About Professor Rhodri Thomas
Rhodri Thomas is Professor of Tourism and Events Policy and Dean of The School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Leeds Beckett University.
Originally trained as an economist, Rhodri now engages in inter-disciplinary research in the context of tourism and the events sector. His particular research interests are: (a) public policy studies, especially in relation to small firms, and (b) commercial innovation and knowledge exchange with universities. His latest book entitled Questioning the Assessment of Research Impact: Illusions, Myths and Marginal Sectors has recently been published by Palgrave Macmillan and was followed by a piece in The Times Higher Education.
Rhodri recently acted as a member of New Zealand’s Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) Business and Economics Panel. He has previously acted as a 'specialist expert' on policy issues for the OECD, the European Commission and for government departments and other agencies in the UK and elsewhere. He has completed several Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) grant and non-grant funded projects and is a member of their Peer Review College.
Rhodri is Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events (ESCI listed; ABDC B), Co-ordinating Editor for the International Journal of Hospitality Management (ABS 3* SSCI IF 3.443) and Academic Editor for Sustainability (SSCI IF 2.075). He sits on the Editorial Advisory Boards of Tourism Management, Tourism Management Perspectives, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Journal of Services Research, Journal of Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, and Sci.
Current Teaching
Research Interests
Current research is primarily concerned with the impact of academic knowledge production on non-academic constituencies within the context of public policy debates about performance-based research funding.
Selected Publications
Journal articles (24)
- Tomassini L; Font X; Thomas R (In press), The case for linguistic narrative analysis, illustrated studying small firms in tourism
https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2019.1619824
View Repository Record - Kornilaki M; Thomas R; Font X (2019), The sustainability behaviour of small firms in tourism: the role of self-efficacy and contextual constraints
https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2018.1561706
View Repository Record - Li S; Cang S; Thomas R; Hyun S (2017), Residents' perceptions of convention centres: A distance decay analysis
https://doi.org/10.3727/152599517X15073047237241
View Repository Record - Yaning Li N; Wood EH; Thomas R (2017), Innovation implementation: harmony and conflict in Chinese modern music festivals
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.06.009
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Ormerod N (2017), The (almost) imperceptible impact of tourism research on policy and practice
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.02.009
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Ormerod N (2017), Founts of knowledge or delusions of grandeur? Limits and illusions of tourism research impact: A reply to Wood
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.04.009
View Repository Record - Thomas R (2017), A remarkable absence of women: a comment on the formation of the new Events Industry Board
https://doi.org/10.1080/19407963.2016.1208189
View Repository Record - Koens K; Thomas R (2016), "You know that's a rip-off": Micro-enterprises and poverty alleviation in South African township tourism
https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2016.1145230
View Repository Record - Kosmaczewska J; Thomas RW; Dias F (2015), Residents' perceptions of tourism and their implications for policy development: Evidence from rural Poland
https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2015.1110189
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Wood E (2015), The absorptive capacity of tourism organisations
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2015.06.004
View Repository Record - Koens K; Thomas R (2015), Is small beautiful? Understanding the contribution of small businesses in township tourism to economic development
https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2015.1010715
View Repository Record - Fu Y; Thomas RW; Long P (2014), Guanxi and the organisation of Chinese New Year festivals in England
https://doi.org/10.3727/152599514X13989500765682
View Repository Record - Thomas RW; Wood E (2014), Innovation in tourism: Re-conceptualising and measuring the absorptive capacity of the hotel sector
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2014.03.012
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Thomas H (2014), 'Hollow from the start'? Professional associations and the professionalisation of tourism
https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2013.763346
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Thomas H (2013), What are the prospects for professionalizing event management in the UK?
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2012.11.005 - Li S; Blake A; Thomas R (2013), Modelling the economic impact of sports events: The case of the Beijing Olympics
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2012.09.013 - Thomas RW (2013), Research and scholarship with impact: a British perspective
https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-01-2013-0001 - Thomas R (2012), Business Elites, Universities and Knowledge Transfer in Tourism
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.06.009 - Walmsley A; Thomas R; Jameson S (2012), Internships in SMEs and career intentions
https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2011.573774 - Sampaio A; Thomas R; Font X (2012), Small Business Management and Environmental Engagement
https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2011.602193 - Sampaio A; Thomas R; Font X (2012), Why are some engaged and not others? Explaining environmental engagement among small firms in tourism
https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.849
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Shaw G; Page S (2011), Understanding Small Firms in Tourism: A perspective on research trends and challenges
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.02.003 - Laing W; Xu H; Thomas R (2011), Study on the Motivations and Objectives of Life-styled Tourism Businesses in Dali Ancient City
- Thomas R (2011), Academics as Policy-Makers: (Not) Researching Tourism and Events Policy from the Inside
https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2010.534770
Books (1)
- Thomas R (2018) Questioning the Assessment of Research Impact Illusions, Myths and Marginal Sectors. . Springer.
