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Organizational Learning Capacity and Sustainability Challenges in Times of Crisis: A Study on Tourism SMEs in Galicia (Spain)

Author

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  • Diego R. Toubes

    (Department of Business Organization, Business Administration and Tourism School, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain)

  • Noelia Araújo-Vila

    (Financial Economics and Accounting Department, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain)

  • José A. Fraiz-Brea

    (Department of Business Organization, Business Administration and Tourism School, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain)

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has encouraged a major shift towards greater environmental awareness and sustainable consumption. However, in times of severe crisis, SMEs primarily look to return to normalcy and their own survival rather than implementing a sustainable agenda. This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the learning problems faced by small tourism enterprises in a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper explores the learning capacity of SMEs and the importance of establishing mechanisms that provide SMEs with the keys to organizational learning as a source of continuous knowledge. Open-ended semi-structured interviews with 39 tourism SMEs managers in Galicia (Spain) were conducted during the toughest months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that SMEs have not been fully involved in the learning process, which is mainly related to knowledge transfer and integration. DMOs can act as promoters of knowledge management for organizational preparedness by providing SMEs with learning mechanisms and strategies to go beyond simple problem solving when they arise.

Suggested Citation

  • Diego R. Toubes & Noelia Araújo-Vila & José A. Fraiz-Brea, 2021. "Organizational Learning Capacity and Sustainability Challenges in Times of Crisis: A Study on Tourism SMEs in Galicia (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:21:p:11764-:d:663942
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yun Tang & Ying Wang, 2022. "Learning from Neighbors: The Spatial Spillover Effect of Crisis Learning on Local Government," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Cláudia Seabra & Ketan Bhatt, 2022. "Tourism Sustainability and COVID-19 Pandemic: Is There a Positive Side?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-14, July.
    3. Diego R. Toubes & Noelia Araújo-Vila & Arthur Filipe Araújo & José Antonio Fraiz-Brea, 2023. "Resilience and individual competitive productivity: the role of age in the tourism industry," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Luz Natalia Tobón Perilla & Elena Urquía Grande & Elisa Isabel Cano Montero, 2022. "Economic and Organizational Impact of COVID-19 on Colombia’s Tourism Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-21, October.

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