Success factors of health tourism: cases of Asian tourism cities

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joohyun Lee ◽  
Hong-bumm Kim
Keyword(s):  
Success Factors ◽  
Medical Tourism ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Health Tourism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Inductive Research ◽  
Wellness Tourism ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Relationship Of

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to delineate a clear definition of health tourism, and to explain it in two sub-categories, namely, medical tourism, and wellness tourism. Design/methodology/approach – Grounded theory approach through an in-depth literature review and practical data from three different cities were researched to support the study. Findings – Determinants of travelers’ decision making for the destination of health tourism, such as distance, cost, language, economy, competency of medical technology, and culture, in each classification of health tourism, were identified. Originality/value – This study suggests an inductive research model to synthesize and structure a logical relationship of determinants that affect health tourists’ decision to visit specific health tourism destinations. The results of this study are quite revealing to governments, industrial practitioners, and potential customers of health tourism in terms of the context of health tourism and the behavior of health tourists.

Collaborative design in public services: a wicked problem-reframing case

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Moura e Sá ◽  
Catarina Frade ◽  
Fernanda Jesus ◽  
Mónica Lopes ◽  
Teresa Maneca Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Right

PurposeWicked problems require collaborative innovation approaches. Understanding the problem from the users' perspective is essential. Based on a complex and ill-defined case, the purpose of the current paper is to identify some critical success factors in defining the “right problem” to be addressed.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical research study was carried out in a low-density municipality (case study). Extensive data were collected from official databases, individual semi-structured interviews and a focus group involving citizens, local authorities, civil servants and other relevant stakeholders.FindingsAs defined by the central government, the problem to be addressed by the research team was to identify which justice services should be made available locally to a small- and low-density community. The problem was initially formulated using top-down reasoning. In-depth contact with citizens and key local players revealed that the lack of justice services was not “the issue” for that community. Mobility constraints and the shortage of economic opportunities had a considerable impact on the lack of demand for justice services. By using a bottom-up perspective, it was possible to reframe the problem to be addressed and suggest a new concept to be tested at later stages.Social implicationsThe approach followed called attention to the importance of listening to citizens and local organisations with a profound knowledge of the territory to effectively identify and circumscribe a local problem in the justice field.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the limitations of traditional rational problem-solving approaches and contributes to expanding the voice-of-the-customer principle showing how it can lead to a substantially new definition of the problem to be addressed.

Brand identity and culture interaction in the Indian context: a grounded approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arbuda Sharma ◽  
Sanjay Patro ◽  
Harish Chaudhry
Keyword(s):  
Reference Points ◽  
Customer Relationship ◽  
Brand Identity ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Indian Context ◽  
Inductive Research ◽  
Quality Product ◽  
Cultural Cues

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore how elements of culture and cultural cues such as customs, values and norms interact with the brand identity. A qualitative research has been done to understand which cultural aspect is important for which aspect of brand identity. The results would be useful for designing the product.Design/methodology/approachThis research focuses on exploring and validating the interaction between the factors of brand identity and various dimensions of culture. Multiple frameworks of brand identity and culture have been reviewed, factors have been identified and the interaction between the factors of brand identity and elements of culture has been established in the Indian context. Grounded theory approach has been exercised here as a holistic inductive research technique for identifying the interaction between factors of brand identity and elements of culture. This paper has explored inter-relationship between strategies adopted by managers in creation of brand identity and its consequential perception.FindingsFollowing interaction has been found between the brand identity factors and cultural aspects – product shape, product size and packaging size – were found to interact with individualism vs collectivism, brand image, overall brand presentation, distribution, perception and quality were found to be strongly associated with power distance. Similarly associations were found between country of origin and belief, quality, product differentiation, frame of reference, points of parity and uncertainty avoidance, between Brand Ambassador – Person/ Icon and 9; Beliefs, between Fit with environment and self, Brand customer relationship and long term vs short term orientation, between Enhanced Self Perception and Masculinity vs Femininity, between Brand heritage, packaging colors and images and Customs and Symbols.Research limitations/implicationsThe outcomes of our research show that customization is an indispensable principle to be followed in the global markets and elements of culture and cultural indications such as customs, values and collective norms are integral in driving the branding strategies.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of the study lay emphasis on the parallel groundwork that the managers must make for their strategies, so that, the company centric variables of brand identity are well in sync with the socio cultural indicators of the region they are serving.Originality/valueUnlike previous researches, this work records the consumers' perspective in understanding their purchase choices based on their cultural norms and influences.

