The region matters—for whom? The regional actor network for vocational education and training in tourism of Cancún (Mexico)

Abstract

Actor networks are relevant to provide vocational education and training. Many studies have focused on such networks without a clear regional focus. Suggesting a conceptual approach of regional actor networks based on contributions of business education and economic geography, this study analyses the regional actor network in the tourism sector in Cancún (Mexico). Methodologically, the study follows an exploratory qualitative approach. The results illustrate that there are two dominant axes within the regional network, which comprise on the one hand hotels cooperating with applied universities, and on the other hand hotels cooperating with vocational schools. This local actor network has impacts on the practical relevance that vocational education and training provides to the learners, and generates a particular, and rather vulnerable, way of regional development. © 2021 The Authors. International Journal of Training and Development published by Brian Towers (BRITOW) and John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Keywords

Author Keywords

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Index Keywords

Author Affiliations

Department of Economic and Social Geography, Universität zu Köln, Koln, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Chair of Economics and Business Education, Universität zu Köln, Koln, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Funding & Acknowledgements

Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF

Grant: 01BF18002A

The article is based on the research project ‘DualReg: Locally rooted – worldwide linked up: Mexico – Success conditions for transfer of vocational education and dual practices’. This project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research under the funding code 01BF18002A. The responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors.

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The region matters—for whom? The regional actor network for vocational education and training in tourism of Cancún (Mexico)

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