bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building an Innovation Ecosystem
Authors: Smith Kenneth R.
Published: September 2010

For almost three decades we have optimized our organizations for efficiency and quality. We now look to innovation as the source of competitive advantage – for individuals, for organizations and for society This paper examines the three components of an innovation ecosystem and their implications for corporations, universities and public policy To be successful, organizations must develop an explicit innovation process, build an organizational culture that rewards innovative behaviours and practices, and attract, train and promote employees with the skill sets to perform new roles and responsibilities.
Transforming Knowledge into Wealth in a New Zealand Research University
Authors: Spicer Barry , Dunn Wendell , Whitcher Geoff
Published: September 2010

This paper describes how New Zealand's leading research university, the University of Auckland, dealt with the issue of transforming knowledge into wealth using a ‘whole of institution’ approach. The context of New Zealand's growth and innovation initiatives is outlined and the University of Auckland's engagement with and institutional response to these initiatives are discussed. The initiatives include the joint government–private-sector funding of a ‘partnership for excellence’ programme; programmes to create a culture of enterprise, innovation and entrepreneurship; the use of entrepreneurs-in-residence; the development of new boundary-spanning structures and organizations; the melding of new approaches with existing technology transfer structures; and the creation of new networks. Key lessons learned throughout the process are described.
Labelling and Differentiation Strategy in the Recreational Housing Rental Market of Rural Destinations: The French Case
Authors: Rambonilaza M.
Published: September 2010

In France the rural recreational housing rental market is composed of two parts: the market for ‘non-labelled’ lodgings and the market for ‘labelled’ lodgings. Two national federations with branches in each region of France manage the labelled segment. In this article the hedonic price approach is developed (a) to assess the labelling premium in the recreational housing rental market of rural destinations in France and (b) to examine the two federations' differentiation strategies. The author uses a database for the Aveyron region for the summer season of the year 2002. The data for labelled lodgings are drawn from catalogues produced by the labelling federations, and the information for non-labelled accommodation was gathered from local tourism information brochures. The study reveals that labels are indeed valued positively by the market. The labelling premium can reach ₠129 per week in the peak season. Moreover, environmental variables (such as the population density of the commune in which the lodging is located) are the key variables of differentiation in the labelled lodgings market. The results can assist federation managers in defining labelling and pricing strategies. They also point to some new directions for public initiatives to encourage the development of this type of accommodation in rural destinations.
Research Note: Needs of, and Readiness to Respond to the Needs of Japanese Pensioners in Long-Stay Tourism in Chiangmai Province, Thailand
Authors: Hongsranagon Prathurng
Published: September 2010

This paper examines the needs of Japanese pensioners in long-stay tourism in the Chiangmai province of Thailand, and the readiness of local residents to respond to those needs. Two questionnaires were used to collect the data. The first was issued to 342 Japanese pensioners who were over 60 years old and currently living in Japan. The second was issued to 400 Thais in Tambon Suthep, Muang District, Chiangmai. The research results from each sample group are presented and discussed. Recommendations are offered regarding advisory facilities and activities, which were identified as missing from the current management of Thailand's long-stay tourism project.
Marginal Valuation of Improving the Sport-Fishing Catch
Authors: Paulrud Anton
Published: September 2010

This paper presents estimates of the marginal willingness-to-pay to improve sport-fishing conditions in a county in southern Sweden. Previous valuation studies have focused mainly on mean estimates, but policy decisions often require marginal values. The estimates are obtained by using the contingent valuation method within a parametric model that allows for zero willingness-to-pay values (a spike model). The data were collected using a mail survey sent to anglers in the county of Bohus in Sweden in 1998. The results show that the value of improved catch conditions depends on the type of angling and decreases at the margin when the catch increases. The marginal willingness-to-pay for catching an extra fish ranges from about SEK 5 (SEK 12 per kilo) for coastal angling to about SEK 530 (SEK 172 per kilo) for river angling (US$1 ≈ SEK 9). Such economic information is useful for managers with limited budgets who need to prioritize between different alternatives or actions to improve sport-fishing.
Research Note: A Nash Bargaining Model for Average Daily Rates
Authors: Pan Chih-Min
Published: September 2010

This paper develops a Nash bargaining model to study the average daily rate per rented hotel room. It then examines the model with data from international tourist hotels in Taipei, Taiwan. The empirical results indicate that: (1) an increase in the percentage of rented rooms taken by independent travellers (the independent traveller ratio) could significantly raise the average daily rate; (2) the average daily rate paid by independent travellers is significantly higher than that paid by group travellers; and (3) any improvement of hotel operators' relative bargaining power in relation to independent or group travellers will significantly raise hotels' average daily rates.
Analysing the Rate of Technical Change in the Portuguese Hotel Industry
Authors: Barros Carlos Pestana
Published: September 2010

