scholarly journals Restrict, clean and protect: signaling consumer safety during the pandemic and beyond

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1185-1202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana L. Bove ◽  
Sabine Benoit
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Signaling Theory ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Safety ◽  
Secondary Data Sources ◽  
Safety Signals

PurposeSince the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, customers fear for their health when interacting with service providers. To mitigate this fear service providers are using safety signals directed to consumers and other stakeholders who make organizational assessments. The purpose of this article is to synthesize the range of safety signals in a framework that integrates signaling theory with servicescape elements so as to provide guidance for service providers to assist in their recovery.Design/methodology/approachThe authors extracted examples of how service providers signal safety to their consumers that the risk of infection is low in exchanging with their service. These examples were taken from secondary data sources in the form of trade publications resulting from a systematic search and supplemented by an organic search.FindingsIn total 53 unique safety signals were identified and assigned to 24 different categories in our framework. Most of the signals fell into the default and sale independent category, followed by the default contingent revenue risking category.Originality/valueThis study builds on signaling theory and service literature to develop a framework of the range of safety signals currently in use by service providers and offers suggestions as to which are likely to be most effective. Further, a future research inquiry of safety signals is presented, which the authors believe has promise in assisting recovery in a post-pandemic world.

Tourist experience on traditional pastries in UNESCO heritage city

2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (12) ◽  
pp. 3885-3897
Author(s):  
Cheng Ling Tan ◽  
Sook Fern Yeo
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Research Design

PurposeIn recent years, the traditional pastries industry has gained popularity among tourists due to the advantage of the pastries location at UNESCO Heritage city, Penang. However, the little research focussed on this particular industry, and there is lack of evidence of the tourists' experience with the traditional pastries and how these attributes affect their revisit decision.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilizes a qualitative research design to gain in-depth understanding on tourists' thought and their repurchase decision. Secondary data were collected via TripAdvisor with 68 tourists who visited the most popular three pastries shops namely, Him Heang, Ghee Hiang and Min Xiang Tai, which are later analysed using qualitative content analysis.FindingsThe findings revealed that tourists generally concerned about the service quality, value, brand image and atmospherics that could affect their repurchasing decision. Particularly, the staff service quality has been viewed as the upmost important attribute to influence the tourists' decision. Therefore, the pastries shops shall ensure that the staff who serve the tourists shall be well trained to satisfy the tourists' enquiry.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation concerning the interpretation of the secondary data based on the feedbacks and comments of the tourists may derive the bias possibility. Future research might consider the large-scale primary data to extend the findings.Originality/valueLimited research exists on the tourists' experience which affects the repurchasing decision in pastries industry. This study provides valuable information for pastries shops and researchers interested in this area.

Blockchain in your grocery basket: trust and traceability as a strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghassan Yacoub ◽  
Maria Castillo
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Business Application ◽  
Secondary Data Sources ◽  
Increasing Demand

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to gain insights and explicate how blockchain technology enables trust and traceability building from a real business use case. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a qualitative case study of a leading global French grocery retail firm that has started to integrate blockchain into their supply chain and products. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and secondary data sources. Findings This paper developed a conceptual framework in unboxing the mechanism by which blockchain enables trust and explicating how information flows in a blockchain-based system compared to a traditional one in a real business application scenario through three main elements, namely, system architecture, data recovery and communication. Originality/value Given the upside potential of emerging technologies such as blockchain coupled with the current increasing demand for business use cases, the paper is timely in integrating the business and technological aspects of trust in formulating a firm-level blockchain strategy.

Placebo outsourcing: when does provider’s bluffing enhance customer satisfaction?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorian Laurentiu Florea ◽  
Cătălin Mihail Barbu ◽  
Claudia Cristina Rotea
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Signaling Theory ◽  
The Other ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operational Capabilities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Drawing on signaling theory, this paper aims to argue in favor of a “placebo outsourcing effect” (POE) consisting of a positive relationship between provider’s bluffing and customer satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The authors applied prediction-oriented segmentation SEM on a dyadic sample of 171 outsourcing relationships. Findings The authors highlighted two segments that display a form of POE, representing about three-quarters of the customer-provider dyads. The first segment exhibits a positive relationship between the provider’s bluffing and customer satisfaction that is further strengthened by the provider’s reputation and customer’s operational capabilities, while for the other segment, the provider’s bluffing has positive interactions with both operational capabilities and outsourcing experience. These findings show that service providers have reached the bluffing proficiency that enables them to bluff customer firms with varying levels of operational capabilities and outsourcing experience by using the most appealing signals for every type of customer. Practical implications Based on the findings, the authors provided to customer firms extensive guidelines to avoid the POE by frustrating service provider’s bluffing proficiency. Originality/value This study’s originality resides in the amendment of the disconfirmation paradigm of satisfaction in the outsourcing context by introducing and testing the POE.

