Imagined relational capital: An analytical tool in considering small tourism firms' sociality

Saxena, Gunjan

Abstract

In this paper I introduce the notion of imagined relational capital (IRC) to examine the sociality of small tourism firms operating in coastal towns of Scarborough, Bridlington and Whitby in Yorkshire. Drawing upon the work of Deleuze and Guattari, I underline how IRC becomes a portmanteau term for comprehending iterative ties of (dis)association that embody real/imagined affinities and hostilities owners and managers assemble and experience towards each other. The analysis illustrates how IRC emanating from rhizomic configuration of their (in)formal engagement ruptures preset perceptions and moulds milieus where new modes of thinking and feeling are imagined and practiced. By focussing on the constitutive role of IRC in shaping respondents' worldviews, this study offers distinctive perspective in conceptualising ambivalent and complex interface small tourism firms mutually maintain.

Citation

Saxena, G. (2015). Imagined relational capital: An analytical tool in considering small tourism firms' sociality. Tourism Management, 49, 109-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2015.03.002

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 3, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Mar 21, 2015
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Deposit Date: May 16, 2019
• Journal: Tourism Management
• Print ISSN: 0261-5177
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 49
• Pages: 109-118
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2015.03.002
• Keywords: Imagined relational capital; Rhizomic; Small tourism firms; Sociality
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1790832
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026151771500062X?via%3Dihub