This paper analyses the rate of technical progress in the Portuguese hotel industry between 1998 and 2002, using a stochastic cost frontier method. A translog frontier model is used and the maximum likelihood estimation technique is employed to estimate the empirical model. We estimate the efficiency scores and disentangle the rate of technical progress into three components: pure technical progress, non-neutral technical progress and scale-augmenting technical progress. The results show relatively low efficiency scores, denoting a high degree of waste in the use of resources, despite the fact that technical change contributes to a reduction of costs.
Understanding Participation Constraints of Potential Skiers
Authors: Michailidis Anastasios , Samathrakis Vagis , Mamalis Spyridon , Theodosiou Georgios
Published: September 2010

This paper reports on the challenges facing organizations in identifying the non-skier market, converting non-skiers to skiers and overcoming the constraints that keep non-skiers off the ski hills. The authors present the outcome of field research undertaken between September and December 2003. A convenience sample of 1,365 of Greece's non-skiers was used. Data were statistically analysed using categorical regression, cluster analysis, frequencies, percentages and means in an effort to identify the effect of the basic classification/independent variables of non-skiers' socio-economic status on their perception of ‘participation constraints’. The findings from this research are described and discussed, and the authors highlight their relevance to marketing practitioners and policy makers in the formulation of appropriate marketing strategies to attract and satisfy these non-skier segments.
Agricultural Cooperatives as Transforming Agents in Rural Development
Authors: Fandiño María , Álvarez Carlos J. , Ramos Raquel , Marey Manuel F.
Published: September 2010

Changes in the agricultural sector over the last 50 years have meant that many of the organizations created to favour agricultural production are no longer of value and need to be modified. In Galicia, Spain, the agricultural cooperative movement is not fully developed, and at the same time is being forced to adapt to new development policies within the European Union. This study reviews the current situation regarding the agricultural cooperative movement in Galicia, and assesses its potential as a transforming agent in rural development. The authors report on a census of existing cooperatives and a questionnaire survey of their characteristics.
Assessing the Efficiency of Cotton Production on the Harran Plain, Turkey
Authors: Binici Turan , Zulauf Carl R. , Kacira Ozlem O. , Karli Bahri
Published: September 2010

Compared with results from other studies of farm production in developing countries, this study finds that the sample of 54 cotton farmers located on the Harran Plain, Turkey, are producing at a high level of efficiency. Nevertheless, 72% of the farms are using inefficient levels of inputs. A statistically significant, positive relationship between farmers' education and on-farm technical efficiency underscores the need for public investment in rural education. Chemical, urea, tractor and labour inputs are used most inefficiently. Hence educational programmes should target these four inputs. A statistically insignificant relationship between farm size and technical efficiency implies that educational programmes should be available to all farmers, regardless of the size of their farm.
Biological Survey of a Low-Productivity Pasture in Rondônia State, Brazil
Authors: Feigl Brigitte , Cerri Carlos , Piccolo Marisa , Noronha Norberto , Augusti Karine , Melillo Jerry , Eschenbrenner Vincent , Melo Lineu
Published: September 2010

Some years after their establishment, areas of pasture planted to Brachiaria and other African grasses in the Brazilian Amazon region show a continuous decline in forage and animal productivity. If no remedial measures are taken, plant cover decreases, the areas become invaded by weeds and the soil becomes compacted. However, this process is not yet well understood. A series of evaluations was implemented in a 20-year-old pasture located on a representative cattle ranch in Rondônia state to estimate the botanical composition, standing phytomass (including leaf litter), macrofauna species richness and microbial biomass to characterize the soil biological conditions of a pasture site about to degrade and before rehabilitation practices were adopted. The aim was to characterize the type and degree of degradation already completed to record the baseline against which the results obtained by restoration practices could be compared. Soil C, N and available P stocks were 20.4 Mg C ha−1, 1.5 Mg N ha−1 and 8.3 kg P ha−1 respectively, higher than under natural forest and close to those found in productive pasture sites. Physical and chemical analyses did not indicate effective degradation. Woody species dominated by trees and shrubs such as Tabebuia spp., Erisma uncinatum and Vismia guianensis occupied 15–18% of the total area. Babaçu palm (Orbignya phalerata Mart) covered 12%, herbaceous weeds 4–11%, while the rest (mean 63.5%) contained a mixture of Brachiaria brizantha and Pannicum maximum. The high biomass accrual and the diversity of species suggest that the soil is still able to support a productive forage grass cover. Biomass above ground, including litter layer, totalled 131 Mg DM ha−1, or 42% of original forest. High standing biomass in the experimental area can be attributed to insufficient and/or inapropriate weed control since the early stage of pasture installation. Reformation of the study site would implicate a potential above-ground input of about 130 Mg C ha−1 (C/N = 49; C/P = 744), besides another 6.4 Mg C ha−1 derived from root biomass decomposition. The most frequently found invertebrates were the termites (368 ind m−2), restricted to the 0–10 cm layer, while earthworms (204 ind m−2), ants (152 ind m−2) and Coleoptera (146 ind m−2) were found to a depth of 30 cm. The presence of so-called ecosystem engineers indicates that this population, probably comprising anecics and rhizophagous species, is related to the high root and litter density. The average number of representatives is more comparable with sites undergoing regrowth of secondary vegetation than with degraded pastures. Microbiological evidence indicates that the pasture studied constitutes an unstressed system about to accumulate organic matter in the soil.
Agro-Industrialization
Authors: Chuanmin Shuai , Falla Josue S.
Published: September 2010