Show/hide all publications
Journal articles (66)
- Tomassini L; Font X; Thomas R (In press), The case for linguistic narrative analysis, illustrated studying small firms in tourism
https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2019.1619824
View Repository Record - Kornilaki M; Thomas R; Font X (2019), The sustainability behaviour of small firms in tourism: the role of self-efficacy and contextual constraints
https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2018.1561706
View Repository Record - Li S; Cang S; Thomas R; Hyun S (2017), Residents' perceptions of convention centres: A distance decay analysis
https://doi.org/10.3727/152599517X15073047237241
View Repository Record - Yaning Li N; Wood EH; Thomas R (2017), Innovation implementation: harmony and conflict in Chinese modern music festivals
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.06.009
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Ormerod N (2017), The (almost) imperceptible impact of tourism research on policy and practice
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.02.009
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Ormerod N (2017), Founts of knowledge or delusions of grandeur? Limits and illusions of tourism research impact: A reply to Wood
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.04.009
View Repository Record - Thomas R (2017), A remarkable absence of women: a comment on the formation of the new Events Industry Board
https://doi.org/10.1080/19407963.2016.1208189
View Repository Record - Koens K; Thomas R (2016), "You know that's a rip-off": Micro-enterprises and poverty alleviation in South African township tourism
https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2016.1145230
View Repository Record - Thomas R (2016), Entrepreneurship in Hospitality and Tourism: A Global Perspective
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2016.03.005 - Kosmaczewska J; Thomas RW; Dias F (2015), Residents' perceptions of tourism and their implications for policy development: Evidence from rural Poland
https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2015.1110189
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Wood E (2015), The absorptive capacity of tourism organisations
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2015.06.004
View Repository Record - Koens K; Thomas R (2015), Is small beautiful? Understanding the contribution of small businesses in township tourism to economic development
https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2015.1010715
View Repository Record - Fu Y; Thomas RW; Long P (2014), Guanxi and the organisation of Chinese New Year festivals in England
https://doi.org/10.3727/152599514X13989500765682
View Repository Record - Thomas RW; Wood E (2014), Innovation in tourism: Re-conceptualising and measuring the absorptive capacity of the hotel sector
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2014.03.012
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Thomas H (2014), 'Hollow from the start'? Professional associations and the professionalisation of tourism
https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2013.763346
View Repository Record - Thomas R (2013), International perspectives on small firms in tourism: A synthesis
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080517285 - Thomas R (2013), Small firms in tourism: International perspectives
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080517285 - Thomas R (2013), Preface
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080517285 - Thomas R; Thomas H (2013), What are the prospects for professionalizing event management in the UK?
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2012.11.005 - Thomas R; Thomas H (2013), 'Hollow from the start'? Professional associations and the professionalisation of tourism
https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2013.763346 - Li S; Blake A; Thomas R (2013), Modelling the economic impact of sports events: The case of the Beijing Olympics
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2012.09.013 - Jauhari V; Thomas R (2013), Developing effective university-industry partnerships: An introduction
https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-02-2013-0006 - Thomas RW (2013), Research and scholarship with impact: a British perspective
https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-01-2013-0001 - Thomas RW (2013), Views from outside the academy An interview with Dr Leo Jago, Chief Economist of Tourism and General Manager of Tourism Research Australia
https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-02-2013-0005 - Thomas RW; Mulligan J; Li S (2013), Futures research and the events industry
- Thomas R (2012), Business Elites, Universities and Knowledge Transfer in Tourism
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.06.009 - Thomas R (2012), Eventful Cities: Cultural Management and Urban Revitalisation
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.07.003 - Thomas R; Bowdin G (2012), Events Management Research: State of the art
https://doi.org/10.3727/152599512X13343565268212 - Walmsley A; Thomas R; Jameson S (2012), Internships in SMEs and career intentions
https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2011.573774 - Sampaio A; Thomas R; Font X (2012), Small Business Management and Environmental Engagement
https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2011.602193 - Sampaio A; Thomas R; Font X (2012), Why are some engaged and not others? Explaining environmental engagement among small firms in tourism
https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.849
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Shaw G; Page S (2011), Understanding Small Firms in Tourism: A perspective on research trends and challenges
