bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extension: Object of Reform, Engine for Innovation
Authors: Rivera William M. , Sulaiman V. Rasheed
Published: September 2010

Extension activities are being pulled in many directions, and are being called on to respond more effectively to the needs of farmers to produce and to forge links with markets. In the USA, for example, State Cooperative Extension Services have a variety of purposes in urban areas and operate in cooperation with other government agencies. Thus extension services, while concentrating on production agriculture, especially via privatized and private extension-type service companies, are simultaneously broadening out to include new purposes and a new clientele. While extension's role is straightforward in contract farming and other commercial ventures, such is not necessarily the case with public sector extension. Its structure, organization and operating system may differ from country to country, even from region to region. Nonetheless, whether in the private or public sector, a major concern for extension is to operate in the context of agricultural innovation systems (AIS) so that new knowledge is applied and used. A key objective in reforming extension, as argued in this paper, is to make it a better instrument, or engine, for the promotion of innovation, the dissemination of knowledge and the facilitation of development.
Leadership in University-Based Cooperative Research Centres
Authors: Craig S. Bartholomew , Hess Clara E. , McGinnis Jennifer Lindberg , Gray Denis O.
Published: September 2010

In spite of the importance often attached to the role played by leadership in university-based cooperative research centres, we know very little about what ‘leadership’ means in this specific context. The research reported here used a qualitative approach to identify fifteen dimensions of leadership performance for directors of university-based cooperative research centres, which might serve as the basis of a future quantitative leadership performance measure. Nineteen university faculty members working in research centres were interviewed, and their responses were content-analysed to identify both facilitators and inhibitors of centre directors' performance. Facilitative performance dimensions included: technical expertise, ambition/work ethic, broad thinking, embracing ambiguity, balancing competing stakeholders, leveraging social capital, obtaining resources, navigating bureaucracy, granting autonomy, interpersonal skill, team building and task adaptability. Inhibiting performance dimensions included: abrasiveness, disorganization and conflict avoidance. The results are discussed in terms of the commonalities and particularities they reveal about cooperative centre leadership relative to leadership performance in other settings.
The Role of Higher Education and Industry in Supporting Career Goals and Decision Making
Authors: Jordaan Yolanda
Published: September 2010

Both higher education institutions and employers need to evaluate the factors that influence students' career goals and career-related decisions because of their importance to and impact on career management and decision making. The objective of this study is to identify the importance of career goals and factors influencing students' career decision making in South Africa. A non-probability sample was selected, with 488 completed responses. The findings indicate that there are significant differences between gender and ethnic groups in terms of the importance of career goals and career influencing factors. The results suggest that high-quality education is needed in conjunction with industry involvement through proper job training and/or internships.
The Individual Inventor and the Implications for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Authors: Thomas Brychan , Gornall Lynne , Packham Gary , Miller Christopher
Published: September 2010

This paper investigates, through quantitative and qualitative analysis, inventive activity in the modern technological setting of Wales in the 21st century. The paper reports on the barriers, motivations and drivers to inventors becoming entrepreneurs in exploiting their ideas and taking them to market, and indicates the outcomes of a pilot phase of the Wales Inventors' Questionnaire (WIQ). The paper concludes by considering some of the barriers, motivations and drivers faced by the inventors – both those suggested by inventors themselves and those reported in the academic literature – and possible ways of overcoming difficulties. From the findings, it is proposed that there is more to the inventive process than the barriers, motivations and drivers observed and that personal characteristics may inhibit or inspire the individual inventor.
Research Note: The Convergence Hypothesis for Tourism Markets: Evidence from Singapore
Authors: Lee Chew Ging
Published: September 2010

This research note takes a brief empirical look at the convergence hypothesis in terms of long-run convergence and convergence as catching up, using data from Singapore over two periods. The findings suggest that in the recent period, international visitor arrivals in Singapore from either Africa or Europe are catching up with those from Asia. The international visitor arrivals in Singapore from either the Americas or Oceania are converging with those from Asia. The international visitor arrivals in Singapore from Europe are diverging from those of Asia in the earlier period.
Tourism in Galicia: Domestic and Foreign Demand
Authors: Garín-Muñoz Teresa
Published: September 2010

This paper analyses the main determinants of the demand for tourism in Galicia and quantifies their incidence. The author elaborates two models depending on the origin (domestic or foreign) of the tourists. For domestic demand, a panel of annual data on the 17 regions of origin of tourists during 1999–2006 is used. For international demand, another annual panel is used, comprising data on 24 countries of origin of tourists for the same period. The estimated elasticities suggest that both domestic and foreign tourism in Galicia are very sensitive to income in the origin markets and to prices. Other findings are the dependence of domestic tourism on its own past and the sensitivity of tourism to the celebration of the Holy Year. The results may be of use to professionals and policymakers in their decision-making processes.
Effect of Seasonality Treatment on the Forecasting Performance of Tourism Demand Models
Authors: Shen Shujie , Li Gang , Song Haiyan
Published: September 2010

