Author(s)

Shuhua Yin ¹, Chanjuan Wang ², Hongxi Zhang ²

Affiliation(s)

¹ Department of Tourism Management, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
² Tourism and Air Service College, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, China

Corresponding Author

Hongxi Zhang

ABSTRACT

This paper contributes to the understanding process of construction of festival spatial order and adaptive capacity of festival organizations over time. Taking the Guangzhou International Light Festival (GZILF) as an example, and combining with the theory of complex adaptive systems (CAS), we point out that the festival is a complex adaptive system. Through the collection of Weibo data and interviews with relevant persons in charge of festival organizers (government and enterprises), we specifically elaborate on the problems and order characteristics of the festival space at different stages, as well as the adaptive behaviors adopted by the festival organizers at each development stage. From the emergence of the problems of festival spatial order to outbreak, and then the rational construction of festival spatial order, the results show the adaptability of the festival organizers has gradually improved over time. Although speculative, these ideas are ground in observation and research, and this paper may contribute to broaden the discussion on the complex system and provide insight into the sustainable development of festivals. 

KEYWORDS

Complex adaptive system theory, Festival space, Order construction, adaptability, Guangzhou International Lighting Festival

CITE THIS PAPER

Shuhua Yin, Chanjuan Wang, Hongxi Zhang, The Construction of Festival Spatial Order: A Complex Adaptive Systems Perspective to Improve Festival Organization Adaptive Capacity. Journal of Sociology and Ethnology (2022) Vol. 4: 108-121. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/jsoce.2022.040417.

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