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.02.003 - Laing W; Xu H; Thomas R (2011), Study on the Motivations and Objectives of Life-styled Tourism Businesses in Dali Ancient City
- Thomas R (2011), Academics as Policy-Makers: (Not) Researching Tourism and Events Policy from the Inside
https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2010.534770 - Walmsley A; Thomas R (2009), Understanding and influencing the entrepreneurial intentions of tourism students
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080942728 - Thomas R; Oviedo A (2009), Special issue: innovations in teaching and researching hospitality management
- Musgrave J; Thomas RW; Kusyj B (2009), Learning from visiting speakers: the case of events management
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Hind D (2007), The self-catering accommodation sector in Yorkshire, England
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2006.10.007 - Thomas R (2007), Tourism SMEs, service quality and destination competitiveness
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2006.06.001 - Thomas R; Parsons D; Barry J; Rowe V (2007), Employer co-funded training in the UK: Current practice and policy considerations
https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910710739478 - Thomas RW (2007), Tourism partnerships and small firms: Power, participation and partition
View Repository Record - Augustyn M; Thomas R (2006), Small firms in the New Europe: Key issues, conclusions and recommendations
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080466040 - Augustyn M; Thomas R (2006), Small firms in the New Europe: An overview
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080466040 - Thomas R; Augustyn M (2006), Tourism in the New Europe: Perspectives on SME policies and practices
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080466040 - Thomas R; Augustyn M (2006), Preface
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080466040 - Walmsley A; Thomas R; Jameson S (2006), Surprise and sense making: Undergraduate placement experiences in SMEs
https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910610677063 - Thomas R; Thomas H (2006), Micro politics and micro firms: A case study of tourism policy formation and change
https://doi.org/10.1108/14626000610645342 - Wood E; Thomas R (2006), Research note: Measuring cultural values - The case of residents' attitudes to the Saltaire Festival
https://doi.org/10.5367/000000006776387187
View Repository Record - Thomas R; Thomas H (2005), Understanding tourism policy-making in urban areas, with particular reference to small firms
https://doi.org/10.1080/14616680500072323 - Dewhurst H; Thomas R (2003), Encouraging sustainable business practices in a non-regulatory environment: A case study of small tourism firms in a uk national park
https://doi.org/10.1080/09669580308667212 - Thomas R (2002), Heritage, place and community
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(02)00018-3 - Thomas R; Long J (2001), Tourism and Economic Regeneration: The role of skills development
- Thomas R; Harris V (2001), Exploring connections between teaching and research in hospitality management
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0278-4319(01)00008-1 - Thomas R; Harris V (2000), Teaching quality and staff research: Are there connections? A case study of a metropolitan university department
https://doi.org/10.1108/09684880010341242 - Thomas R; Long J (2000), Improving Competitiveness: Critical success factors for tourism development
https://doi.org/10.1080/02690940008726507 - Morrison A; Thomas R (1999), The future of small firms in the hospitality industry
https://doi.org/10.1108/09596119910263531 - Friel M; Thomas R (1997), Entrepreneurship and small firms - Deakins,D
- Friel M; Thomas R (1997), The determinants of small firm growth. An inter-regional study in the United Kingdom 1986-1990 - Barkham,R, Gudgin,G, Hart,M, Hanvey,E
- Holmes G; McElwee G (1995), Environmental scanning and the information-gathering behaviour of headteachers
https://doi.org/10.1108/09513549510095095 - Thomas R (1995), Public policy and small hospitality firms
https://doi.org/10.1108/09596119510080655 - THOMAS R (1994), Tourism and the Hotel and Catering Industries in the EC - Vankraay, F
https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069400000063 - Thomas R (1994), European Union Enterprise Policy and the Hospitality Industry
https://doi.org/10.1108/09596119410060874 - THOMAS R (1994), Fast-Food Operations and their Managment - Ball,S
https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069400000019 - THOMAS R; THOMAS H (1994), THE Informal Economy and Local Economic Development Policy
- THOMAS R (1993), European Business - An Issue-based Approach- Welford, R, Prescott, K
https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069300000056 - THOMAS R (1993), A Foundation in Business Accounting - Giles, R
https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069300000017
Books (2)
- Thomas R (2018) Questioning the Assessment of Research Impact Illusions, Myths and Marginal Sectors. . Springer.
- Thomas R (2009) Managing Regional Tourism: A case study of Yorkshire, England. . Ilkley: Great Northern Books.
Chapters (4)
- Fu Y; Long P; Thomas R (2015) Guanxi and the organisation of Chinese New Year festivals in England.. In: Knerr B; Jieping F Chinese Diasporas in Europe: History, Challenges and Prospects. : kassel university press GmbH, pp. .
- Thomas R; Morpeth ND (2009) Who does what? Tourism governance in Yorkshire. In: Thomas R Managing regional tourism: A case study of Yorkshire, England. Ilkley: Great Northern Books, pp. 78-91.
- Wood EH; Thomas R (2008) Festivals and tourism in rural economies. In: Ali-McKnight J; Robertson M; Fyall A; Lakin A International Perspectives on Festivals and Events: Paradigms and Analysis. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, pp. .
