Knowledge transfer and knowledge management in tourism organisations: A widening and deepening research agenda

Abstract

There have been substantial developments in research on knowledge management in the tourism economy in recent years. This is illustrated by the broadening of research away from an initial focus on hotels to a range of organizational forms as well as emergent issues such as climate change and online platforms. However, the research has mostly been fragmented, examining particular knowledge processes rather than overall knowledge management. Absorptive capacity models (ACAP) provide one means to address this research gap and their application and adaptation in tourism research is assessed. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between knowledge and uncertainty because how the latter is engaged with, determines how knowledge is managed and applied. Five potential foci for future research on ACAP are identified namely: uncertainty and crises, micro-foundations and nature of knowledge, intra-organizational knowledge theories, inter-organizational processes, and methodological issues.