Rafael Mora

Our team provides scientific and applied expertise in digitalisation, circular economy and sustainability performance, with solid experience in analysing the circular and digital transition of SMEs, particularly within tourism ecosystems.

Our current research is specifically focused on tourism and is grounded in the following working hypothesis:

The transition towards circular and smart ecosystems in tourism depends on the simultaneous interaction of multistakeholder dynamics and different levels of implementation: micro (SMEs’ circular and digital resources and capabilities), meso (inter-organisational cooperation), and macro (governance and institutional frameworks). This interaction generates networks and evolutionary trajectories that can be modelled, measured and predicted, enabling strategic interventions by both public authorities and business managers, and accelerating the maturity of the circular and digital tourism ecosystem, together with its environmental, social and economic impacts.

Within this framework, we can contribute to the project through:

• Design and validation of maturity models for the circular and digital transition of tourism SMEs and tourism ecosystems.

• Analysis of circular and digital capabilities, eco-innovation and the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in the tourism sector.

• Development of conceptual and analytical frameworks for circular and smart tourism ecosystems.

• Application of qualitative methodologies, including semi-structured interviews, focus groups, content analysis and Delphi studies with sector experts.

• Application of advanced quantitative methodologies, including multivariate analysis, causal models and structural equation modelling (SEM), as well as predictive approaches.

• Generation of scientific evidence and operational recommendations targeted at public policies, tourism businesses and other ecosystem stakeholders.

• A strong focus on the modelling, evaluation and impact measurement of the circular and digital transition in tourism, as well as on the interpretation of results to support strategic decision-making.

We seek to join a consortium as a partner, with the project being led by another actor, contributing primarily to:

• Work packages related to the analysis, diagnosis and evaluation of circular economy and digitalisation processes in tourism.

• Design and validation of indicators, metrics and evaluation models applicable to tourism SMEs and destinations.

• Applied research activities, methodological validation and advanced data analysis.

• Scientific support for pilots, demonstrators and case studies, ensuring methodological rigour, impact assessment and scalability.

• Development of strategic and public policy recommendations, grounded in empirical evidence and oriented towards the sustainable transition of the tourism sector.

We are particularly interested in projects with an ecosystem-based, multi-actor and SME-oriented approach, where the scientific dimension complements technological development and practical implementation.

We are interested in collaborating with partners that lead or complement the practical implementation of the project in the tourism domain, such as:

• Technology companies and providers of digital and Industry 4.0 solutions for tourism.

• Tourism SMEs and business associations engaged in circular and digital transition processes.

• Public administrations, regional development agencies and organisations supporting innovation and sustainable tourism.

• Technology centres and applied research organisations with pilot testing, demonstration and transfer capabilities.

• Tourism ecosystem management entities, such as clusters, destinations and innovation platforms.

We particularly value consortia with a strong impact orientation, scalability and transferability of results to both the business sector and public policy.