Strategically Managing Sustainable and Innovative Business Development in Uncertain Times: An Exploratory Study of Botanic Gardens.

The purpose of this study is to explore the provision, experiences and perceptions of 3 similar Botanic Gardens (BGs) across the UK; to explore and inform their heritage marketing and management efforts. Botanic Gardens (BGs) are faced with a range of challenges regarding sustainability and innovation due to funding cuts, changing roles and the need for strategic management approaches. Online resources directly linked to these 3 BGs (company websites, Trip Advisor, Facebook and Twitter), and transcripts of free-flowing discussion with stakeholders (representatives of international and UK national BGs; staff and volunteers of these 3 BGs) form the data sources. Content analysis of such data sources follows qualitative methodology techniques utilising a combination of manual and automatic text analysis; to highlight strengths and areas for development. It is hoped that this study will extend across the broader BG industry at both a national and international level, and contribute to sustainable heritage tourism and visitor attractions management paradigms.