Factors influencing tourist visitation in marine tourism: lessons learned from FRI Aquarium Penang, Malaysia

2014 â—˝  
Vol 8 (1) â—˝  
pp. 103-117 â—˝  
Author(s):  
Salmi Mohd Isa â—˝  
Lizana Ramli
Keyword(s):  
Word Of Mouth â—˝  
Target Population â—˝  
Lessons Learned â—˝  
Mediating Effect â—˝  
Destination Image â—˝  
Future Research â—˝  
Survey Period â—˝  
Content Type â—˝  
Marine Tourism â—˝  
Alternative Sources

Purpose – To establish tourist visitation to new tourism areas is in most cases dependent on tourists' behavior. Indeed, tourist visitation is considered among the primary components of the marine tourism operation. Such behavior is usually enacted in the form of destination awareness, destination image and motivation. Word of mouth is likely to influence tourist to visit. The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that may influence tourists to visit marine tourist destinations. Design/methodology/approach – The study has utilized self-administered questionnaire survey and the target population are the visitors that came to FRI Aquarium. The survey period was from August 2012 to September 2012. Total of 179 responses were collected during this period. Findings – This study demonstrates that destination awareness, motivation and WOM are factors that influence the tourist to visit the FRI Aquarium. Interestingly, destination image however, has shown insignificant relationship with tourist visitation. WOM also found to be has a full mediating effect for awareness towards tourist visitation. For example, before visit, visitor may require some information beforehand and word of mouth is a direct medium to transfer the information. A key implication for FRI Aquarium is that it might be wise to assess such variables for their marketing strategies. Research limitations/implications – First, the sample was obtained from one marine aquarium in Malaysia. The comparative studies between aquariums are important to understand if there are any similarities and differences. It would be better to conduct the survey in other local aquariums such as the Underwater World, Langkawi and the KL Aquaria, Kuala Lumpur. Second, a longitudinal study is relevant to further investigate the factors that will influence the visitor visitation. Thus, future study should gather data from those who had visited the aquarium several times. This approach might improve the destination image results, which in this study shows insignificant relationship. That said, acknowledgements of these limitations also suggest a new direction of future research. Practical implications – FRI Aquarium is suggested to create more awareness to the public by placing an advertisement via mainstream and social media. Hence, FRI Aquarium is suggested to design environmentally marine life oriented educational programs in order to motivate and encourage more visitors to visit the place. Originality/value – In sum, this paper conjectures that an understanding of factors that influence the tourist to visit the marine tourism destination are worthy of additional research. Consequently, the findings help to understand how these factors can provide alternative sources of marketing to attract the long-term economic sustainability of the FRI Aquarium in marine tourism.

ICT adoption in hotels and electronic word-of-mouth

2015 â—˝  
Vol 28 (2) â—˝  
pp. 227-250 â—˝  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Moliner Velázquez â—˝  
María Fuentes Blasco â—˝  
Irene Gil Saura
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation â—˝  
Quantitative Research â—˝  
Word Of Mouth â—˝  
Equation Model â—˝  
Mediating Effect â—˝  
Survey Method â—˝  
Future Research â—˝  
Electronic Word Of Mouth â—˝  
Content Type â—˝  
Ict Adoption

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how information and communication technology (ICT) adoption in hotels contributes to satisfaction and loyalty from the consumer perspective, considering the online dimension of recommendations. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research based on a structured questionnaire and using a personal survey method was developed. Surveys were conducted on 386 guests from Spanish hotels. Causal methodology by testing structural equation model was applied. Findings Significant relationships are obtained in the sequence “ICT use perception – satisfaction with ICT – overall satisfaction with the hotel – dimensions of loyalty” and the mediating effect of positive electronic word-of-mouth intention between ICT satisfaction and general intention to recommend the hotel is confirmed. Research limitations/implications Future research can replicate these relationships in other tourist services and employ multidimensional scales to measure word-of-mouth behaviour. Originality/value The novelty of this work is that it studies the relationships between ICT, satisfaction and loyalty in hotel services, paying particular attention to positive word-of-mouth behaviour, both conventional and online.

