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Innovation in tourism: Re-conceptualising and measuring the absorptive capacity of the hotel sector

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  • Thomas, Rhodri
  • Wood, Emma

Abstract

Recent reviews of research on innovation in tourism have highlighted a number of weaknesses in the literature. Among these is the limited theorising and empirical investigation of innovative practices by tourism organisations. This paper responds to these concerns by examining one important dimension of innovation within commercial tourism organisations, namely their ability to acquire, assimilate and utilise external knowledge (absorptive capacity) for competitive advantage. The topic is pertinent because there is evidence to suggest that tourism organisations are particularly dependent on external sources of knowledge when compared with businesses in other sectors. Following a discussion of the conceptual antecedents of absorptive capacity and its dimensions, a validated instrument for its measurement is developed and used to measure the absorptive capacity of the British hotel sector. The results suggest that current conceptions of absorptive capacity have limitations when applied to tourism enterprises. Absorptive capacity is re-conceptualised to overcome these deficiencies. The research and policy implications of the findings are discussed.

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  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:touman:v:45:y:2014:i:c:p:39-48
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2014.03.012
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    Cited by:

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    2. Hang T. T. Nguyen & Hanh Song Thi Pham & Susan Freeman, 2023. "Dynamic capabilities in tourism businesses: antecedents and outcomes," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 17(5), pages 1645-1680, July.
    3. 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.
    4. Singh Rajesh & Sarangal Rajani Kumari, 2021. "Innovation in Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs): A Future Perspective," European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation, Sciendo, vol. 11(2), pages 210-218, December.
    5. Sara Alonso-Muñoz & Rocío González-Sánchez & Cristina Siligardi & Fernando Enrique García-Muiña, 2021. "Building Exploitation Routines in the Circular Supply Chain to Obtain Radical Innovations," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-18, March.
    6. Thomas, Rhodri & Wood, Emma, 2015. "The absorptive capacity of tourism organisations," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 84-99.
    7. Sandro Montresor, 2018. "Innovation in tourism," Tourism Economics, , vol. 24(7), pages 765-780, November.
    8. 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.
    9. Liu, Chih-Hsing Sam, 2018. "Examining social capital, organizational learning and knowledge transfer in cultural and creative industries of practice," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 258-270.
    10. Williams, Allan M. & Rodriguez, Isabel & Makkonen, Teemu, 2020. "Innovation and smart destinations: Critical insights," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
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    12. Rangson Chirakranont & Sirijit Sunanta, 2021. "Applications of Experience Economy in Craft Beer Tourism: A Case Study in Thailand’s Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-23, September.
    13. Dimitrios Belias & Ioannis Rossidis & Efstathios Velissariou & Christos Amoiradis & Labros Sdrolias & Dimitrios Tsiotas, 2018. "Successful and Efficient Knowledge Management in the Greek Hospitality Industry: Change the Perspective!," Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Sciendo, vol. 7(1), pages 185-191, March.
    14. Booyens Irma & Rogerson Christian M., 2016. "Unpacking the geography of tourism innovation in Western Cape Province, South Africa," Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, Sciendo, vol. 31(31), pages 19-36, March.
    15. Moreno-Izquierdo, Luis & Ramón-Rodríguez, Ana & Such-Devesa, María Jesús, 2018. "The challenge of long-term tourism competitiveness in the age of innovation: Spain as a case study," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 42, pages 13-34.
    16. Chia-Wei Liu & Jen-Son Cheng, 2018. "Exploring Driving Forces of Innovation in the MSEs: The Case of the Sustainable B&B Tourism Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-19, October.
    17. Meiqi Jiao & Debin Du & Wentian Shi & Chunguang Hou & Qinchang Gui, 2021. "Dynamic Absorptive Capability and Innovation Performance: Evidence from Chinese Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-20, October.
    18. Asif Khan & Sughra Bibi & Jiaying Lyu & Achille Claudio Garavelli & Pierpaolo Pontrandolfo & Maria de Angeles Perez Sanchez, 2020. "Uncovering Innovativeness in Spanish Tourism Firms: The Role of Transformational Leadership, OCB, Firm Size, and Age," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-26, May.
    19. 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.
    20. 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.
    21. Martínez-Román, Juan A. & Tamayo, Juan A. & Gamero, Javier & Romero, José E., 2015. "Innovativeness and business performances in tourism SMEs," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 118-135.
    22. Rafael Sancho-Zamora & Isidro Peña-García & Santiago Gutiérrez-Broncano & Felipe Hernández-Perlines, 2021. "Moderating Effect of Proactivity on Firm Absorptive Capacity and Performance: Empirical Evidence from Spanish Firms," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(17), pages 1-15, August.
    23. Eugenia Panfiluk, 2021. "Innovativeness of Tourism Enterprises: Example of Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, January.

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