HOSPITALITY BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM

The course is one of those required for the three-year degree in HOSPITALITY INNOVATION AND E-TOURISM and aims to introduce the student to tourism studies of an eco-systemic nature, through lectures and via digital course materials. Using the definitions, models and implications of policy from the literature on the Business-Technologies-Innovation Ecosystem, the course will explore the role of business ecosystem stakeholders in tourism (TBE), the pre-conditions and mechanisms underlying the co-creation of values, and the way they are shared in tourism, along with the resulting strategies in terms of destination management and its organisation. Specific focus is dedicated to the topic of digital tourism business ecosystems in the hospitality sector.
The course will therefore allow acquisition of the most modern tools for analysing the tourism eco-system, the relative methods for including stakeholders in value creation, with particular attention to innovation, the roles of digital ecosystems and the resulting guidelines for developing and managing a destination.

1. Knowledge and understanding
• Understanding the eco-systemic relationships of a tourist destination
• Understanding new approaches for analysing the developmental dynamics of a destination, and its digital dimensions
• Understanding and recognising organisational and management models for TBE-inspired destinations

2. Apply the knowledge and understanding acquired
• The ability to analyse the relationships between TBE stakeholders
• Knowing how to use tools and strategies that are useful for generating shared values in tourism
• Knowing how to identify lines of interventions to support the digital business ecosystems tourist

3. Sound judgment
• Combining economic and management theories to support the innovations and competitiveness of tourist destinations
• Being able to evaluate the developmental dynamics of a destination

No prerequisites are needed.

The importance of innovation in tourism and strategic innovation
Introduction to the theory of business ecosystems
Business ecosystem in tourism and hospitality. Definitions and representations
Indicators for monitoring business ecosystems
Digital tourism ecosystem
Governance and management of the tourist destination in an ecosystem perspective
Case studies

Students should refer to scientific articles and slides used during the course
The materials and slides used during the course will be shared on the Moodle platform

Attending students: the credit is based on a written essay and an oral presentation as well as the participation in the working groups on a series of topics/case studies that will be notified during the first lessons. The students have the possibility to improve the mark of their written essays through an oral test (if the student fails the oral test the mark of the written essay will be invalided).

Non-attending students/other exams: The written exam consisting of 4 open questions (to be completed within a time frame of 1 hour and 15 minutes) that aim to ascertain you have acquired the topics covered in the teaching materials for the course (articles and papers), which are uploaded to the Moodle space for the course (students can e-mail their lecturer to obtain the access key).

In terms of grading criteria, for both attending and non-attending students, the following benchmarks are established:

A. Scores falling within the 18-22 range will be assigned when the student demonstrates:
- Adequate knowledge and comprehension applied within the framework of the program.
- Satisfactory communication skills.

B. Scores ranging from 23 to 26 will be awarded when the student exhibits:
- Reasonable grasp of knowledge and understanding relevant to the program.
- Competent communication skills.

C. Scores in the 27-30 range signify:
- Good to excellent proficiency in understanding and applying the program's concepts.
- Fully appropriate communication skills.

D. The distinction of '30 cum laude' is granted when the student showcases:
- Profound understanding and application of program content.
- Exceptional communication skills.

The course is organised as follows:
a) theoretical lectures
b) discussion of case studies in the form of a working group
c) discussion of papers presented during lectures
The teaching materials will be available on the Moodle platform, published with the respective topics of the class and accompanied by an introduction that will helps students to understanding the course syllabus.

English

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments

Ca' Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

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