Potential outcomes of work integration social enterprises for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or transitioning out of homelessness

2021 â—˝  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) â—˝  
Author(s):  
Sarah Barton â—˝  
Hayley Porter â—˝  
Susanne Murphy â—˝  
Rosemary Lysaght
Keyword(s):  
At Risk â—˝  
Financial Stability â—˝  
Social Enterprise â—˝  
Empirical Studies â—˝  
Target Population â—˝  
Social Enterprises â—˝  
Potential Outcomes â—˝  
Future Research â—˝  
Content Type â—˝  
Work Integration

Purpose Social enterprise has the potential to serve as a mechanism of social and economic opportunity for persons experiencing homelessness. This paper aims to identify potential outcomes of work integration social enterprises (WISEs) for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or transitioning out of homelessness. Design/methodology/approach Searches of 14 databases were completed using keywords and subject headings pertaining to homelessness, social enterprise and employment, respectively. These searches were then combined to identify literature concerning WISEs with homeless populations. The initial search yielded 784 unique articles. Through screening, 29 articles were selected and independently coded to establish themes. Findings The analysis identified the potential for WISEs to contribute positively to the lives of the target population in the areas of connection to the community, employment skill building, mental health, personal agency and empowerment, relationship-building, structure and time use, financial stability and housing. There were less positive and mixed findings regarding substance use, crime/delinquency, physical health and transition to mainstream employment. Future research should further explore causal relationships between WISE approaches and strategies and their potential implications for persons emerging from homelessness. Originality/value Prior to this research, there have not been any recent publications that synthesize the existing body of literature to evaluate the potential outcomes of WISE participation for homeless populations. This paper lays the groundwork for future empirical studies.

Cognitive and affective predictors of occupational stress and job performance: the role of perceived organizational support and work engagement

2021 â—˝  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) â—˝  
Author(s):  
Ana Junça Silva â—˝  
Cannanda Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Job Performance â—˝  
Occupational Stress â—˝  
Work Engagement â—˝  
Organizational Support â—˝  
Perceived Organizational Support â—˝  
Mediating Effect â—˝  
Future Research â—˝  
Cross Sectional â—˝  
Content Type

PurposeThis study aimed to (1) analyze whether the perceived organizational support (POS) was a significant predictor of performance and stress and (2) explore the mediating role of engagement in these relations.Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypotheses, the authors collected data with 200 working adults in a mandatory quarantine due to COVID-19 pandemic crisis.FindingsThe results showed that the POS contributed to increase engagement, and consequently, job performance. These relations also proved to be significant for stress, because when the POS increased, the work engagement also increased, and as a result decreased occupational stress.Research limitations/implicationsThis study relied on a cross-sectional design. Therefore, future research should consider a daily design to replicate this study and analyze daily fluctuations. Overall, the authors can conclude that work engagement is an affective process through which POS decreases stress and increases performance.Originality/valueThis study tests the mediating effect of work engagement on the link between POS, stress and performance, and its theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

How electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) triggers intention to visit through destination image, trust and satisfaction: the perception of a potential tourist in Japan and Indonesia

