![Robert Bowen](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/53?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Robert Bowen
Senior Lecturer in International Entrepreneurship
- Welsh speaking
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
Dr Robert Bowen is an International Entrepreneurship academic at Cardiff Business School at Cardiff University, and has previously held academic positions at Swansea University and Aberystwyth University in Wales, and the University of Nantes in France. He also currently holds a position of Visiting Professor at Audencia Business School in Nantes, France. Dr Bowen undertakes research into rural enterprise, regional development, place marketing and SME internationalisation, with a strong interest in food and drink SMEs. He has published in a range of international journals, and presented his research at the Welsh Parliament, House of Lords, and European Commission. He currently holds positions of co-chair of the Rural Enterprise track at the annual ISBE (Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship) conference, and Editor of Regions, an online publication of the Regional Studies Association. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
My Public Value Story
Robert works closely with small businesses, both in a teaching and research capacity. Robert engages with small businesses in research, notably rural enterprises, helping to support growth and development through well-being. Examples from this research is included in teaching Entrepreneurship, with case studies and examples from his research across a range of settings including Wales, France, Malaysia, Brazil and Colombia. Robert also plays a leading role with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol in ensuring that students have the opportunities to study Business through the medium of Welsh. Robert has experience in engaging with policymakers in the Welsh and British governments, as well as the European Commission. Furthermore, Robert regularly contributes to media discussions on small businesses and the Welsh economy, including the BBC and S4C.
Publication
2024
- Dowell, D., Morris, W. and Bowen, R. 2024. AI adoption by rural SMEs: Exploring current trends. Regions 18, pp. 1-6.
- Bowen, R., Burvill, S., Cummings, B. and Themelidis, L. 2024. A new approach to entrepreneurship and regional development: The key roles of purpose and well-being in the Swansea Bay City Region. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research (10.1108/IJEBR-03-2023-0320)
- Bowen, R. and Morris, W. 2024. Digital entrepreneurship in agrifood business: a resource bricolage perspective. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research 30(2/3), pp. 482-497. (10.1108/IJEBR-02-2023-0226)
- Bowen, R. and Webber, D. J. 2024. Do city region policies neglect rural areas?. Journal of Rural Studies 106, article number: 103207. (10.1016/j.jrurstud.2024.103207)
- Bowen, R., Dowell, D. and Morris, W. 2024. Hospitality SMEs and the circular economy: Strategies and practice post-Covid. British Food Journal 126(1), pp. 80-97. (10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0932)
- Bowen, R., Scott, J. and Mukerjee, A. 2024. The resilience of rural SMEs in Aotearoa New Zealand and Wales: A comparative study. Presented at: USASBE 2024 Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium, Burlington, Vermont, USA, 19-21 June 2024.
- Bowen, R., Scott, J. and Mukherjee, A. 2024. Rural SME resilience: A well-being perspective. Presented at: Rural Entrepreneurship Conference 2024, Leeds, UK, 5-7 June 2024.
2023
- Miller, M. and Bowen, R. 2023. Sense of place expressions in Welsh craft beer branding: Identity, neolocalism and social terroir. In: Patterson, M. W. and Hoalst-Pullen, N. eds. The Geography of Beer: Policies, Perceptions, and Place. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, pp. 205-214., (10.1007/978-3-031-39008-1_16)
- Burvill, S., Cummings, B. and Bowen, R. 2023. The future of the well-being of future generations act (Wales, 2015): An ecosystem perspective. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Aston University (Birmingham), 8-10 November 2023Proceedings ISBE 2023.
- Dowell, D., Bowen, R. and Morris, W. 2023. Hospitality SME innovation. Responses to multi-faceted crises. British Food Journal 125(11), pp. 4034-4047. (10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-0982)
- Bowen, R. and Miller, M. 2023. Provenance representations in craft beer. Regional Studies 57(10), pp. 1995-2005. (10.1080/00343404.2022.2092088)
- Bowen, R. 2023. Rethinking SME internationalisation: A framework for food and drink businesses. Presented at: Global Marketing Conference, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 20-23 July 2023. Global Alliance of Marketing & Management Associations pp. 140-143.