This paper analyses and compares the differences between China and developed countries in terms of resource endowment, agricultural productivity, scale of farmland operation and agricultural intensification. Major findings include: (1) agriculture in China has insufficient natural resources (for agricultural production) but abundant labour resources, low labour productivity but relatively high land productivity; (2) China's ultra-small farm size has seriously hindered increases in labour productivity and in farmers' incomes; (3) China's agriculture has low intensification, limited mechanization but high chemical utilization; and (4) the organization of farmers in China is very limited, resulting in a poor ability to overcome natural and market risks. Recommendations are made on policies for further development of China's agricultural industrialization.
Beef Production in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Kenya
Authors: Kahi A.K. , Wasike C.B. , Rewe T.O.
Published: September 2010

Most of Kenya (80%) is classified as arid and semi-arid. The climatic conditions in these regions are so harsh for crops that only livestock production can thrive. These regions provide the bulk of beef consumed in the country, which is produced via two main systems: large-scale dairy-meat commercial ranching and small-scale dairy-meat production. In both these systems, production is pasture-based. The animals kept are the highly adapted indigenous zebu (small East African zebu and Boran) or exotic beef (for example, Hereford, Simmental, Charolais, Angus) breeds and their crosses kept mainly by the commercial ranchers. Development of the beef industry in Kenya has lagged behind other agricultural enterprises due to policies that were unfavourable towards arid and semi-arid lands and the historically poor infrastructure development in the rangelands. It is concluded that there is potential for beef production in Kenya, given the available genetic and physical resources, although this potential can be achieved only if government policies are introduced to accelerate development in the rangelands and empower both the larger producers and pastoralists to increase their production.
Prospects and Constraints of Smallholder Dairy Husbandry in the Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania
Authors: Kivaria F.M. , Noordhuizen J.P.T.M. , Kapaga A.M.
Published: September 2010

An in-depth field survey was conducted on 125 randomly selected urban-based and peri-urban smallholder dairy herds in the Dar es Salaam region of Tanzania. The primary objective was to define the sector in terms of its productivity, constraints and relevance to urban dwellers. Information on such variables as animal management, feeding, housing, prophylaxis and disease history was obtained by means of a standardized interview questionnaire and by cross-sectional inspection of the available farm records. Results show that dairying has led to improvements in dairymen's general welfare: 78% of the respondents indicated that dairying had increased their ability to meet medical and school expenses for their children, while 6% of respondents had used dairy income to invest in more capital-intensive off-farm activities. It was also learnt that the sector had opened up a number of supporting businesses, creating employment for the people engaged in it. However, the dairy sector's potential is limited by a number of shortcomings and specific constraints, which include (among many others) poor nutrition, poor animal health and diseases, lack of finance, transport, skilled labour, processing facilities, storage, marketing and the delivery of advisory and health services. It is suggested that the system would have a more secure future if these technical and socioeconomic constraints were removed through research and technology transfer with appropriate policy support.
Critical Task Characteristics in Problem-Based Learning
Authors: Otting Hans , Zwaal Wichard
Published: September 2010

