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Business elites, universities and knowledge transfer in tourism

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  • Thomas, Rhodri

Abstract

Policy-makers charged with enhancing the competitiveness of tourism, sometimes draw attention to the potential contribution of universities to strengthening innovative behaviour in the private sector. Business elites (very senior managers of large enterprises) play a key role in determining the propensity of organisations to participate in knowledge transfer with higher education institutions. This paper examines the process of knowledge acquisition among ten British business elites, who between them employ tens of thousands of workers, and the (potential) contribution of universities to that activity. Qualitative data are interpreted using concepts from the literature on knowledge transfer and Mezirow’s theory of adult learning. The findings suggest that business elites not only operate within communities of practice but also tend to learn within their own ’meaning perspectives’. As a result, initiatives aimed at strengthening engagement are not likely to succeed unless they are able to influence how elites approach their own learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas, Rhodri, 2012. "Business elites, universities and knowledge transfer in tourism," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 553-561.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:touman:v:33:y:2012:i:3:p:553-561
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2011.06.009
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    Cited by:

    1. Manuela Presutti & Marco Savioli & Vincenza Odorici, 2020. "Strategic orientation of hotels: Evidence from a contingent approach," Tourism Economics, , vol. 26(7), pages 1212-1230, November.
    2. Thomas, Rhodri & Ormerod, Neil, 2017. "The (almost) imperceptible impact of tourism research on policy and practice," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 379-389.
    3. Thomas, Rhodri & Wood, Emma, 2015. "The absorptive capacity of tourism organisations," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 84-99.
    4. Thomas, Rhodri & Wood, Emma, 2014. "Innovation in tourism: Re-conceptualising and measuring the absorptive capacity of the hotel sector," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 39-48.
    5. Andreea MANOLIU & Adina-Gabriela CROITORU, 2014. "Management Of Ict – Viable Business Strategy For The Romanian Tourism Market," Revista de turism - studii si cercetari in turism / Journal of tourism - studies and research in tourism, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Romania, Faculty of Economics and Public Administration - Economy, Business Administration and Tourism Department., vol. 18(18), pages 49-52, December.
    6. Raisi, Hossein & Baggio, Rodolfo & Barratt-Pugh, Llandis & Willson, Gregory, 2020. "A network perspective of knowledge transfer in tourism," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    7. Tho, Nguyen Dinh & Trang, Nguyen Thi Mai, 2015. "Can knowledge be transferred from business schools to business organizations through in-service training students? SEM and fsQCA findings," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(6), pages 1332-1340.
    8. Li, Yanning & Wood, E.H. & Thomas, R., 2017. "Innovation implementation: Harmony and conflict in Chinese modern music festivals," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 87-99.
    9. 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.

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