Cooperate or not, that is the Question: variables associated with the propensity of tourism micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to cooperate

Abstract

This paper aims to explore variables possibly associated with the propensity to engage in cooperative actions by micro and small tourism businesses. Seven variables were selected from the literature: (1) main activity, (2) revenues, (3) enterprise formalization, (4) location, (5) consolidation of the company, with regard to their age and number of employees , (6) qualification and (7) participation in conflicts. The empirical study was conducted with 209 micro and small tourism businesses located in three Brazilian states (Ceará, Piauí and Maranhão). Taking advantage of a multivariate quantitative approach was based on a
structured questionnaire and a logistic regression was run for statistical analysis. The data show that the businesses which are less likely to cooperate with other businesses are the oldest and the ones related to the food sector. On the other hand, formal companies and those who participate in training courses are more likely to cooperate. There is no evidence of influence of other variables on the propensity to cooperate.