Tourism Reset: Reimagining South African Domestic Tourism in the Era Of Covid-19

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tafadzwa Matiza ◽  
Elmarie Slabbert
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Tourist Behavior ◽  
Domestic Tourism ◽  
Physical Risk ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Push And Pull

Domestic tourism is increasingly being propagated as a primer for the global tourism industry’s resuscitation in the era of COVID-19. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenge for African tourism destinations such as South Africa is predicting domestic tourists’ behavioral and demand responses. The article explores the mediating effect of perceived risk on the nexus between South African domestic tourists’ push and pull travel motives. Data were generated via a self-administered online survey and analyzed primarily utilizing factor and mediation analyses. From the sample (n = 427), the study identifies the heterogeneity in the push–pull travel motives nexus. Moreover, the findings also establish the susceptibility of experiential escape-seeking tourists to the negative mediating influence of COVID-19-induced perceived physical risk on their likelihood of engaging in leisure-oriented domestic tourism activity. The results also point to potential cognitive bias and subjective preference towards domestic tourism, potentially signaling a crisis-induced shift in tourist behavior. The managerial implications are also discussed.

scholarly journals Bursting the filter bubble: the mediating effect of discussion frequency on network heterogeneity

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1161-1181
Author(s):  
Nadine Strauß ◽  
Laura Alonso-Muñoz ◽  
Homero Gil de Zúñiga
Keyword(s):  
News Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Public Affairs ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Heterogeneity ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Filter Bubbles

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the structural processes that lead citizens to escape their common social circles when talking about politics and public affairs (e.g. “filter bubbles”). To do so, this study tests to what extent political attitudes, political behavior, news media consumption and discussion frequency affect discussion network heterogeneity among US citizens.Design/methodology/approachSupported by the polling group Nielsen, this study uses a two-wave panel online survey to study the antecedents and mechanisms of discussion network heterogeneity among US citizens. To test the hypotheses and answer the research questions, ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions (cross-sectional, lagged and autoregressive) and mediation analyses were conducted.FindingsThe findings imply that political discussion frequency functions as the key element in explaining the mechanism that leads politically interested and participatory citizens (online) as well as news consumers of traditional and online media to seek a more heterogeneous discussion network, disrupting the so-called “filter bubbles.” However, mediation analyses also showed that discussion frequency can lead to more homogenous discussion networks if people score high on political knowledge, possibly reflecting the formation of a close network of political-savvy individuals.Originality/valueThe survey data give important insights into the 2016 pre-election situation, trying to explain why US citizens were more likely to remain in homogenous discussion networks when talking about politics and public affairs. By using two-wave panel data, the analyses allow to draw tentative conclusions about the influential and inhibiting factors and mechanisms that lead individuals to seek/avoid a more heterogeneous discussion network.

Visitor Satisfaction of the Palace Museum Website in China: An Empirical and Integrated Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 421-437
Author(s):  
Qiong Dang ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
System Quality ◽  
Visitor Satisfaction ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Museum Websites ◽  
Perceived Usability

In 2001, the website of the Palace Museum was opened to the public, marking that museum’s first step into the digital era in China. Numerous studies and much research has concentrated on how to employ this new technology in order to digitize the museum and its collection. However, little attention has been paid to research regarding visitor satisfaction’s regarding museum websites in China. This research aims to fill the gap. Consequently, this conceptual model has been proposed, and the Palace Museum website was as the research objective. Empirical methodology has been applied and the online survey was created to gather data, which results in a total of 557 questionnaires being analyzed though the SPSS 20.0. The findings demonstrate that system quality, perceived usefulness, perceived usability, and the museum’s image have a positive impact on visitor satisfaction regarding their continuance intention. Furthermore, managerial implications are proposed for museum practitioners.

scholarly journals Investigating competencies needed by European-trained doctors in rural South African hospitals

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Barnacle ◽  
Oliver Johnson ◽  
Ian Couper
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Rural District ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Rural Medicine ◽  
Rural South ◽  
District Hospitals ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Postgraduate Diploma

Background: Many European-trained doctors (ETDs) recruited to work in rural district hospitals in South Africa have insufficient generalist competencies for the range of practice required. Africa Health Placements recruits ETDs to work in rural hospitals in Africa. Many of these doctors feel inadequately prepared. The Stellenbosch University Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health is launching a Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Medicine to help prepare doctors for such work.Aim: To determine the competencies gap for ETDs working in rural district hospitals in South Africa to inform the curriculum of the PG Dip (Rural Medicine).Setting: Rural district hospitals in South Africa.Methods: Nine hospitals in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga were purposefully selected by Africa Health Placements as receiving ETDs. An online survey was developed asking about the most important competencies and weaknesses for ETDs when working rurally. The clinical manager and any ETDs currently working in each hospital were invited to complete the survey.Results: Surveys were completed by 19 ETDs and five clinical managers. The top clinical competencies in relation to 10 specific domains were identified. The results also indicate broader competencies required, specific skills gaps, the strengths that ETDs bring to South Africa and how ETDs prepare themselves for working in this context.Conclusion: This study identifies the important competency gaps among ETDs and provides useful direction for the diploma and other future training initiatives. The diploma faculty must reflect on these findings and ensure the curriculum is aligned with these gaps.

