Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory

This chapter deals with conservation of resources (COR) theory. Resources are defined as sources of supply or support that individuals are motivated to protect, acquire, retain, and foster. Resources can be divided into four categories: object resources (e.g. clothes, houses, and tools), conditional resources (e.g. success, marriage, and qualifications of work), personal resources (e.g. personal traits and key skills), and energy resources (e.g. time and money). The central premise of COR theory is that individuals conserve and acquire resources from the perspective of resource gain or loss. More broadly, this theory promotes positive attitudes and behaviors while reducing negative ones. The COR theory has been successfully applied in predicting job stress and motivation in organizations, health contexts, or social bases of working life. In this regard, we highlight the conception, application, gaps, and future research directions of the theory in the field of tourism. Within the diverse application of the COR theory, we hope to provide key contributions to current COR literature from the perspective of tourism.