Bridging the divide: Rethinking the relationship between academia and industry

The current academic system places strong emphasis on producing an unsustainably large quantity of publications, many of which offer limited novelty. As a result, academics lack the time and the incentives to build meaningful connections with industry. This paper is written as a personal reflection, supported by existing literature. It argues that if academics wish to have a tangible impact on future development, closer and more effective collaboration with stakeholders is essential. The paper focuses primarily on industry as a key stakeholder and provides an overview of research avenues that could help generate relevant knowledge. Overall, the paper calls for a rethinking of the role of academia in shaping future development, with particular emphasis on the social sciences and tourism as a field of inquiry.