Tasks and problems in problem-based learning (PBL) are supposed to trigger and structure the learning process. The quality of problems in PBL is generally regarded as an important driver of the individual and collaborative learning processes. Although the importance of the PBL task is widely recognized, there is a lack of empirical findings and guidelines for the construction and evaluation of the tasks. The main goal of this study is to develop a valid and useful checklist for the construction and evaluation of PBL tasks. A checklist with critical characteristics of tasks will serve two purposes: it will support instructional designers in creating and constructing appropriate tasks, and it will provide a tool that can be applied to the evaluation of PBL tasks. Data for the study were gathered from a sample of undergraduate students and instructors on a hospitality management programme. Participants filled out a questionnaire with 94 importance and performance statements covering nine characteristics of PBL tasks. The results show that an instrument with 44 items and six factors seems to cover the key characteristics of PBL tasks.
The Role of Metacognition in Business Education
Authors: Tempelaar Dirk T.
Published: September 2010

‘Metacognition’, or the set of skills indicated as critical thinking in the domain of business education, constitutes an important aim in many educational programmes. At the same time, empirical studies demonstrate that teaching metacognitive skills is much harder than teaching cognitive ones. Moreover, the assessment of metacognitive skills poses unique problems. This study focuses on the assessment of metacognition (critical thinking) by means of a recently developed self-report instrument, the ‘Awareness of Independent Learning Inventory’, or AILI. Participants are undergraduate students in a business and economics programme. The study investigates the structure of metacognition, its relationship with background factors and its influence on course performance.
A Values Approach to Business Education in Hong Kong
Authors: Radbourne Jennifer
Published: September 2010

This paper investigates the learning behaviour, learning environment and learning outcomes of Hong Kong Chinese students enrolled on an Australian university's Bachelor of Business degree course taught by visiting Australian lecturers in Hong Kong. The Chinese students are task-focused and passive learners. They do not demonstrate creative thinking, critical analysis or risk taking in problem solving, and appear to focus on surface-level rote learning. Semi-structured interviews with students and lecturers identified the changes experienced in learning behaviour and teaching strategies. By applying a teaching and learning value chain developed by Radbourne in 2001 and using Biggs's 3P culturally modified model of teaching and learning, new teaching strategies were developed to ensure that the Chinese Hong Kong students graduated with the capabilities required to be effective in the global workplace.
Dynamics in Business and the Consequences for Learning Business
Authors: Thijssen Thomas J.P. , Gijselaers Wim
Published: September 2010

Currently there is much debate about the gap between business schools and the business world (Gosling and Mintzberg, 2004; Bennis and O'Toole, 2005). One argument is that business schools focus too much on ‘scientific’ research and lack relevant business context and real-world experience. The proposition in this paper is that the dynamics in the business environment force businesses and business schools to revitalize together through learning by sharing. The authors advocate that researchers, teachers, students (business schools) and practitioners (business) should engage in a mutual learning process. Close cooperation, shared understanding and shared learning can foster adaptation to the dynamics of the business environment and encourage both business schools and business corporations to build new academic theory and new business logic. The ‘Learning by Sharing’ model (Thijssen et al, 2002) can be applied to both the academic world and the business world in concert. This paper conceptualizes how business corporations and business schools can learn from each other and develop closer links.
Identity Transformation as an Intercontextual Process
Authors: De Weerdt Sven , Bouwen René , Corthouts Felix , Martens Hilda
Published: September 2010

Societal and organizational change requires people to change their professional identity continuously. Starting from two theoretical traditions that address identity and learning, the authors analysed the learning narratives of two sets of learners – participants in a two-year experiential learning programme and student interns, both in the domain of organizational behaviour. They then developed a model of transformational learning for two aspects of a learner's professional identity: (1) the change in concepts and images that relate to who we consider ourselves to be; and (2) the development of a healthy self-worth and self-confidence. This differentiation of transformational learning into two distinct and complementary processes constitutes the contribution of this research to the theoretical understanding of identity transformation. By means of the notion of ‘intercontextuality’, the authors also describe the process that integrates the individual sense-making perspective and the relational–participatory perspective on identity learning.
The Importance of Learning Goals versus Outcome Goals for Entrepreneurs
Authors: Noel Terry W. , Latham Gary P.
Published: September 2010

Little is currently known about the cognitive processes entrepreneurs engage in as they develop and implement strategies. A computer simulation was used to investigate this question. Repeated measures regression analysis indicated that participants using a learning goal were able to keep their simulated firms running longer than those using a performance outcome goal. Strategy mediated the relationship between task-specific self-efficacy and performance. Conversely, task-specific self-efficacy mediated the relationship between strategy use and performance. General self-efficacy added explanatory power to firm survival, even after controlling for the effects of specific self-efficacy. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Growing Pains: The Sustainability of Social Enterprises
Authors: Phillips Mary
Published: September 2010

