TOURISM SCIENCE ›› 2025, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (11): 119-138.

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Interaction Network and Economic Endogenous Development Mechanism of Rural Residents in Tourist Destinations from the Perspective of Relationship Social Capital

WU Chuntao, LI Yan, NING Yunjing*   

  1. College of Tourism, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
  • Received:2023-07-08 Revised:2025-09-11 Online:2025-11-30 Published:2026-01-29

Abstract: This article explores the informal interaction network among small business operators in rural tourism destinations from a relational perspective, by using the relationship matrix data obtained through field research in the Hailuogou and Gurgou scenic area. Using social network analysis, this study first focuses on the main characteristics and formation mechanisms of the interaction network. Quadratic Assignment Procedure (QAP) regression analysis is used to investigate influencing factors and endogenous development dynamics. Finally, the paper evaluates the impact of different high-index nodes on the connectivity of the entire network and the network's resilience against shocks by removing nodes with high betweenness centrality. The research indicates that in rural destinations, small tourism enterprises, under the management of local elites and intervention of foreign capital, are the main driving force for promoting economic benefits sharing and endogenous development of tourist destinations. The relationships of friendship, consultation, and kinship among small business operators substantially affect their mutual assistance in economic aspects, facilitaing endogenous economic network development. It is noteworthy that the tie of countrymen is not the key influencing factor for sharing economic benefits. Social networking is a dynamic process. In rural destinations relying on accommodation small businesses, kinship relationships dominate in the primary stage. At this stage, when the leading enterprises disappear, relationships among small businesses become distant. When local entrepreneurs gradually grow and foreign capital integrates, the network members become more complex. At this stage, friendship relationships play a greater role in the overall network's development. On the contrary, when the leading enterprises disappear, relationships among small businesses become even closer, which means the overall network has stronger resistance to impacts and possesses greater resilience.

Key words: relationship, endogenous development, network, rural destination, Robustness

CLC Number: 

  • F323

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