THE MODERATING ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETATION BETWEEN DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES AND FIRM CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS

The interpretation of managers of environmental changes helps in identifying the gaps between the environment and a firm’s capabilities. This in turn can support a firm’s ability to use dynamic capabilities in an effective way to reconfigure the firm’s resources into new operational capabilities that better match the environment and to exploit environmental opportunities. However, extant studies have ignored the moderating role of managers’ interpretation of environmental changes in the capabilities building paradigm. This study empirically examines the moderating role of environmental interpretation in the relationship between dynamic capabilities and improvement capabilities. To operationalise environmental interpretation to enable the development of a measurable model for this construct, which has yet to be developed, 209 large manufacturing firms were selected as a sample to study the relationship between environmental interpretation and firm’s capabilities. By applying the PLS-SEM technique, this study finds that environmental interpretation moderates the relationship between learning capability, integrating capability and coordinating capability and improvement capability.

Visitor satisfaction with services for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam

<p>The increase in visitor demand creates more and more pressures on visitor management, especially in protected areas like national parks. Environmental interpretation is regarded as an effective soft management strategy that aims to educate visitors in national parks. However, no study about visitor satisfaction with environmental interpretation using Importance-Performance analysis has been undertaken in national parks in general and national parks of Vietnam in particular. This study attempts to fill in the research gaps in the literature by examining visitor satisfaction with services for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park of Vietnam using Importance-Performance Analysis. The research aims are: (1) To identify current interpretive services in Cat Tien National Park; (2) To explore visitor use of these services for environmental interpretation; (3) To investigate visitor satisfaction with these services using Importance-Performance Analysis and (4) To analyze similarities and differences in visitor satisfaction with services according to motivation-based segments and market-based segments. Secondary research, a site visit and three semi-structured interviews were first implemented to provide information background for the study. Next, the main survey for both international and domestic visitors was conducted at the entry point of Cat Tien National Park. Data from 237 pre-visit and post-visit questionnaires collected in four weeks was then analyzed with relevant statistical analyses. Market-based segmentation and motivation-based segmentation were also implemented to analyze the data. The findings show that site interpreters were the most important service provider for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park. Site interpreters, interpretive signs and staff at the museum are very important and very satisfying services for environmental interpretation. Displays at the museum need to be redesigned to meet visitor satisfaction. Moreover, videos at the rescue centre need to improve the performance to ensure domestic visitor satisfaction. With regard to twelve roles of site interpreters, the role for a comfortable pace of the trip, the role for a good group organisation, the communicative roles and the roles of an environmental interpreter are important and satisfying roles according to visitors. The performance of the instrumental role for visitor safety and the social role for a positive group environment need to be enhanced to meet visitor satisfaction. Also, two roles of a motivator of responsible behaviour need to be enhanced to meet the satisfaction of “Passive visitors” and “Active learners”, as well as international visitors. The study highlights the need for continuing research on visitor satisfaction with environmental interpretation using importance performance analysis and visitor segmentation. Some management implications were given for future development of services for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park.</p>

Visitor satisfaction with services for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam

<p>The increase in visitor demand creates more and more pressures on visitor management, especially in protected areas like national parks. Environmental interpretation is regarded as an effective soft management strategy that aims to educate visitors in national parks. However, no study about visitor satisfaction with environmental interpretation using Importance-Performance analysis has been undertaken in national parks in general and national parks of Vietnam in particular. This study attempts to fill in the research gaps in the literature by examining visitor satisfaction with services for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park of Vietnam using Importance-Performance Analysis. The research aims are: (1) To identify current interpretive services in Cat Tien National Park; (2) To explore visitor use of these services for environmental interpretation; (3) To investigate visitor satisfaction with these services using Importance-Performance Analysis and (4) To analyze similarities and differences in visitor satisfaction with services according to motivation-based segments and market-based segments. Secondary research, a site visit and three semi-structured interviews were first implemented to provide information background for the study. Next, the main survey for both international and domestic visitors was conducted at the entry point of Cat Tien National Park. Data from 237 pre-visit and post-visit questionnaires collected in four weeks was then analyzed with relevant statistical analyses. Market-based segmentation and motivation-based segmentation were also implemented to analyze the data. The findings show that site interpreters were the most important service provider for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park. Site interpreters, interpretive signs and staff at the museum are very important and very satisfying services for environmental interpretation. Displays at the museum need to be redesigned to meet visitor satisfaction. Moreover, videos at the rescue centre need to improve the performance to ensure domestic visitor satisfaction. With regard to twelve roles of site interpreters, the role for a comfortable pace of the trip, the role for a good group organisation, the communicative roles and the roles of an environmental interpreter are important and satisfying roles according to visitors. The performance of the instrumental role for visitor safety and the social role for a positive group environment need to be enhanced to meet visitor satisfaction. Also, two roles of a motivator of responsible behaviour need to be enhanced to meet the satisfaction of “Passive visitors” and “Active learners”, as well as international visitors. The study highlights the need for continuing research on visitor satisfaction with environmental interpretation using importance performance analysis and visitor segmentation. Some management implications were given for future development of services for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park.</p>