This paper establishes the growing perception of the importance of the social enterprise sector in the UK, and notes that it is currently government policy to encourage growth. However, social enterprises, in common with many small businesses, find growth difficult, and this could impact negatively on their sustainability. The author goes on to explore the reasons for that difficulty, and concludes by suggesting how best to support social enterprise. It is suggested that orthodox growth stimulated by further marketization of this sector could be to its detriment. The paper aims to contribute to knowledge of the social enterprise sector and to the evidence base required by the policy-making community.
Research Note: Optimizing Economic Returns from Protected Area Tourism — Tourism-Related Income and Expenditure Trends of the Department of Conservation, New Zealand
Authors: Riza Yusuf , Lovelock Brent
Published: September 2010

Increasing visitor numbers have been identified as a contributor to the financial stress experienced by many protected area management agencies. This research note reports on a study of the income and expenditure of the Department of Conservation in New Zealand – the country's protected area manager and arguably its largest tourist operator. Income and expenditure data are analysed in relation to visitation to protected areas in New Zealand for the ten-year period 1992–2002. The findings reveal that income from tourism-related sources is very low, despite the increasing volumes of visitors. An argument is presented for enhancing visitor-sourced income, particularly from international visitors.
Income and Expenditure in the Tourism Industry: Time Series Evidence from Cyprus
Authors: Louca Charalambos
Published: September 2010

This study empirically examines the existence and nature of long-run relationships between, on the one hand, income derived from the tourism industry in Cyprus and tourist arrivals, and, on the other hand, three categories of supply-side expenditure – transport and communication, hotels and restaurants, and advertising and promotion. The results suggest the existence of positive long-run relationships between income derived from the tourism industry and two categories of expenditure (hotels and restaurants and advertising and promotion), with causality running both ways. Causality running both ways is also observable between tourist arrivals and hotels and restaurants. This leads to the conclusion that the expenditure policy followed by the tourism industry in Cyprus during 1975–2001 has been rather effective.
Creating a Framework to Determine the Socio-Economic Impact of National Parks in South Africa: A Case Study of the Addo Elephant National Park
Authors: Saayman Melville , Saayman Andrea
Published: September 2010

National parks in South Africa are seen as major tourism assets, since wildlife is the biggest draw-card for international visitors to the country. Yet little is known of the socio-economic contribution of these parks to their respective local economies. The purpose of this research is to develop a framework for assessing the socio-economic impact of the Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa. The results show that the park has a significant impact in terms of production, income generation and employment in the area. Key results include a proposed framework for assessing the socio-economic impact of national parks in a developing country.
A Travel Cost Analysis of the Australian Alps
Authors: Stoeckl Natalie , Mules Trevor
Published: September 2010

This paper uses the ‘quick and dirty’ travel cost method (TCM) to generate a range of estimates of one part of the environmental value of the Australian Alps: the recreation use value (RUV). Data for the study were collected during 2001/02 from 4,791 visitor surveys which provided information on 18,480 individuals who were visiting seven different regions of the Australian Alps across three states. The range of estimates is between $10 billion and $200 billion – that range varying across a variety of plausible travel costs and other research judgements.
Local Tourism Features in Italy: A Binomial Logit Analysis
Authors: Coccorese Paolo , Pellecchia Alfonso
Published: September 2010

This paper examines the profile of tourists holidaying in one of the most visited areas of Southern Italy. The primary aim is to identify the characteristics of those tourists who choose the area without having had any previous linkage with it, come from far away and intend to visit the destination again in the future. For this purpose, several variables are used to estimate three different specifications of a binomial logit model. The results reveal a number of factors which may be crucial in guiding the choices of private entrepreneurs and local administrators, and hence in expanding tourism flows to the region under examination.
Can Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Contribute toStrigaManagement on Cereals in Africa?
Authors: Lendzemo Venasius W. , van Ast Aad , Kuyper Thomas W.
Published: September 2010

Witchweeds (Striga spp.) are important root parasites of many cereal and legume crops in savanna and Sahelian regions of Africa. Evidence on the possible role of soil pathogenic bacteria and fungi in Striga control has been obtained. Here, the authors report that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can also affect the interaction between Striga and cereals. AM fungi negatively impacted on Striga seed germination, reduced the number of Striga seedlings attaching and emerging, and delayed the emergence time of Striga both in pot and field experiments. AM fungi enhanced the performance of the cereal host, allowing it to withstand Striga damage better. Management strategies for AM fungi for Striga control as part of an integrated management system are discussed.
Managing Fisheries Resources in Kaptai Reservoir, Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Khan Kamal Uddin , Rahman Sanzidur , Ahammed Saleh Uddin
Published: September 2010

