A revised framework of social exchange theory to investigate the factors influencing residents' perceptions

•This study uses a revised social exchange theory framework.•This study was conducted in a newly recognized World Heritage Site in Malaysia.•This study used partial least squares – structural equation modeling and WarpPLS 4.0.•Economic gain and resident involvement had the highest effect on residents' perceptions.•Residents' perceptions strongly influence their support for tourism development.

The aim of this study is to investigate the factors influencing residents' perceptions and support for tourism development. Integrating a revised theory of social exchange and previous research has led to the development of a framework with which to conceptualize these relationships. This study was conducted in Lenggong Valley, a newly recognized World Heritage Site in Malaysia. The findings revealed strong positive effects for economic gain and involvement in the planning and management process on residents' perceptions. Community attachment, environmental attitudes, and age also affected residents' perceptions. The results of our study suggest that perceptions strongly influence support for tourism development. In using a revised social exchange theory framework, this study makes a significant theoretical contribution to the tourism and resident perception literature. Furthermore, this study has a number of practical implications for Lenggong Valley's local authorities in terms of sustainable management.