- Thomas R; Long J; Parsons D; Jameson S (2002) Old Skills in New Heritage: An analysis of skills supply, demand and utlisation in the UK's heritage sector. In: Andews N; Flanagan S; Ruddy J Tourism Destination Planning. Dublin: DIT, pp. 3-23.
Conference contributions (11)
- Thomas RW (2013) Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Tourism Committee Paris . : .
- Li S; Blake A; Thomas R (2013) Modelling the economic impact of sports events under conditions of imperfect competition Ljubljana . : .
- Thomas R (2012) Professionalism and the professionalisation of events management in the UK . Norway: .
- Thomas R (2011) Business Elites, Universities and Knowledge Exchange in Travel . UK: .
- Thomas R (2011) Evaluating the Impact of Events: Directions for Research . UK: .
- Thomas R (2010) Events strategies, local governance and universities . Leeds Metropolitan University: .
- Thomas R; Bowdin GAJ; McElhinney S; Bell S (2009) Professionalism and Professionalisation in the Events and Festivals Sector University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield . : .
- Thomas R (2009) Making an impact: PhD research and 'stakeholder' engagement . University of Nottingham: .
- Thomas R (2009) Moving and Shaking: Urban Tourism and Events Policy Formation . University of Warsaw, Poland: .
- Bowdin GAJ; Thomas R; Wood EH; Robinson L (2007) The Contribution of Community Festivals and Events to the Local Area and the Welsh Economy Bournemouth University, Bournemouth 20070110. : .
- Thomas R; Wood EH; Bowdin GAJ; Robinson L (2006) The Contribution of Community Festivals and Events to the Local Areas and the Welsh Economy Wales . : .
Conference proceedings (peer reviewed) (1)
- Wood EH; Thomas R; Robinson L; Bowdin GAJ (2005) The Contribution of Community Festivals to Tourism: An assessment of the impacts of rural events in Wales. In: Assessing The Impact Of Tourist Events Universite Nice, TMP Research Group, Juan Les Pins, France 20051208. : , pp. .
Reports (16)
- Thomas R; Ormerod N (2015) An Economic Impact Assessment of the First Utility Super League Magic Weekend. . Rugby Football League (RFL).
- Thomas R; Ormerod N (2014) An economic impact assessment of the First Utility First Utility Super League Magic Weekend 2014. . Rugby Football League (RFL).
- Ormerod NS; Thomas R (2014) Every minute matters! Spectator perceptions of the points scoring system in rugby league. . Rugby Football League (RFL).
- Strange IR; Thomas R; Parsons D; Devins D (2014) Evaluating the Impact of ESRC Economics Centres. . ESRC.
- Parsons D; Thomas R; Fletcher TE; Kachel U (2014) Evaluation of the Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability and Sustainable Society (BRASS). . ESRC.
- Li S; Bowdin G; Heslington E; Jones S; Mulligan J; Tara-Lunga M-O; Tauxe C; Thomas R; Wu P-Y (2013) The Economic Impact of the UK Meeting & Event Industry. . Meeting Professionals International.
- Thomas R (2011) Research Report: An Economic Impact Assessment of the Engage Super League Grand Final. . Leeds: Rugby Football League (RFL).
- Thomas R; Woo EH (2011) Research Report: An Economic Impact Assessment of Showzam!. . Leeds: Visit Blackpool.
- Thomas R (2011) An Economic Impact Assessment of Blackpool's Major Events Portfolio. . Research Report for Visit Blackpool.
- Bassett D; Mulligan J; Dewhurst D; Thomas R; Wood E; Bowdin G; O'Brien D; Tum J (2010) Engaging Students Engaging Industry Engaging Enterprise. . Institute for Enterprise (CETL).
View Repository Record - Thomas R (2010) Flexible Working Practices in Travel and Tourism. . London: Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT).
- Thomas R (2010) Engaging business elites from the travel and tourism sector. . Swindon & Hertfordshire: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC): Swindon, Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT): Herts.
- Thomas R (2010) An Economic Impact Assessment of the Northern Rail Blackpool 9s and Engage Super League Grand Final. . Leeds: Rugby Football Leagie (RFL).
- Thomas R (2010) Economic Impact Assessment of the Engagement Super League Grand Final and the Northern Rail Blackpool 9s Tournament. . Leeds: Rugby Football League (RFL):.
- Thomas R; McCullough N (2009) An Economic Impact Assessment of the Northern Rail Blackpool 9s. . Leeds: Rugby Football Leagie (RFL).
- Thomas R; Vanel D (2008) Attitudes to climate change: A survey of travel agents and tour operators. . London: Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT).
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