scholarly journals The instrumental time of memory: local politics and urban aesthetics in a tourism context

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio-Miguel Nogués-Pedregal
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Local Politics ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Expressive Dimension ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Urban Aesthetics

Purpose This paper aims to show that tourism is one of the most perfect creations of the capitalist mode of production insofar as not only does it consume places and territories and perpetuate dependency relations, but in the expressive dimension, it also produces feelings and meanings and generates a new relationship of the past with the present and future (chronotope). Design/methodology/approach The study was carried out using a socio-anthropological approach with participant observation over several decades. Findings The modes of time are described and how the tourism chronotope shapes the historic centre of a consolidated tourist destination. The case study, analysed with the model of the “conversion of place through the mediation of tourism space”, illustrates the prevalence of instrumental and commercial values over one’s own aesthetic-expressive values in tourism contexts. This fact encourages the emergence of local political projects and the incorporation of uniformities outside the local place. These processes end up uprooting the anchors from collective memory. The definition of territories according to visitors’ imaginaries and expectations encourages the abusive occupation of public space and the adoption of new aesthetic attributes of urban space. Research limitations/implications Because of the chosen research approach and methodologies, the research results may lack generalisability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test both the model and the propositions further. Originality/value This study approaches the relationship of the idea Tourism with the idea Development based on the anchors of memory.

scholarly journals EL TURISMO DE SALUD DESDE EL ENFOQUE SISTÉMICO: APLICACIÓN A LA PROVINCIA DE ALICANTE

2021 ◽  
pp. 123-152
Author(s):  
Elke Hersch Glass
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Medical Tourism ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
German Literature ◽  
Health Tourism ◽  
Wellness Tourism ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Main Determinants

El propósito de ese trabajo se centra en identificar los principales fundamentos condicionantes de la demanda y de la oferta en el turismo de salud sobre la base de la teoría de sistemas. Además, se lleva a cabo un análisis empírico del turismo médico, turismo wellness y turismo medical wellness de la provincia de Alicante desde este enfoque. Metodológicamente el trabajo se fundamenta en una tarea de sistematización de la bibliografía anglo-germánica existente sobre el tema y no traducida al español. La relevancia de este artículo la constituye la novedad de su enfoque metodológico y su aplicación sobre el turismo de salud, así como su aplicación a un espacio turístico consolidado, como es la provincia de Alicante, donde esta modalidad está implantada y viene funcionando desde hace décadas. The purpose of this paper is to identify the main determinants conditioning supply and demand in health tourism based on systems theory. An empirical analysis of medical tourism, wellness tourism and medical wellness tourism in the Province of Alicante is carried out, applying the aforementioned approach. Methodologically, the work is based on the task to systematize the existing Anglo-German literature on the subject that has not been translated into Spanish. The relevance of this article lies in the novelty of the methodological approach and its application to health tourism as well as its application to a consolidated tourist area, such as the Province of Alicante, where this modality is established and has been working for decades.

scholarly journals Wellness tourism and the components of its offer system: a holistic perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Dini ◽  
Tonino Pencarelli
Keyword(s):  
Hot Springs ◽  
Medical Tourism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Body ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Value Propositions ◽  
Open Coding ◽  
Wellness Tourism ◽  
Main Components

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conceptually examine the phenomenon of wellness tourism under a holistic and systemic lens, focusing on the offer system and the main components necessary for the staging of wellness experiences. This approach to holistic wellbeing within the tourism sector has led to a broadening of the type of services and experiences that make up the value propositions that can positively contribute to people’s wellbeing. Design/methodology/approach This study identifies and defines the components of wellness tourism (including sectors not traditionally associated with it) through a review and analysis of the extant literature on “wellness tourism” and “wellbeing tourism” of the past two decades; the components were classified through an open coding process. Findings Wellness tourism, as a broad multidimensional concept, is composed by ten different components of the offer system: hot springs, spas, medical tourism, care of the body and mind, enogastronomy, sports, nature and environment, culture, spirituality and events. Each of these categories may represent a single touristic offer targeted to specific market segments, but they may also be one of several components within an integrated mix of tourism products proposed. Originality/value A holistic view of wellness tourism has implications for strategic marketing processes. Destination Management Organizations and company managers should segment their demand according to more innovative criteria than what has traditionally been adopted for wellness in terms of health care and medical procedures. Value propositions for tourists should be wellness-driven to satisfy the growing demand for wellness/well-being and should involve the participation of all the various actors and producers within the wellness tourism offer system at wellness destinations.