2021 â—˝  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) â—˝  
Author(s):  
Ida Bagus Putu Purbadharmaja â—˝  
Putu Yudi Setiawan â—˝  
Toshikatsu Hayashi â—˝  
Anak Agung Bagus Putu Widanta
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review â—˝  
Word Of Mouth â—˝  
Structural Model â—˝  
Developed Countries â—˝  
Tourism Industry â—˝  
Online Discussions â—˝  
Theory And Practice â—˝  
Destination Image â—˝  
Electronic Word Of Mouth â—˝  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to analyze the different results between the effects of electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) on the perception of potential tourist in Japan and Indonesia regarding destination image, destination trust, satisfaction and their intention to visit.Design/methodology/approachThis research method is a structural model. Based on the existing literature review, several variables were obtained which were then analyzed by WarpPLS 6.0 software. The sampling method applied in this study is the purposive sampling technique. Samples of 200 potential tourists were collected in Indonesia and 100 potential tourists were collected in Japan. The population in this study was a potential tourist in Indonesia and Japan, with the following criteria: An Indonesian citizen, age between 19 and 60 years, who has never visited Japan and a Japanese citizen who has never visited Indonesia and have ever read or conduct online discussions regarding Japan and Indonesia as a tourist destination.FindingsThe results of the analysis of the two respondents in Japan and Indonesia prove that e-WOM has a positive effect on the image of the destination and intention to visit but not on the confidence of the destination. Destination image was also proven to significantly mediate the influence of e-WOM on intention to visit. These findings bring important implications for the theory and practice of tourism marketing.Originality/valueTheoretically, the result could be used as a reference for further research about the comparison between the effect e-WOM on destination image, destination trust and intention to visit of potential tourist in developed countries and developing countries. Practically, the result could be used as a consideration for the tourism industry and authority in both countries when formulating the destination marketing strategy.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-03-2019-0111

Attitude: mediator of subjective norm, religiosity and intention to adopt Islamic banking

2019 â—˝  
Vol 11 (1) â—˝  
pp. 81-96 â—˝  
Author(s):  
Juma Bananuka â—˝  
Musa Kasera â—˝  
Grace Muganga Najjemba â—˝  
Doreen Musimenta â—˝  
Bob Ssekiziyivu â—˝  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methodological Approach â—˝  
Subjective Norm â—˝  
Mediating Effect â—˝  
Mediation Effect â—˝  
Future Research â—˝  
Islamic Banking â—˝  
Content Type â—˝  
Intention To Adopt â—˝  
The Relationship â—˝  
Secular State

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the results of a study carried out to examine the mediating effect of attitude in the relationship between subjective norm, religiosity and intention to adopt Islamic banking in a developing secular state like Uganda. Design/methodology/approach This study’ research design was cross sectional. Closed ended questionnaires were distributed to 258 managers of micro businesses in Uganda. Data were analyzed with the help of SPSS v22 and MedGraph program (Excel version). Findings Attitude is a significant mediator in the relationship between subjective norm and intention to adopt Islamic banking. Also, attitude significantly mediates the relationship between religiosity and intention to adopt Islamic banking. Research limitations/implications The study used only a single research methodological approach; therefore, future research could be undertaken using a mixed-methods approach. Practical implications Emphasis should be put on improving the mindsets of Ugandans toward Islamic banking. Originality/value While there has been a number of studies on Islamic banking, this study provides an initial empirical evidence on the mediation effect of attitude in the relationship between subjective norm, religiosity and intention to adopt Islamic banking in a single study in an African developing secular state like Uganda.

scholarly journals An evaluation of factors affecting the management of COVID-19 in Bangladesh

2021 â—˝  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) â—˝  
Author(s):  
Syed S.M Sadrul Huda â—˝  
Afsana Akhtar â—˝  
Segufta Dilshad â—˝  
Syeeda Raisa Maliha
Keyword(s):  
Health Care â—˝  
Care Management â—˝  
Service Providers â—˝  
Care Service â—˝  
Health Care Service â—˝  
Health Care Management â—˝  
Lessons Learned â—˝  
Future Research â—˝  
Content Type â—˝  
The Social