scholarly journals Willingness to Receive the COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza Vaccines among the Saudi Population and Vaccine Uptake During the Initial Stage of the National Vaccination Campaign: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 765
Author(s):  
Amel Ahmed Fayed ◽  
Abeer Salem Al Shahrani ◽  
Leenah Tawfiq Almanea ◽  
Nardeen Ibrahim Alsweed ◽  
Layla Mohammed Almarzoug ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Influenza Vaccines ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
To Receive

This study aimed to assess the willingness to receive the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and seasonal influenza vaccines and vaccine uptake during the early stage of the national vaccination campaign in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among adult Saudis between 20 January and 20 March 2021. The questionnaire addressed vaccine hesitancy, perceived risk, willingness, and vaccine uptake. Approximately 39% of the participants expressed vaccine hesitancy, and 29.8% and 24% felt highly vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, respectively. The majority (59.5%) were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, although only 31.7% were willing to receive the flu vaccine. Adjusted analysis showed that vaccine hesitancy (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.27–0.43) and the perception of being at high risk (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.68–4.60) independently affected the intention to be vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy was similar among those who were willing to be vaccinated (29.8%) and those who had already been vaccinated (33.1%). The perceived risk was significantly higher among those who had been vaccinated (48.1%) than among those who were willing to be vaccinated but had not yet been vaccinated (29.1%). In conclusion, the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia is high. Saudis who received the vaccine had a similar level of vaccine hesitancy and a higher level of perceived risk.

scholarly journals Polarized nature of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: associations with population age structure and behaviours

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junko Okumura
Keyword(s):  
Age Structure ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cumulative Number ◽  
Population Age Structure ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Drinking Places

Abstract Background Although the scale of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was relatively small in Japan compared with the rest of the world, the polarisation of areas into high- and low-COVID-19-incidence areas was observed among the 47 prefectures. The aims of this study were not only identifying the factors associated with the polarised COVID-19 pandemic in Japan but also discussing effective preventive measures. Methods This was an ecological study using online survey data which was cross-sectionally conducted by the author. A total of 6000 respondents who resided in 10 low- and 10 high-COVID-19 incidence prefectures, with a wide gap in terms of COVID-19 incidence, in Japan were recruited. Data on COVID-19 cases and geodemographic information were obtained from official government sites. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare variables between the two areas and age groups. Results This study revealed that that age influenced people’s behaviours and perceptions, except one behaviour of ‘wearing facemasks’. The major factors significantly associated with the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people were ‘commuting by private automobile’ (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.444; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.394–0.501), ‘commuting by public transportation’ (AOR, 6.813; 95% CI, 5.567–8.336), ‘washing hands’ (AOR, 1.233; 95% CI, 1.005–1.511), ‘opening windows regularly’ (AOR, 1.248; 95% CI, 1.104–1.412), ‘avoiding crowded places (AOR, 0.757; 95% CI, 0.641–0.893), ‘non-scheduled visits to drinking places’ (AOR, 1.212; 95% CI, 1.054–1.392) and ‘perceived risk of contracting COVID-19’ (AOR, 1.380; 95% CI, 1.180–1.612). These factors were strongly associated with age groups. Conclusions Effective preventive measures for COVID-19 transmission can be developed by understanding the characteristics of populated areas, such as public transportation infrastructure and younger people’s movements and behaviours in relation to the population age structure to contain the current epidemic and protect the most vulnerable elderly people.

scholarly journals Social Distance during the COVID-19 Pandemic Reflects Perceived Rather Than Actual Risk

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5504
Author(s):  
Tina Iachini ◽  
Francesca Frassinetti ◽  
Francesco Ruotolo ◽  
Filomena Leonela Sbordone ◽  
Antonella Ferrara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Distance ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Interpersonal Distance ◽  
Actual Risk ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
Environmental Events ◽  
Related Level

Interpersonal space (IPS) is the area surrounding our own bodies in which we interact comfortably with other individuals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping larger IPS than usual, along with wearing a face mask, is one of the most effective measures to slow down the COVID-19 outbreak. Here, we explore the contribution of actual and perceived risk of contagion and anxiety levels in regulating our preferred social distance from other people during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. In this study, 1293 individuals from six Italian regions with different levels of actual risk of infection participated in an online survey assessing their perceived risk to be infected, level of anxiety and IPS. Two tasks were adopted as measures of interpersonal distance: the Interpersonal Visual Analogue Scale and a questionnaire evaluating interpersonal distance with and without face mask. The results showed that the IPS regulation was affected by how people subjectively perceived COVID-19 risk and the related level of anxiety, not by actual objective risk. This clarifies that the role of threat in prompting avoidant behaviors expressed in increased IPS does not merely reflect environmental events but rather how they are subjectively experienced and represented.

scholarly journals Telepresence and Interactivity in Mobile Learning System: Its Relation with Open Innovation

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Na Wei ◽  
ZhongWu Li
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Mobile Learning ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Flow Experience ◽  
Mobile Learning System ◽  
System Characteristics

