XTO-24312 International Field Practicum

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Studiepunten 12.00

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

Approaches to tourism intervention are changing. The complex interrelationships between tourism and social, economic, and environmental processes requires an integrative analysis in order to create innovative solutions for future developments that go beyond the narrow scope of tourism. Value chain analysis (VCA) is a tool that emerged from and incorporates a number of quite different disciplinary traditions. A broad range of social scientists including economists, sociologists and political scientists are applying value chain analysis in a development context. Value chains are a way of representing the series of transactions involved in providing a good or service, starting with the provision of inputs for production, and going through production, transformation, marketing to final consumption and subsequent recycling. The value chain approach focuses on inter - and intra-industry and firm relationships. VCA offers a tool to describe the inter-relationships between functional activities (make), suppliers (source), customers (deliver), but also incorporates supporting institutions by addressing the role of transportation, utilities, and financial service providers, among others. In addition, the VC approach recognizes the key public policy, institutional and infrastructure factors underlying constraints in the operational environment.
Students tender and execute a value chain analysis at an established international tourism destination. In this research and intervention project students apply theory and methodology acquired in previous courses in a realistic international cross-cultural setting. Based on their analysis, students design a socio-economic and environmental development strategy at the sub-national level for a (fictitious) commissioner. Thus, guided by the value chain approach, students in the international fieldwork:
- define issues in tourism with the goal to write and carry out a research plan;
- differentiate between and apply the common research techniques in the domain of tourism
- relate theory to empirical work in an international cross-cultural context;
- translate research outcomes into solutions, thereby contributing to the design, organization and management of (policy) interventions in the domain of tourism.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- construct problem definitions related to the domain of tourism from societal issues;
- formulate research questions and evaluate hypotheses based on acquired knowledge and skills in problem definition;
- apply, under supervision, different methods and techniques of scientific research;
- formulate assumptions consistently, structure observations and draw logic conclusions;
- interpret professional literature in the domain of tourism;
- compare, assess and use various information sources;
- distinguish matters of primary and secondary importance;
- take initiative, act pro-actively, assess and take risks, and use his/her creativity to turn ideas into action;
- conduct ethical qualitative research and apply cross-cultural understanding;
- formulate a substantiated personal view and strategy and act accordingly;
- appraise and critique the outcomes and conclusions of his/her scientific research as well as of other academic professionals;
- present results of analyses in clear, grammatically correct written English;
- present the outcomes and conclusions in an honest and incorruptible way;
- orally express in correct English scientific views and research results to members of a scientific community;
- work in a project team and to play coordinating and facilitating roles.

Activities:

- lectures;
- workshops;
- consultancy sessions.

Examination:

The assessment consists of the following three components:
- research plan: 20% of total mark (group mark);
- value chain analysis & design report: 50% of total mark (group mark);
- story telling: 10% of total mark (individual mark);
- critical reflection: 20% of total mark (individual mark).

Literature:

Vaux, David de. (2006). Research Design in Social Research, Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks 296 p. ISBN 9780761953477.
Bryman, R. (2009). Social Research Methods, Oxford Press. 800 p. ISBN 9780199202959