Dynamic knowledge practices in tourism village development
An activity theory perspective
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11440618 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Xianyang Hu (0000-0001-6885-5548, Shaanxi Normal University), Jie Chen (0000-0002-9254-4413, Shaanxi Normal University), Songshan Huang (0000-0003-4990-2788, Edith Cowan University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 113 |
| Pages | 105316 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Tourism Management (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0261-5177 • E-ISSN: 1879-3193 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.tourman.2025.105316 |
| OpenAlex | W4414556483 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 66 |
This study investigates why tourism village development models often fail to replicate success despite cultural and geographic similarities. Using activity theory and knowledge management concepts, we analyze two adjacent Chinese villages to trace explicit knowledge flow and examine disrupted tacit and indigenous knowledge practices. Findings show that while surface-level knowledge transfer occurs, contradictions within activity system elements, especially the marginalization of indigenous knowledge and community capacity, hinder effective knowledge application. Knowledge flow is inherently nonlinear and deeply context-dependent. We develop a comparative activity system model that highlights how success hinges less on knowledge transfer and more on the integration of indigenous knowledge into local tourism development. This model underscores the importance of stable, embedded knowledge structures for sustainable outcomes. The study challenges oversimplified assumptions about replicability in tourism development and offers insights for culturally sensitive, context-specific strategies in knowledge practices in tourism development
Indigenous · Knowledge flow · Knowledge transfer · Knowledge value chain · Knowledge-based systems · Personal knowledge management · Perspective (graphical · Tacit knowledge · Tourism · Traditional knowledge · Cultural Industries and Urban Development · Innovative Education and Learning Practices · Rural development and sustainability
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| Highly cited | No |
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