Uncovering the dimensions of servicescape using mixed method approach – A study of beauty salons

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidhi Kampani ◽  
Deepika Jhamb

PurposeThe purpose of this study aims to explore the dimensions assessing the servicescape of beauty salons and provides suggestions to improve the salon's servicescape.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method design is used in the sequence of thematic analysis through focus group technique followed by exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to assess the beauty salon's servicescape.FindingsThe exploration of factors in beauty salons is determined with three dimensions: the substantive staging of servicescape, the communicative staging of servicescape and the social staging of servicescape. These dimensions are mentioned in the order of importance perceived by the customers. The substantive staging of servicescape was identified with five factors: ambient conditions, facility aesthetics, artifacts, provisions and spatial layout. Communicative staging of servicescape explored four factors: employee duties, employee commitment, employee–customer interactions and employee image. Social staging derived two factors: customer characteristics, customer-to-customer interactions.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings enrich the previous literature with the addition of new factors while assessing servicescape in beauty salons and the development of new items through qualitative research in the domain of servicescape.Practical implicationsThe study offers the managers to understand the importance of various factors affecting the servicescape in beauty salons. The salon managers can beautify the service environment through the implementation of the factors identified, thus resulting in enhancing the experience of customers at the salons.Originality/valueConsidering no research has been conducted on beauty salons scale development, this study serves as the first empirical research effort.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benviolent Chigara ◽  
Tirivavi Moyo

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of construction professionals relative to factors that affect the delivery of optimum health and safety (H&S) on construction projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a quantitative design which entailed the distribution of a web-based questionnaire among construction professionals, namely, architects, construction/project managers, engineers, H&S managers and quantity surveyors working for contractors and construction consultants in Zimbabwe. The data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Factor analysis was used to reveal interrelated significant sets of factors affecting the delivery of optimum H&S. Findings Factor analysis revealed nine components/factors: change and innovation-related, monitoring and enforcement-related, production-related, access to information and health service-related, on-site facilities and welfare-related, risk assessment and mitigation-related, job security and funding-related, cost-related and COVID-19 risk perception-related factors as the significant factors affecting the delivery of optimum H&S during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe. Research limitations/implications The results highlighted the need for social dialogue among construction stakeholders to support initiatives that will enhance the delivery of H&S on construction projects. Construction stakeholders may find the results useful in highlighting the areas that need improvement to protect workers’ H&S during the pandemic. However, the small sample limits the generalisability of the results to construction sectors in other regions. Originality/value The study investigated factors affecting the delivery of optimum H&S during the COVID-19 to inform interventions to enhance H&S.


2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Munhuweyi ◽  
Umezuruike Linus Opara ◽  
Gunnar Sigge

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to quantify the incidence of postharvest losses of cabbage at retail purchase and during consumer simulated storage. Design/methodology/approach – Physical losses, changes in quality and nutritional value were determined using produce from three different retail outlets in South Africa. Economic losses and the environment impact associated with postharvest losses of cabbage were estimated. Findings – After seven days in storage, high incidence of postharvest losses occurred, ranging from 12 per cent under cold storage to 46 per cent under ambient conditions. These losses were equivalent to over R10 million (∼US$1 million) per annum, while the equivalent wasted fresh water was estimated to be sufficient to meet the needs of over 217,000 per annum. Research limitations/implications – Study was only conducted in one town and to get the real impact of the losses the research should cover a wider coverage area. Originality/value – Cabbage is one of the most widely consumed vegetables globally and this is the first research effort to quantify the magnitude of postharvest losses. A multi-parameter approach was applied to estimate the socio-economic and environmental impacts of losses.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyo Jung Chang ◽  
Kittichai (Tu) Watchravesringkan

Purpose Consumers’ environmental behaviours are not only the result of their positive attitudes towards environments, but also different reasons and motivations exist. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to find out important factors affecting sustainable apparel buying behaviour. Applying the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this study further examines how knowledge about sustainable apparel, perceived money availability, and perceived accessibility to the store influence sustainable apparel consumption. Design/methodology/approach Using a purposive college student sample, 235 usable responses were collected to answer the questions. An exploratory factor analysis with principal component analysis was first performed followed by confirmatory factor analysis, and a structural equation modelling analysis. Findings Results revealed that the TPB was successfully applied in the context of sustainable apparel buying behaviour. Furthermore, it was found that consumers’ perceived money availability and perceived store accessibility are important factors that affect control beliefs and sustainable consumption. Research limitations/implications This study found the needs of educating college students for contexts of environmental apparel and textiles issues. Originality/value Even though previous literature often found the gap between the behavioural intentions and the actual behaviour, this study found the respondents of this study walk their talk. This study successfully applied the TPB to explain consumers’ sustainable apparel buying behaviour.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thi Phuong Linh Nguyen ◽  
Xuan Hau Doan ◽  
Thu Thuy Nguyen ◽  
Thi Mai Nguyen

