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Networks, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer in Tourism Industry: An Empirical Study of SMEs in Portugal

Author

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  • João M. Lopes

    (NECE—Research Unit in Business Sciences & Miguel Torga Institute of Higher Education, Largo Cruz de Celas nº1, 3000-132 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Márcio Oliveira

    (NECE—Research Unit in Business Sciences & Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Rua General Norton de Matos, Apartado 4133, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal)

  • Jorge Lopes

    (NIDISAG—Research Unit of ISAG & ISAG—European Business School, Campus de Salazares/Ramalde, R. de Salazares 842, 4100-442 Porto, Portugal)

  • Umer Zaman

    (Endicott College of International Studies (ECIS), Woosong University, Daejeon 34606, Korea)

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate how commercialisation and knowledge transfer between the SMEs of the tourism sector and the higher education institutions (HEIs) are made, as well as to find out whether the SMEs of the tourism sector are part of tourism networks, and what their motivations are. We used a qualitative methodology, applying the triangulation method to eight SMEs and one HEI. The results indicate that the commercialisation and knowledge transfer between the SMEs and the HEIs are not effective. SMEs are part of regional networks of business innovation; however, they do not participate in R&D activities with HEIs. Some suggestions were made to SMEs, HEIs, and regional governments to speed up commercialisation and knowledge transfer in the tourism sector. We adapted the Triple Helix Model to the tourism sector, thus creating the “Triple Helix in the Tourism Context”. Only a few studies have researched knowledge commercialisation in the tourism sector, a gap that this article aims to compensate.

Suggested Citation

  • João M. Lopes & Márcio Oliveira & Jorge Lopes & Umer Zaman, 2021. "Networks, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer in Tourism Industry: An Empirical Study of SMEs in Portugal," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:10:y:2021:i:5:p:159-:d:547028
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. João M. Lopes & José Oliveira, 2022. "The New Times of Social Media Marketing in the B2B Framework," Businesses, MDPI, vol. 2(2), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Jialei Ye & Luyi Yang & Ruwei Yun, 2022. "An Impact Evaluation of the Application of Sharing Products in Tourism Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-23, June.
    3. Efthimios Bakogiannis & Chryssy Potsiou & Konstantinos Apostolopoulos & Charalampos Kyriakidis, 2021. "Crowdsourced Geospatial Infrastructure for Coastal Management and Planning for Emerging Post COVID-19 Tourism Demand," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 2(2), pages 1-16, June.
    4. João M. Lopes & Sofia Gomes & Rosselyn Pacheco & Elizabete Monteiro & Carolina Santos, 2022. "Drivers of Sustainable Innovation Strategies for Increased Competition among Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, May.
    5. Umer Zaman, 2023. "Seizing Momentum on Climate Action: Nexus between Net-Zero Commitment Concern, Destination Competitiveness, Influencer Marketing, and Regenerative Tourism Intention," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-19, March.

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