scholarly journals Building Resilient Smart Cities for Sustainable Urban Tourism in Africa Post-COVID-19 Pandemic

Author(s):  
Erisher Woyo ◽  
Dandison Ukpabi

AbstractThis paper contributes to the knowledge by examining the role of smart tourism technologies in destination resilience amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering tourism in the COVID-19 crisis as an emerging stream of research, the study also explores how African cities deployed smart tourism technologies and how effective it has been in creating resilient and safe destinations. Data were collected through a semi-structured online interview from destination managers in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. The findings pose critical lessons for city destinations and how they need to transition into smartness to create safe spaces for travellers during and post-COVID-19. Our study makes novel contributions to literature and practice. Theoretically, our study fills the void identified in the relationship between STTs and COVID-19. Our study also offers practical recommendations that will accelerate African destination reset strategies.

Author(s):  
Ronald Rateiwa ◽  
Meshach J. Aziakpono

Background: In order for the post-2015 world development agenda – termed the sustainable development goals (SDGs) – to succeed, there is a pronounced need to ensure that available resources are used more effectively and additional financing is accessed from the private sector. Given that traditional bank lending has slowed down, the development of non-bank financing has become imperative. To this end, this article intends to empirically test the role of non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) in stimulating economic growth.Aim: The aim of this article is to empirically test the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship between economic growth and the development of NBFIs, and the causality thereof.Setting: The empirical assessment uses time-series data from Africa’s three largest economies, namely, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, over the period 1971–2013.Methods: This article uses the Johansen cointegration and vector error correction model within a country-specific setting.Results: The results showed that the long-run relationship between NBFI development and economic growth is relatively stronger in Egypt and South Africa, than in Nigeria. Evidence in respect of Nigeria shows that such a relationship is weak. The nature of the relationship between NBFI development and economic growth in Egypt is positive and significant, and predominantly bidirectional. This suggests that a virtuous relationship between NBFIs and economic growth exists in Egypt. In South Africa, the relationship is positive and significant and predominantly runs from NBFI development to economic growth, implying a supply-leading phenomenon. In Nigeria, the results are weak and mixed.Conclusion: The study concludes that in countries with more developed financial systems, the role of NBFIs and their importance to the economic growth process are more pronounced. Thus, there is need for developing policies targeted at developing the NBFI sector, given their potential to contribute to economic growth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehita Iqani

This article explores the role of social media promotions in the marketing of luxury, from the perspectives of both representatives of global brands and the local influencers contracted to promote them online. It provides insights into role of social media in marketing luxury in ‘new’ markets (African cities) and the complexities attendant to the relationship between brand representatives and influencers. It reports on in-depth interviews with brand representatives and social media influencers working in the luxury sector in large anglophone African cities. Empirical findings show the role of social media in how luxury is promoted by those working in the industry. Three key complexities to do with value, trust and authenticity were evident in how global brand representatives and local influencers discussed social media. In terms of value, influencers emphasize strategies for monetizing visibility, while brand managers emphasize the need to get their money’s worth. Regarding trust, influencers express caution about brands trying to exploit them, while brands express scepticism about the extent of influencer’s abilities. On the topic of authenticity, influencers emphasize how the integrity of their personal brands is paramount, while brand representatives are mostly concerned with how genuine the social media posts seem. The article provides original empirical details about the relationships between brand managers and social media influencers, as well as to the nuances of social media luxury marketing in African cities. It contributes to critical theories of branding practice in media economies of the global south.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Mohammad Badruzzaman BHUIYAN ◽  
◽  
Md. Aminul ISLAM ◽  
Md. Ziaul HAQUE ◽  
Chhanda BISWAS ◽  
...  

