Innovation in small-scale rural tourism: How to organise and co-operate for improvement and expansion? – Innovasjon i små reiselivsbedrifter i distriktene: Hvordan organisere og samarbeide for forbedringer og vekst?

The main objective of this project is to promote knowledge about how small-scale rural tourism in Norway can expand through innovation and improved organisation. This will be achieved by applying approaches and theories from research on the organisation of innovation. Our focus is particularly on co-operation between business actors, and also the ways in which government bodies can facilitate for innovation. Sub-objectives: 1. Explore innovation in small-scale rural tourism. 2. Identify and analyse critical factors for co-operation on innovation in small-scale rural tourism. 3. Propose actions which might improve innovation and development in rural tourism, especially those which might improve organisation and co-operation. Case studies of 4-5 co-operations/networks of tourism firms in Norway will be carried out as well as a survey to 500 small firms in tourism industry.