This paper examines the various challenges facing the development of fisheries resources in Kaptai reservoir, Bangladesh. The reservoir has undergone major changes in its catch composition since impoundment. Production records show a declining trend in the productivity of high-value fish. A host of managerial, socioeconomic and environmental factors are responsible for the underutilization of the reservoir's potential to provide high-value freshwater fish. These include deterioration of the natural breeding ground, environmental damage, poor implementation of regulations, inefficient fish farming technology and poor management practices. These constraints are discussed and possibilities for future improvements are suggested.
Responding to Food Supply Shocks through Global Partnerships in Technology Development and Transfer
Authors: Alene A.D. , Manyong V.M. , Coulibaly O.
Published: September 2010

Partnerships involving national agricultural research systems (NARS), the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), universities, advanced research institutes, the private sector, civil society, nongovernmental organizations, farmer organizations and international investors represent a global capacity to provide solutions to strategic problems and to fulfil the overall objective of combating rural poverty and food insecurity. Drawing on the experiences and achievements of the IITA-led biological control of the cassava mealybug in Sub-Saharan Africa, this paper gives an account of the role of global partnerships in technology development and transfer in addressing food security challenges. It concludes with implications for national and international agricultural research centres for an efficient, demand-driven technology development and delivery.
Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Higher Education and Economic Regeneration in Wales
Authors: Thomas Brychan , Packham Gary , Miller Christopher
Published: September 2010

This paper presents the views of key policy makers concerning innovation and entrepreneurship in Wales. The development of innovation in SMEs and the policy implications for economic regeneration are also analysed. The role of a variety of actors (including users and suppliers) is considered, as is the impact of networks of SMEs linked together in patterns of cooperation and affiliation. Qualitative research methods include policy literature analysis, an interview survey and a discussion of the policy implications for the economic regeneration of Wales. In light of the results of the study, the authors set out the key points of significance for innovation, entrepreneurship, higher education and economic regeneration policy making in Wales.
How a Regional Broker Can Improve Industry Demand for University Interaction
Authors: Reid Peter , Schofield Matt
Published: September 2010

UK university research produces highly cited publications (DTI, 2004), but demand from UK business for commercial ideas from academia is weak (HM Treasury, 2003). This paper reviews factors in the development of one regional UK technology broker, the London Technology Network (LTN), which has achieved significant and audited business demand. The authors highlight the implications of LTN's experience for future practice and further research.
Engineering Careers in the UK: Still Not What Women Want?
Authors: Hodgkinson Liz , Hamill Les
Published: September 2010

Of all professions, engineering is ranked near the bottom in the UK in terms of the proportion of female applicants for university places, so the engineering industry is missing out on some of the best young talent available. Despite initiatives to increase the number of women entering engineering, there has been little change over the last decade. Engineering's popularity with males has declined over the same period. This paper discusses the findings of recent research into school students' perceptions of engineering. It identifies some of the barriers to engineering careers, including gender stereotyping, negative images and a lack of knowledge about the subject. The paper offers some solutions and concludes that schools, industry and higher education can work together to attract more young people of both sexes to engineering careers.
Resource Dependency, Costs and Revenues of a Street Festival
Authors: Andersson Tommy , Getz Donald
Published: September 2010

The financial position of a tourism-oriented street festival in Sweden is examined within the context of resource dependency and stakeholder management theory, focused on testing two hypotheses derived from this theoretical base. Data from a five-year period revealed how costs associated with the strongest stakeholders (that is, with the greatest bargaining power) greatly increased relative to costs associated with weak stakeholders. The festival was also more able to increase its revenues from weak stakeholders than from those in strong bargaining positions. Conclusions are drawn on how this case confirms and elaborates upon theory, particularly by applying it to the festival sector. Management implications are also drawn on how festival organizations should manage relationships when they hold strong or weak positions relative to stakeholders.
Coastal Tourism and ‘Dutch Disease’ in a Small Island Economy
Authors: Nowak Jean-Jacques , Sahli Mondher
Published: September 2010

Using the embryonic ‘Dutch disease’ literature on tourism, this paper examines the economy-wide effects of an inbound tourism boom on a small open island economy. It illustrates a range of new findings not present in traditional tourism economics literature. This paper also addresses the complexities that surround the economic evaluation of the net effect of tourism growth on the host community. An important result obtained here is that increased inbound tourism may lead to net welfare losses when tourism products are intensive users of coastal land. Thus, this paper provides a warning to researchers and practitioners of the need to evaluate both the tourism sector's overall impacts on the host economy and its net effect on the community when considering its expansion.
The Relationship between Foreign Direct Investment and Tourism: Empirical Evidence from China
Authors: Tang Sumei , Selvanathan E.A. , Selvanathan Saroja
Published: September 2010