This study provides a comprehensive comparison of the performance of the commonly used econometric and time-series models in forecasting seasonal tourism demand. The empirical study is carried out based on the demand for outbound leisure tourism by UK residents to seven destination countries: Australia, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and the USA. In the modelling exercise, the seasonality of the data is treated using the deterministic seasonal dummies, seasonal unit root test techniques and the unobservable component method. The empirical results suggest that no single forecasting technique is superior to the others in all situations. As far as overall forecast accuracy is concerned, the Johansen maximum likelihood error correction model outperforms the other models. The time-series models also show superior performance in dealing with seasonality. However, the time-varying parameter model performs relatively poorly in forecasting seasonal tourism demand. This empirical evidence suggests that the methods of seasonality treatment affect the forecasting performance of the models and that the pre-test for seasonal unit roots is necessary and can improve forecast accuracy.
Customer Satisfaction with and Loyalty towards Online Travel Products: A Transaction Cost Economics Perspective
Authors: Kim Yeong Gug , Li Gang
Published: September 2010

This study examines the usefulness of the theory of transaction cost economics (TCE) for the online travel market and investigates customer satisfaction and loyalty with the transaction cost over the Internet taken into account. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), the authors identify the relationships among the antecedents (uncertainty, personal security and buying frequency), the mediating variable (transaction costs) and endogenous constructs (customer satisfaction and loyalty). The findings suggest that the satisfaction and loyalty of customers purchasing travel products over the Internet are affected negatively by transaction costs, which are determined by uncertainty, personal security and buying frequency. Moreover, a significantly negative relationship is identified between buying frequency and customer satisfaction.
An Econometric Analysis of the Effects of Tourism Growth on Municipal Revenues and Expenditures
Authors: Tyrrell Timothy J. , Johnston Robert J.
Published: September 2010

The major source of change in the tourism industry of New London County, Connecticut, over the past one and a half decades has been the dramatic influx of visitors to the county's two American Indian casinos: Foxwoods, opened in 1992, and Mohegan Sun, opened in 1996. This study seeks reasonable estimates of municipal-level revenues and expenditures related to tourism growth during 1993–2002, for each of the 21 municipalities in the county. The authors conduct an econometric analysis to separate three factors with different spatial impacts on revenues and expenditures: those due to the residential locations of new tourism employees, those due to the business location of new tourism enterprises and those due to the pattern of increased traffic caused by new visitor travel.
Impacts of Climate Change on Domestic Tourism in the UK: A Panel Data Estimation
Authors: Taylor Tim , Ortiz Ramon Arigoni
Published: September 2010

Climate change is likely to have a significant impact on a number of key economic sectors, including tourism. The authors employ panel data techniques on regional tourist and climatic data in the UK to estimate the influence of temperature, precipitation and sunny conditions on domestic tourism. Significant impacts are found, including lagged relationships. The model is then used to estimate the impact of the hot weather of summer 2003 on domestic tourism in the UK, finding a positive impact on revenues ranging between £14.79 million and £30.32 million.
Research Note: The Impact of Korean TV Dramas on Taiwanese Tourism Demand for Korea
Authors: Kim Hyun Jeong , Chen Ming-Hsiang , Su Hung-Jen
Published: September 2010

This study examines the effects of popular Korean TV dramas on Taiwanese outbound travel to Korea between 1997 and the end of 2005. The popularity of Korean TV dramas began with the drama Fireworks, first shown in Taiwan from July to September 2000. Based on that information, the data were divided into two subsamples: January 1997 to September 2000 and October 2000 to December 2005. The Chow tests revealed a significant structural change in the total number of Taiwanese visitors to Korea between the two sample periods. Additional analyses indicated that a significant structural change was attributable mainly to the increase in pleasure travel, further demonstrating the strong effects of Korean TV series in Taiwan. Empirical results support the concept of film-induced tourism.
The Economic Contributions of Human-Powered Outdoor Recreation to the US Economy
Authors: Southwick Rob , Bergstrom John , Wall Clint
Published: September 2010