More recently social networking sites (SNSs) users are extensively using the emerging geotagging technology for tourism motivation. The study aims to examine the relationship between determinants of geotagging technology and intention to adopt geotag technology as well as the extent to which technology readiness moderates the link between determinants of geotagging technology and intention to adopt geotag technology. Data were collected from a sample of 356 university students by using convenience sampling technique. Partial least square structural equation modelling has been used to measure the results. The empirical outcome uncovers that social influence, performance expectancy and facilitating condition are the factor that have direct impact on SNSs user’s willingness to adopt geotag for smart tourism experience. The present paper enriches UTAUT model by understanding the association between two variables namely effort expectancy and performance expectancy as well as the moderating role of the technology readiness. The findings of the study will assist to SNSs service providers by understanding the moderating role of technology readiness in the relationship between determinants of geotagging technology and intention to adopt geotag technology.


Author(s):  
Gianluca Misuraca ◽  
Gianluigi Viscusi

This chapter presents and discusses the application of an analytical framework for managing digital innovation initiatives in the public sector. The chapter positions e-Government and digital innovation initiatives in the public sector within the broader framework of e-Governance (i.e. governance aided by ICT). It first introduces the conceptual framework on which the discussion is based, and then proposes a higher order conceptualization of the relationship between e-Governance and its underpinning value drivers of performance, openness and inclusion. In particular, the analysis focuses on the role that these value drivers plays in the enactment of digital governance initiatives such as the ones related to open government and smart cities. To this end, the chapter discusses its application to initiatives carried out in Barcelona and Tallinn. A typology of e-Governance ‘attitudes’ is then identified to provide evidence of further specific interventions required for an appropriate management of similar initiatives in other countries. The chapter concludes by highlighting the policy implications for administrative reform and offering practical recommendations for implementing digital governance initiatives.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Eric Pelet ◽  
Benoît Lecat ◽  
Jashim Khan ◽  
Sharyn Rundle-Thiele ◽  
Linda W. Lee ◽  
...  

Purpose This paper aims to examine the relationship between feelings toward buying wine on mobile phones and m-commerce website loyalty by examining the mediating role of sales promotion and the moderating role of service attributes of the m-commerce websites in influencing the mediation. Design/methodology/approach A total of 3,318 completed surveys were collected. Drawing on a large non-probability criterion-based purposive sample across six countries (France, Germany, Greece, South Africa, USA and Canada), mediation analysis was performed to examine the hypothesized relationships. Findings Results show that sales promotion mediates the relationship between feelings toward buying wine on mobile phones and m-commerce website loyalty. Moderated mediation reveals that the indirect pathways (sales promotion) through which feelings toward buying wine over mobile exert its effect on m-commerce website loyalty are dependent on the value of service (wine delivery) attributes of the website. The results demonstrate that sales promotion and service are of paramount importance to wineries and wine marketers. Research limitations/implications Wine producers and retailers should consider the use of sales promotion to enhance sales and loyalty to m-commerce websites. Practical implications Wine producers and retailers should consider use sales promotion (such as SMS or push notifications) to enhance sales and influence consumer feelings and hence their loyalty. Originality/value Wine m-commerce studies are limited, especially with an international perspective comparing six different countries: three from the old world (France, Germany and Greece) and three from the new world (North America with USA and Canada; and South Africa). Altogether, these six countries represent around 40 per cent of the world’s wine consumption.


2020 ◽  
pp. 008124632096153
Author(s):  
Sadi Cordelia Bambo ◽  
Solomon Mashegoane

The study investigated the mediator role of death obsession in the relationship between pregnancy-related anxiety and prenatal obsessive-compulsive disorder among pregnant women in the Capricorn district, South Africa. Two hundred and six conveniently selected respondents completed questionnaires individually. Statistically significant associations were found between pregnancy-related anxiety and death obsession, death obsession and prenatal obsessive-compulsive disorder, and pregnancy-related anxiety and prenatal obsessive-compulsive disorder ( ps ⩽ .05). Analysis further showed that death obsession mediates the relationship between pregnancy-related anxiety and both composite scores of a prenatal obsessive-compulsive disorder measure (Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory–Revised) and most of its components. The findings suggest that death obsession is a likely mediator that has to be studied further.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Mohamad Mouazen ◽  
Ana Beatriz Hernández-Lara