Tourism Management in Protected Areas: Guiding Concessions and Environmental Interpretation in New Zealand's Conservation Estate

<p>New Zealand stands out in the global conservation scene and in the nature-based tourism industry with one third of its land area comprising the Conservation Estate (the conjunct of all public protected areas). New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DoC) is responsible for the conservation and management of the Estate, including the concession system that regulates all commercial activities on the Conservation Estate. Typically, DoC does not provide guiding services, with guided activities in the Conservation Estate almost entirely provided by tour operators that hold guiding concessions. Environmental interpretation is one of the main roles of tour guides, and DoC expects guiding concessionaires to deliver quality interpretation in order to provide quality visitor experiences; to educate tourists about natural and cultural values; to minimize the impacts of tourists; and to promote conservation advocacy. However, knowledge relating to tour operators' interpretation management and to guiding concession management is limited. This thesis seeks to understand how the concession system deals with aspects of interpretation, by investigating DoC managers' and tour operators' perceptions about the benefits and importance of interpretation; their actions and challenges to develop and monitor the interpretation capabilities of tour operators; and their perceptions on the concession system and their relationship. A mixed method approach was employed in order to gain an understanding of the situation at the national level (through an email survey), as well as at a regional level in the Nelson-Marlborough Conservancy (mostly through interviews and some observations). The national survey and the case study provided breadth and depth to the investigation. This research found that DoC managers and tour operators regarded interpretation as important or very important, but both perceived it as less important to the other party. For most tour operators interpretation was a major part of their guiding services, whereas for most DoC managers it was a minor part of their concessions related work. Some DoC managers argued that the Department should put more emphasis and resources into interpretation support to tour operators, since they are providing an important service that has been transferred from the government to the private sector. Most tour operators and DoC managers demonstrated good understanding about interpretation, particularly about its purposes and benefits. However, few participants demonstrated understanding about the principles of, and techniques for effective interpretation. This research also found that tour operators and DoC managers were undertaking a wide range of actions, and facing many challenges and constraints to develop, support, and monitor the interpretation capabilities of the operators. Some of the key implications for interpretation management of guiding concessionaires arising from this thesis are: the need for DoC to hold annual meetings with tour operators in order to support their interpretation practices, and to review regulations and minimum impact behaviour in protected areas; the need for DOC and the tourism industry to discuss the insertion of conditions and standards related to tour guide's qualification in concessions contracts; and the need to promote DoC's Interpretation Handbook and Standards.</p>

Tourism Management in Protected Areas: Guiding Concessions and Environmental Interpretation in New Zealand's Conservation Estate

