Stronger together: Small and medium sized tour operators in a horizontal network

Abstract: This master thesis aims at deepening the understanding of actors interacting with competitors from the same business field within the tourism sector. Special attention is paid to small and medium sized enterprises. In order to increase the knowledge of the phenomenon the German network forum anders reisen consisting of small and medium sized tour operators has been used as the case to conduct empirical material. After the empirical study it can be concluded that diverse relationships can exist parallel to each other within a horizontal network reaching from co-existence to co-opetition and cooperation. Further personal bonds are influencing business links significantly. Additionally it became obvious that the flow of information and united creation of new information is an important part of both economic and social exchange. Often they cannot fully be distinguished from one another since they are interdependent influencing each other. The form of exchange strongly depends on the relationship of the actors interacting. While business links are often based on economic exchanges, bonds form due the additional social exchange taking place. With the growing size of a network it becomes more important to have a professional management team, but it is still essential to keep the members involved in the decision making process. One way of connecting members and management team is through an elected board of members. The board is responsible to ensure the flow of information in both directions.