Startups in the supply chain ecosystem: an organizing framework and research opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan M. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Logistics

PurposeStartups are associated with innovation, emerging technologies, digitalization and disruptive business models. This article aims to provide a better understanding of startups in logistics and supply chain management, organizes the contemporary discussion around startups in the supply chain ecosystem and outlines opportunities for future research.Design/methodology/approachThis study draws on the prior supply chain, logistics and entrepreneurship literature and discusses key themes along the six identified startup issues. Furthermore, it proposes several perspectives and theories for grounding future research.FindingsThis study discusses the roles and success factors of startups in the supply chain ecosystem. It lays out how startups need to organize their own supply chains, how supply chain management (SCM) startups incubate and accelerate their ventures, the financing of SCM startups, as well as their positions as service providers, suppliers and customers.Originality/valueThis research brings together the sparse and dispersed literature on startups in the supply chain ecosystem, motivating scholars to increase the involvement of startups as important stakeholders in SCM research.

Sharing economy: a review of the literature and a framework for future research

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuequn Wang ◽  
Xiaolin Lin ◽  
Amjad Abdullat
Keyword(s):  
Current Literature ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Technical Factors

Purpose As sharing economy has become increasingly popular, researchers from various disciplines begin to pay more attention to this important phenomenon. However, the current literature is fragmented and lacks a framework to integrate previous studies and guide future research. This study aims to systematically review the literature to better understand what one knows and what one need to know about sharing economy and provide a road map for future research in the context of sharing economy. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review was conducted with EBSCO and science direct database. In total, 91 studies were identified. Findings The review shows that previous studies focus on different stakeholders, including consumers, peer service providers, platform providers, and competitors. The authors further identify the main topics and limitations of the literature (integrated into a framework) and provide possible directions for future studies. For example, the authors find that few studies have examined individual and technical factors. The findings also show that consumers’ other activities and outcomes have received little attention. To address these limitations, future studies that examine how individual and technical characteristics influence sharing economy’s usage intention/behaviors are suggested. The authors also suggest future studies to explore other activities during the process of sharing economy services. Research limitations/implications The framework and directions provided can further the sharing economy research by addressing important gaps in the current literature. Originality/value This review identifies many opportunities for researchers to better understand the phenomenon of sharing economy.

Paid accommodation use of international VFR multi-destination travellers

2016 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Griffin ◽  
Robin Nunkoo
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Original Position ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Visiting Friends And Relatives ◽  
International Visitors ◽  
Host Behaviour ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of paid accommodation by international visitors who also stay with a friend or relative in another destination. Design/methodology/approach This paper conducts analysis of secondary data to look at the proportion of person nights in paid accommodation attributable to visitors who also stay with a friend or relative in another destination, and comparison of different visitor groups and their likelihood to use paid accommodation. Findings Results show that 14.5 per cent of all person nights spent by international visitors to Canada in paid accommodations were attributable to people who also stayed with a friend or relative in another destination. This proportion is higher for destinations outside of the largest cities and varies by source market. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited the structure of the secondary data set, which does not separate visiting friends from visiting relatives, and does not capture host behaviour. Practical implications This paper has implications for destination marketers and tourism businesses as a source for reflection on drivers of their local and international business. Social implications This paper helps position residents in a more central role regarding tourism in their regions and should encourage marketers and service providers to appreciate and engage residents as hosts. Originality/value This paper offers an original position by combining concepts from visiting friends and relatives and multi-destination travel that provides a foundation for further research in this area.

scholarly journals COVID-19 policy responses: reflections on governmental financial resilience in South Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 825-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bedanand Upadhaya ◽  
Chaminda Wijethilake ◽  
Pawan Adhikari ◽  
Kelum Jayasinghe ◽  
Thankom Arun
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Individual Country ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Responses ◽  
Secondary Data Sources

PurposeFirst, the paper examines the short-term fiscal and budgetary responses of the South Asian governments to the COVID-19 pandemic. Next, it brings out the implications of such responses, focusing on India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on multiple secondary data sources, including the viewpoints of experts and government officials. Data are analysed using the ideas of financial resilience.FindingsSouth Asian governments' response to the pandemic shows a gap in understanding the magnitude of the problem and in developing financial resilience. This paper points out the importance of avoiding austerity, becoming more cautious in accepting lending conditions, rethinking public sector accountability and revitalising mutual collaboration through SAARC for developing financial resilience, both at individual country and regional levels.Originality/valueThe study offers some insights on policy implications for South Asian governments in terms of building financial resilience to deal with future crises.

