Mapping Open Innovation in Tourism: A Bibliometric Study and Future Research Agenda

Purpose Innovation management in the tourism industry over the past two decades has focused on the concept of open innovation. The dynamic nature of this sector, combined with the need for collaboration based on the sharing of specialized knowledge among various stakeholders, makes the effective implementation of innovative practices challenging. The aim of this study is to identify research contributions, findings, and the intellectual structure of studies on open innovation in the field of tourism. A particular focus is placed on examining the connection between the concept of open innovation and the functioning of tourism enterprises. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this, a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications available in the Scopus database was conducted, employing both a holistic approach—emphasizing collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation development in tourism—and a narrow approach—strictly analyzing studies explicitly addressing open innovation in this domain. Findings The results of the bibliometric analysis indicated a significant increase in the intensity of research on open innovation in tourism in a broader perspective (referring to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and network co-creation), while at the same time revealing that the area of open innovation strategies at the level of tourism enterprises remains an open field for further research. Originality/value The analyses allowed for the identification of dominant clusters of research areas, referencing key attributes of open innovation and highlighting potential future research directions.