Measuring institutional thickness in tourism: An empirical application based on social network analysis

Abstract

This article uses social network analysis to measure institutional thickness in a regional tourism destination in Colombia. Through the analysis of 107 institutions, the empirical findings show that the configuration of formal interaction spaces determine the governance system of the destination turning certain institutions into hubs or authorities. The contribution of this research is two-fold. Firstly, it provides a new approach to the study of institutional thickness by applying a social network analysis methodology making possible to identify the components theoretically defined such as the role of institutional presence, levels of interaction, structures of domination, and common agendas in tourism. Secondly, it highlights the importance of understanding the role of the regional institutional environment and the governance framework of tourism destinations, to better plan and manage their dynamics and effects.