TOURISM SME STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES ON THE INAUGURAL ‘SAUDI SEASONS’: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 669-687
Author(s):  
Sultan Al-Mohmmad ◽  
Gareth Butler
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Development Discourse ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
National Heritage ◽  
Emerging Themes

Purpose – This exploratory study aims to determine tourism SME stakeholders’ perceptions of the performance of the first “Saudi Seasons” initiative 2019/20 developed by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH). Design/methodology/approach – This qualitative study draws on an interpretivist paradigm that explores participants’ views and experiences through immersive, semi-structured interviews. A total of 30 participants were interviewed in three locations: Riyadh, Jeddah and Al-‘Ula. A thematic analysis was then conducted and the emerging themes were presented as key findings. Findings – The Seasons have been successful in increasing business activity and changing the negative perception of Saudi Arabia among international tourists. However, it was also noted that the Seasons have put pressure on local tourism infrastructure, whilst other stakeholders raised concerns regarding the inadequate promotion of heritage sites and ineffective stakeholder engagement. Originality/value – This exploratory study offers novel stakeholder insights into the performance of the inaugural Saudi Seasons initiative and underscores the important need for SMEs to be more effectively involved in contemporary tourism development discourse in Saudi Arabia.

Hedonic experiences at heritage attractions: the visitor’s perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina Bender ◽  
Manuela Guerreiro ◽  
Bernardete Dias Sequeira ◽  
Júlio Mendes
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Exploratory Approach ◽  
Hedonic Experience ◽  
Using Data

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the hedonic experience and its formation at heritage attractions. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative and exploratory approach was applied, using data from 21 semi-structured interviews and three in-situ focus groups. Findings Findings highlight that senses, imagery and emotions are stimulated by the physical landscape and by triggers of memorable experiences. Research limitations/implications To further explore this topic, a broader range of heritage attractions and perspectives from the diverse stakeholders involved in the management and consumption of these sites is needed. Originality/value Given the scarcity of research dedicated to the hedonic experience at heritage sites, this study provides a contribution by exploring the visitor’s perspective and points out relevant insights. As the hedonic feelings of pleasure, comfort and related affective responses impact the quality of memorable experiences, relevant implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Crafting a legacy: investigating the retired athlete brand image

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-406
Author(s):  
Olzhas Taniyev ◽  
Brian S. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Consumer Loyalty ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Promotion

Purpose The purpose of this paper exploratory study is to decipher sport consumer associations and sentiments connected to the brand image of retired athletes. Design/methodology/approach In total, 14 sport consumers, who demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of throwback branding tactics and expertise in athlete brand promotion, participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Findings The findings indicate there are three prevalent themes across the present data (i.e. epoch epitome, athlete-team connection and off-the-field persona). Originality/value While the proliferation of throwback merchandise and affinity for brands of retired athletes is evident, the internalization of associations related to retired athletes has escaped empirical investigation. Numerous questions concerning how specific facets of a retired athlete’s image (e.g. athletic skills or life off the field) activate nostalgic feelings, drive consumer loyalty and establish market permanence remain unanswered. The current study contributes to the understanding of the brand image of the retired athlete and the existing literature concerning athlete branding.

scholarly journals Stakeholder Perspectives Towards National Parks and Protected Areas in Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulelah Al-Tokhais ◽  
Brijesh Thapa
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Tourism Development ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Parks And Protected Areas

There is a genuine need to examine stakeholders’ perception of biodiversity conservation and tourism development due to overlapping roles and conflicting priorities among key governmental agencies in Saudi Arabia. The need to understand the role of each stakeholder group will assist to support policy formulation and implementation, along with effective practices. Within this context, the purpose of this study was to examine stakeholder perspectives towards National Parks and Protected Areas in Saudi Arabia. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews from 11 stakeholders’ representative of public, private, and non-governmental organizations from the tourism and conservation community. Findings revealed four main themes—tourism development, management issues, development challenges, and policy concerns. In addition, multiple sub-themes within each were further categorized. Overall, findings highlight the need to form a foundation for sustainable tourism development that aims to conserve biodiversity and provide opportunities for local communities to ensure economic growth. Implications for development in National Parks and Protected Areas in Saudi Arabia are also noted.

