A Conceptual Model of Knowledge Sharing and Market Orientation in the Tourism Sector

Problem statement: Marketing scholars have emphasized the importance of market orientation. While a number of studies discover the positive influence of market orientation on a variety of organizations phenomena, the understanding of factors that facilitate market orientation is limited. This study develops a conceptual model in which knowledge sharing is proposed to be the antecedent to three perspectives of market orientation-customer orientation, competitor orientation and inter-functional coordination. With a knowledge sharing culture in place, tourism firms can encourage employees to exchange understanding of customers and competitors. It then enhances tourism firms’ market positions. Conclusion: Future research can test these propositions to enrich our understanding of the interaction between knowledge management and market orientation in the tourism industry.