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The absorptive capacity of tourism organisations

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  • Thomas, Rhodri
  • Wood, Emma

Abstract

Absorptive capacity, one of the most prominent constructs in innovation research over recent decades, has advanced theoretically without consideration for the peculiarities of tourism and tourism enterprises. At its core is the notion that an ability to acquire, assimilate, transform and exploit external knowledge generates competitive advantage. Following a review of the literature and a study of absorptive capacity in the international meetings industry, a new theoretical model is proposed. The paper also provides the means by which policy-makers might, for the first time, assess levels of absorptive capacity in destinations.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas, Rhodri & Wood, Emma, 2015. "The absorptive capacity of tourism organisations," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 84-99.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:anture:v:54:y:2015:i:c:p:84-99
    DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2015.06.004
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    Cited by:

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    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. Makkonen, Teemu & Williams, Allan M., 2024. "Cross-border tourism and innovation system failures," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    4. Garay, Lluís & Font, Xavier & Pereira-Moliner, Jorge, 2017. "Understanding sustainability behaviour: The relationship between information acquisition, proactivity and performance," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 418-429.
    5. Williams, Allan M. & Rodriguez, Isabel & Makkonen, Teemu, 2020. "Innovation and smart destinations: Critical insights," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    6. Williams, Allan M. & Rodríguez Sánchez, Isabel, 2024. "Knowledge mobility after tourism entrepreneurial failure: Life after death?," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    7. Rhea L. Adriatico & Allen Mark A. Razalan & Chrizel Mae V. Pagbilao & Bonimar T. Afalla & Leila M. Dela Cruz, 2022. "Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction in Dining Restaurants: Inputs for Tourism and Hospitality Curriculum Enhancement," Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Richtmann Publishing Ltd, vol. 11, May.
    8. 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).
    9. Schuhbert, Arne & Thees, Hannes, 2020. "Of routes and corridors: Challenges and opportunities for Silk Road destinations in the southern Caucasus," MPRA Paper 100676, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Eugenia Panfiluk, 2023. "In Search of Innovation Barriers to Tourist Destinations—Indications for Organizations Managing Destinations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-22, January.
    11. Schuhbert, Arne & Thees, Hannes, 2020. "Of routes and corridors: Challenges and opportunities for Silk Road destinations in the southern Caucasus," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 6, pages 21-29.
    12. McCamley, Claire & Gilmore, Audrey, 2017. "Aggravated fragmentation: A case study of SME behaviour in two emerging heritage tourism regions," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 81-91.
    13. Sonia Cruz-Ros & Diana L. Guerrero-Sánchez & Maria-Jose Miquel-Romero, 2021. "Absorptive capacity and its impact on innovation and performance: findings from SEM and fsQCA," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 235-249, February.
    14. 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.
    15. Eugenia Panfiluk, 2021. "Innovativeness of Tourism Enterprises: Example of Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, January.

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