Figure 4.1 illustrates the conceptual framework of tourism BSR policy. Space
AA
BBBB
Time
Where: A. Interdisciplinary work , B. Multiple levels of analysis, C. Use of a case study or case studies D. Integrated description, explanation and theory building (macro, meso, micro)
Institutional context Actors, agencies and networks
Issue drivers
Policy dialogue c
Understanding policy making as a product of policy learning, outcome of process and decisions, reflection of power,
response to selective interest
Collaboration, conflict, communities of interest, alliances and partnerships, rules of conduct, power relations, leadership
Actors and agencies with interest in the policy sector or sub-sector, actor strategy and agendas
The influence of economic, political, environmental and technological factors in the identification of policy issues and
priorities D
Values, beliefs, perceptions and attitudes about the role of the state embedded within the structure and practices of
75 Figure 4.1: Conceptual framework for the study of tourism BSR planning and policy (Dredge & Jenkins, 2007:16)
This framework indicates that five key dimensions affect tourism BSR policy: space and time, institutional context, tourism drivers, actors and agencies, and policy dialogues (Dredge & Jenkins, 2007; Scott, 2011; Asamoah, 2013). The space and time dimension refers to events and circumstances. Middle level events as well as circumstances affect the micro level and vice versa. For instance, stock market fluctuations, terrorist attacks and industrial disputes in another country can influence tourism BSR policies, especially in South Africa where tourism businesses treat BSR as an external activity and therefore allocate a separate budget (Scott, 2011). Moreover, economic conditions, such as interest and unemployment rates, change over time and can influence the reaction of the government to tourism policies and planning. Time affects the level of knowledge and expertise that a community accumulates and its ability to develop and promote tourism BSR (Scott, 2011). Hence, the researcher in this study assesses the role of government in assisting the tourism industry to incorporate skills development and job creation as part of its BSR activities.
Scott (2011) describes two types of tourism BSR policy knowledge that allow individuals to obtain favourable positions in tourism BSR policy formulation. These are professional tourism BSR policy knowledge, which refers to technical, systematic and rational variables, and local tourism BSR policy knowledge, which refers to the perceptions and experiences of tourism businesses pertaining to specific issues of tourism BSR policy (Nyakunu & Rogerson, 2014). Furthermore, Nyakunu and Rogerson (2014) mention that events and circumstances change over time, as is the case with policy and policy processes. Therefore, tourism policy should be determined through debates between tourism businesses, government, the community and civil servants and other communication channels (Scott, 2011; Asamoah, 2013). Currently this is lacking in the tourism industry. The industry in the Western Cape particularly is dominated by low skilled and nonprofessional employees. This hampers the development of tourism dialogues (Department of Labour, 2012).
76
The institutional context is divided into two components: hard and soft institutional
structures (Dredge & Jenkins, 2007; Scott, 2011). Hard institutional structures are the formal frameworks and procedures for planning and policymaking that provide the legal framework for, and define the rights and responsibilities of, tourism planners and policy makers in relation to tourism development. Soft institutional structures include rules of conduct, conventions and social relations, such as BSR, that the stakeholders concerned should adopt. These are informed by values, beliefs, attitudes and institutional knowledge. The researcher argues that the values and perception of tourism business stakeholders in the Western Cape should be considered when developing tourism BSR policies and activities. Soft institutional structures refer to both recorded and unrecorded participation rules, including the agencies and individuals’ interests and values (Dredge & Jenkins, 2007). Bodies or structures influence the way in which agencies and individuals engage with policies.
Tourism issue drivers are the internal and external factors that direct the
government's attention and stimulate its interest in tourism policy. External factors include the employment rate and political stability of a country, whereas internal factors focus on business resources, skills and the effects of tourism projects on local communities. Issue drivers push problems onto political agendas for resolution (Dredge & Jenkins, 2007). They are classified as economic, socio-cultural, environmental, public administration, political and technological drivers and shape the way tourism BSR policy is undertaken and conceptualised. Asamoah (2013) explains that tourism BSR policies have a reflective effect on socio-economic development processes. This refers to the ability of tourism businesses to implement BSR in terms of their resources, skills and knowledge. Tourism BSR policy implementation is seen as successful if the tourism BSR policy objectives are achieved through affecting people by improving their living conditions. This is very important in the context of South Africa where the division between the rich and poor exists due to apartheid policies and continuing to widen due to neoliberal political approach that the country follows.
The actors and agencies are the tourism BSR planners, policy makers and
institutions, such as politicians, the bureaucracy, public servants and tourism businesses, who interpret and give meaning to time and space (Dredge & Jenkins,
77
2007; Asamoah, 2013). Thus, the factors that determine the success of tourism BSR policy and activities in South Africa encompass historical events, and the government and businesses’ attitudes, values, perceptions, education, experience and relationships, including responses to events and circumstances that shape tourism BSR policy and activities (Nyakunu & Rogerson, 2014).
Policy dialogues (mediating values and ideas) refer to a critical understanding
and evaluation of the tourism stakeholders and tourism businesses involved in or affected by tourism BSR policy. Engaging this component can assist in the assessment of the activities of government tourism departments, politicians, and other interest groups. Policy dialogue or debate is important in informing tourism BSR planners and policy makers about social concerns that require attention (Dredge & Jenkins, 2007; Asamoah, 2013). However, this can be achieved if tourism employees and communities at large have the necessary experience and knowledge on tourism policy. Individual tourism businesses’ responsibilities and actions affect tourism BSR policy; therefore, these need to be identified and discussed. The following section addresses the perspectives on tourism BSR policies.