This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of the economic contributions of the major forms of human-powered outdoor recreation, including trail-based recreation, bicycle-based recreation, paddle-based recreation, snow-based recreation and camp-based recreation. The results show that the combined economic contributions of human-powered recreation to the US economy exceed US$590 billion annually in total gross output, supporting over five million jobs. Other studies estimate that wildlife-based recreation contributes another US$140 billion annually in total gross output to the US economy, making a total contribution of US$730 billion from both human-powered and wildlife-based recreation. Active outdoor recreation not only strengthens the US economy but also improves the quality of life for participants.
Research Note: The SARS Epidemic and International Visitor Arrivals to Cambodia: Is the Impact Permanent or Transitory?
Authors: Tang Tuck Cheong , Wong Koi Nyen
Published: September 2010

This study contributes to the existing literature by examining whether the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) health scares had a permanent or transitory effect on tourist arrivals in a transition economy – Cambodia. The findings, which are based on unit root tests with an unknown level shift proposed by Lanne et al (2002) and Saikkonen and Lütkepohl (2002), show that visitor arrivals from Cambodia's major source markets are stationary. This implies that the SARS crisis had a transitory effect on Cambodia.
Achieving Strategic Intent through Corporate Venturing
Authors: Tunstall Richard , Jordain Clair , Pittaway Luke , Thomas Brychan
Published: September 2010

This principally conceptual paper explores how, in conjunction with its market orientation, a firm's internal and external strategic relationships may be used in implementing corporate venturing to achieve its strategic intent. Conceptually, the paper begins by exploring work on strategic corporate venturing. Building on this analysis, a dichotomy between internally sustained and externally partnered strategic relationships is discussed, as is the role of market orientation. From this discussion, a conceptual framework is developed and applied to an examination of three longitudinal case studies of multinational organizations. In light of these cases, the paper explores how strategic relationships may be used in corporate ventures to counter adverse market forces or to exploit market opportunities. The paper concludes by showing how organizational strategic intent, realized through market orientation and strategic relationships, may develop dynamically in response to external and internal influences.
Between Scientific Playground and Industrial Workbench
Authors: Kaffka Gabi
Published: September 2010

The focus of this article is on the impact of cultural influences in academic knowledge transfer (KT). This aspect of the KT process was studied at Dutch and German technical universities. The analysis shows that professional values and identities play an important role in academic KT. Administrators in university KT offices were found to be influenced by values such as efficiency and profitability, like their counterparts in the private industry. At the same time, the KT personnel in both countries shared traditional academic values with the academic staff. With this ability to understand the interests of both the private sector and the academics, KT personnel at universities have taken on a bridging role in mediating between the non-profit interests of academia and the profit interest of external parties. It is argued that, due to the increasingly complex legal and administrative processes involved in transferring knowledge to external partners, KT managers are adapting to a functional niche in modern academic organizations by fulfilling this important ‘bridging role’.
Evolution of Italian Universities' Rules for Spin-offs: The Usefulness of Formal Regulations
Authors: Salvador Elisa
Published: September 2010

Spin-off firms may be seen as a key mechanism for the external transmission of knowledge developed at universities. The proliferation of academic spin-offs in recent years has led universities to develop specific rules for the regulation and management of the spin-off process. This paper draws on the Italian experience. More than fifty Italian universities issued spin-off regulations between 2001 and 2008. The author looks at the reasons why Italian universities have decided to issue these specific regulations to control the research spin-off phenomenon, assesses the similarities and differences between the regulations of various universities and examines whether and to what extent the regulations are useful.
Livestock Production among Urban Negev Bedouin
Authors: Degen A. Allan , El-Meccawi Shaher
Published: September 2010

Traditionally, Negev Bedouin were nomadic pastoralists who relied on their camels, sheep and goats for their livelihood. Today, about half of the 180,000 Negev Bedouin live in urban settlements and most men have entered the waged labour market; nonetheless, livestock are still very important in their traditions and lifestyle. In the urban settlement of Tel Sheva, 68% of the households raise animals. Women have become central actors in the production of urban livestock, handling poultry and much of the raising of sheep and goats. Why do Bedouin continue to raise livestock in the confined urban setting? Some Bedouin have large flocks and/or herds and livestock are their prime source of income. Another reason given by many other Bedouin is that keeping livestock allows them to maintain their traditional lifestyle. Furthermore, many women have to stay within the confines of the household to care for children and the home and livestock production is compatible with this arrangement. However, economic difficulties and high unemployment in the waged labour market may also provide some explanation. Incomes of urban Bedouin families are among the lowest in the country and unemployment is high. Retention of some livestock, which provides families with milk and other dairy products, as well as with meat and eggs, may be a rational choice as a supplement for those Bedouin who are financially stressed. Furthermore, this provides cash and acts as a hedge against the risk of unemployment and, if sheep, goat and camel production does become more profitable, owning some animals makes it easier to start such an enterprise.
Factors Affecting the Adoption of Zero Tillage Wheat in the Rice–Wheat Systems of India and Pakistan
Authors: Erenstein Olaf , Farooq Umar
Published: September 2010

