Service-Dominant Logic and Value in Tourism Management: A Qualitative Study within Spanish Hotels Managers

Abstract

With the award-winning article of Vargo and Lusch (2004), a new concept was introduced, called Service-Dominant logic (S-D logic). This paper aims to apply S-D logic to the tourism sector by determining if this new approach, by means of the importance of value co-creation, can affect the perceptions of value in the mind of the consumer and, thus, be used as a source of competitive advantage if adopted by tourism service providers. In this paper a conceptual framework is established through a literature review on both S-D logic and value in tourism. After a review of both topics, links between them are conceptually explored. With empirical research methods this study analyzed the applicability of the ten foundational premises of S-D logic in the tourist experience. Through exploratory research, we conducted in-depth interviews with hotel directors in the tourism sector in order to generate qualitative data and provide valuable knowledge to make conclusions on the managerial implications that the practical use of this new mindset would entail. Tourism managers should consider these new ideas in practice as a way to enhance value co-creation and differentiate themselves from the competition.