Brokers in a destination's knowledge networks

Abstract

Abstract This paper applies a two-mode social network analysis approach to identify the brokers in knowledge networks resulting from interactions taking place at specialized seminars and courses organized in a tourism destination. Empirical findings show that technology and innovation centers can be the leading hub of ‘administered knowledge networks’ – understood as efficient knowledge governance arrangements – in which a wide variety of actors, including universities, private-sector associations, public organizations, and firms play complementary roles depending on the nature of the interactions (formal transfer versus informal exchange flows). These structures are found to be fundamental for the functioning of localized systems of learning.