The effect of ecotourism knowledge on residents' attitudes in Otavalo, Ecuador: the knowledge theory of attitude–behavior consistency

PurposeResidents' supportive attitudes are essential for the successful development of ecotourism. Although existing literature has heavily relied on social exchange theory to explain residents' attitudes, this study explores a new theoretical direction by focusing on the cognitive process of residents' attitude formation. This study adopts the knowledge theory of attitude–behavior consistency that emphasizes the amount, relevance and complexity of ecotourism knowledge in shaping residents' positive attitudes toward tourism development in the regional community.Design/methodology/approachBased on a survey of 394 residents of Otavalo, Ecuador, this study confirmed the reliability and validity of measurements, used PLS-SEM for statistical analysis, and evaluated the effect of ecotourism knowledge on residents' attitudes toward ecotourism.FindingsUnder the control of community attachment and fair distribution of economic benefits supported by existing literature, this study finds that ecotourism knowledge has a positive and significant effect on residents' supportive attitudes toward tourism development.Research limitations/implicationsBy elucidating the cognitive process of residents' attitude formation and change, this paper shows the applicability of a knowledge-based theory to residents' attitudes toward tourism development, and offers practical implications for ecotourism policymakers and educational program developers.Originality/valueThis study adopts the knowledge theory of attitude–behavior consistency and shows the positive influence of ecotourism knowledge on residents' attitudes.

SOFTWARE PACKAGE FOR CONSTRUCTING LINEAR REGRESSION models USING THE MIXED ESTIMATION METHOD

В статье описывается программный комплекс, обеспечивающий возможность оценивания параметров линейного регрессионного уравнения методами смешанного оценивания (МСО), наименьших квадратов (МНК) и модулей (МНМ), а также антиробастного оценивания (МАО). Разработанный программный комплекс применен для моделирования объема погрузки основных видов грузов железнодорожным транспортом, в качестве независимых переменных определены объемы погрузки конкурирующими видами транспорта. Это такие факторы, как перевозки автомобильным, морским, трубопроводным и внутренним водным транспортом. Проведён анализ полученных моделей, оценены значения критериев смещения, относительных ошибок аппроксимации, согласованности поведения. The article considers a software package that provides the ability to estimate the parameters of a linear regression equation using mixed estimation (MSO), least squares (OLS) and modules (MCM), as well as anti-blast estimation (MAO). The developed software package was used to model the volume of loading of the main types of cargo by rail, and the competing types of transportation in relation to rail transportation were selected as independent variables. These are such factors as transportation by road, transportation by sea, transportation by pipeline, transportation by inland water transport. The analysis of the obtained models is carried out, the bias criteria, the relative approximation errors, and the generalized behavior consistency criterion (RSPC) are evaluated.

Attitudinal and normative influence on behavioral intentions: the moderating role of meta-attitudinal judgments within the Theory of Reasoned Action

The present research investigates the moderating role of meta-attitudinal properties in the Theory of Reasoned Action. Participants reported their attitudes towards voting for a particular political party, as well as their certainty, experienced ambivalence and subjective knowledge. They also reported their subjective norms, voting intentions and, at a later stage, their voting behavior. The results corroborate the predictive value of the theory. They also support the hypothesized moderating role of attitude certainty and subjective knowledge and indicate that individuals who feel certain about their attitudes and think are well-informed are more likely to base their behavioral decisions on these attitudes and less likely to rely on the expectations of important others. These findings are discussed in relation to attitude-behavior consistency and to social influence.

Key influencing factors of consumers’ vegetable e-commerce adoption willingness, behavior, and willingness-behavior consistency in Beijing, China

PurposeVegetable e-commerce is of great significance for improving the efficiency of vegetable circulation, and for solving the problems of high circulation cost and poor connection between production and marketing. The purpose of this study is to explore the key factors that influence consumers’ vegetable e-commerce adoption willingness, behavior, and willingness-behavior consistency.Design/methodology/approachA total of 427 valid questionnaires were collected from 16 districts of Beijing in 2019 via the internet, yielding a response rate of 94.9%. Bivariate probit and binary logistic regression were used for analysis.FindingsThe results show that 62.84% of vegetable e-commerce consumers have the same willingness and behavior, and 37.16% of consumers have a deviation of willingness and behavior; the key factors influencing the willingness, behavior, and willingness-behavior consistency of vegetable e-commerce consumers are different. The three variables of usefulness perception, logistics service quality perception, and nearest vegetable market distance have significant effects on and are positively correlated with the adoption willingness, behavior, and willingness-behavior consistency of vegetable e-commerce consumers.Research limitations/implicationsConsumers in Beijing, a first-tier city, were taken as the research object in this study. Second-tier and even third-tier cities can be investigated as comparative studies in a follow-up study. In addition, the key factors that affect the differences in the willingness and behavior of vegetable e-commerce adoption can be studied.Originality/valueThe results obtained in the present study and their implications could aid in vegetable e-commerce optimization, and contribute to the understanding of how to improve consumers’ awareness and participation in vegetable e-commerce. The suggestions of this study could also be used for the improvement of vegetable e-commerce in other cities facing similar issues.