perspective. Handbook of Research on Co-operatives and Mutuals (pp. 193-207). Edward Elgar Publishing. Details
2023 BOLAND, M. A., BYRNE, N., CARROLL, B., MCCARTHY, O., PITTS, S., SECOR, W. (2023). A framework for understanding the role of producers in governance of supply chains. Handbook of Research on Cooperatives and Mutuals (pp. 166-171). Edward Elgar Publishing. Details

Edited book

Year Publication
2011 POWER, C., O'CONNOR, R., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2011). The Origins, Ethos and Evolution of Co-operative Credit in Ireland:. Celebrating the Centenary of the Birth of Nora Herlihy. Centre for Co-operative Studies, University College Cork.

Journal issue

Year Publication
2021 CARROLL, B., MCCARTHY, O. (2021). Special Edition from Ireland, Journal of Co-operative Studies. Journal of Co-Operative Studies.

Dissertation

Year Publication
2005 MCCARTHY, O. (2005). The Irish credit union movement: member participation and organisational effectiveness.
1996 MCCARTHY, O. (1996). An analysis of change and development in credit union structure and management.

Magazine article

Year Publication
2018 MCCARTHY, O., BYRNE, N. (2018). New law will finally cap moneylending. Changing Ireland.
1999 BRISCOE, R., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (1999). Serving the Periphery: Community Co-operatives in Western Ireland. Review of International Co-Operation.
2020 MCCARTHY, O. (2020). How are Ireland's credit unions coping with the pandemic? RTE Brainstorm.
2020 MCCARTHY, O., BYRNE, N. (2020). Do consumer warnings on financial products work? RTE Brainstorm.
2020 MCCARTHY, O., BYRNE, N. (2020). Payday loans: clampdown was vital, but credit unions must expand after coronavirus to fill gap. The Conversation.

Report

Year Publication
2010 BYRNE, N., POWER, C., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2010). The potential impact of credit unions on members' financial capability: An exploratory study. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10468/5052
2005 BYRNE, N., MCCARTHY, O., WARD, M. (2005). Meeting the credit needs of low income groups: Credit unions versus moneylenders. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10468/5050
2017 FAHERTY, M., MCCARTHY, O., BYRNE, N. (2017). Interest Rate Restrictions on Credit for Low-income Borrowers. Retrieved from https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2021/1116/1260206-buy-now-pay-later-klarna-humm-ireland-credit-loans-interest-regulation/ Details
2017 O'SULLIVAN, P., MCCARTHY, O., BYRNE, N. (2017). The management of lending risk in Irish community credit unions.
2002 BYRNE, N., MCCARTHY, O., MICHAEL, W. (2002). Training and Education in Irish Credit Unions: Centre for Co-operative Studies, University College, Cork.
2018 MORONEY, A., CARROLL, B., MCCARTHY, O. (2018). Go Co-op: Recent cases of Irish co-operative start-ups.. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.21706.82884 Details
2014 MCCARTHY, O., LANE, C., BYRNE, N. (2014). Cork MABS study: Clients' experiences, opinions and satisfaction levels. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10468/5087
2020 MCCARTHY, O. (2020). Credit Union Social Impact Measurement and Reporting: Realising the Potential. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345762685_Social_Impact_Measurement_and_Reporting_for_Credit_Unions_Realising_the_Potential
2021 MCCARTHY, O. (2021). Financial Inclusion Among Social Housing Tenants. Retrieved from https://www.cluid.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Cluid-Housing-Financial-Inclusion-Among-Social-Housing-Tenants.pdf

Other

Year Publication
2016 MCCARTHY, O. (2016). Microfinance strategies for development.
2020 MCCARTHY, O., MURPHY, L. (2020). 'Exploring Succession and Resistance to Non-Family Succession in Family Business in Ireland: Opportunities for and Barriers to the Workers’ Co-operative Model. Published conference proceedings. International Family Enterprise Research Academy.
2022 MURPHY, L., MCCARTHY, O., O'SULLIVAN, S. (2022). Re-ignited interest in the family farm? Helping in the family business in times of crisis. International Family Enterprise Research Academy.
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