Title: Rationality of social entrepreneurs in tourism: Max Weber and the sociology of tourism development

Authors: Makarand Mody; Jonathon Day

Addresses: School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University, 900 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA ' School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University, 900 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA

Abstract: Despite increasing recognition of its contribution to development in many parts of the world, academic research about social entrepreneurship remains in its infancy. There has been little inquiry into the rationale for social entrepreneurship, despite its potential to clarify many conceptual ambiguities associated with this emerging phenomenon. In response to such a gap, the present article advances a compelling framework from classic sociology, that of Max Weber's typology of rationality, as a means to explain the motivations of social entrepreneurs in the tourism industry. It emphasises the concepts of formal and substantive rationality, which are Weber's most significant contributions to the understanding of human behaviour. The article also presents methodological considerations for the use of Weber's typology. A constructivism paradigm and the narrative approach to inquiry are suggested as most readily aligned with Weber's own methodological stance towards sociological explanation.

Keywords: rationality; social entrepreneurship; Max Weber; sociology; responsible tourism; tourism development; human behaviour; typology; constructivism; narrative approach.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTA.2014.059839

International Journal of Tourism Anthropology, 2014 Vol.3 No.3, pp.227 - 244

Received: 05 Jun 2012
Accepted: 15 Mar 2013
Published online: 21 Jun 2014 *

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