Zero tillage planting of wheat after rice has been the main success in the quest for resource-conserving technologies that can save water, reduce production costs and improve production in the Indo–Gangetic Plains, the cereal bowl of South Asia. Binomial logit models are used to assess the structural factors associated with its adoption in the rice–wheat systems of India's Haryana state and Pakistan's Punjab province. Zero tillage adoption is closely associated with a more favourable resource base and rice–wheat specialization in both study areas. This calls for a closer consideration of equity implications in future research and development.
Microdeterminants of Poverty among the Farming Population in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Sanzidur
Published: September 2010

This paper examines the determinants of poverty among the farming population of Bangladesh by applying a probit model with heteroscedastic structure (hetprobit). The model diagnostic reveals that the choice of hetprobit instead of a standard probit is more appropriate in this case. Among the socioeconomic factors, land ownership, farm resource endowments and non-agricultural income significantly reduce the probability of becoming poor. On the other hand, the number of dependants and education of female members significantly increase the likelihood of becoming poor. Adoption of green revolution technology does not seem to have any significant influence on the likelihood of being poor. However, regional and village level factors have significant influence on poverty. The likelihood of poverty is significantly lower in regions with developed infrastructure and high soil fertility. Poverty is also significantly lower in Comilla and Jamalpur, implying that geographical location matters. Policies to promote land ownership and farm resource endowments, investment in rural infrastructure development and soil fertility improvement will significantly reduce poverty among the farming population of Bangladesh.
Breeding Indigenous Cattle Genetic Resources for Beef Production in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Rewe T.O. , Herold P. , Kahi A.K. , Zárate A. Valle
Published: September 2010

This paper reviews breeding technologies vital for breeding programme development in Sub-Saharan Africa while considering indigenous cattle genetic resources for beef production. The importance of beef cattle is highlighted, given the globally and regionally growing demand for meat and the fact that Sub-Saharan Africa is home to a large population of indigenous cattle – for which, however, few examples of successful breeding programmes exist. Examples are analysed, including the N'Dama pure breeding programme in western Africa, the Boran improvement programme in eastern Africa, Nguni cattle breeding in southern Africa and the Ankole cattle of Uganda. The characteristics of livestock production systems, livestock breeds and socio-political aspects of Sub-Saharan Africa have largely inhibited successful breeding technology transfer from developed countries. Technological adjustments and the increasing consideration of target group involvement in livestock breeding programmes may offer better possibilities for raising production by breeding in low-input and medium-input livestock production systems. Livestock keepers can be differentiated into breeder groups and commercial groups. Breeder groups are important targets for genetic improvement programmes via community-based genetic improvement organizations. Breeding programmes are suggested for Sub-Saharan Africa within the concept of regional genetic improvement programmes controlled by breed societies, government and national agricultural research systems.
Cognitive Maps in Early Entrepreneurship Stages
Authors: Santos Susana Correia , Curral Luís , Caetano António
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this research is to contribute to the explanation of cognitive maps during early entrepreneurship stages. Three groups were selected to represent different developmental states in early entrepreneurship. Individual interviews were conducted, the data were computer content analysed and cognitive maps were extracted. The results show that entrepreneurship experience develops the structure of cognitive maps, increasing clarity, richness and experience-based features. The originality of the research resides in the inclusion of entrepreneurial motivation in business opportunity recognition and the decision to launch a venture model. Through a cross-sectional design, a temporal perspective is captured by including different entrepreneurship stages.
An Empirical Integration of Goal Orientation and the Theory of Planned Behaviour
Authors: Keong Yeo Ooi , Hirst Giles
Published: September 2010

This paper investigates the efficacy of an integrated model, consisting of the theory of planned behaviour and goal orientation, in predicting innovation adoption behaviour. The model was used to predict innovation adoption behaviours using a sample of 80 egg farmers. The results showed that most of the hypothesized relationships within the theory of planned behaviour were supported. In particular, attitudes and subjective norms were significant predictors of intentions, which subsequently predicted innovation adoption behaviour. Furthermore, learning goal orientation was a significant positive predictor of intentions and innovation adoption, and this relationship was partially mediated by attitudes.
Variety-Seeking and Inertial Behaviour: The Disutility of Distance
Authors: Nicolau Juan L.
Published: September 2010

This study incorporates the theories of variety-seeking and inertial behaviour into the tourist decision-making process by observing the dependence of an individual's current destination choice on his or her previous choice. The literature suggests that attributes characterizing a buying alternative are crucial in understanding the individual consumption pattern. Accordingly, this study proposes that the effect of the attribute ‘distance’ is contingent on a tourist's variety-seeking or inertial behaviour at the moment of choosing a destination, in the sense that these behaviour types could increase or diminish the negative effect of distance. The empirical application is carried out in Spain, by applying mixed logit models. The results show that variety-seeking behaviour reduces the dissuasive effect of distance and that inertial behaviour increases it.
Tourism and Economic Growth: A Panel Data Analysis for Pacific Island Countries
Authors: Narayan Paresh Kumar , Narayan Seema , Prasad Arti , Prasad Biman Chand
Published: September 2010

The contribution of tourism to the economic growth of Pacific Island countries (PICs) has achieved significance in the past decade. The shift in the economic policies of the PICs from the late 1980s has been decisively away from import substitution and agriculture to urban-based manufacturing and services sectors. Tourism is the main component of the services sector in the PICs. The contribution of tourism to economic growth in Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea is expected to grow. The authors use panel data for the four PICs to test the long-run relationship between real GDP and real tourism exports. They find support for panel cointegration and the results suggest that a 1% increase in tourism exports increases GDP by 0.72% in the long run and by 0.24% in the short run.
Exchange Rate Regimes and Tourism
Authors: Santana-Gallego María , Ledesma-Rodríguez Francisco J. , Pérez-Rodríguez Jorge V.
Published: September 2010

The main objective of this paper is to analyse the effect of exchange rate arrangements on international tourism. The ambiguity in the literature about the effect of exchange rate volatility contrasts with the magnitude of the impact of a common currency on trade. The authors apply panel data techniques to analyse the relevance of a common currency to tourism, finding that it is a major factor in the determination of tourist arrivals. They also analyse the impact of several de facto exchange rate arrangements on tourism, finding that less flexible exchange rates promote tourism.
Forecasting British Tourist Arrivals in the Balearic Islands Using Meteorological Variables
Authors: Álvarez-Díaz Marcos , Rosselló-Nadal Jaume
Published: September 2010

This paper investigates the possibility of improving the predictive ability of a tourism demand model with meteorological explanatory variables. The authors use as a case study the monthly British tourism demand for the Balearic Islands (Spain). For this purpose, a transfer function model and causal artificial neural network are fitted. The results are compared with those obtained by non-causal methods: an ARIMA model and an autoregressive neural network. The results indicate that incorporating meteorological variables can increase predictive power, although the most accurate prediction is obtained using a non-causal model – specifically, an autoregressive neural network.
Disney's Return to Theme Park Dominance in Florida
Authors: Braun Bradley M. , Soskin Mark D.
Published: September 2010

This paper investigates the increasing evidence that Disney has restored its market share dominance and price leadership power in the Central Florida theme park market, while reasserting this region as the base for its global empire. Disney appears to have weathered deep-pocketed challenges from Universal Studios and Las Vegas Hotels successfully, as well as addressing concerns about its ageing brands, adverse demographic trends and post-9/11 international travel restrictions. After analysing attendance data series and updating ticket price patterns, the authors design a classical attendance demand model to investigate alternative explanations for Disney's surprising re-emergence. The model generates estimates of critical elasticities with rival theme park admission prices, gasoline prices, airfares, income and currency exchange rate fluctuations. These findings are pitted against conventional wisdom in explaining Disney's resurgence.
Heterogeneous Technical Efficiency of Hotels in Luanda, Angola
Authors: Barros Carlos Pestana , Dieke Peter U.C. , Santos Carlos M.
Published: September 2010

This paper uses a random frontier model to analyse technical efficiency in a data set of hotels in Luanda, the capital city of Angola, for 1990–2007. The hotels are ranked according to their technical efficiency, disentangling homogeneous and heterogeneous variables. This methodology attempts to account for observed and unobserved heterogeneity across hotels. The study rests on the premise that hotels in Luanda have an established role in the business market and emerging significance in the tourism market, broadly defined. Based on the analysis, the authors conclude that those hotels adopting a more strategic approach are better, and thus more efficient, than those that lack vision. They then point to the wider implications of the discussion.
An Econometric Analysis of the Aggregate Outbound Tourism Demand of Turkey
Authors: Halicioglu Ferda
Published: September 2010

