The Jungle of Support: What Do We Really Mean When We Say “Residents’ Support”?

Abstract

The aim of this research is to provide a conceptual framework to facilitate the standardization of the concept of “residents’ support” in tourism studies. The model is designed to prevent ambiguity and confusion that may arise in the use of the generic term “residents’ support.” Social Exchange Theory and the Theory of Reasoned Action will be incorporated for the purposes of contextualizing the term “residents’ support” with respect to three dimensions: attitudinal, intentional, or behavioral. A longitudinal analysis of the term “residents’ support” will be conducted on the basis of the proposed model. Fifty-four articles published between 2004 and the first quarter of 2020 have been studied to classify the items used to create the construct of “residents’ support” in tourism studies and to draw conclusions about the work of scholars and tourism agents.