Knowledge Processes in Tourism
(EURODITE and so what?)
1. Research setting: EURODITE and tourism
2. Conceptualising knowledge dynamics - briefly
3. Key results: Knowledge, tourism, and public policy
4. And so what?
Henrik Halkier, Aalborg University, halkier@ihis.aau.dk
RESEARCH SETTING
Eurodite and tourism
Policy concerns
• EU Lisbon strategy in practice: high-tech, big-science ?
• cluster-mania in policy communities across Europe
EURODITE contributions 2005-2010
• network researching regional knowledge dynamics
• focus on seven selected sectors, including tourism
• sectoral / territorial knowledge dynamics
• firm-level case studies
CONCEPTUALISING
KNOWLEDGE DYNAMICS
• knowledge types: different truth criteria
– analytical, synthetic, symbolic
• knowledge phases: purpose of activity
– exploration, examination, exploitation
• knowledge sites: location
– explicit, complicit, implicit
– individual, collective
• knowledge processes: drivers, strategies, institutions
– regulation, markets, networks, corporate objectives
– organisational, professional, markets, products/processes
EURODITE
in North Jutland
• three case-studies af network development
within tourism
– Knowledge use/generation, knowledge
geography, knowledge types
• Diverse case-studies
– Culture/nature, short/long time span
• Endless interviews by willing volunteers
– DMO development in Toppen af Danmark (PFH)
- all-year tourism in Mariagerfjord (AT)
- innovation in cultural heritage (LDO)
KNOWLEDGE DYNAMICS
North Jutland and beyond
Analytical
Synthetic
Symbolic
Exploration
(Market research) (Market research)
Examination
Market research
Market research
Exploitation
Product
development
Promotion
development
KNOWLEDGE DYNAMICS
North Jutland and beyond
North Jutland and the rest
• Extensive mobilisation of tacit knowledge
– Marketing, product development, organisational development
• Increasing network interaction, especially internally
– Ownership/stakeholding central issues
• Coordination and competition between localities
Room for improvement
• Use of regional/international knowledge resources
– Knowledge about consumer/product trends
– Short-termism
EURODITE and beyond ?
Further research possibilities
• Knowledge in destination management processes
– Making of policies between public/private/locality
• more of the same?
• more systematic international comparisons?
• External sources of knowledge in tourism development
– Universities, consultants, WTO
• Knowledge and political agenda setting
– The rise of experience economy policies
• Knowledge and north-south tour operators