Business Networks in Tourism: Conception of Knowledge Transfer Index for the Exhibition Industry

Abstract

Purpose. An attempt to determine the nature and components of the synthetic index measuring the impact of trade fair events on knowledge transfer. Method. The synthesis of literature review and the authors’ experience arising from participation in two research projects on the cooperation and knowledge transfer in the meeting industry in the form of a multidimensional index model proposed as a measure of the actual and potential knowledge transfer within and as a result of trade fair events. Findings. 32 measures were selected forming a synthetic index measuring the impact of fair events on knowledge transfer. They were grouped in three dimensions: organizational/participatory networks; the level of network; the level of trade fair product. Research and coclusion limitations. (1) The article is a work-in-progress study and the findings are progressive in their nature. (2) The potential nature of the index model which is unverified in the practical measurement. (3) The comparative nature of the index model which can be useful for comparisons of trade fair events. (4) The index model is limited to one type of business event - trade fairs. Practical implications. The presented index may be useful for firms during their decision process regarding the organizational involvement or participation in selected trade fair events, as well as for local authorities in determining the impact of the trade fair events on knowledge transfer to the local economy. Originality. The proposed index model represents the first attempt presented in the literature. So far, only concepts of indexes measuring the economic impact of fair events on local or regional economy were presented. Type of paper. The article presents theoretical concepts.