PurposeThe study aims to gain insights into the management of COVID-19 in Bangladesh to identify the factors that are relevant to managing the pandemic in a developing country.Design/methodology/approachThe study was carried out by pursuing the archival method. The information was collected from credible newspaper reports over the previous months, as well as articles published on the subject of COVID-19.FindingsThe research revealed important and relevant dimensions of the health sector in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The major factors were doctors, nurses (health service providers), patients, (customers) and society. This is a pioneering paper, which documents the major lessons learned from the management of COVID-19 in Bangladesh concerning three stakeholders of the health-care system, i.e. providers, patients and society. This paper covers the situation regarding the ongoing pandemic from three perspectives – provider, customers and society, and thus, may help to develop future research regarding the development of health-care management models for addressing the pandemic.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitations of this paper is its over dependence on secondary sources for collecting the information.Practical implicationsThis paper presents the learnings from the pandemic in health-care management in different categories (e.g. social, doctor/nurse, patients), which can help the managers in understanding different dimensions of the health-care sector from different perspectives. The problems as well as the learnings stated in the paper can help the policy makers implement such strategies to ensure better delivery of the medical health-care service during a pandemic.Social implicationsThis paper clearly reveals the social dimensions of the COVID-19 by assessing the social aspects of COVID-19 management. Both social stigma and support are traced out during evaluating the situation. Thus, the social forces will be able to rethink about their role in addressing the social costs of pandemic.Originality/valueThis is a commentary piece.

Positive moods and word-of-mouth in the banking industry

2018 â—˝  
Vol 36 (4) â—˝  
pp. 764-783 â—˝  
Author(s):  
Che-Hui Lien â—˝  
Jyh-Jeng Wu â—˝  
Maxwell K. Hsu â—˝  
Stephen W. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Word Of Mouth â—˝  
Banking Industry â—˝  
Mediating Effect â—˝  
Equation Modeling â—˝  
Special Treatment â—˝  
Content Type â—˝  
Functional Value â—˝  
Relational Benefits â—˝  
Symbolic Value â—˝  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of functional value and symbolic value between positive moods and word-of-mouth (WOM) referrals in the context of Taiwan’s banking industry. In addition, this study investigates the moderating effect of relational benefits on the relationship between perceived value and WOM.Design/methodology/approachThe research model was tested using data collected from customers (n=362) of the top 10 domestic banks in Taiwan. Structure equation modeling was employed to test and validate the conceptual model.FindingsPositive moods are found to be an important predictor of functional value, symbolic value and WOM in this banking service study. Four types of relational benefits are identified including social, special treatment, confidence and face. Note that two distinct segments of bank customers are identified in terms of relational benefits: those who appreciate face benefits (n1=169), and those who appreciate general relational benefits (n2=193). The findings reveal the existence of partial mediation between a banking customer’s mood and WOM through functional value and symbolic value in the overall sample (n=362). However, it was found that functional value partially mediates the influence of positive moods on WOM among respondents in the “general relational benefits” segment only. That is, relational benefits are found to moderate the relationship between functional value and WOM.Originality/valueThis study expands the existing body of knowledge on customers’ perceptions of value by differentiating types of value perceptions.

The effect of talent management and human capital on sustainable business performance: an empirical investigation in Malaysian hospitals

2021 â—˝  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) â—˝  
Author(s):  
Nagwan Abdulwahab AlQershi â—˝  
Ramayah Thurasamy â—˝  
Gamal Abdualmajed Ali â—˝  
Hussein Abu Al-Rejal â—˝  
Amr Al-Ganad â—˝  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital â—˝  
Structural Equation â—˝  
Business Performance â—˝  
Talent Management â—˝  
Mediating Effect â—˝  
Future Research â—˝  
Sustainable Business â—˝  
Content Type â—˝  
The Relationship â—˝  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to examine the mediating role of human capital on the talent management in hospitals’ sustainable business performance in the health-care sector of Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach The study used a quantitative approach, with an initial sample of 174 Malaysian hospitals. The theoretical framework was based on previous studies of talent management (TM), human capital (HC) and sustainable business performance (SBP). Partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the study’s hypotheses. Findings Talent management mindset (TMM), but not talent management strategy (TMS), has a significant relationship with HC and SBP. HC has a significant direct relationship with SBP, and also mediates the relationship between TMM and SBP but not between TMS and SBP. Research limitations/implications This work is one of a limited number of studies to empirically address TM, HC and SBP in this context. The study is limited to Malaysian hospitals. It provides theoretical contributions by broadening the knowledge of HC, TM and the multifocal perspective of hospitals’ SBP, a relevant but underexplored issue, offering several avenues for future research. Practical implications The findings have beneficial practical implications for both policy makers and managers. First, focusing on talented people will directly improve sustainable performance in the Malaysian health sector. The findings also have important theoretical implications both for Malaysia and countries in similar situations. The study will serve as a reference point for such countries in trying to understand factors influencing SBP. Originality/value This is the first study to examine the mediating effect of HC on the relationship between talent management and hospitals’ sustainable business performance in Malaysia, or worldwide.

