Access and mobilization of network resources and competitive advantage in hotels : A conceptual framework

Purpose – This paper aims to advance a model that will explain how hotel firms access and mobilize external resources. Hotel operators and firms need to complement their internal resources with external resources, which they can access through their personal and organizational ties, so as to compete and to achieve success. Design/methodology/approach – A framework is proposed, on the basis of the resource-based view and network theory, to explain the process of access and mobilization of available external resources thanks to the professional and social ties of the managers of hotel firms. Findings – This framework distinguishes between access to network resources and their mobilization. This paper introduces network resource mobilization capability as an adaptive capability of managers and employees that can improve hotel firm performance. Previous experience and contextual factors such as the type of property and the management style all influence the nature of this capability. Practical implications – This work proposes a repertory of relevant resources in hotels and the preparation of an instrument to measure access to those resources and their mobilization through social capital. It also proposes the need to develop a new dynamic capability: the capability to mobilize network resources in hotel firms through their managers. Finally, it proposes that social capital is a valuable resource for both hotel firms and their managers. Originality/value – This theoretical approach makes a key distinction between access to and mobilization of network resources, which leads to a better understanding of the potential of the individual social capital of hotel managers. Network resource mobilization capability is introduced as an adaptive capability of managers.