Eco-innovation antecedents in cultural tourism clusters: External relationships and explorative knowledge

Abstract

This paper analyses the mediating role played by knowledge strategy in the relationship between social capital and eco-innovation in cultural tourism clusters. Specifically, we will focus on bridging capital, based on networks made up of structural holes, as a fundamental antecedent of eco-innovation by means of explorative knowledge. The empirical study was performed on a sample of tourism firms located in Spain’s World Heritage Cities. The results reveal that knowledge exploration strategy is a key driving force through which firms located in cultural tourism clusters can take advantage of the potential of bridging capital in order to develop eco-innovations.

Keywords:

• eco-innovation
• bridging capital
• social capital
• knowledge exploration
• cultural tourism clusters
• mediating effect

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank two anonymous reviewers for useful comments. This research was supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain [Project: ECO2013-42387-P].

Notes

1. Lin and Ho (2008) highlight three dimensions of eco-innovation antecedents: technological, organizational and environmental. Kesidou and Demirel (2012) differentiate between supply-side factors and demand-side factors.

2. Implementation of environmental certificate systems (ISO 14001, EMAS or eco-labels); environmental training of staff members; controlling emissions; choosing suppliers with environmental practices; integrating clients appealing to their “eco-consciousness” (e.g. separate energy bills); addition of an environmental value into their brand; recycling glass, paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminium and cooking oil; composting food and garden waste; reusing leftover soaps/toiletries for personal or staff use, or use in public washrooms; reusing foil, paper, envelopes and menus; using natural cleaning alternatives; fitting energy saving devices (e.g. dimmer/time switches, sensors, energy efficient lightbulbs); using energy efficient appliances; supplying guests with small kettles, TV remote controls with rechargeable batteries; monitoring consumption; improving insulation; installing water saving devices (e.g. flow regulators, waterless urinals); using economy wash cycle; towel/linen policy; providing information on public transport, walks and cycle routes; environmental policy; communicating policy to customers; involving guests in waste segregation; purchasing ethical and environmentally friendly products; membership of environmental bodies/charities; establishing a wildlife area in the garden; involving residents in local conservation work and tourism development project; etc.

3. Following the National Classification of Economic Activities codes (CNAE-09), these activities include: 491) Inter-city passenger transport by rail; 493) Other land passenger transport; 501) maritime passenger transport; 503) Transport of passengers via navigable inland waterways; 511) Air passenger transport; 55) Accomodation services; 56) Food and drink services; 771) Motor vehicle rental; 79) Activities of travel agencies, tourist operators, booking services and activities related thereto; 90) Creative, arts and entertainment activities; 91) Activities of libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities; and 93) Sporting, recreational and amusement activities.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain [Project: ECO2013-42387-P].