This study empirically examines aggregate tourism outflows in the case of Turkey using the time-series data for 1970–2005. As far as this article is concerned, there is no previous empirical work dealing with tourist outflows from Turkey. The previous tourism studies of Turkey have focused, by and large, on inbound tourism demand analyses. However, as a developing country and an important tourism destination, Turkey has also been a significant source for generating a substantial number of tourists in recent years. Therefore, the tourist outflows also merit empirical analysis. Total tourist outflows from Turkey are related to real income and relative prices. The bounds testing to cointegration procedure proposed by Pesaran et al (2001) is employed to compute the short- and long-run elasticities of income and relative prices. An augmented form of Granger causality analysis is conducted among the variables of outbound tourist flows, income and relative prices to determine the direction of causality. In the long run, causality runs interactively through the error correction term from income and relative prices to outbound tourist flows. However, in the short run, causality runs only from income to outbound tourism flows. The aggregate tourism outflows equation is also checked for the parameter stability via the tests of cumulative sum (CUSUM) and cumulative sum of the squares (CUSUMSQ). The results suggest that income is the most significant variable in explaining total tourist outflows from Turkey and there is a stable outbound tourism demand function. The results also lead to important policy recommendations.
Tourism Demand Modelling and Forecasting: How Should Demand Be Measured?
Authors: Song Haiyan , Li Gang , Witt Stephen F. , Fei Baogang
Published: September 2010

Tourist arrivals and tourist expenditure, in both aggregate and per capita forms, are commonly used measures of tourism demand in empirical research. This study compares these two measures in the context of econometric modelling and the forecasting of tourism demand. The empirical study focuses on demand for Hong Kong tourism by residents of Australia, the UK and the USA. Using the general-to-specific modelling approach, key determinants of tourism demand are identified based on different demand measures. In addition, the forecasting accuracy of these demand measures is examined. It is found that tourist arrivals in Hong Kong are influenced mainly by tourists' income and ‘word-of-mouth’/habit persistence effects, while the tourism price in Hong Kong relative to that of the tourist origin country is the most important determinant of tourist expenditure in Hong Kong. Moreover, the aggregate tourism demand models outperform the per capita models, with aggregate expenditure models being the most accurate. The implications of these findings for tourism decision making are that the choice of demand measure for forecasting models should depend on whether the objective of the decision maker is to maximize tourist arrivals or expenditure (receipts), and also that the models should be specified in aggregate form.
Quantitative Assessment of Stakeholder Perceptions for Tourism Development
Authors: Ramanathan Ramakrishnan , Subramanian Geetha , Chaudhuri Dipak
Published: September 2010

Tourism development has both positive and negative impacts on an economy. Various studies have attempted to capture these impacts using sophisticated quantitative modelling tools such as input–output models or computable general equilibrium models. Other studies have been designed to understand the perceptions of stakeholders. These studies are essentially descriptive and have not applied modelling approaches to capture the perceptions systematically. In this paper, a relatively new modelling approach, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), is used to capture systematically the subjective perceptions of stakeholders about tourism development in the Jebel Akhdar region of the Sultanate of Oman. The results show that respondents generally prefer a huge increase in tourism activity in the region, although they also anticipate some negative impacts.
Exploring ‘Transnational’ University Cooperation in Knowledge Transfer
Authors: van der Heide Sjors , van der Sijde Peter , Terlouw Cees
Published: September 2010

The dissemination and transfer of knowledge are an important source of value-added in research activities, and the transfer of new knowledge to society is now seen as a key responsibility of universities. Transnational research cooperation is pivotal to European research funding and, with this in mind, the authors examine the state of cooperation among European universities in knowledge transfer activities. They identify the key modes of academic knowledge transfer as patenting and licensing; spin-offs and enterprise creation; university–industry networks; and continuous professional development. From their study it appears that, although universities wish to increase the extent of cooperation, structural cooperation in knowledge transfer does not seem to be the ambition of many universities. The study thus confirms that knowledge transfer in Europe remains largely a regional and national affair.
Fuzzy Classification for Farm Household Characterization
Authors: Salasya Beatrice , Stoorvogel Jetse
Published: September 2010

Most household classifications use hard classification procedures that limit a household to only one cluster. In this paper, fuzzy classification, in which individuals can belong totally, partially or not at all to a particular cluster, with membership showing how well they fit in each cluster, was tested as an alternative clustering procedure. The results show that membership values, which are an extra output of the fuzzy classification, are a useful indicator of how well a particular household fits in a given cluster. Such information is useful when choosing households to use for agricultural technology testing.
Beyond Agricultural Production: Forest Expansion and the Preservation of Open Landscapes in Marginal Areas
Authors: Bieling Claudia , Allgaier Michaela , Höchtl Franz
Published: September 2010

In marginal areas throughout Europe, forests are expanding at the expense of agricultural land. Various incentives in the respective regions try to foster agriculture mainly for its effects on scenery and nature conservation, with the aim of maintaining an open landscape. This article presents insights from a case study in south-west Germany, including an analysis of the current use of grassland and the circumstances, preferences and opinions of landowners in the region, in order to explore possible strategies for the promotion of open landscapes. The results highlight the need for an interdisciplinary approach, focusing on decision making by land users and its corresponding spatial effects.
The Turkana Camel Breed in North-Western Kenya: Lactation Characteristics
Authors: Njanja James. C. , Oba Gufu
Published: September 2010

