Research Approach

To critically explore knowledge dynamics within the tourism and social entrepreneurship nexus, this study undertook an exploratory case study of CBT development in Mai Hich, Vietnam. In line with Yin (2003), an exploratory case study, as opposed to an explanatory or descriptive case study, is used to explore these knowledge dynamics because there has been little to no research previously conducted. An exploratory study allows us to map out the dynamics and to identify aspects, relationships and dimensions for further research.

The collection, analysis and interpretation of data were guided by an innovative methodological tool known as ‘innovation biography’ and/or ‘knowledge biography’. Knowledge biography was first developed as part of EURODITE, which was a 5-year research project investigating knowledge dynamics in innovation processes within and between organizations, regions and in wider contexts (i.e., national and global scales) (Halkier, Dahlstrom, James, Manniche, & Olsen, 2010). Utilizing a qualitative approach with specific guidelines for data collection and analysis of semi-structured interviews, the knowledge biography approach enables the reconstruction of an innovation process and its related knowledge flows and evolution over time and space, and it is also not limited to geographical or sectoral boundaries (Butzin & Widmaier, 2010). Butzin and Widmaier (2010) suggest a number of elements that can form parts of the knowledge biography. For the purpose of the research on which this chapter is based, the following three key elements have been included: