Inter-sectorial collaboration in networks: A Boundary Object approach to wine routes

Wine routes are used to enhance food and wine tourism development but, despite academic research devoted to studying them has increased over time, the emergent perspective interpreting wine routes as “Boundary Objects” deserves further research. This study aims to develop a framework rooted in the concept of “Boundary Objects”. To achieve this objective, a qualitative research was carried out on the Cannonau wine route (Sardinia, Italy). Our findings present a “comprehensive” framework, showing how different types of inter-organizational partnerships under the threats of different external and internal factors can shape a “Boundary Object”. Although this research is based on a top-down wine route and on a limited number of interviews, this is the first attempt to apply concepts specifically developed within Boundary Objects literature in the study of wine routes. Managers of similar types of wine routes should make sure that clear boundaries and shared goals are agreed among stakeholders. Future research should analyse other constructs developed within Boundary Objects literature in order to fully understand the contribution of Boundary Objects to the literature on networks in tourism.