**3. Methodology**

### **3.1 Research design**

This work is situated within an interpretive paradigm. Given the relative lack of theoretical understanding of barriers to learning in sustainability-oriented partnerships in tourism, we applied an explorative and qualitative case-study design to develop a theory as an extension of an existing theoretical framework (the learning tourism destination). This approach allows for a more in-depth understanding of knowledge sharing, learning and innovation. In the following paragraph, we will present the empirical settings and the reasons behind our sampling choices.

We applied the Big-Tent criteria for excellent qualitative research [40] where applicable to the current study. Our research design included parameters for validity, credibility and dependability [41]. Credibility was protected using techniques of engagement and observation by the primary researcher and verification of findings between the authors. Our detailed research plan, which included an audit trail of the transcripts and research process, safeguarded dependability and confirmability. We further enforced confirmability through the use of excerpts from interview transcripts to support the findings and discussion. We coded the material in three phases: categorization of the data (open coding), creation of interconnecting categories (axial coding) and selective coding where both researchers worked together to create the final set of codes and nodes.