Purpose Smart cities attract efficient and profitable economic activities, contribute to the societal welfare of their citizens and foster the efficient use and conservation of natural resources. Developing smart cities has become a priority for many developed countries, but as they are preferred destinations for migrants, this raises sustainability issues. They attract people who are seeking a better quality of life, smart services and solutions, a better environment and business activities. The purpose of this paper is to review the state of the art on the relationship between smart cities and migration, with a view to determining sustainability. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric review and text mining analyses were conducted on publications between 2000 and 2019. Findings The results determined the main parameters of this research topic in terms of its growth, top journals and articles. The role of sustainability in the relationship between smart cities and migration is also identified, highlighting the special interest of its social dimension. Originality/value A bibliometric approach has not been used previously to investigate the link between smart cities and migration. However, given the current relevance of both phenomena, their emergence and growth, this approach is appropriate in determining the state of the art and its main descriptors, with special emphasis on the sustainability implications.


2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 2340-2366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luqman Oyekunle Oyewobi ◽  
Abimbola Olukemi Windapo ◽  
James Olabode Bamidele Rotimi ◽  
Richard Ajayi Jimoh

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the possible moderating role of organisational characteristics (organisational structure, management style and decision-making style) in the relationship between strategy and organisational performance among large construction organisations in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a quantitative research approach using a questionnaire survey to obtain data from 72 large construction organisations in South Africa. Using hierarchical multiple regression, the paper examines the relationship between the constructs discussed in the study. Findings The internal characteristics of the organisation form the vital basis for achieving optimal performance. The results obtained from the analysis revealed that decision-making style directly influences the measure of organisational effectiveness, while it could also be inferred that organisational characteristics partly moderate the relationship between competitive strategy and organisational performance. The findings indicate that internal characteristics is one of the means through which organisational strategic factors and contextual aspects are organised to achieve greater organisational performance levels. Originality/value The findings have theoretical implications for strategic management literature in construction as it extends the scope of research on strategic management from assessing a set of individual management practices to evaluating a complex mechanism that connects internal characteristics and competitive advantage. It is believed that this study will contribute positively to the role of organisational characteristics in the competitive strategy-performance relationships in large construction organisations in South Africa and to the ongoing discussion on emerging strategic management issues in construction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-202
Author(s):  
Nada Jasim Habeeb ◽  
Shireen Talib Weli

Smart city and smart tourism terms have become very popular in the past and present decades. Research in the field of smart tourist city still fails to cover the developments of the smart tourist city. The aim of the study is to review the recent literature on smart cities and smart tourism and their role in achieving a sustainable tourism sector and enhancing the competitiveness of the country’s tourism sector and make it more developed and modern. In this study, the relationship between the smart city and the tourism is presented and to present the relationship or conceptual approach between the smart city and the smart tourism. In addition, the current situation and the potential for growth and development of tourism in Iraq through the establishment and application of smart cities is identified. The recent studies that were mentioned in this study indicate that there is a close relationship between the smart city and smart tourism and also indicate that the smart city has a fundamental role in the growth and development of tourist destinations and the smart tourist city are results of the convergence and interconnection between the smart city and the tourist city. Finally, recommendations for the smart tourism city applications in Iraq are provided. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2020-01-04-07 Full Text: PDF


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
G V Mona

This article sets out to examine the relationship between oral and written isiXhosa poetry, and the extent of the interface between the two forms of poetry. Little attention has been paid to this interesting phenomenon. The scope of the article is limited to selected oral and written poems by Mqhayi and Jolobe. The methodology is an interdisciplinary approach that contextualises the poetry and locates it within the social and political reality of South Africa during the period under review. The article argues that the selected poems of Mqhayi and Jolobe demonstrate the dynamism of the oral and written literature, and the interface between the two forms. Mqhayi and Jolobe played the role of organic intellectuals, whose poetry, during the period 1932-1952, diffused the ideology of Africanism. The poetry of the above-mentioned artists, written or oral, directly or indirectly, influenced oral performances (music and oratory) of revolutionary musicians and orators of the following generations.


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