Towards advancing theory and methods on tourism development from residents’ perspectives: Developing a framework on the pathway to impact

Abstract

This study argues that method should work hand-in-hand with theory to be able to generate impactful outcomes. This study provides three methodological, theoretical and practical contributions to the current body of knowledge on tourism development from residents’ perspective. First, five analytical approaches—namely, covariance based-structural equation modelling (CB-SEM), partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), multiple regression analysis (MTA), simple regression analysis (SRA), fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), and analysis of necessary conditions (ANC)—are applied to test a model to predict support for tourism development from local residents’ perspective. It critically discusses the results of analytical approaches to researching support for tourism development. A guideline for conducting a symmetrical approach is provided. Second, this study presents a classification of theories on residents’ support of tourism, which helps to tackle the complexity of this complex social phenomenon by advancing theories and highlighting the importance of a theory-method match in future research. Third, beyond method and theory, there is a need for an informative framework that illustrates the ‘pathway to impact’ of research on residents’ support for sustainable tourism development. Using the theory of change, this study fills this research gap by developing a logical model demonstrating outputs, actor groups, outcomes, and impacts of residents’ support for tourism development.