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The power of environmental indifference. A critical discourse analysis of a collaboration of tourism firms

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  • Nilsen, Heidi Rapp
  • Ellingsen, May-Britt

Abstract

International attempts have not succeeded in addressing climate change, leaving an even heavier responsibility on countries, firms and people. As tourism is an expanding branch in the world economy, it is crucial to focus on how climate change issues are addressed in this industry as well. This paper analyses a group of tourism firms in Norway that join together to promote growth and profitability in winter tourism. The span in how these firms deal with environmental issues ranges from ecotourism till not addressing the subject at all. Although the majority of the firms have environmental issues on the agenda, environmental issues are not included in the cooperation. We use critical discourse theory to explore how this stance on environmental issues within a cooperation has come about, and categorize the firms into three discourses: neoclassical economics, environmental economics and ecological economics. Our data indicate that the hegemonic power of neoclassical economics hampers an environmental focus in the network. This power is exerted through the position of being environmentally indifferent. The paper adds knowledge to economic discourses on firm level.

Suggested Citation

  • Nilsen, Heidi Rapp & Ellingsen, May-Britt, 2015. "The power of environmental indifference. A critical discourse analysis of a collaboration of tourism firms," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 26-33.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:109:y:2015:i:c:p:26-33
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2014.10.014
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    Cited by:

    1. Rita Nerland & Heidi Rapp Nilsen & Bjørn Andersen, 2023. "Biosphere‐based sustainability in local governments: Sustainable development goal interactions and indicators for policymaking," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(1), pages 39-55, February.
    2. Schweinsberg, Stephen & Darcy, Simon & Cheng, Mingming, 2017. "The agenda setting power of news media in framing the future role of tourism in protected areas," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 241-252.

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