This paper investigates the causal link between foreign direct investment and tourism in China by employing the Granger causality test under a VAR framework proposed by Zapata and Rambaldi (1997). Only a one-directional causality is found from foreign direct investment to tourism. This explains the rapid growth in the tourism market in China during the past decade.
Correcting for On-Site Visitor Sampling Bias When Estimating the Regional Economic Effects of Tourism
Authors: Loomis John
Published: September 2010

This paper demonstrates the importance of correcting for trip frequency bias in on-site samples of visitors when estimating regional economic effects associated with outdoor recreation. Because visitors taking more trips are more likely to be intercepted during on-site exit interviews than those taking fewer trips, it is important to correct for this bias when estimating total trips, calculating average expenditures and when calculating total local income and employment using input–output models. The paper presents methods for correcting for trip frequency bias in estimates of the number of trips, length of stay bias in visitor day estimates, as well as the resulting bias in visitor expenditures. In the empirical example of rafting trips on the Snake River in Wyoming, correcting for trip frequency and length of stay reduced by half total jobs and total income associated with recreation. Correcting average expenditures for trip frequency bias further reduced jobs and income by an additional 14%.
The Effect of Wildlife Recreational Activity on Florida's Economy
Authors: Zhang Jian , Lee Donna J.
Published: September 2010

This paper describes a dynamic computable general equilibrium model developed to examine the value of wildlife recreation in the state of Florida. Growth and volatility in wildlife watching, fishing and hunting are simulated and used to determine the impact on gross state product. A scenario replicating the impact of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 is examined. Results estimate the present value of losses from 2001 to 2010 could be between US$10 and US$80 billion.
Resorts, Culture, and Music: The Cape Breton Tourism Cluster
Authors: Brown Keith G. , Geddes Ruthanne
Published: September 2010

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada saw rapid growth in heavy industry at the turn of the 20th century. The industries were in severe decline by the 1960s. To stabilize economic shrinkage as a result of job losses in coal and steel, the federal government, through two Crown corporations, developed strategies to create a fully stratified tourism cluster. The research examines the growth of the tourism cluster in Cape Breton, noting early investments in infrastructure, large-scale programmes to attract private investment, recognition of the role of cultural tourism and the development of a segmented marketing programme.
Cruising for Colones: Cruise Tourism Economics in Costa Rica
Authors: Seidl Andy , Guiliano Fiorella , Pratt Lawrence
Published: September 2010

This study provides an overview of cruise tourism economics in Costa Rica. We focus on cruise passenger demographics, preferences and purchase behaviour, and crew purchase behaviour juxtaposed against information from the broader Costa Rican tourism sector. Costa Rica's cruise tourists are motivated by similar features as are other tourists and tend to visit at the same time as the broader tourism industry peaks. They are older and less wealthy, and spend less time and money than the average tourist, raising some concerns as to whether cruise tourism in Costa Rica should be encouraged.
Lifestyle Entrepreneurs and Spheres of Inter-Firm Relations
Authors: Mottiar Ziene
Published: September 2010

A relatively small body of literature in tourism concentrates on the issues of small firms and entrepreneurs and ‘this area of inquiry is vastly under-researched’ (Thomas, 2004, p 1). A key piece of research (Rimmington et al, 1999) classifies entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, and one category that has received research attention has been that of lifestyle entrepreneurs. This article outlines the literature on lifestyle entrepreneurs and concludes that much of the focus to date has been on the individual entrepreneur. The paper investigates how lifestyle entrepreneurs interact with other entrepreneurs in the location where they operate, and their involvement in the local dynamics of the place. The area studied in this regard is Westport, Co Mayo, Ireland. Rather than focusing within the boundaries of the firm, the attention here is on the interaction between firms and within the location. The first section discusses the literature on lifestyle entrepreneurs and the nature of inter-firm relations; the second outlines the research objectives and the methodology; the third describes the location of the study; and the fourth outlines and analyses the findings of the research. In conclusion, the author considers what contribution this research makes to the literature and understanding of lifestyle entrepreneurs.
Tourism Partnerships and Small Firms
Authors: Thomas Rhodri
Published: September 2010

Partnerships have been a central feature of the tourism public policy landscape in advanced capitalist countries for some time. The intuitively appealing argument is that, by sharing expertise and decision making, commitment to the local tourism project is ensured. By participating in partnership working, small firms – which are almost universally characteristic of the sector – are said to contribute to the form and competitiveness of the tourism offer. Drawing on a variety of sources, this paper argues that in most cases such assertions are misplaced because ‘partnerships’ organized by the public sector are often predicated on an inadequate conceptualization of small firms in tourism, fail to appreciate the importance and complexity of informal economic relations, and usually ignore the particular power relations at play in local tourism policy formation and change.
The Challenge of Networking
Authors: Kokkonen Pellervo , Tuohino Anja
Published: September 2010