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate factors affecting Vietnamese farmer's intention toward organic agricultural production based on research model integrating theories: theory of planned behavior (TPB) and norm activation model (NAM).Design/methodology/approachAfter in-depth interviews with 5 agricultural researchers and 5 farmers, the authors determined the official research model and built a complete survey. Data were collected from 318 farmers in the Hanoi, Vietnam by directly survey. Statistical methods, such as Cronbach's alpha analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), were used to analyze the data.FindingsThis paper shows that attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and personal norm were significantly related to intention of the farmers; awareness of consequences was positively related to ascription of responsibility, personal norm, attitude and subjective norms; ascription of responsibility has a positive relationship with personal norm. The TPB-NAM integration model is proven to be superior to the original TPB model when studying factors affecting Vietnamese farmer's intention toward organic agricultural production.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of this paper is that the sampling method is not representative for the whole country and just stops at researching the intentions of farmers without understanding the practices of organic agricultural production.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate that state management agencies in Vietnam need to pay attention to raise awareness among farmers about the role of organic farming, communicate to farmers through different channels about the benefits of organic farming compared to conventional agriculture and form information spillover groups between farmers who have produced organic agriculture and have not yet produced organic agriculture.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the existing literature by focusing on integrating TPB and NAM when understanding farmers' intention toward organic agricultural production in Vietnam. This integrated model has proven the suitability of combining two approaches, a rational approach and an ethical approach, when studying farmer intentions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 1127-1144
Author(s):  
Zeinab Lalegani ◽  
Ali Nasr Isfahani ◽  
Arash Shahin ◽  
Ali Safari

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and analyze a model of factors influencing interpersonal conflicts. Design/methodology/approach This research was conducted using a mixed method approach. In the qualitative study, the conceptual model of the factors affecting interpersonal conflicts was extracted from semi-structured interviews with 17 relevant experts using a theme analysis technique. Then, three hypotheses were developed based on the model and relevant theoretical evidence. Using a researcher-made questionnaire which was developed earlier based on the qualitative results, a quantitative-based survey was performed to assess the interpersonal conflicts and also the standard scale of the level of interpersonal conflicts (Jehn, 1997). The hypotheses were tested on a sample of 160 employees of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province Gas Company (CBPGC). Findings The results of the qualitative study indicated that individual factors including personality dimensions and individual differences; organizational factors including five dimensions of organizational culture, organizational structure, management characteristics, intra-organization factors and human resource systems; and environmental factors influenced the creation of interpersonal conflicts. The results of the quantitative study indicated that organizational factors with an effect size of 0.502 were identified as the most important factor influencing interpersonal conflicts. Research limitations/implications The findings of this study can provide a roadmap to managers of the CBPGC to be aware of the contributing factors to conflict within their organization. Originality/value The use of mixed method to identify the causes and factors of interpersonal conflict and analyzing a context different from previous studies can be considered as the innovations of this study.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Effat Sadat Mahboobi Renani ◽  
Seyed Fathollah Amiri Aghdaie ◽  
Majid Mohammad Shafiee ◽  
Azarnoush Ansari

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting brand competitive positioning (BCP) and its components in the home appliance industry and also to develop a scale for it, considering both the seller’s and the buyer’s side. Design/methodology/approach The factors were investigated both qualitatively and quantitatively. Data was collected from findings of previous research as well as interviews with experts in the industry. After conducting thematic analysis, the extracted factors were confirmed by experts. A total of 400 samples was used to test the BCP scale. Respondents were the customers of some selected home appliance brands. Findings The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that seven main factors influenced BCP, including product quality, service quality, perceived price, sales and distribution, marketing communication, market orientation and reputation and background. Also, the five components of BCP are distinctiveness, desirability, credibility, value for money and top of the mind awareness. Originality/value Modelling a new scale on BCP is of considerable importance. Using mixed method, the current study presents a new scale named Brand Competitive Positioning Scale.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergejs Paramonovs ◽  
Ksenija Ijevleva

