Managing the Resilience of Territories, Business and Tourism in the Context of Urbanization of Socio-Economic Processes

Abstract

Urbanization of socio-economic processes entails both positive and negative phenomena. Concentration of resources and creation of prerequisites for industrial production and economic development of territories are considered positive aspects. However, an evident negative aspect is the low level of attention given to ecology and the human living environment. Increasing pollution in urban areas causes health problems for their residents. Purpose: To search for mechanisms for improving sustainable territorial development management with a focus on business and tourism ecologization. Design / Methodology / Approach: Iterative interviews. Findings: By considering open social innovation management as a dynamic, rather than stable, linear, or deterministic process, more effective theories can be created regarding what they are and how they work. The authors utilized empirical data from iterative unstructured “in the making” interviews to analyse how open innovation initiatives evolve over time. While the initiative is “in the making,” it presents complex challenges and increases participants’ freedom of action for the present and future. Therefore, compared to more linear models such as life cycle dependency theories, the process theory argues that management initiatives of social innovation ecosystems are dynamic and evolutionary rather than deterministic. Over time, these initiatives will increasingly incorporate a values focus. It has been demonstrated that the process theory can assist practitioners in perceiving, utilizing, and transforming their temporary adoption of open innovations, as it explores what individuals or organizations do rather than who they are. However, this study emphasizes that initiatives in the field of open social innovation management, transforming the entrepreneurial environment, including from the perspective of tourism development, should have a structured systemic nature due to their worldview foundation. They require ongoing attention, stability, and the need to develop their dynamic capabilities from both the residents of ancestral settlements and the local self-government system, government bodies, to develop, adapt, and jointly advance these initiatives in an ecosystemic environment. Furthermore, while the process theory grants practitioners some freedom of action, it also emphasizes the constant search for alignment between interrelated and constantly changing conditions of implementation environments, as well as the goals and strategies of participants in socio-economic transformations. Originality / Value: The relevance of ecological orientation in business and tourism, as well as their role in ensuring sustainable territorial development, has been demonstrated. Practical Meaning: Strengthening business and tourism development through the implementation of the “Ancestral Homestead” concept. Further Research: Development of models for sustainable territorial development based on ecologization.