Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses: Doctorates and Masters Theses 2006 Understanding sustainable tourism development from a complex systems perspective: A case study of the Swan River, Western Australia Janine R. McDonald Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses Part of the Tourism and Travel Commons Recommended Citation McDonald, J. R. (2006). Understanding sustainable tourism development from a complex systems perspective: A case study of the Swan River, Western Australia. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/82 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/82 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. 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UNDERSTANDING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT FROM A COMPLEX SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE: A CASE STUDY OF THE SWAN RIVER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA Janine Mc Donald Bachelor of Applied Science (Ecotourism) [Honours] Bachelor of Applied Science Diploma of Teaching This thesis is presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Business and Law Edith Cowan University Perth, Western Australia March 2006 USE OF THESIS The Use of Thesis statement is not included in this version of the thesis. ABSTRACT Tourism does not operate in a predictable and mechanistic environment and is influenced by unpredictable circumstances. Influences include underlying values and perceptions keeping the system unpredictable and dynamic. Tourism that utilises natural resources is exposed to the additional unpredictability of natural changes and activities and/or decisions of other stakeholders. Tourism research generally adopts reductionist approaches and has not effectively understood tourism as a stakeholder within a complex system of stakeholders. Reductionist approaches have led to interpretations of sustainable tourism development being highly focused and sector specific limiting understanding of the complex systems in which tourism operates and resulting in narrow perspectives. To understand underlying elements influencing the system, a new paradigm is required. Complex systems science is a possible tool for understanding tourism and sustainable tourism development and allows a holistic understanding of complex systems and the unpredictable and non-linear nature of interactions within them. As a complex system component, tourism is involved in an interactive process whereby individual agents can influence, or be influenced by, other agents in the system resulting in adaptation and system evolution. Timely intervention may ensure that changes produce sustainable outcomes for both the system and individual agents. The purpose of this research is to determine the value of using a complex systems perspective as a tool for understanding sustainable tourism development for the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia. The Swan River is a complex system under increasing pressure within an urban environment of 1.4 million people. It holds ‘icon’ status with significant social, cultural and ecological values, supporting a diversity of stakeholders. The river is managed by a complex governance system including seventeen state and sixteen local government agencies. iii Qualitative methodology was utilised and consisted of semi-structured in-depth interviews with forty eight key stakeholders using a predominantly interpretive paradigm that complemented the complex systems perspective. The intent was to achieve an empathetic understanding of underlying stakeholder issues and attitudes influencing sustainable tourism development outcomes and management of the Swan River. Quantitative methods were also used to identify issues from a tourist perspective. Implementation of sustainable tourism development outcomes have proved problematic due to the complex interrelationships between tourism components and other components within a system. This research applied a complex systems science perspective to determine the interrelationships between stakeholders with political, environmental, economic, social and cultural interests in the Swan River. Common and disparate values and perceptions were identified. Underlying behaviours and issues, if left unidentified, have the potential to impact on sustainable tourism development outcomes and the system components. This research viewed underlying issues in terms of the characteristics of complex systems, namely edge of chaos, butterfly effect, strange attractors, and conflict, which serve to explain patterns of behaviour that occur within a complex system. By adopting a complex systems perspective, key findings, which otherwise may not have emerged had a more reductionist approach been undertaken, include the lack of a shared vision for the river, the absence of tourism planning, and a lack of governance networks. iv DECLARATION I certify that this thesis does not, to the best of my knowledge and belief: (i) incorporate without acknowledgment any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution of higher education. (ii) contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text; or (iii) contain any defamatory material. I also grant permission for the Library at Edith Cowan University to make duplicate copies of my thesis as required. Signature: ……………………………………. Date: …………………………….. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The development of this thesis over the last three years has been a personal journey of learning, facing challenges, stresses and importantly many rewarding experiences. The final thesis would not have been possible without the support, encouragement and guidance of many people who were instrumental in allowing me to achieve my aims. Firstly, thanks to the staff of CSIRO who provided the seed from which this research grew. Secondly, I thank both my supervisors, Professor Ross Dowling, and Dr Joanna Fountain for their patience, knowledge and guidance over the three years. PhD students offer many challenges and Ross has always believed that I could achieve my aims. Joanna has tolerated many distant emails to New Zealand, given me constant support, encouragement and advice, and at times helped to keep my sanity when I needed it. Thank you both for giving me your valuable time and valuable input. I thank my respondents who willingly participated in this research, and without whom I could not have completed it. Each respondent shared their personal stories, emotions and knowledge of the Swan River and I hope this thesis gives justice to their voices. I thank each of them for allowing me to delve into the new area of research, the use of complexity science in tourism research. Many other people have constantly provided much needed support and assistance throughout the three years. Thanks to Julie Connolly for the PhD bear who watched over me, the administrative support and the much-needed good laugh. Anita Purkis proved invaluable with her assistance and Steve Charter’s words of wisdom were greatly appreciated. In the last few months in particular, Acushla Felix has been especially supportive and helpful and I thank her for her calmness when assisting with those frustrating computer problems. Thanks to Sally Paulin for the Friday coffee briefings. Finally, family support is a vital element in achieving a PhD. I give special thanks to my dad and sister for their many long distance phone calls encouraging me to keep going when I felt out of my depth. Living with a PhD student is not an easy experience and the most important person who has coped with all the emotions of the experience has been my husband Phillip. His belief in me has never wavered, and his patience and willingness to read my chapters was always undertaken with enthusiasm. I could not have travelled the PhD road without him being by my side. Thank you. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS USE OF THESIS........................................................................................................ ii ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................iii DECLARATION........................................................................................................ v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................... xi LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................