<p>New Zealand stands out in the global conservation scene and in the nature-based tourism industry with one third of its land area comprising the Conservation Estate (the conjunct of all public protected areas). New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DoC) is responsible for the conservation and management of the Estate, including the concession system that regulates all commercial activities on the Conservation Estate. Typically, DoC does not provide guiding services, with guided activities in the Conservation Estate almost entirely provided by tour operators that hold guiding concessions. Environmental interpretation is one of the main roles of tour guides, and DoC expects guiding concessionaires to deliver quality interpretation in order to provide quality visitor experiences; to educate tourists about natural and cultural values; to minimize the impacts of tourists; and to promote conservation advocacy. However, knowledge relating to tour operators' interpretation management and to guiding concession management is limited. This thesis seeks to understand how the concession system deals with aspects of interpretation, by investigating DoC managers' and tour operators' perceptions about the benefits and importance of interpretation; their actions and challenges to develop and monitor the interpretation capabilities of tour operators; and their perceptions on the concession system and their relationship. A mixed method approach was employed in order to gain an understanding of the situation at the national level (through an email survey), as well as at a regional level in the Nelson-Marlborough Conservancy (mostly through interviews and some observations). The national survey and the case study provided breadth and depth to the investigation. This research found that DoC managers and tour operators regarded interpretation as important or very important, but both perceived it as less important to the other party. For most tour operators interpretation was a major part of their guiding services, whereas for most DoC managers it was a minor part of their concessions related work. Some DoC managers argued that the Department should put more emphasis and resources into interpretation support to tour operators, since they are providing an important service that has been transferred from the government to the private sector. Most tour operators and DoC managers demonstrated good understanding about interpretation, particularly about its purposes and benefits. However, few participants demonstrated understanding about the principles of, and techniques for effective interpretation. This research also found that tour operators and DoC managers were undertaking a wide range of actions, and facing many challenges and constraints to develop, support, and monitor the interpretation capabilities of the operators. Some of the key implications for interpretation management of guiding concessionaires arising from this thesis are: the need for DoC to hold annual meetings with tour operators in order to support their interpretation practices, and to review regulations and minimum impact behaviour in protected areas; the need for DOC and the tourism industry to discuss the insertion of conditions and standards related to tour guide's qualification in concessions contracts; and the need to promote DoC's Interpretation Handbook and Standards.</p>

Análise da Percepção Ambiental de Estudantes no Percurso de uma Trilha Ecológica em uma Unidade de Conservação

ResumoEste artigo tem como propósito socializar uma prática docente, em uma aula de campo utilizando uma trilha ecológica como recurso didático em uma unidade de conservação no município de Jacarezinho no Estado do Paraná com o intuito de potencializar a percepção ambiental dos alunos. Por meio dos roteiros elaborados pelos alunos do 6º ano foram verificadas as possíveis relações entre o planejamento de uma trilha interpretativa com os objetivos da Interpretação Ambiental e dos documentos utilizados no referencial à luz da Percepção Ambiental. Nas trilhas interpretativas, a Interpretação Ambiental se torna um instrumento da Educação Ambiental ao visar objetivos que envolvem a sensibilização, a compreensão e a responsabilidade dos visitantes para com as questões ambientais. Os resultados obtidos indicam que os alunos elaboraram uma trilha interpretativa que, inconscientemente, se aproxima dos referenciais da Interpretação Ambiental. Palavras-chave: Interpretação Ambiental. Trilha Interpretiva. Educação Ambiental AbstractThis article aimed to socialize a teaching practice, in a field class using a trail as a didactic resource in a conservation unit in Jacarezinho in the State of Paraná to enhance the students' environmental perception. The scripts prepared by the 6th year students the possible relationships were verified between the planning of an interpretive trail with the objectives of the Environmental Interpretation and the documents used in the reference in the light of Environmental Perception. In the interpretative trails the Environmental Interpretation becomes an instrument of Environmental Education by aiming at objectives that involve the awareness, understanding and responsibility of the visitors to the environmental issues. The results indicate that the students elaborated an interpretative trail that unconsciously approaches the reference points of the Environmental Interpretation. Keywords: Environmental Interpretation. Interpretative Trail. Environmental Education