Mobile learning applications enable people to spend fragmented time to improve their knowledge and competitiveness. Enterprises aim to design innovative applications and create a new learning mode for the public, and the open innovation strategies may help companies achieve their goals. In the current study, the English learning application “LAIX” was investigated, and an online survey was used to obtain data from 289 university students in Guangzhou. This study combines the technology acceptance model (TAM) with flow theory (FT), investigating the psychological experience factors and the system characteristics that influence users’ behavior intentions. The exploration of perceptual variables will promote the establishment of an open innovation model of mobile learning applications. The aim of the study was to establish a theoretical framework to more deeply explore users’ intentions in mobile learning applications. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to help measure the relationship between variables and determine the model fit. This research reveals that telepresence is the most important variable that impacts user intentions to use mobile learning applications. In addition, the mediating effect of the flow experience was tested. Telepresence and interactivity indirectly influence behavioral intention through the variable “flow”. Users appear to be more concerned with the flow experience, which shows the highest correlation with intention to use the application. This study may assist companies to innovate system characteristics and improve customers’ user experience, for instance, by integrating virtual reality (VR) technology into the mobile learning system to improve their open innovation level and market popularity.

scholarly journals Get Close to the Robot: The Effect of Risk Perception of COVID-19 Pandemic on Customer–Robot Engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6314
Author(s):  
Jifei Wu ◽  
Xiangyun Zhang ◽  
Yimin Zhu ◽  
Grace Fang Yu-Buck
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Service Robots ◽  
Industry Analysis ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Risk Seeking ◽  
Positive Effect

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer–robot engagement in the Chinese hospitality industry. Analysis of a sample of 589 customers using service robots demonstrated that the perceived risk of COVID-19 has a positive influence on customer–robot engagement. The positive effect is mediated by social distancing and moderated by attitudes towards risk. Specifically, the mediating effect of social distancing between the perceived risk of COVID-19 and customer–robot engagement is stronger for risk-avoiding (vs. risk-seeking) customers. Our results provide insights for hotels when they employ service robots to cope with the shock of COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Accommodation, Seasonality and Domestic Tourism to National Parks: Implications for Environmental Policy

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5072
Author(s):  
Flora Maria Díaz-Pérez ◽  
Carlos Gustavo García-González ◽  
Alan Fyall
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Domestic Tourism ◽  
Patterns Of Behavior ◽  
High Season ◽  
Tourism Policy ◽  
Accommodation Sector ◽  
Push And Pull ◽  
Objective Being

The analysis of seasonality and domestic tourism from the perspective of the accommodation sector has, to date, been unsatisfactorily studied in the domain of visitors to national parks. In light of the scale of accommodation development and its crucial role in tourism, most notably with regard to environmental impact, in-depth knowledge about accommodation market segments and their specific characteristics and patterns of behavior are integral to the development of tourism policy. In the context of domestic tourism, underpinned by an understanding of the theory of planned behavior and push-and-pull motivations, this study examines seasonality and accommodation type used by visitors to national parks in the small islands of the Canaries, Spain with the objective being to design the most appropriate environmental tourism policy. By adopting a Multinomial logistic regression model with 1671 surveys carried out, the study concludes that domestic visitors demonstrate a higher propensity to select environmental-friendly accommodation types during the high season. At the same time, residents who visit the parks in high season assess the lowest value to the preservation level of the parks’ natural resources.

scholarly journals The transition to general management in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Mallaby ◽  
Gavin Price ◽  
Karl Hofmeyr
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
General Manager ◽  
General Management ◽  
General Managers ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Effective Development ◽  
The Right

Orientation: Understanding the nature and challenges of making the transition from a functional role to a general management role in South African organisations.Research purpose: The objective of this study was to gain insight into the obstacles that affect the transition from functional to general management and identify steps that may be taken to overcome these challenges.Motivation for the study: One of the most difficult crossroads for a manager is making the shift from being a functional specialist to becoming a general manager. New competencies and behaviours are required, as well as a more strategic mind set. If the transition is not made successfully, the manager and the organisation suffer.Research design, approach and method: A qualitative design was used consisting of in-depth, semi-structured interviews, with 19 senior business leaders who had successfully made the transition. The interviews were used to gather insights into the challenges they faced during their transitions, and how these were overcome.Main findings: To make the transition successfully, functional managers need to gain relevant experience to prepare them for the broader scope of a general management role. They need to develop appropriate skills, attitudes and personal characteristics. Mentoring is an effective development process. Newly appointed general managers need to learn to let go of control while maintaining ownership, build relationships and strike the right balance between strategic thinking and execution. There are unique aspects of being a general manager in South Africa, such as dealing with Black Economic Empowerment and challenges of race and identity, given the country’s history.Practical and managerial implications: Specific interventions are suggested which are directed at both aspiring general managers and organisations seeking to assist middle managers to make the transition to general managers.Contribution: This study contributes to knowledge concerning the skills and attributes required by potential general managers, and the practical steps to be taken by South African organisations to facilitate the development of general managers. 

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