Designing a memorable in-store customer shopping experience: practical evidence from sports equipment retailers

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Bonfanti ◽  
Georgia Yfantidou
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shopping Experience ◽  
Retail Managers ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study aims to detect the dimensions of the in-store customer shopping experience from the sports retailer perspective and to investigate how the role of sports equipment stores is changing.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory study performs semi-structured interviews with retail managers of sports equipment stores.FindingsThis research reveals the importance of the dimensions of immersive design, sensorial ambient elements, social relationships, trialability and real experience sharing in designing a memorable in-store shopping experience in sports stores, and it highlights that the store's role in the sports context is transitioning from sales space to an interactive, immersive, engaging and convivial place. It proposes a model to design the in-store customer shopping experience effectively.Practical implicationsSports equipment managers can make their physical stores as experiential as possible by investing in expert, passionate personnel and technology in order to create a real in-store experience of the product and the sports practice.Originality/valueWhile sports equipment retailers acknowledge the importance of providing customers with a memorable shopping experience by creating an evocative environment and placing multiple touchpoints in stores, management scholars have paid limited attention to sports stores. This study explores the ways in which sports retail managers can design their stores effectively in experiential terms.

scholarly journals Stakeholder engagement and dialogic accounting

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 1467-1499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Bellucci ◽  
Lorenzo Simoni ◽  
Diletta Acuti ◽  
Giacomo Manetti
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Engagement Process ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain how sustainability reporting and stakeholder engagement processes serve as vehicles of dialogic accounting (DA), a form of critical accounting that creates opportunities for stakeholders to express their opinions, and the influence of dialogic interactions on the content of sustainability reports. Design/methodology/approach Content analysis is used to investigate reports published by 299 companies that have adopted Global Reporting Initiative guidelines. This paper studies how organizations engage stakeholders, the categories of stakeholders that are being addressed, the methods used to support stakeholder engagement, and other features of the stakeholder engagement process. Companies that disclose stakeholder perceptions, the difficulties met in engaging stakeholders, and actions aimed at creating opportunities for different groups of stakeholders to interact were subjects of discussion in a series of semi-structured interviews that focus on DA. Findings Companies often commit themselves to two-way dialogue with their stakeholders, but fully developed frameworks for DA are rare. However, signs of DA emerged in the analysis, thus confirming that sustainability reporting can become a platform for DA systems if stakeholder engagement is effective. Originality/value The findings contribute to the accounting literature by discussing if and how sustainability reporting and stakeholder engagement can serve as vehicles of DA. This is accomplished via a research design that is based on in-depth interviews and content analysis of various sustainability reports.

Identifying the preference of buyers of single-family homes in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-184
Author(s):  
Ameen Bin Mohanna ◽  
Ali Alqahtany
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Government ◽  
The City ◽  
Privacy Level

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the preferred characteristics of buyers of single-family homes in Saudi Arabia with an emphasis on the city of Dammam. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using face-to-face structured interviews conducted from November 2016 to May 2017 with 177 owners of single-family homes that were purchased between 2010 and the first quarter of 2017. Findings The findings indicate that homes can be divided into three types: villas, detached duplexes and semi-detached duplexes. Also, more than three-quarters of the respondents purchased their homes through mortgages from either lenders or the government. It seems we find that the advantages of the detached duplex, particularly its privacy level, over other types of single-family homes induce homebuyers to choose this home type. Originality/value In this study, the authors analyze housing preferences among various segments of the Saudi society, in the city of Dammam, to understand the housing supply in Saudi Arabia. Only a few studies have investigated the preferences of homebuyers in Saudi Arabia. Below the authors provide a literature review, discuss data and methods and results, as well as provide concluding remarks.

scholarly journals Mind the Gap

2016 ◽  
Vol 07 (04) ◽  
pp. 1069-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Fairbanks ◽  
Erica Savage ◽  
Katie Adams ◽  
Michael Wittie ◽  
Edna Boone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Health It ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Clinical Workflow ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Critical Areas ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Emerging Themes ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach

SummaryObjective Decisions made during electronic health record (EHR) implementations profoundly affect usability and safety. This study aims to identify gaps between the current literature and key stakeholders’ perceptions of usability and safety practices and the challenges encountered during the implementation of EHRs.Materials and Methods Two approaches were used: a literature review and interviews with key stakeholders. We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify usability and safety challenges and best practices during implementation. A total of 55 articles were reviewed through searches of PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. We used a qualitative approach to identify key stakeholders’ perceptions; semi-structured interviews were conducted with a diverse set of health IT stakeholders to understand their current practices and challenges related to usability during implementation. We used a grounded theory approach: data were coded, sorted, and emerging themes were identified. Conclusions from both sources of data were compared to identify areas of misalignment.Results We identified six emerging themes from the literature and stakeholder interviews: cost and resources, risk assessment, governance and consensus building, customization, clinical workflow and usability testing, and training. Across these themes, there were misalignments between the literature and stakeholder perspectives, indicating major gaps.Discussion Major gaps identified from each of six emerging themes are discussed as critical areas for future research, opportunities for new stakeholder initiatives, and opportunities to better disseminate resources to improve the implementation of EHRs.Conclusion Our analysis identified practices and challenges across six different emerging themes, illustrated important gaps, and results suggest critical areas for future research and dissemination to improve EHR implementation.Citation: Ratwani R et al.: Review to identify usability and safety challenges and practices during EHR implementation.

