Designing a Model for Launching Tourism Development Businesses Using Meta-Synthesis and Structural Relationship Analysis
Keywords:
Tourism development businesses, business startup, structural model, meta-synthesis, sustainable tourism, tourism entrepreneurshipAbstract
This study aimed to design a comprehensive model for launching tourism development businesses by identifying key influencing factors and analyzing their structural relationships. The research employed an exploratory mixed-methods approach. In the qualitative phase, a meta-synthesis using Sandelowski and Barroso’s (2007) seven-step model analyzed 123 studies published between 2008 and 2024 to extract dimensions and components influencing the establishment of tourism development businesses. In the quantitative phase, the conceptual model was tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) on data collected from 267 tourism entrepreneurs, managers, and decision-makers through a researcher-developed questionnaire. Content validity was assessed via CVR and CVI, and reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability, and AVE indices. Findings revealed six key dimensions influencing successful business establishment: (1) entrepreneurial psychological and individual factors, (2) internal business factors, (3) networking and relational factors, (4) environmental and tourism context factors, (5) institutional and governance factors, and (6) external challenges and threats. All structural relationships were statistically significant (t > 1.96). The strongest effects were attributed to internal business factors (β = 0.818) and individual factors (β = 0.753), while external challenges had the lowest effect (β = 0.444). The Fornell–Larcker test also confirmed strong discriminant validity. The proposed model provides an integrated framework linking human, structural, institutional, and environmental factors, serving as a roadmap for entrepreneurs and policymakers in developing and sustaining tourism enterprises. Strengthening internal business mechanisms and institutional support emerges as the cornerstone for achieving sustainable and competitive tourism growth.
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