Transnational migrant entrepreneur characteristics and the transnational business nexus

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 1014-1044
Author(s):  
Sandra Milena Santamaria-Alvarez ◽  
Maria Angélica Sarmiento-González ◽  
Luis Carlos Arango-Vieira
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organic Growth ◽  
International Operations ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Secondary Data Sources ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of Colombian migrants’ transnational businesses (TBs) and their operations. To this end, the characteristics of the entrepreneurs, their businesses and the patterns of their international operations are discussed and compared. Design/methodology/approach The paper analyses 14 cases developed from data from in-depth interviews with the same number of Colombian entrepreneurs who migrated to the USA. Similarly, the analysis includes secondary data sources. Findings TBs created by Colombian transnational entrepreneurs (TEs) aim to be successful through the best use of the resources of each market, allowing them to produce with lower costs and better quality in their country of origin while selling in more developed countries, such as the USA (their country of destination). The operations of those businesses are limited by their financial resources, small and fragmented networks, and their organic growth. The personal characteristics of the TE and their business comprise a nexus that helps to overcome business shortcomings. Originality/value The paper contributes to entrepreneurship, migration and international business literature by illuminating the nexus between the personal characteristics of the TE and the unique characteristics of their business, including the analysis of their international operations. Likewise, considering the characteristics of the context under study, the paper presents findings that are interesting for countries with similar social and economic difficulties.

scholarly journals Benchmarking holiday experience: the case of senior tourists

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1860-1875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Johann ◽  
Panchapakesan Padma
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Essential Characteristic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Tourist Service

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine and benchmark the senior tourists’ preferences by considering the importance attached by them and their perception with respect to internal tourism attributes (i.e. package tour characteristics) and external tourism attributes (i.e. destination features). Design/methodology/approach The present study makes use of importance-performance analysis and employs paired sample t-test for this purpose. Findings The senior tourists evaluated the package tour attributes to be more important and better than destination characteristics. They also perceived that the service providers have to pay immediate attention to improve the quality of restaurants and meals and hotels. Research limitations/implications Data are collected only from inbound senior tourists in Poland. In future, research may be conducted with a more representative sample. Practical implications The senior tourists want to explore the local cuisine and then have food choices from their culture as well. “Tour escort” is one of the most essential characteristic of a package tour and it could serve as a factor of differentiation. Hence, the tourist service providers have to pay attention to these factors. Originality/value The paper takes into account the internal tour attributes and destination attributes to evaluate senior tourists’ holiday experience.

scholarly journals Digital Payment Service in India - A Case Study of Unified Payment Interface

2021 ◽  
pp. 256-265
Author(s):  
Mahesh A. ◽  
Ganesh Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Growth Prospects ◽  
Secondary Data Sources ◽  
Digital Payments

Purpose: The Indian Banking sector is striving hard to popularise digital payments and has gained momentum after demonetization and digital India initiatives. To facilitate digital payments, “National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI)” launched the “Unified Payment Interface (UPI)”, which is an amazing, revamped, and cost-effective breakthrough for enabling digital payment services for all. Proliferation of smartphones, technological innovations, and effective internet communications has signified the usage of mobile payment facility for smartphone users, financial institutions and particularly the banks. To achieve paperless and cashless economy, Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is a potentially innovative way of transferring funds using a virtual payment address established by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). Hence, it is needed to be assessed for its potential to contribute towards achievement of digital economy. Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper is focused on understanding Unified Payment System’s (UPI) growth and its progression in retail digital payment over the years. The study was carried out by exploring secondary data sources and by applying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis format. Finding/Result: UPI has shown remarkable growth in last couple of years due to customer’s shift towards contactless payments over other methods. Study revealed that the growth of digital payments has increased significantly, especially in the retail payment sector on the UPI platform. Originality value: This study examines UPI's position in the digital payment ecosystem, with an emphasis on identifying UPI's core strengths and growth prospects, as well as areas for future research to investigate India's complete e-payment ecosystem. Paper type: A research case study on Digital Payment Service in India - A Case Study of Unified Payment Interface

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