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Network Resource Mobilisation Process in Tourism Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Tourism social entrepreneurs are embedded in ecosystems that they use to acquire resources. These relational processes are scarcely explored in the literature. Employing in-depth interviews and an informed grounded theory approach, this study offers a holistic conceptual framework in which it unravels the process of network resource mobilisation in these ecosystems in terms of the type of social capital that characterises them (bonding and bridging). Bridging ecosystems serves to obtain tangible and explicit intangible resources, while Bonding ecosystems serve to obtain tacit intangible resources. Furthermore, there are significant differences in the three phases of network resource mobilisation: 1) access to networks, 2) types of alliances and gaps in mobilisation, and 3) generation of social capital. This study systematises relational patterns of the complex network of alliances within entrepreneurial ecosystems for mobilising resources. Therefore, these results can help entrepreneurs adapt their relational strategies according to the type of resource they need. Also available in Spanish. See supplemental material for details.

Source: Journal of Travel Research

DOI: 10.1177/00472875261428102

Authors: Irene Garzón, Mª Rosa García-Sánchez, Cristóbal Casanueva

Institution: Universidad de Sevilla

Language: English

Topic: Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences

Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: green

Funders: Universidad de Sevilla, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad