Inter-Sectorial Collaboration in Networks: A Boundary Object Approach to Wine Routes

Abstract

ABSTRACTAcademic research studying wine routes has increased over time, but the emergent perspective interpreting wine routes as “Boundary Objects” deserves further research and this study presents a framework rooted in this concept. Our “comprehensive” framework, based on a qualitative research on the Cannonau wine route (Italy), shows how different types of inter-organizational partnerships under the threats of different external and internal factors can shape a “Boundary Object”. Although this research is based on a top-down wine route and on a limited number of interviews, this is the first attempt to apply concepts specifically developed within Boundary Objects literature in the study of wine routes. Managers of similar types of wine routes should make sure that clear boundaries and shared goals are agreed among stakeholders. Future research should analyze other constructs developed within Boundary Objects literature for fully understanding the contribution of Boundary Objects to the networks literature in tourism.