The study utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods. Firstly, the project conducted a literature review on conceptual and theoretical issues on: 1) the innovation process and related key issues such as main risks (with special emphasis on resistance to innovation), coalition building, financing, etc., 2) innovation performance with special emphasis on innovation failure and 3) innovation and entrepreneurial policies.
Secondly, the project conducted a total of 57 interviews in Spain and the UK which broadened knowledge on how entrepreneurs understand and negotiate innovation risks and their responses to reducing or mitigating those risks. It also allowed the identification of key policy aspects of the innovation process and the entrepreneurs’ preferred support measures. These were discussed with policymakers and transformed into an online survey to gather opinions about preferred policy measures targeting a wide sample of entrepreneurs. An unusually large number of participants were included in the study, for a survey of entrepreneurs: 269. The data analysis resulted in a policy draft with the recommendations being framed around the issues highlighted by the participants, and a complementary in-depth analysis of other policy documents and literature review. The core policy recommendations were grouped into 9 topics heading relating to government guidelines to minimise the risks of innovation in tourism.
Thirdly, the project extended knowledge of the dynamics of how innovations emerge and their subsequent trajectory through a longitudinal case study method based on 16 in depth interviews and two-stages or study points. This is one of the very few longitudinal studies over the medium term (3 years) in tourism research. The results show that many innovations processes or pathways ended in failure and highlighted multiple types of risks that entrepreneurs could not overcome, as well as the critical events and factors encountered at different stages. The key issues provide valuable lessons for practitioners and policy makers concerned with the evolution of innovations beyond the start-up and early development stages.