- Schneider, H., Huxtable-Thomas, L., Jones, P., Bowen, R. and Högsdal, N. 2023. Design thinking within entrepreneurship education: Different perspectives and common themes in the literature. In: Block, J. H. et al. eds. Progress in Entrepreneurship Education and Training. FGF Studies in Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Springer, pp. 261-275., (10.1007/978-3-031-28559-2_17)
- Kempster, Z., Morris, W., Bowen, R. and Manning, L. 2023. The role and contribution of women in UK farm businesses. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (10.1177/14657503231159766)
- Bowen, R. 2023. Purposeful regional development: A case study of 4theRegion. Presented at: Regional Studies Association Conference, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 14-17 June 2023.
- Bowen, R. 2023. Rural futures: A resource bricolage evaluation of rural resilience. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Aston University (Birmingham), 8-10 November 2023.
- Cotterell, D., Jones, P., Bowen, R. and Huxtable-Thomas, L. 2023. Evaluating the resource bricolage activities of retail SMEs during a time of crisis: Failing, surviving and thriving as three degrees of organisational resilience.. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Aston University (Birmingham), 8-10 November 2023.
- Schneider, H., Huxtable-Thomas, L., Jones, P. and Bowen, R. 2023. How entrepreneurship educators integrate design thinking – insights from an interview-study. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Aston University (Birmingham), 8-10 November 2023.
2022
- Cummings, B., Burvill, S. and Bowen, R. 2022. Network-based regional development: A comparative study. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, York, 27-28 October 2022Proceedings ISBE Annual Conference 2022.
- Burvill, S., Bowen, R. and Cummings, B. 2022. From entrepreneurial (EE) to purposeful ecosystems (PE) in Wales in a post covid era. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, York, 27-28 October 2022Proceedings ISBE Annual Conference 2022.
- Bowen, R. 2022. Post-Covid rural development: Opportunities through wellbeing?. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship conference, York, 27-28 October 2022Proceedings ISBE Conference 2022.
- Bowen, R., Morris, W. and Ivett, S. 2022. Rural enterprise research: A systematic methodological review. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, York, 27-28 October 2022Proceedings ISBE Annual Conference 2022.
- Morris, J., Morris, W. and Bowen, R. 2022. Implications of the digital divide on rural SME resilience. Journal of Rural Studies 89, pp. 369-377. (10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.01.005)
- Bowen, R. 2022. Food tourism: opportunities for SMEs through diaspora marketing?. British Food Journal 124(2), pp. 514-529. (10.1108/BFJ-04-2021-0410)
- Burvill, S., Bowen, R. and Cummings, B. 2022. Purposeful regional development in Swansea Bay. The case of 4theRegion. Presented at: WISERD Annual Conference 2022, Swansea, UK, 6-8 July 2022.
- Bowen, R. 2022. Regional development through wellbeing: A holistic approach to levelling up?. Presented at: Commissioner's Seminar Series on Cohesion Policy, European Commission, Brussels, 26/09/2022.
2021
- Bowen, R. 2021. Cultural representation by local food microenterprises. In: Morais, D. B. ed. Tourism Microentrepreneurship: Volume 12. Bridging Tourism Theory and Practice Emerald Publishing Limited, pp. 135-148., (10.1108/s2042-144320210000012011)
- Rasyid, Y. and Bowen, R. 2021. Social entrepreneurship: policies and practice in Malaysia. In: Jones, P. et al. eds. Entrepreneurial Activity in Malaysia. Springer International Publishing, pp. 117-134., (10.1007/978-3-030-77753-1_6)
- Bowen, R. 2021. Cultivating coffee experiences in the Eje Cafetero, Colombia. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research 15(3), pp. 328-339. (10.1108/ijcthr-08-2020-0184)
- Cotterell, D. and Bowen, R. 2021. SME resilience during the Covid-19 Pandemic. exploring urban-rural differences. Regions (10.1080/13673882.2021.00001103)
- Cummings, B., Burvill, S., Bowen, R. and Themelidis, L. 2021. A well-being network approach to Covid-19 recovery: the approach of 4theRegion. Regions (10.1080/13673882.2021.00001113)
- Fiorentino, S., Bowen, R. and Oliveira, E. 2021. Editorial on Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Regions(11) (10.1080/13673882.2021.00001106)
- Oliveira, E., Fiorentino, S. and Bowen, R. 2021. Editorial on redefining urban-rural balance in changing times. Regions (10.1080/13673882.2021.00001095)
- Oliveira, E., Fiorentino, S. and Bowen, R. 2021. Editorial on housing issues in contemporary urban regions. Regions (10.1080/13673882.2021.00001080)
- Bowen, R., Fiorentino, S. and Oliveira, E. 2021. Editorial Regions in Transition I: Sustainability challenges and opportunities in cities and regions. Regions (10.1080/13673882.2021.00001086)
2020
- Morris, W. and Bowen, R. 2020. Renewable energy diversification: considerations for farm business resilience. Journal of Rural Studies 80, pp. 380-390. (10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.10.014)
- Oliveira, E., Fiorentino, S. and Bowen, R. 2020. Editorial on the financialisation of the urban and regional domains. Regions (10.1080/13673882.2020.00001069)
- Bowen, R. and Bennett, S. 2020. Selling places: a community-based model for promoting local food. The case of Rhondda Cynon Taf. Journal of Place Management and Development 13(2), pp. 215-228. (10.1108/jpmd-10-2018-0081)
- Bowen, R. 2020. Motives to SME internationalisation: a comparative study of export propensity among food and drink SMEs in Wales and Brittany. Cross Cultural {&} Strategic Management 27(1), pp. 51-74. (10.1108/CCSM-08-2018-0125)
2019
- Bowen, R. and Morris, W. 2019. The digital divide: implications for agribusiness and entrepreneurship. Lessons from Wales. Journal of Rural Studies 72, pp. 75-84. (10.1016/j.jrurstud.2019.10.031)
Articles
- Dowell, D., Morris, W. and Bowen, R. 2024. AI adoption by rural SMEs: Exploring current trends. Regions 18, pp. 1-6.
- Bowen, R., Burvill, S., Cummings, B. and Themelidis, L. 2024. A new approach to entrepreneurship and regional development: The key roles of purpose and well-being in the Swansea Bay City Region. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research (10.1108/IJEBR-03-2023-0320)
- Bowen, R. and Morris, W. 2024. Digital entrepreneurship in agrifood business: a resource bricolage perspective. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research 30(2/3), pp. 482-497. (10.1108/IJEBR-02-2023-0226)
- Bowen, R. and Webber, D. J. 2024. Do city region policies neglect rural areas?. Journal of Rural Studies 106, article number: 103207. (10.1016/j.jrurstud.2024.103207)
- Bowen, R., Dowell, D. and Morris, W. 2024. Hospitality SMEs and the circular economy: Strategies and practice post-Covid. British Food Journal 126(1), pp. 80-97. (10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0932)
- Dowell, D., Bowen, R. and Morris, W. 2023. Hospitality SME innovation. Responses to multi-faceted crises. British Food Journal 125(11), pp. 4034-4047. (10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-0982)
- Bowen, R. and Miller, M. 2023. Provenance representations in craft beer. Regional Studies 57(10), pp. 1995-2005. (10.1080/00343404.2022.2092088)
- Kempster, Z., Morris, W., Bowen, R. and Manning, L. 2023. The role and contribution of women in UK farm businesses. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (10.1177/14657503231159766)
- Morris, J., Morris, W. and Bowen, R. 2022. Implications of the digital divide on rural SME resilience. Journal of Rural Studies 89, pp. 369-377. (10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.01.005)
- Bowen, R. 2022. Food tourism: opportunities for SMEs through diaspora marketing?. British Food Journal 124(2), pp. 514-529. (10.1108/BFJ-04-2021-0410)
- Bowen, R. 2021. Cultivating coffee experiences in the Eje Cafetero, Colombia. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research 15(3), pp. 328-339. (10.1108/ijcthr-08-2020-0184)
- Cotterell, D. and Bowen, R. 2021. SME resilience during the Covid-19 Pandemic. exploring urban-rural differences. Regions (10.1080/13673882.2021.00001103)
- Cummings, B., Burvill, S., Bowen, R. and Themelidis, L. 2021. A well-being network approach to Covid-19 recovery: the approach of 4theRegion. Regions (10.1080/13673882.2021.00001113)
- Fiorentino, S., Bowen, R. and Oliveira, E. 2021. Editorial on Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Regions(11) (10.1080/13673882.2021.00001106)
- Oliveira, E., Fiorentino, S. and Bowen, R. 2021. Editorial on redefining urban-rural balance in changing times. Regions (10.1080/13673882.2021.00001095)
- Oliveira, E., Fiorentino, S. and Bowen, R. 2021. Editorial on housing issues in contemporary urban regions. Regions (10.1080/13673882.2021.00001080)