The effect of novelty on travel intention: the mediating effect of brand equity and travel motivation

Management Decision â—˝  
2020 â—˝  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) â—˝  
Author(s):  
Yucheng Zhang â—˝  
Jing Li â—˝  
Chih-Hsing Liu â—˝  
Yimo Shen â—˝  
Guiquan Li
Keyword(s):  
Intrinsic Motivation â—˝  
Brand Equity â—˝  
Structural Equation â—˝  
Mediating Effect â—˝  
Equation Modeling â—˝  
Future Research â—˝  
Content Type â—˝  
The Relationship â—˝  
Night Markets â—˝  
Research Studies

PurposeResearch on the relationship between novelty and travel intention is lacking. This study attempts to fill this gap by developing a theoretical model to explain how novelty influences travel intention through two mediating paths: brand equity and tourist motivation.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, data were collected from 466 foreign visitors to Taiwanese night markets. To test the model, the authors applied structural equation modeling (SEM) to identify the critical attributes that predicted foreign tourists' travel intentions.FindingsThe SEM analysis indicated that novelty in tourism management was related to brand equity and intrinsic motivation, which increased foreign tourists' travel intentions and offered advantages for highly competitive, high-density night markets in Taiwan. In addition, brand equity was an important mediator that connected novelty and tourists' travel intentions. Finally, novelty indirectly affected travel intention and intrinsic motivation through brand equity.Research limitations/implicationsThere may exist potential moderators in the relationships among the brand equity and travel intention categories. Future research studies could explore whether any moderators influence the relationship mechanisms examined in this study.Originality/valueThis research expands on previous research studies that have focused on the value of travel intention. Furthermore, the study uses brand equity theory (BET) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to examine the mediating effect of intrinsic motivation on the relationship between novelty and travel intention.

scholarly journals Stimulating satisfaction and loyalty: transformative behaviour and Muslim consumers

2020 â—˝  
Vol 32 (9) â—˝  
pp. 2903-2923
Author(s):  
Naushad Mohamed â—˝  
Babak Taheri â—˝  
Anna Farmaki â—˝  
Hossein Olya â—˝  
Martin Joseph Gannon
Keyword(s):  
Complexity Theory â—˝  
Consumer Satisfaction â—˝  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis â—˝  
Tourism Industry â—˝  
Destination Image â—˝  
Future Research â—˝  
Content Type â—˝  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry â—˝  
Tourism And Hospitality â—˝  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to investigate the combinations of religiosity, cosmopolitanism and perceived destination image leading to satisfaction and loyalty amongst Muslim consumers within the Maldivian tourism and hospitality context. Design/methodology/approach Using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study reveals that diverse combinations of religiosity, cosmopolitanism and destination image dimensions stimulate satisfaction and loyalty in Muslim consumers. Findings Multiple recipes can be used to design compelling destinations that balance the desire for religiosity and cosmopolitanism characteristic of contemporary Muslim consumers. The results confirm the applicability of complexity theory in explaining Muslim consumer behaviour within the Islamic destination context. Practical implications Several implications for the hospitality and tourism industry are drawn from the results, with suggestions for future research provided. Each fsQCA recipe identifies distinct suggestions to shape the design of destination attributes and hospitality offerings to stimulate consumer satisfaction and loyalty. Originality/value Complexity theory was applied to assess the complex causal relationships among Muslim consumers’ religiosity, perceived destination image, cosmopolitanism, satisfaction and loyalty.

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