Conceptualising networks in sustainable tourism development

• Published in: Tourism management perspectives Vol. 32; p. 100575
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Thi Quynh Trang, Young, Tamara, Johnson, Patricia, Wearing, Stephen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2019
• Subjects: Actor-network theory; SDG17; Social network analysis; Stakeholder theory; Sustainable tourism development; Tourism networks; Tourismscapes; Social network analysis; Sustainable tourism development; Tourismscapes; Tourism networks; Stakeholder theory; SDG17; Actor-network theory
• ISSN: 2211-9736; 2211-9744
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tmp.2019.100575

This paper contributes to the sustainable tourism research agenda concerning the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a destination level. This paper develops a conceptual framework integrating three theories: stakeholder theory, social network analysis (SNA), and actor-network theory (ANT). Integration reveals a blended approach to enable a reassessment of stakeholder roles to further explore the nature, dynamics and operations of tourism networks as they work to achieve SDGs. Tourismscapes, as a model, is invoked to scaffold data and to provide insight into the nuances of destination networks. This research evaluates this concept and its potential for rethinking tourism research and inspiring a new wave of study. Firmly planted in critical tourism studies, this paper conceptualises tourism stakeholder interactions, specifically those networks pursuing common goals at a destination level, such as SDG 17 that aims to strengthen means of implementation through partnerships. •Provides a critical review on stakeholder and network analysis in tourism research•Develops a conceptual framework by integrating stakeholder theory, SNA, and ANT•Models tourismscapes to provide insight into the dynamics of destination networks•Conceptualises tourism stakeholder interactions pursuing common goals at a destination level•Advances a framework for tourism research to analyse implementation of SDG17