scholarly journals Fashion “see-now-buy-now”: implications and process adaptations

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-515
Author(s):  
Rosy Boardman ◽  
Yvonne Haschka ◽  
Courtney Chrimes ◽  
Bethan Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Vertical Integration ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Relationship Management ◽  
Supplier Relationship Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify if and how the see-now-buy-now model impacts the traditional buying, merchandising and supply chain processes (BMSCP) of multi-brand fashion retailers (MBFR) and whether they need to be adapted in order to facilitate this development.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory study includes three industry case studies, triangulated with external observers. A total of 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted within Germany and the UK.FindingsFindings demonstrate that in order to adopt the see-now-buy-now model there is a need for process-shortening, as well as better process and network alignment between MBFR and brands through agility, supplier–relationship management and vertical integration in order to stay competitive against time-based competition. Whilst most steps of the traditional BMSCP are still applicable under the see-now-buy-now model, they must be re-engineered and shortened, with the steps being rolling rather than linear, with buyers and merchandisers operating in a more hybrid role.Originality/valueThis paper addresses the lack of research on the see-now-buy-now model as well as on the BMSCP of MBFR and the implications that see-now-buy-now could have on those processes. A modified buying, merchandising and supply chain framework adapted to incorporate see-now-buy-now is created which will be useful for academics and practitioners.

Doping as a barrier in universal acceptance of esports

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dishant Gupta ◽  
Harsh Sharma ◽  
Manali Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Industry ◽  
Unfair Advantage ◽  
Professional Titles ◽  
Emerging Themes ◽  
Industry Professionals

PurposeEsports has been emerging as a multi-billion dollar industry by attracting players, viewers, advertisers and investors across the globe. Even though there are plenty of professional titles present, only a few have been considered mainstream due to lack of formal governance mechanisms, presence of corruption and cheating mechanisms. “Doping” is one such practice where the players try to gain unfair advantage over their competitors, causing major hindrance in esports development. This qualitative study would draw insights from their perceptions about different doping mechanisms and possible recommendations to curb them.Design/methodology/approachThis study has analyzed the semi-structured interviews of selected esports professionals to draw insights from their perceptions about different doping mechanisms and possible recommendations to curb them. This qualitative study would explore the content of their interviews for extracting relevant themes and subthemes.FindingsThe findings of this study have made significant contributions to deeply lacking literature about the esports industry and barriers it faces in order to be considered as a legitimate sport. The study has extracted contemporary and new emerging themes about the rising trends in the industry and their impact on society and the way we see sports as a whole. Moreover, this study dwells upon the rampant drug abuse persisting in this industry and how it offers itself as a barrier to the legitimization of esports as a viable global industry.Originality/valueThis study provides an on-ground reality reports on esports and various malpractices rampant in the industry by conducting interviews with various industry professionals and analyzing them through a thematic analysis method using an inductive approach.

Investigating suicide as a career response

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angus J. Duff ◽  
Chris C.A. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Religious Perspectives

Purpose – To empirically consider work and career as potential influences of suicide. Design/methodology/approach – In this qualitative study we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 16 individuals who were survivors (i.e. family members or intimates) of individuals who had committed suicide. Data was analyzed using a grounded theory methodology. Findings – This exploratory study used purposive self-determination as the theoretical framework for analyzing their life histories. Factors of purposive self-determination, including lack of purpose, feeling controlled, experiencing failure, and social exclusion all figured prominently but differentially according to life-stage. Distinct work and career themes for early-career, mid-career and late-career suicides emerged. Early-career suicides were attributed to educational or work-related contexts, leading to a sense of hopelessness. Mid-career suicides emphasized despair based in failure. Finally, an attempt to escape from challenges associated with transitioning roles in retirements emerged as a key theme in late-career suicides. Originality/value – Although suicide has been studied extensively from medical, psychopathological, sociological, anthropological, philosophical and religious perspectives, there is a dearth of research considering why certain individuals choose to end their own lives as a result of work and career related reasons. This study sought to contribute to our understanding of this under-researched phenomenon. Additionally, while extant careers theory and research has considered positive notions of career such as career success or careers as a calling, this work presents an alternate lens, the consideration of career failure and careers as a sentence.

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