Business elites, universities and knowledge transfer in tourism

Policy-makers charged with enhancing the competitiveness of tourism, sometimes draw attention to the potential contribution of universities to strengthening innovative behaviour in the private sector. Business elites (very senior managers of large enterprises) play a key role in determining the propensity of organisations to participate in knowledge transfer with higher education institutions. This paper examines the process of knowledge acquisition among ten British business elites, who between them employ tens of thousands of workers, and the (potential) contribution of universities to that activity. Qualitative data are interpreted using concepts from the literature on knowledge transfer and Mezirow’s theory of adult learning. The findings suggest that business elites not only operate within communities of practice but also tend to learn within their own ’meaning perspectives’. As a result, initiatives aimed at strengthening engagement are not likely to succeed unless they are able to influence how elites approach their own learning.

► Business elites (very senior managers) exert a significant influence on tourism businesses.
► Business elites operate within communities of practice and learn within their own ‘meaning perspectives’.
► This limits the impact of knowledge transfer initiatives in tourism.
► Policy-makers should consider influencing how elites approach their own learning.