Abstract (150 Words)
Tourist destination communities are often assumed as being represented by a loose and random combination of elites of individuals. So far, no research on the hierarchy of the informal organization of destination elites has been carried out. This paper challenges the common assumption that elites of community structured destinations are an unstructured group of individuals. The research analyzes six reputational elite networks in tourist destination communities in Europe. The application of the four graph theoretical dimensions (GTD), developed by Krackhardt (1994) indicates that there are strong hierarchical patterns. As a consequence, the identification of hierarchies, chiefs and lines of command increases effective destination management and development.
Measuring hierarchy in elite networks of tourist destinations - A look beyond the measures of power and centrality
Tourist destination communities are often assumed as being represented by a loose and random combination of elites of individuals. So far, no research on the hierarchy of the informal organization of destination elites has been carried out. This paper challenges the common assumption that elites of community structured destinations are an unstructured group of individuals. The research analyzes six reputational elite networks in tourist destination communities in Europe. The application of the four graph theoretical dimensions (GTD), developed by Krackhardt (1994) indicates that there are strong hierarchical patterns. As a consequence, the identification of hierarchies, chiefs and lines of command increases effective destination management and development.
