Organizational Culture and Innovation in Andean Community Tourism

Abstract

This article examines contemporary approaches to organizational theory from a critical and situated perspective, with an emphasis on Latin American contexts characterized by constant transformation and the need for more humanized models. It rethinks the understanding of organizations beyond technical efficiency or traditional hierarchical structures, proposing their analysis as living systems in which empathic leadership, collective learning, and dialogic management are fundamental. Through a comparative documentary research approach, post-industrial organizational models and their applicability in different sectors are analyzed, with a special focus on community-based tourism in rural areas of Ecuador. Among the main findings, innovative organizational experiences based on participation, affective links with the environment, and collaborative work are identified, factors that have contributed significantly to the resilience of local economies in the face of crisis contexts. The conclusions highlight the urgency of reconnecting the organization with the human, understanding that true innovation lies not only in the capacity to adapt to change, but also in the profound transformation of relationships, shared decision-making, and the collective construction of the future in the workplace.