Saqqummersitaq

Reports on fermented, animal-sourced foods made by Inuit around the circumpolar North have lacked consideration for their unique microbiota and the geo-socio-cultural contexts in which they are made, often resulting in reinforced negative stereotypes. Deficit-based approaches to studying Inuit fermented foods overlook the fact that they have long been considered healthy and integral to Inuit diets. Inuit have deep knowledge on the harvesting, preparation, sharing, and consumption of fermented foods that research efforts must learn from and acknowledge. Our preliminary research into Inuit animal-sourced fermented foods expands current knowledge about the microorganisms needed to make them, and points to a potential to understand how these and other fermented foods impact the human gut microbiome. We provide recommendations for microbiological research on Inuit fermented foods that centers Inuit knowledge within the specific geographic, social, and cultural contexts in which these foods are made.

Purpose – There is no agreement in the network literature about how participating in networks is of value. This article aims to explore the underlying dynamics that form and support the process of value co-creation in networks.

Design/methodology/approach – The article draws together symbolic interactionism and organizational ethnography to outline a research approach illustrating how participation in networks becomes valuable. The empirical data were collected through fieldwork over two in two local business networks in Denmark.

Findings – The case study illustrates how participants in local business networks struggle to make participation valuable. The article shows how networks can be considered joint spheres for value co-creation. Three main arguments supporting value in networks stands out from the research: (1) Leadership as a collective achievement supports processes of value co-creation; (2) Develop a shared but dynamic focus and (3) Participation is valuable when supporting participants’ daily worklife.

Originality/value – The article builds up a creative analytical framework based on symbolic interactionism making an important contribution about how participants experience value in networks.