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Building a model of researching the sustainable entrepreneurship in the tourism sector

Crnogaj Katja (Faculty of Economics and Business, Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia)
Rebernik Miroslav (Faculty of Economics and Business, Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia)
Bradac Hojnik Barbara (Faculty of Economics and Business, Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia)
Omerzel Gomezelj Doris (Faculty of Management, Institute for Management Research, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia)

Kybernetes

ISSN: 0368-492X

Publication date: 1 April 2014

Abstract

Purpose

The tourism sector is heavily dependent on entrepreneurship and cannot survive in the long run if it is not both sustainable and entrepreneurial at the same time; these three areas – entrepreneurship, sustainability, and tourism – are rarely linked in research and are not reflected in appropriate policy-making measures. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual multilevel model that will provide a requisitely holistic means for studying sustainable entrepreneurship in the tourism sector.

Design/methodology/approach

In the process of developing a model, the authors took into account the principle of requisite variety and considered various dimensions related to sustainable entrepreneurship implicated at three levels of analysis – namely, individual (entrepreneur), organizational (SME), and national/regional (tourism destination).

Findings

The proposed model provides systemic and systematic views on sustainable entrepreneurship in the tourism sector and contains various levels of analysis. The holistic framework for studying sustainable entrepreneurship in the tourism helps highlight influential elements from an economics point of view as well as their measurable and internationally comparable outcomes.

Originality/value

The suggested model represents an initial step toward the measurement of sustainable entrepreneurship in tourism at various levels, thereby making a valuable contribution to future research designs seeking to evaluate the benefits of sustainable entrepreneurship. The paper provides an important foundation for evidence-based policy making with the aim of fostering requisitely holistic behavior and innovative, responsible, and sustainable entrepreneurship practices in the tourism sector.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Part of the paper “Building a model of sustainable entrepreneurship in the tourism sector” was produced within the framework of the operation entitled “Centre of Open Innovation and Research UM.” The operation is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and conducted within the framework of the Operational Programme for Strengthening Regional Development Potentials for 2007-2013, development priority 1: “Competitiveness of companies and research excellence” and priority axis 1.1: “Encouraging competitive potential of enterprises and research excellence.”

Citation

Crnogaj, K., Rebernik, M., Bradac Hojnik, B. and Omerzel Gomezelj, D. (2014), "Building a model of researching the sustainable entrepreneurship in the tourism sector", Kybernetes, Vol. 43 No. 3/4, pp. 377-393. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-07-2013-0155

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Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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