Small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) face the challenges of renewing business models to maintain competitiveness in the global economy. SMTE networking and product innovations are typical responses to these challenges. SMTE innovation processes and networking dynamics were analysed in the Saimaa Holiday network in the Savonlinna region of Finland. The Finnish Nationally Networked Centre of Expertise for Tourism (CET) networking model was used for the analysis. It was confirmed that innovation in SMTE networks was a synthetic process consisting of product, process and resource innovation. The network and its links to the university increased innovation potential and creativity in product innovation. Problem areas included business process development and ICT utilization.
A New Model of Entrepreneurship Education: Implications for Central and Eastern European Universities
Authors: Boyle Thomas J.
Published: September 2010

This paper explains a new model of entrepreneurship education at university level. The early development of potential entrepreneurs through education, experience and nurturing may be one of the most important initiatives that business and other academic schools can pursue, because the role of entrepreneurship in creating new businesses (as well as in innovating within existing companies) can have a profound effect on the national economy. The entrepreneurial ingredients of a university business education include, among other things, a culture of learning in the classroom that fosters entrepreneurial thinking; experience in new business start-ups; and exposure to entrepreneurs through entrepreneurial retreats that ignite the spirit of entrepreneurship. The attributes at the heart of entrepreneurship include creativity, persistence and innovation – attributes that need to be identified, nurtured and freely expressed in the classroom. In order to realize this goal, the professor must be both educator and mentor. A focus on innovation is the most salient feature of an entrepreneurial classroom, wherein the professor's role shifts from the mere delivery of information to the true facilitation of learning. The curriculum and individual courses must be well designed and implemented, and a balance between analytical and creative approaches to instruction must be carefully crafted to tap the inner resources of the mind for creative thought. By leading the efforts for change, universities in Central and Eastern Europe have a great opportunity to capitalize on the market economy. With the advances in innovation, new product development and new management thinking by companies in the global economy, business educators should create new entrepreneurship programmes that are capable of preparing and educating students for a new world. The proposed model includes entrepreneurial retreats for the development of entrepreneurial thinking, since this type of thinking often requires larger doses of educational medicine. Other parts of this integrated model include new curricula and individualized entrepreneurial prescriptions, apprenticeships and opportunity centres.
Small Farm Systems to Feed Hungry Asia
Authors: Devendra C.
Published: September 2010

Small farms are an integral part of Asian agriculture. They are characterized by the preponderance and emphasis on mixed crop–animals systems across a variety of agroecological zones. Mixed farming is the backbone of agriculture, many categories of which are models of diversification, efficiency and resilience in Asia. In global terms, small farms in Asia account for an estimated 87% of all farms of under two hectares of land. About 52% of these farms have <1 ha, with the smallest sizes (0.3–0.6 ha) being found in China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. There are three types of small farms: in irrigated areas, rainfed zones and plantation agriculture. The first category greatly benefited from policy support and massive resource inputs through the‘green revolution’, while the second was bypassed by it, but continues to produce the bulk of the ruminant meats and milk. The third type remains neglected. The rural poor are mainly small farmers and landless agricultural labourers; their characteristics are described in detail. Irrespective of their various definitions, the key descriptors are deprivation, subsistence, illiteracy, survival, and because of globalization, vulnerability. Data from various sources indicate some key features concerning Asian agriculture: about 83% of the agricultural area is rainfed; between 51% and 55% of the total population of cattle and goats is found here; and about 59–60% of poor livestock keepers are found on mixed farms. The development of small farms in rainfed environments is a priority for the future and affirmative action is imperative. The strategies for development include the promotion of animal production as the entry point for food production and total factor productivity; integrated use of natural resources; improved feeding and nutrition; interdisciplinary, participatory and holistic approaches to address system constraints; and strengthening access to information and delivery systems. Effective policies are urgently required to spur this initiative; these should include development policy for small farm systems; intensifying the role of animals in integrated systems; improved rural–urban marketing linkages, infrastructure and communications. The development pathways include needs-based intensification of animal production systems; improving diversification with the appropriate mix of animals that can be integrated with annual and perennial crops; ensuring access to improved technologies and markets; strengthening empowerment; promotion of cooperatives and agri-business; and sustained pro-poor initiatives to reduce poverty and hunger that are consistent with income growth, socioeconomic benefits, improved livelihoods and self-reliance.