A tourism innovation case: An Actor-Network Approach

Abstract

This article examines the innovations of a tourism company in the particular context of French ski resorts. Actor-Network Theory, applied to the tourism sector, constitutes the conceptual framework of the study. The results, following a multi-methods qualitative approach, show that the company’s growth is related to the implementation of new associations between actors and non-human entities. Thanks to its “leader translator,” the company manages to interest and enrol actors in its project. The analysis helps ultimately understand how, within a tourist destination, existing resources can be reconfigured to create unique and innovative products that will ensure a company’s success.