title: Food from the sea: Contesting the blue economy through indigenous stories, livelihoods, and kinship in Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

authors: Kristama, Yoga Sita

abstract: Food from the Sea: Contesting the Blue Economy through Indigenous Stories, Livelihoods and Kinship in Lembata critically examines the intersections between Indonesia’s Blue Economy programme and Indigenous marine governance, focusing on the Lamaholot communities in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Drawing on qualitative research inspired by ethnographic methodologies (participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussion), the study explores how traditional ecological knowledge, cultural practices and livelihoods are maintained or disrupted by top-down marine policies. This research shows a disjuncture between the Blue Economy agenda and Indigenous practices rooted in communal stewardship and spiritual ties to land and sea. While Blue Economy initiatives promote sustainability and economic growth, the implementation often marginalises Indigenous and small-scale fishers, threatening food sovereignty and traditional governance. By investigating local responses, including resistance and negotiation, this thesis highlights the concept of blue justice and advocates for inclusive, community-led marine governance. The findings challenge dominant development narratives and contribute to debates on environmental justice, resource access, and Indigenous rights in the context of marine conservation and economic policy.

text: Food from the sea: Contesting the blue economy through indigenous stories, livelihoods, and kinship in Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia Food from the Sea: Contesting the Blue Economy through Indigenous Stories, Livelihoods and Kinship in Lembata critically examines the intersections between Indonesia’s Blue Economy programme and Indigenous marine governance, focusing on the Lamaholot communities in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Drawing on qualitative research inspired by ethnographic methodologies (participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussion), the study explores how traditional ecological knowledge, cultural practices and livelihoods are maintained or disrupted by top-down marine policies. This research shows a disjuncture between the Blue Economy agenda and Indigenous practices rooted in communal stewardship and spiritual ties to land and sea. While Blue Economy initiatives promote sustainability and economic growth, the implementation often marginalises Indigenous and small-scale fishers, threatening food sovereignty and traditional governance. By investigating local responses, including resistance and negotiation, this thesis highlights the concept of blue justice and advocates for inclusive, community-led marine governance. The findings challenge dominant development narratives and contribute to debates on environmental justice, resource access, and Indigenous rights in the context of marine conservation and economic policy.

year: 2024

title: The impact of social networking mediums on the decision making process of tourists: A case study of Stray Ltd and Spaceships New Zealand Ltd

authors: Jenkin, Hamish John

subjects: Social Networking Mediums

abstract: This thesis examines tourist decision making in relation to the use of blogs and social networking sites. Specifically, the research examines the tourist behaviour involving these mediums in the pre-experience decision making phase of the travel experience through case studies of two New Zealand tourism businesses which involve backpacker and fully independent tourists as their customers (Stray Ltd and Spaceships New Zealand Ltd). The thesis research used both quantitative and qualitative research methods in order to examine the influence of blogs and social networking sites on tourists‘ decision making. The quantitative data comprised of 206 semi-structured surveys completed by customers of the two companies. Qualitative data consisted of the collection of 330 photographs posted on the companies‘ websites which had been taken by customers, 19 customer videos, customer comments from both companies‘ websites, the content of the companies‘ Facebook and Twitter social networking sites, and a semi-structured interview with a representative from both companies. Analysis of the data revealed that Facebook is the most commonly used social networking site, with the usage of social networking sites being higher than that of blogs. However, neither Facebook nor blogs featured strongly when used by customers to make decisions, with travel ratings websites and official destination websites being more commonly used. Analysis of the qualitative data showed a difference in language, structure and time between the social networking site content and customer comment data. Customer comment data features more descriptions of a customers‘ trips and why they would recommend the company, rather than when the customers are going on the trip and what they are looking forward to, which was a characteristic of social networking site content. Analysis of the photographic and video data revealed differences between the two customer types, suggesting there is a clear difference between backpackers and fully independent travellers and their motivations for travel. This thesis contributes to the previous attention given to the role of technology in tourist decision making and trip bookings through focusing on the use of social networking sites and blogs and how this applies to tourism businesses.

text: The impact of social networking mediums on the decision making process of tourists: A case study of Stray Ltd and Spaceships New Zealand Ltd This thesis examines tourist decision making in relation to the use of blogs and social networking sites. Specifically, the research examines the tourist behaviour involving these mediums in the pre-experience decision making phase of the travel experience through case studies of two New Zealand tourism businesses which involve backpacker and fully independent tourists as their customers (Stray Ltd and Spaceships New Zealand Ltd). The thesis research used both quantitative and qualitative research methods in order to examine the influence of blogs and social networking sites on tourists‘ decision making. The quantitative data comprised of 206 semi-structured surveys completed by customers of the two companies. Qualitative data consisted of the collection of 330 photographs posted on the companies‘ websites which had been taken by customers, 19 customer videos, customer comments from both companies‘ websites, the content of the companies‘ Facebook and Twitter social networking sites, and a semi-structured interview with a representative from both companies. Analysis of the data revealed that Facebook is the most commonly used social networking site, with the usage of social networking sites being higher than that of blogs. However, neither Facebook nor blogs featured strongly when used by customers to make decisions, with travel ratings websites and official destination websites being more commonly used. Analysis of the qualitative data showed a difference in language, structure and time between the social networking site content and customer comment data. Customer comment data features more descriptions of a customers‘ trips and why they would recommend the company, rather than when the customers are going on the trip and what they are looking forward to, which was a characteristic of social networking site content. Analysis of the photographic and video data revealed differences between the two customer types, suggesting there is a clear difference between backpackers and fully independent travellers and their motivations for travel. This thesis contributes to the previous attention given to the role of technology in tourist decision making and trip bookings through focusing on the use of social networking sites and blogs and how this applies to tourism businesses.

year: 2010

title: He Matapihi Mā Mua, Mō Muri: The Ethics, Processes, and Procedures Associated with the Digitization of Indigenous Knowledge—The Pei Jones Collection

authors: Whaanga, Hēmi

abstract: The digital era has transformed how people live their lives and interact with the world and knowledge systems around them. In Aotearoa/New Zealand a range of initiatives incorporating Indigenous knowledge have been implemented to collect, catalog, maintain, and organize digital objects. In this article, we report on the ethics, processes, and procedures associated with the digitization of the manuscripts, works, and collected taonga (treasures) of the late Dr. Pei Te Hurinui Jones—and describe how it was transformed into a digital library. It discusses the decision-making processes and the various roles and responsibilities of the researchers, family members, and institute in this process.

text: He Matapihi Mā Mua, Mō Muri: The Ethics, Processes, and Procedures Associated with the Digitization of Indigenous Knowledge—The Pei Jones Collection The digital era has transformed how people live their lives and interact with the world and knowledge systems around them. In Aotearoa/New Zealand a range of initiatives incorporating Indigenous knowledge have been implemented to collect, catalog, maintain, and organize digital objects. In this article, we report on the ethics, processes, and procedures associated with the digitization of the manuscripts, works, and collected taonga (treasures) of the late Dr. Pei Te Hurinui Jones—and describe how it was transformed into a digital library. It discusses the decision-making processes and the various roles and responsibilities of the researchers, family members, and institute in this process.

year: 2015