Understanding research impact manifestations in the environmental policy domain. Sustainable tourism research and the case of dutch aviation

Abstract

This paper uses discourse theory to obtain a broader understanding of how research impact of sustainable tourism research develops in the environmental policy domain. Discourse theory shifts emphasis from the substance of science versus policy to the use of science in policy processes and explains the political dimensions of policymaking. We first review a well-documented science-policy gap in sustainable tourism research on climate change to develop an alternative conceptualisation of research impact. Then, using a case study approach, we investigate this framework by evaluating the impact of a PhD thesis about aviation's global CO 2 emissions on the Dutch aviation policy process. The case study shows research impact is entwined with various other elements, and embedded in a specific governance context. Research influenced contrasting science-policy interactions and contributed to conflicting policy actions and reactions. The impact of research in this case was manifested through the formation and interplay of multiple knowledge objects that were both embraced and marginalised. In settings like this, research is used to legitimise pre-existing policy positions rather than to develop new policies. We discuss the implications of narrow conceptions of research impact. The paper highlights the need for advanced policy analysis in sustainable tourism research.

Aviation policy instrument choice in Europe: high flying and crash landing? Understanding policy evolutions in the Netherlands and Germany

“…The fact, that in particular the traditionally business-friendly Christian Democrats advocated the tax, has made it extraordinary difficult for lobby organisations to deploy any influence on the government. In the Dutch case, the ties between aviation industry and the government appeared considerably closer forming an "iron triangle" between Schiphol, the Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) and the ministry of infrastructure (Buijtendijk and Eijgelaar 2020). In any case, this held true for the policy round trip in 2008 and 2009.…”

“…In 2017, the Dutch story of aviation taxes took another turn as the new cabinet under minister president Rutte revealed plans to reintroduce the vliegbelasting in its coalition agreement. This decision was unexpected as none of the four coalition parties had included the tax in their election manifestosalthough some authors suggest an agenda-setting effect of the rising Green party, GroenLinks, which opted out of the coalition talks earlier that year (Buijtendijk and Eijgelaar 2020). In contrast, it is evident that it has been a state secretary from the liberal party D66 who pressed ahead with the tax so that it has been introduced by 1 January 2021.…”

Problematising ‘The impact of tourism research’: A reply to

“…To avoid ambiguity, it is important to note that 'In the REF, impact is defined as an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia' (https://impact.ref.ac.uk/casestudies/). Several commentators have challenged similar official conceptualisations of impact (for a recent example, see Buijtendijk & Eijgelaar, 2020) but as this was not a feature of the paper being commented upon, the related literature is not discussed further here. Brauer et al (2019: 65) state that 'the aim of the research (that they report) is to evaluate the outcomes and effects of the research impact evaluation for tourism research impacts'.…”

Potentials for reducing climate impact from tourism transport behavior

“…Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden) about the climate impact of flying (e.g. Buijtendijk & Eijgelaar, 2020;Liljestrand, 2018;Sullivan, 2020;Vidal, 2019). In Sweden, for example, the term flygskam ("flight shame"), describing the negative feelings associated with the climate impact from flying, was coined and then spread around the world (Jacobson et al, 2020;Wolrath S€ oderberg & Wormbs, 2019).…”