Informal networks in tourism publishing

Abstract

Greater size and complexity of research activities lead to a higher need for collaboration, which has been reflected in the formation of social relationships in the form of research coalitions and collaborative research networks in the past decades. This is an empirical paper that explores the pertinent issues of informal networks in tourism publishing. The paper undertakes a thorough review of the relevant literature before developing propositions regarding collaborative activities of tourism researchers. To empirically test how and why researchers collaborate, a web-based electronic study was carried out asking members of international scientific tourism organizations about their collaboration activities. Findings reveal that tourism researchers collaborate mainly for accessing expertise and for working efficiently.