This study investigated the lactation characteristics of the Turkana camel breed over a period of 60 weeks. First-parity dams yielded more milk than second- or multi-parity ones. Comparisons of milking regimes showed greater yields from (in descending order) early morning, early evening and late evening regimes. Late morning and late evening milking regimes showed no differences over lactation periods. Dams milked without calves yielded less milk than those milked with calves. Forage conditions and seasons were highly correlated with mean daily milk yields. The study provides a baseline for understanding the genetic potential of the Turkana camel breed.
Public Tourism Education and Training in Greece
Authors: Diplari Anna , Dimou Irini
Published: September 2010

The authors examine the Greek public tourism education and training system and its structure in order to identify whether there is a need for restructuring and development. To this end, they assess the relationship between the knowledge and skills provided and the requirements of the labour market and the needs of tourism enterprises with regard to specialized personnel. First, they outline the current situation in the Greek public tourism education and training system. They then describe a primary research project carried out (a) among graduates of tourism studies from all educational levels and (b) among tourism executives (directors and personnel managers). The data analysis suggests that the present level of tourism education in Greece is considered satisfactory. However, there is a perceived need for more practice-oriented elements in the curriculum and it is suggested that tourism education departments should restructure their curricula with a view to introducing more practical work, more educational visits to firms and industrial placements of longer duration. The tourism education system in general also needs to be better articulated, preferably with just one overseeing authority. Finally, collaboration between educational institutions and tourism-related bodies, both state-owned and private-sector, is to be encouraged as it will bring benefits to curriculum content and the matching of tourism qualifications with current industry needs.
Lifeplace Learning for Effective Professional Development in Industry and Business
Authors: Harris Margaret , Chisholm Colin , Allan Malcolm
Published: September 2010

The authors report the results of a European project, Lifelearn, and discuss how lifeplace learning (LPL) can be used to effect appropriate learning opportunities for all. The project tested the concept of valuing and accrediting learning from life experiences in higher education in Europe, and its conclusions suggest that LPL is valuable for both students and tutors. While the results indicate various successful elements, including high pass rates, increased student motivation, response to student needs and flexible assessment, issues such as national barriers, the understanding of LPL and academics' ingrained negative attitudes still need to be overcome. The authors also discuss the potential benefits of LPL in providing learning opportunities for future careers in industry or business or for personal and professional development. In this current environment of rapid change, competition and global economic downturn, industry and businesses require skilled workers, critical thinkers and innovative and entrepreneurial movers who can make a difference to an organization's development. The LPL concept can encourage such traits, the authors argue, by using past, current or future life experiences within discipline-based or stand-alone courses to enable independent learning and to encourage advanced life and business skills, which are then easily transferable as benefits to the business world.
Incorporating the Philosophical Dimension in Technology Education
Authors: Tsirigotis Georgios , Papadourakis George M. , Karasavoglou Anastasios , Hope Erica
Published: September 2010

Science and technology constitute very important parameters in social evolution. The unprecedented rapidity of their development since the last century, in combination with the absence of a philosophical approach and the presence in some cases of criminal usage, poses a danger for humanity and for the planet. In contrast to the classical integration of philosophical approaches in education, the modern educational and technological scientific community has not realized the handicap of one-dimensional educational development and the consequent need to introduce a philosophical dimension into technological study programmes in the interests of promoting self-control, a balanced perspective and the protection of our natural and social environments.
Cooperative Micro-Firm Strategies
Authors: Reinl Leana , Kelliher Felicity
Published: September 2010

Learning networks are highlighted in contemporary literature as a means of leveraging resources to create and sustain competitive advantage in micro-firms. Despite their importance in the context of micro-firm development, micro-firm learning, learning processes and networks have previously been neglected as an area of academic study, and there is limited evidence of successful cooperative strategies in this environment. The aim of the research discussed in this paper is to catalogue micro-firm learning criteria in a cooperative network environment and to propose a framework of cooperative learning for that milieu. Adopting an action research methodology, primary research was carried out on a Tourism Learning Network (TLN) initiative. Cooperative network activity and individual learning were observed and documented by the researchers over two years. Based on the research findings, the authors propose a framework of cooperative learning that offers insight into how network structures, support and interrelationships may facilitate learning process completion in the micro-firm environment.
High-Risk and Low-Risk Cooperative Exchanges and Perceived Benefits in Formal Business Networks
Authors: Besser Terry L. , Miller Nancy J.
Published: September 2010

