Advancing visitor research uptake in policy and practice : a structural equation model

Abstract

A great deal of visitor research is being produced, yet sub-optimal use thereof in practice raises concerns. This study is the first to measure actual levels of utilisation of visitor research in tourism and recreation management, using protected areas as context. It investigates seven potential drivers of use including the adaptation of research outputs; organisational context; dissemination efforts by researchers; engagement between practitioners and researchers; linkage mechanisms; skills, capacity and awareness of practitioners, and the timing of the research. A structural equation model was developed and tested using data collected from 252 producers of visitor research. The online survey results empirically confirm other scholars’ beliefs of the underutilisation of research in protected area policies and practices. Engagement between the researcher and practitioner communities and the potential absorptive capacity of protected areas contribute significantly to increased research uptake levels. The importance of both the interaction and organisational interest explanations in knowledge utilisation is confirmed. Managerial implications are discussed along with recommendations for future research.