- Bowen, R., Fiorentino, S. and Oliveira, E. 2021. Editorial Regions in Transition I: Sustainability challenges and opportunities in cities and regions. Regions (10.1080/13673882.2021.00001086)
- Morris, W. and Bowen, R. 2020. Renewable energy diversification: considerations for farm business resilience. Journal of Rural Studies 80, pp. 380-390. (10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.10.014)
- Oliveira, E., Fiorentino, S. and Bowen, R. 2020. Editorial on the financialisation of the urban and regional domains. Regions (10.1080/13673882.2020.00001069)
- Bowen, R. and Bennett, S. 2020. Selling places: a community-based model for promoting local food. The case of Rhondda Cynon Taf. Journal of Place Management and Development 13(2), pp. 215-228. (10.1108/jpmd-10-2018-0081)
- Bowen, R. 2020. Motives to SME internationalisation: a comparative study of export propensity among food and drink SMEs in Wales and Brittany. Cross Cultural {&} Strategic Management 27(1), pp. 51-74. (10.1108/CCSM-08-2018-0125)
- Bowen, R. and Morris, W. 2019. The digital divide: implications for agribusiness and entrepreneurship. Lessons from Wales. Journal of Rural Studies 72, pp. 75-84. (10.1016/j.jrurstud.2019.10.031)
Book sections
- Miller, M. and Bowen, R. 2023. Sense of place expressions in Welsh craft beer branding: Identity, neolocalism and social terroir. In: Patterson, M. W. and Hoalst-Pullen, N. eds. The Geography of Beer: Policies, Perceptions, and Place. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, pp. 205-214., (10.1007/978-3-031-39008-1_16)
- Schneider, H., Huxtable-Thomas, L., Jones, P., Bowen, R. and Högsdal, N. 2023. Design thinking within entrepreneurship education: Different perspectives and common themes in the literature. In: Block, J. H. et al. eds. Progress in Entrepreneurship Education and Training. FGF Studies in Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Springer, pp. 261-275., (10.1007/978-3-031-28559-2_17)
- Bowen, R. 2021. Cultural representation by local food microenterprises. In: Morais, D. B. ed. Tourism Microentrepreneurship: Volume 12. Bridging Tourism Theory and Practice Emerald Publishing Limited, pp. 135-148., (10.1108/s2042-144320210000012011)
- Rasyid, Y. and Bowen, R. 2021. Social entrepreneurship: policies and practice in Malaysia. In: Jones, P. et al. eds. Entrepreneurial Activity in Malaysia. Springer International Publishing, pp. 117-134., (10.1007/978-3-030-77753-1_6)
Conferences
- Bowen, R., Scott, J. and Mukerjee, A. 2024. The resilience of rural SMEs in Aotearoa New Zealand and Wales: A comparative study. Presented at: USASBE 2024 Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium, Burlington, Vermont, USA, 19-21 June 2024.
- Bowen, R., Scott, J. and Mukherjee, A. 2024. Rural SME resilience: A well-being perspective. Presented at: Rural Entrepreneurship Conference 2024, Leeds, UK, 5-7 June 2024.
- Burvill, S., Cummings, B. and Bowen, R. 2023. The future of the well-being of future generations act (Wales, 2015): An ecosystem perspective. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Aston University (Birmingham), 8-10 November 2023Proceedings ISBE 2023.
- Bowen, R. 2023. Rethinking SME internationalisation: A framework for food and drink businesses. Presented at: Global Marketing Conference, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 20-23 July 2023. Global Alliance of Marketing & Management Associations pp. 140-143.
- Bowen, R. 2023. Purposeful regional development: A case study of 4theRegion. Presented at: Regional Studies Association Conference, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 14-17 June 2023.
- Bowen, R. 2023. Rural futures: A resource bricolage evaluation of rural resilience. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Aston University (Birmingham), 8-10 November 2023.
- Cotterell, D., Jones, P., Bowen, R. and Huxtable-Thomas, L. 2023. Evaluating the resource bricolage activities of retail SMEs during a time of crisis: Failing, surviving and thriving as three degrees of organisational resilience.. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Aston University (Birmingham), 8-10 November 2023.
- Schneider, H., Huxtable-Thomas, L., Jones, P. and Bowen, R. 2023. How entrepreneurship educators integrate design thinking – insights from an interview-study. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Aston University (Birmingham), 8-10 November 2023.
