Knowledge-Driven Innovation in Tourism SMEs: A Systematic Literature Review

Research on innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the tourism sector is increasingly recognised as relevant among scholars. This paper explores these concepts through the lens of knowledge, which acts as a vital driver for tourism innovation processes. The intersection of absorptive capacity (ACAP) and organisational learning (OL) is highlighted as an effective method for managing external knowledge (EK). This paper emphasises that the existing literature in this domain remains disjointed, thereby underscoring the necessity for further investigation to augment the comprehension of the subject matter. This study adds to the discourse on tourism innovation by conducting a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) with narrative synthesis to examine how scholars interpret ACAP and OL, their respective roles, and how these knowledge-related concepts foster innovation by exploiting EK. Research gaps are identified, and potential future research directions are suggested within the distinct context of tourism SMEs.