Abstract The aim of the paper is to determine complex factors influencing passengers’ satisfaction at RIGA International Airport (Latvia). Theoretical evidence was examined and factor analysis was carried out to identify the main groups of factors affecting passengers’ satisfaction at the Airport. The findings of the study show that the most important five factors affecting it are: (1) availability of telecommunications, (2) effective way finding signs, (3) cleanliness of restrooms, (4) courtesy of staff and (5) availability of staff. The results based on this study will help airport managers in the Baltic Sea region to better serve their passengers through introduction of modern technologies and improved attitudes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1707-1727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Kessler ◽  
Christoph Pachucki ◽  
Katharina Stummer ◽  
Michael Mair ◽  
Petra Binder

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify different types of organizational innovativeness in Austrian hotels and analyze their connection to (innovation) success. In the face of growing international competition, innovation is becoming increasingly important for Austria’s hotel industry. A prerequisite for innovation is organizational innovativeness. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on a quantitative survey of 255 Austrian hotel businesses with a minimum of five employees. Innovativeness was measured by three dimensions (willingness, ability and possibility to innovate) and success by five dimensions (overall performance: financial, market and employee-related success; innovation success: product and process innovations). Findings were obtained by combining an exploratory factor analysis with a cluster analysis. Findings – Factor analysis reveals five factors determining organizational innovativeness: “cooperation as trigger for change”; “acceptance of change”; “resource based scope for change”; “pluralism as trigger for change”; and “loose coupling and error-tolerance”. The cluster analysis identifies four types of hotels regarding organizational innovativeness indicating differences regarding the success dimensions: “potential innovators hindered by scarce resources and unsupportive structures”, “well-resourced conservatives”, “potential innovators hindered by a haphazard approach” and “cautious idea hunters”. On the whole, results show that a balanced configuration of organizational innovativeness combined with a cautious approach is connected with greater (innovation) success. Research limitations/implications – Key-informant and survivor biases have to be considered as all items in the questionnaire were evaluated by self-assessment of the hotel management and only successful hotels (in the sense of survival) were analyzed. One important implication is that (innovation) success depends on the system that enables it; therefore, organizational innovativeness is a precondition of successful innovations. Nevertheless, there is little research on organizational innovativeness in the service sector so far. Practical implications – This paper supports tourism businesses in understanding the concept of organizational innovativeness and its relation to (innovation) success. SMEs, which dominate the Austrian hotel industry, tend to focus on the financial aspect of innovativeness and, in general, do not consider the range of factors that constitute an organization’s innovativeness (willingness, ability and possibility to innovate) and the various outcomes. Originality/value – By combining organizational innovativeness and (innovation) success, the paper applies an important element of innovation theory to the Austrian hotel industry. The characterization of different types of hotels regarding organizational innovativeness and success enables a (self-) assessment for hotel businesses and the deduction of customized implications.


2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-41
Author(s):  
Yaser Feizabadi ◽  
Effat Masomi Gorji

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyse the factors affecting agricultural water management in Iran based on irrigation experts’ point of view using factor analysis approach. The results indicated that conservation of modern irrigation equipment, promoting farmers’ knowledge, creating a watercourse (surface water collection), imposing a ban on digging new wells and educating the effectiveness of pressurized irrigation system were all known as the most important factors affecting agricultural water management. Moreover, factor analysis results showed that five factors influencing agricultural water management (institutional and legislative, educational and promotional, economic, technical and farming system) explained 64.29% of the total variance. At the end, some policy suggestions were provided in order to improve agricultural water management in Iran.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-13
Author(s):  
Sidiq Okwudili Ben

This study determined complex factors influencing passengers’ satisfaction in Nigerian Airports. Theoretical evidence was examined and factor analysis was carried out to identify the main groups of factors affecting passengers’ satisfaction at the Airport. Primary data was gathered from domestic air passengers with random and systemic sampling techniques. 71.1 percent of questionnaires were retrieved from respondents in Lagos, and 61.9 percent of questionnaires were retrieved from respondents in Abuja. The findings of the study show that the most important five factors affecting it are: courtesy of staff, availability of staff, effective way finding signs, availability of telecommunications, and cleanliness of restrooms. The results obtained from this study will help airport managers in the Nigeria to better serve their passengers through improved attitudes of airport staff and improved technologies.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document