- Cummings, B., Burvill, S. and Bowen, R. 2022. Network-based regional development: A comparative study. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, York, 27-28 October 2022Proceedings ISBE Annual Conference 2022.
- Burvill, S., Bowen, R. and Cummings, B. 2022. From entrepreneurial (EE) to purposeful ecosystems (PE) in Wales in a post covid era. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, York, 27-28 October 2022Proceedings ISBE Annual Conference 2022.
- Bowen, R. 2022. Post-Covid rural development: Opportunities through wellbeing?. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship conference, York, 27-28 October 2022Proceedings ISBE Conference 2022.
- Bowen, R., Morris, W. and Ivett, S. 2022. Rural enterprise research: A systematic methodological review. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, York, 27-28 October 2022Proceedings ISBE Annual Conference 2022.
- Burvill, S., Bowen, R. and Cummings, B. 2022. Purposeful regional development in Swansea Bay. The case of 4theRegion. Presented at: WISERD Annual Conference 2022, Swansea, UK, 6-8 July 2022.
- Bowen, R. 2022. Regional development through wellbeing: A holistic approach to levelling up?. Presented at: Commissioner's Seminar Series on Cohesion Policy, European Commission, Brussels, 26/09/2022.
Research
Dr Bowen’s research interests include rural entrepreneurship, regional development, place marketing and SME internationalisation, with a specialisation in the food and drink industry. His PhD conceptualised and examined the internationalisation of food and drink SMEs, drawing on theories of place marketing and internationalisation. He has experience of conducting fieldwork in various countries, including Wales, France, Malaysia, Colombia and Brazil. Dr Bowen has regularly presented research papers at international conferences, including the WISERD (Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods) and ISBE (Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship) conferences, winning Best Paper in the Rural Enterprise track at ISBE in 2018, and Best Paper in the Networks, Innovation and Policy track in 2021. He has also won Best Paper published in Regions in 2021. Dr Bowen has been invited to share his research with the Welsh Government, given evidence to the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee at the Welsh Assembly, and discussed co-authored work at the House of Lords. In 2019, he was invited to present his research at the European Commission during the annual EU Week of Regions, ans again in 2022 at the Commissioner's Seminar Series on Cohesion Policy.
Teaching
Dr Bowen is a member of the Marketing and Strategy team and contributes towards teaching on Entrepreneurship and Innovation modules. Additionally, he holds a position as Visiting Professor at Audencia Business School since 2016, where he teaches on the International Management and Food and Agribusiness Management programmes. He also works closely with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to develop and promote studying Business through the medium of Welsh.
Modules taught:
BS3003 Entrepreneurship and Business Start-ups
BST188 New Venture Creation
BST191 Venture Growth and Development
Biography
Education and Qualifications
- BA French and German, Cardiff University
- MSc International Master in Management, Audencia Business School, Nantes, France
- PhD in Management, Aberystwyth University
- PGCTHE, Aberystwyth University
Career Overview
- 2024 - Present: Senior Lecturer in International Entrepreneurship, Cardiff University
- 2022 - 2024: Lecturer in International Entrepreneurship, Cardiff University
- 2017 - 2022: Lecturer in International Entrepreneurship, Swansea University
- 2013 - 2017: Lecturer in Business, Aberystwyth University
- 2012 - 2013: Marketing Officer, Scarlets Rugby
- 2008 - 2011: Business Trainer, Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie Nantes/St Nazaire, France
- 2005 - 2011: Teaching Fellow, Université de Nantes, France
Honours and awards
- Alistair Anderson award for Best Paper by an ECR at the ISBE conference 2022
- Best Paper in Regions, 2021
- Best Paper in the Networks, Innovation and Policy track at the ISBE conference 2021
- Best Paper in the Rural Enterprise track at the ISBE conference 2018
Professional memberships
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Senior Fellow of Regional Studies Association
- Member of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
- Associate of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol
Supervisions
I am interested in supervising PhD students in the areas of:
- Rural Enterprise
- SME Internationalisation
- Rural Development
- Small Business Growth
Contact Details
BowenR16@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 29225 11761
Aberconway Building, Room R09, Colum Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF10 3EU
+44 29225 11761
Aberconway Building, Room R09, Colum Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF10 3EU
