A framework for enhancing information sharing and collaboration within the tourism industry in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The research upon which this article I s based aimed at developing an ICT based framework that enhances information sharing and collaboration within the tourism industry. The research showed the current information sharing methods employed by tourism service providers and consumers. It illustrated the role ICTs can play in information sharing and collaboration in the tourism sector. The Design Science Research paradigm for Information technology was employed to conduct a qualitative research study. The data for the study was collected through semi-structured interviews and was analysed using structural coding to find emerging themes. The findings of the study revealed that collaborative information sharing in Zimbabwe is minimal and mainly occurs mandatorily between government institutions and tourism providers. Issues of trust, diversified information needs, poor infrastructure and rivalry between regulators and tourism providers hamper information sharing. The study developed a framework, which when adopted can help mitigate against the issues hampering information sharing.