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Individual motivation and knowledge exchange promote social innovation at a micro level.
Local networks and the involvement of communities, especially marginalized groups, drive social innovation at the meso level.
Economic profitability is a significant barrier to the development and financial sustainability of social innovation.
The economization of tourism and bureaucratic hurdles hinder social innovation at a macro level.
Abstract of this book contribution
This study addresses the field of sustainable tourism development, focusing on social innovation. It fills a gap in the existing literature by examining the drivers and barriers of social innovation in community model destinations, taking into account the networked nature of the tourism industry. Through in-depth stakeholder interviews and participant observation, factors influencing social innovation at micro, meso and macro levels are uncovered .
This research extends previous work on the interconnectedness of social entrepreneurial factors and innovation. Furthermore, it emphasizes altruistic motivations, knowledge sharing and awareness raising in addition to economic profitability as essential at the micro level. At the meso level, the importance of local networks, role models and the involvement of local communities is emphasized. Authenticity as well as economic and political factors are macro influences that need to be addressed. This research provides guidance for responsible and community-oriented tourism practices that are in line with sustainable development goals.
Findings from this study
- The study provides a holistic understanding of the drivers and barriers of social innovation in the tourism sector by systematically uncovering factors at the micro, meso and macro levels, taking into account the interconnected nature of the industry.
- At the micro level, altruistic motivations, knowledge sharing and awareness raising are key drivers of social innovation, complemented by the entrepreneurial spirit of stakeholders.
- Economic viability is a significant barrier to social innovation, as these projects often lack a coherent business model and find it difficult to secure funding, especially at the micro level.
- Contextual factors such as a destination's economic dependence on tourism and the prevailing business structures (e.g. small and medium-sized family businesses) can be both drivers and barriers to social innovation, depending on the situation .