Morphometric Analysis of the Sub-basin of the Upano Para River Flood Analysis

The purpose of this work is to analyze the morphometric characteristics that the Upano River sub-basin presents with the help of SIG tools, which is located in the Ecuadorian Amazon in the Morona Santiago Province. For the analysis of the study, nine morphometric parameters were taken into consideration: area, perimeter, axial length, length of the main channel, total drainage length, average width, shape factor, Gravelius coefficient of compactness or Gravelius index, Drainage density and their results were calculated using ArcGIS® software using the ArcMap® tool. The area of the sub-basin comprises approximately 6075.54 km2 with its main channel 266.73 km long. The compactness coefficient is related to the concentration time, being a dimensionless value, resulting in 1.35 which presents a round oval to oblong oval shape. From this result, an environmental interpretation was made using the Gravelius index and it was determined that the sub-basin of the Upano River is medium with a tendency to floods. Keywords: morphometric characteristics; sub-basin, parameters, Gravelius index, drainage density. Resumen La finalidad del presente trabajo es analizar las características morfométricas que presenta la subcuenca del rio Upano con ayuda de herramientas SIG, la cual se encuentra ubicada en la Amazonía ecuatoriana en la Provincia de Morona Santiago. Para el análisis del estudio se tomó en consideración nueve parámetros morfométricas: área, perímetro, longitud axial, longitud del cauce principal, longitud total de drenaje, ancho promedio, factor forma, coeficiente de compacidad de Gravelius o índice de Gravelius, densidad de drenaje y sus resultados fueron calculados por medio del software ArcGIS® mediante la herramienta ArcMap®. El área de la subcuenca comprende aproximadamente 6075,54 km2 y su cauce principal de 266,73 km de longitud. El coeficiente de compacidad está relacionado con el tiempo de concentración siendo un valor adimensional, teniendo como resultado 1,35 lo cual presenta una forma de oval redonda a oval oblonga. A partir de dicho resultado se realizó una interpretación ambiental por medio del índice de Gravelius y se pudo determinar que la subcuenca del Rio Upano es mediana a tendencia a inundaciones. Palabras Clave: características morfométricas, subcuenca, parámetros, índice de Gravelius, densidad de drenaje.

CANTO DA MATA: um convite geopoético aos nossos parques nacionais

SONG OF THE FOREST: a geopoetic invitation to our national parksCANTO DEL BOSQUE: una invitación geopoética a nuestros parques nacionalesRESUMOO projeto Canto da Mata se propõe a seduzir, informar e convidar a sociedade, por meio do encantamento poético, a se apropriar de suas áreas protegidas. Este artigo apresenta algumas composições, focando especialmente no Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina (RJ-SP). A fim de ampliar o alcance da mensagem conservacionista para além das fronteiras das unidades de conservação, busca-se retratar e comunicar a Natureza como faziam os grandes viajantes naturalistas do século XIX, tais como Humboldt, Langsdorff, Spix e Martius, dentre tantos outros, aliando investigação e deslumbramento. Por meio de uma abordagem Geopoética, a valorização de um “pensar-sentindo” pode atenuar as fronteiras entre Arte e Ciência e oferecer caminhos para a necessária e urgente reconciliação da sociedade contemporânea com a Natureza.Palavras-chave: Interpretação Ambiental; Ecoturismo; Geopoética; Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina.ABSTRACTThe Canto da Mata project aims to seduce, inform and invite society, through poetic enchantment, to appropriate its protected areas. This article presents some compositions, focusing especially on the Serra da Bocaina National Park (RJ-SP). In order to extend the scope of the conservationist message beyond the borders of conservation units, we seek to portray and communicate Nature as the great naturalistic travelers of the 19th century did, such as Humboldt, Langsdorff, Spix and Martius, among many others, combining investigation and wonder. Through a Geopoetic approach, the valorization of a “thinking-feeling” can soften the boundaries between Art and Science and offer paths for the necessary and urgent reconciliation of contemporary society with Nature.Keywords: Environmental Interpretation; Ecotourism; Geopoetics; Serra da Bocaina National Park.RESUMEN El proyecto Canto da Mata tiene como objetivo seducir, informar e invitar a la sociedad, a través del encanto poético, a apropiarse de sus áreas protegidas. Este artículo presenta algunas composiciones, centrándose especialmente en el Parque Nacional Serra da Bocaina (RJ-SP). Con el fin de extender el alcance del mensaje conservacionista más allá de las fronteras de las unidades de conservación, buscamos retratar y comunicar la Naturaleza como lo hicieron los grandes viajeros naturalistas del siglo XIX, como Humboldt, Langsdorff, Spix y Martius, entre muchos otros. combinando investigación y asombro. A través de un enfoque Geopoético, la valorización de un “pensamiento-sentimiento” puede suavizar los límites entre Arte y Ciencia y ofrecer caminos para la necesaria y urgente reconciliación de la sociedad contemporánea con la Naturaleza.Palabras clave: Interpretación Ambiental; Ecoturismo; Geopoética; Parque Nacional Serra da Bocaina.