scholarly journals Research supervision in distance learning: issues and challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-143
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zaheer ◽  
Saba Munir
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Supervision

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore and highlight the issues and challenges teachers face while supervising thesis and projects in distance/online learning mode.Design/methodology/approachThis is a cross-sectional qualitative study. Grounded theory approach using Gioia methodology has been applied. Semi-structured interviews of 16 research supervisors have been conducted to explore the issues and challenges faced by the supervisors in guiding research students. Purposive sampling is used to select the subjects for data collection.FindingsResults of the study reveal that the time constraints, official restrictions, irregular contacts and technology are the main issues faced by supervisors. Whereas student–supervisor interaction, diversity, perceptions, virtual communities and academic collaboration are the biggest challenges for the supervisors in distance learning. Lastly, it is found that students' attitude and supervisors' mindset are the key success factors in distance research supervision.Practical implicationsFindings of this paper will help institutions particularly in Asia, to strategically review their research programs to make these programs more effective. Effectiveness will encompass two things, timely completion and novel research. If these two things are addressed efficiently, comparison of distance learning with conventional learning will be more favorable for distance learning.Originality/valueThis study will be helpful for the top management of distance/online learning institutes to better equip their teachers and students to complete their research endeavors accordingly. This is an empirical research based on primary data collected from the research supervisors currently supervising thesis/projects at Virtual University of Pakistan.

What really matters for startups in luxury: entrepreneurial luxury excellence

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-63
Author(s):  
Elena Ehrensperger ◽  
Daria Erkhova ◽  
Aparna Yadavalli ◽  
Harley Krohmer
Keyword(s):  
Success Factors ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Entrepreneurial Success ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Entrepreneurship ◽  
Contingency Perspective ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Luxury Industry

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify luxury-specific entrepreneurial success factors that, in addition to the well-established general success factors of startups, drive the performance of startups in the luxury industry. The study proposes a contingency perspective on the success factors of startups by examining entrepreneurial excellence in one specific context, the luxury context. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a qualitative research design, with 24 semi-structured in-depth interviews with senior executives of Swiss luxury startups as key informants. The data is analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Findings The study develops a new construct of entrepreneurial luxury excellence consisting of two dimensions, resource-related excellence and strategy-related excellence, and identifies the underlying specific success factors related to these two dimensions of entrepreneurial luxury excellence. Research limitations/implications The study advances research on strategic entrepreneurship as it combines a holistic approach to managerial success factors of startups with a contingency perspective on them. It also adds to the existing body of research on luxury management where studies with a focus on industry newcomers are still a new domain. Practical implications The study makes important implications for luxury entrepreneurs and other stakeholders (e.g. investors) by showing that the success factors of luxury startups might differ from those of startups in other industries. Originality/value The paper identifies a new construct – entrepreneurial luxury excellence.

Developing a quality assurance identity in a university: a grounded theory approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Godson A. Tetteh ◽  
Kwasi Amoako-Gyampah ◽  
Juliet Twumasi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Quality Education ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Governing Council ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Value Maximization ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach

Purpose The purpose of this study is to demonstrate in the context of quality assurance (QA), how stakeholders define quality education and its connections to maximize value for the stakeholder using a grounded theory approach. Design/methodology/approach A four-stage research design using grounded theory methodology was used to develop and elicit a theory, after which a single-case study design with embedded coding and analysis was used to examine the QA – Maximize Value for stakeholder’s relationships. The sample consisted of 16 participants who had visibility over the entire QA – Maximize Value relationship, were knowledgeable, willing to participate and had between 4 and 12 years’ higher education experience. The data was collected through focus, elite groups and in-depth interviews based on the participants’ perspectives of their experiences. The collected data was subjected to content analysis. The following research questions focused on: definition of QA, the definition of quality education and stakeholders’ expectations for the education setting. Findings The study identified 10 categories that drive the QA – Maximize Value for stakeholder relationships in higher education settings. The categories are, namely, the definition of QA; definition of quality management; value for governing council; value for lecturers and staff; value for students; value for employers; value for government; definition of quality education; continuous improvement; and QA in universities. The main findings of the research related to “how” and “why” QA create value for stakeholders. The results of the study indicate that the governing council representatives’ (key stakeholders) expected value creation through improved management and proper education policy. The expected value creation for lecturers and university staff included career advancement, good working conditions of service, remuneration and the excellent performance of students. The paper finds that QA in higher education is contingent on senior management commitment to the strategic decision on overall objectives, management of the facility, financial and human resources, which are geared toward ensuring effective teaching, student learning and value maximization for all stakeholders. Research limitations/implications The limitation of the study is that the major stakeholders considered were all from universities. Other stakeholders such as employers from the industry and other sectors should be included in a future study. Practical implications Based on the study findings, two major implications for training of senior management, deans and heads of departments in the concepts of QA to maximize value for all stakeholders; and the QA system selected for the university must be “fit for purpose” were drawn, leading to recommendations for future practice. These findings can help universities to develop strategies that improve educational quality and maximize value for all stakeholders. The authors suggested some propositions that can be examined in-depth in future research endeavors so as to enhance the understanding of the predictors of QA in education and the expectations of different stakeholders. Originality/value The originality of the study lies in the perspective of experienced participants who had visibility over the entire QA –Maximize Value relationship and were knowledgeable. Based on the use of the grounded theory approach and the view of major stakeholders used in this research, the findings emphasize the stakeholders’ – driven definition of quality education that focuses on value maximization for all stakeholders. This is different from the majority of the existing definitions in the quality literature that are primarily standard-driven, focusing on meeting a pre-defined set of standards, specifications, requirements and are set internally or externally. The approach provides an opportunity to increase the credibility and rigor of grounded theory research.

Towards a taxonomy for real estate and land automated valuation systems

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brano Glumac ◽  
François Des Rosiers
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analysis And Synthesis ◽  
Valuation Process ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Automated Valuation ◽  
New Framework

PurposeAutomated valuation models have been in use at least for the last 50 years in both academia and practice, while automated valuation recently re-emerged as very important with the rise of digital infrastructure. The current state of the art, therefore, justifies the dual contributions of this paper: organising existing knowledge and providing a new framework.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides much-needed analysis and synthesis of the accumulated body of knowledge by proposing an updated classification of automated valuation approaches based on two criteria, and a taxonomy adapted to new trends. The latter requires a paradigm shift from models to automated valuation systems. Both classification and taxonomy arose after literature review.FindingsThis paper provides a framework for an explicit context under which automated valuation is carried out. To do so, authors propose a definition of automation valuation systems; contextualise the differences among theories, approaches, methods, models and systems present in automated valuation and introduce a classification of automated valuation approaches and a non-hierarchical taxonomy of automated valuation systems.Research limitations/implicationsPerhaps, a systematic literature review process instead of a selective list of 100 references could additionally validate the proposed classification and taxonomy.Practical implicationsThe new framework, underlying various dimensions of the automated valuation process, can help practitioners surpass judging models based purely on their predictive accuracy. Also, the automated valuation system is a more generic term that can better accommodate future research coming from a multitude of disciplines, more diverse business areas and enlarged variety of practical users.Originality/valueThis is the first paper that develops a taxonomy of automated valuation systems.

Achieving quality in printing: some determining factors in the printing industry in Ghana

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 691-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Kingsley Graham ◽  
Isaac Owusu
Keyword(s):  
Success Factors ◽  
Print Quality ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Determining Factors ◽  
Key Variables ◽  
Relationship Of

Purpose – Implementing quality programmes faces challenges and are not able to yield the needed results. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which three key variables referred to as employee development, empowerment and participation (EDEP) determine the success of a quality programme of printing firms in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The study is purely quantitative and data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of workers from printing firms in Ghana. The questionnaire instrument assesses the practices of the firms on development, empowerment and participation of employees. Descriptive, correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed to ascertain the contribution and relationship of the variables to quality achievement. Findings – EDEP is directly and significantly related to print quality achievement. Among the three variables, participation has the greatest effect and contributes significantly to quality achievement. This is followed by empowerment, which has moderate effect on successful quality programme. Research limitations/implications – The study was unable to evaluate entire Total Quality Management dimensions. More extended research, preferably longitudinal study, is needed to establish how EDEP affect quality achievement in organisations. Practical implications – Achieving quality printing depends on the level of attention to EDEP. The study suggests that when employees participate fully in quality drive and self-manage their actions and duties, high-quality printing can be assured. Social implications – The study provides useful information on factors that have been overlooked or given less attention, yet affect quality programmes of the firms. Originality/value – The study empirically measure critical success factors of a quality in the printing firms.

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