Investigating the Influence of Smartization on Efficiency in Five-Star Hotels in Southern Iran
Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Assistant Professor in Tourism and Hospitality Management, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
2
Master of Science in Tourism Marketing Management, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Social capital is increasingly recognized as a crucial determinant in fostering sustainable tourism, enjoying the potential to significantly influence the sustainable development of rural tourism destinations. Consequently, there is a compelling need to investigate its fundamental role in relation to other pertinent dimensions and aspects. In this regard, this study sought to elaborate the interplay and interconnectedness between social capital and sustainable rural tourism development within tourist-receiving areas, employing the VICE model as a theoretical framework. To this end, the study adopted a fundamental research approach using thematic analysis as its methodological framework. Through an inductive process, the researcher moved from specific observations to broader generalizations, extracting relevant dimensions, components, and indicators. The primary data collection instrument comprised semi-structured interviews conducted with 16 experts from diverse fields, including tourism, rural tourism, social sciences, sociology, rural management and planning, and cultural management who were selected via purposive sampling. The analysis of the interview transcripts yielded an initial set of 162 primary codes, which were subsequently synthesized into 79 basic themes, 28 organizing themes, and five overarching themes. To ensure the reliability and validity of the coded items, the the Guba and Lincoln model was applied, according to which the reliability and validity of the coded items were confirmed. According to the findings of the study, it can be argued that the linkage and interaction between social capital and sustainable rural tourism development can serve as a pivotal catalyst for the advancement and transformation of both tourist destinations and the tourism sector itself, fostering novel approaches that can empower and enhance the resilience of rural communities, particularly those vulnerable to environmental and tourism-induced changes.
Keywords
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