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How institutions shape adaptation: Evolution and mechanisms of local residents’ behaviors in rural tourism

delete2026-06-29
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PRE
AI
L
Litian Zhang
X
Xiaolong Ma
C
Chaoyue Cai
H
Hu Yu *
DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2026.105482delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Local residents' adaptive behavior is a key determinant of sustainable tourism. Nevertheless, the institutional mechanisms driving its formation have received insufficient scholarly attention. Using Yinxi Village in China as a case study and the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, this research explores the evolution and mechanisms of residents' adaptive behaviors. The findings show that: first, residents' adaptive behaviors evolve from silent adaptation to supportive adaptation and then to resistant adaptation. Second, the high mobility of tourism development weakens the constraint effect of informal institutions, thereby creating an institutional environment in which residents adopt resistant adaptation as a ‘weapon of the weak.’ Based on these findings, the “mobility-institutional effect-adaptive behavior (MIEA)” framework is proposed. This study distinguishes three types of adaptive behaviors in rural tourism and offers an institutional perspective on their evolution. The results provide practical insights for improving residents' well-being and promoting the sustainable development of rural tourism.
Keywords:
Rural tourism
Local residents
Adaptive behaviors
Mobility of tourism
Institutional effect

Journal

Tourism Management cover
Tourism Management
IF:
12.4
Papers:
5.7K
Citations:
3.4W

Organization

N
nankai university
Scholars:
4.6W
Papers: 3.2W
Citations: 74
C
chinese academy of sciences
Scholars:
54.9W
Papers: 44.5W
Citations: 703
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