In spite of the vast literature on the benefits of networks to business success, little is known about the impact of membership of traditional kinds of formal business networks. Using a relatively large sample of US industrial associations and community business networks, the authors examine the relationship between trust, two kinds of cooperative exchanges and perceived benefits from network membership. They test propositions from social capital and institutional theory regarding the role of structural and relational network features on trust levels. The findings reveal generally high levels of trust and moderate levels of low-risk cooperation, but low levels of high-risk cooperation and low reported benefits of membership. Support is provided for social capital theory. Network structural features are not related to trust, but may indirectly impact on it through relationships that are strongly associated with trust. This analysis suggests that networks may be advised to specialize in one or the other kind of cooperative exchange and obtain the corresponding benefits. Tailoring the types of cooperative exchange encouraged in a network to the benefits desired could make these traditional kinds of networks more useful as mechanisms for business success.
BrewDog: Business Growth for Punks!
Authors: Smith Robert , Moult Susan , Burge Phil , Turnbull Andrew
Published: September 2010

This case study tells an atypical entrepreneurship story about two men and a dog. It explores the rapid growth of the phenomenon that is BrewDog plc – a company situated in the remote north-east of Scotland. What makes this case special is that the business, set up in 2007 by two university graduates in their early twenties with limited experience of the brewing industry, is now trading as a plc. From the outset they deliberately chose a strategy that flew in the face of accepted orthodoxy in the brewing industry. To industry experts, it made little sense because the remote Aberdeenshire town of Fraserburgh, with its peripheral location, would surely be the last place any rational individual would seek to start a new brewery. The story of how James Watt and Martin Dickie did so is uplifting and inspirational.
A Microsimulation Model for E-Services in Cultural Heritage Tourism
Authors: van Leeuwen Eveline , Nijkamp Peter
Published: September 2010

Tourism is on a rising curve from both policy and research perspectives. This paper presents new research advances on individual tourist behaviour and motives, with particular reference to the role of e-services in cultural heritage tourism. An innovative tool adopted here is (spatial) microsimulation modelling (MSM). This method is used to offer a micro-based picture of the motives and behaviour of the total tourist and resident population concerned, including their preferences and personal characteristics. MSM is a novel but hitherto little used scientific tool in the behavioural analysis of cultural heritage tourism, mainly because of the lack of detailed and consistent (spatial) information on tourist flows and their characteristics at an urban scale. MSM is a powerful tool: one of its advantages is its ability to link existing databases and information, so as to provide new behavioural insights at the meso-level of research. To trace the motives, preferences and spatial behaviour of tourists empirically, advanced micro-based research techniques are needed. In this empirical application to tourist flows in the city of Amsterdam, the authors use factor analysis and ordered logit models as the foundation stones for the design of MSM. The empirical model is then applied to the use of e-services by tourists in Amsterdam who wish to enjoy the cultural heritage of the city.
International Arrivals in the Canary Islands: Persistence, Long Memory, Seasonality and other Implicit Dynamics
Authors: Gil-Alana Luis A.
Published: September 2010

This study models international monthly arrivals in the Canary Islands using different time-series approaches that enable an examination of the degree of persistence of the series. The author focuses on long memory processes at the long-run or zero frequency, at the seasonal frequencies and at both simultaneously. A forecasting experiment is also conducted and the results indicate that the model with two differencing parameters seems to be the most adequate specification for this series, being non-stationary with respect to the two components and mean reverting with respect to the seasonal structure.
Assessing Tourism Supply Quality Using Formative Indicators: Implications for Destination Management
Authors: Dmitrović Tanja , Žabkar Vesna
Published: September 2010

Perceived tourism supply quality influences a visitor's satisfaction with a particular destination as well as his or her post-visit behaviour. It is therefore an important source of a destination's competitive advantage. To identify those destination attributes that are the most influential in forming visitors' quality perceptions, the authors conceptualize tourism supply quality as a formative (as opposed to a reflective) construct. The conceptual model is validated empirically on three destination samples using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results show that relevant destination attributes are destination-specific, while the hypothesized relationships between destination attributes, overall destination quality, visitor satisfaction and behavioural intentions are largely supported. In addition, formative measurement models are found to have larger explanatory power than reflective measurement models.
Productivity Growth and Sources of Technological Change in Travel Agencies
Authors: Botti Laurent , Briec Walter , Peypoch Nicolas , Solonandrasana Bernardin
Published: September 2010

This paper proposes a procedure for analysing tourism productivity. The procedure is based on the Luenberger productivity indicator for estimating and decomposing productivity change into efficiency change and technological change. The authors expand the procedure and further decompose the process of technological change to study the sources of bias within it. Therefore, a clearer and more enlightening view emerges of the productivity of travel agencies. The Portuguese travel agency sector is used as an application. Some managerial implications are developed.