bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Workplace learning – a healthcare perspective
Authors: Cronin Camille 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore the complex relationship between the learner and the learning environment. As a method case study research was employed to examine the student's experience of the learning environment. Work experience is considered to be an essential course requirement for vocational programmes throughout the world. This paper exclusively describes the learning environment and presents a number of significant processes that the learner experiences, each one having an impact on the learning experience. This paper will be of interest to policy makers, academics and educators who face the challenge of trying to understand how students learn in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach
– Case study research was used to systematically investigate the learning environments and examine five students’ experience of learning in healthcare settings which included nurseries, nursing homes and hospitals while studying on a two-year health studies Further Education (FE) programme. Through critical incident interviews, observations and documentation data were collected and analysed.

Findings
– This study has identified the learning environment as a complex entity comprising of six significant processes: physical environment, interaction communication, self-awareness, tasks, feelings and learning. These processes illustrate the multidimensional nature of the learning environment, how dependent they are on each other and how they coexist within the learning environment.

Practical implications
– In studying this particular student group many similarities have been found with pre-registration nurses and other professional groups studying on undergraduate programmes in higher education who rely on the “workplace” for learning, particularly where the workplace may provide up to half the educational experience in a programme's curriculum.

Social implications
– This study only really provides a snapshot of a number of healthcare settings that exist in one geographical area, and coupled with the size of the sample itself further limits the study. However, what is inherent in qualitative research particularly in a case study design is the focus on in-depth contextual data.

Originality/value
– This paper is unique as it examines the learning experience of students on a health studies programme in FE. It describes and discusses their experience of workplace learning.
Innovation and skills: implications for the agri-food sector
Authors: Jack Claire , Anderson Duncan , Connolly Niamh 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– Despite the economic downturn, the Northern Ireland agri-food sector has remained resilient experiencing export growth, particularly in emerging economies. The sector recognises that to maintain its competitive advantage in both existing and new markets it will require a business strategy focused on product, service and process innovation. The purpose of this paper is to explore how firms within the sector consider how this will impact upon future skills and training needs and identifies where the industry considers the appropriate policy interventions are required.

Design/methodology/approach
– A survey was undertaken to explore how innovation and technology adoption within the agri-food and drinks sector is impacting on educational and skills requirements. In total, 30 companies were interviewed, providing representation from all the food and drinks sub-sectors and covering at least 50 per cent of employee numbers in each sub-sector. The survey focuses on current and future skills requirements for specific cohorts of employees in the sector; specifically those who have undertaken further full-time training beyond minimum school leaving age. In addition, it aimed to seek employer feedback on those entering the labour market for the first time.

Findings
– The results support the need for strong intermediate levels of educational attainment. In addition, the acquisition of work-related generic skills is essential for creating a more “flexible” and multi-skilled workforce. Up-skilling programmes, particularly for lower to mid-level management roles, will become increasingly important in the future. Experience gained through work placement and vacation and weekend work is viewed very positively. Companies expressed a greater need for engagement between the further and higher education sectors and industry in relation to the content, design and delivery of educational programmes to adequately meet the needs of the sector.

Originality/value
– At a time when government is looking to growth in the private sector to stimulate economic growth in the wider economy, this paper highlights the skills and training challenges which have emerged within the Northern Ireland agri-food sector, in response to business strategies which are more focused on product, service and process innovation.
Hotel managers' perceptions of the value of diversity training: an empirical investigation
Authors: Reynolds Dennis , Rahman Imran , Bradetich Stacey 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– Recent research identifies several attributes that lead to the value proposition of a diversity-training program: corporate engagement in diversity training; participants' perceptions of how such programs aid their peers; self-analysis of participants in training; and perceptions regarding the benefit of diversity training for subordinates. The aim of this paper is to test a corresponding four-antecedent model of the value of diversity training from the point of view of hotel managers.

Design/methodology/approach
– A survey instrument was devised and sent to a random sample of hotel properties that asked managers questions related to the value of diversity training. Multiple regression analysis and t-tests were used as methods of data analyses.

Findings
– Results from 242 responses returned by managers of 96 hotels indicated that managers perceive themselves and the corporate executives to significantly add value to the organization through diversity training. Furthermore, ethnic minority managers do not value diversity training significantly more highly than their non-minority counterparts do; similarly, little difference exists between genders on the four indicators of diversity-training efficacy.

Research limitations/implications
– This study examined only one aspect of diversity management – diversity training. Among other limitations are the small sample and low response rates, which made it difficult to compare ethnic groups to one another.

Practical implications
– Through this study, managers' perceptions about which groups of employees add value following diversity training are presented. The findings are likely to help hospitality corporations to implement diversity training more efficiently.

Originality/value
– This study indicates that hotel managers value diversity training and suggests the need for organizations to understand how to prioritize various organizational levels for such training.
Are traditional forecasting models suitable for hotels in Italian cities?
Authors: Ellero Andrea , Pellegrini Paola 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– The aim of this paper is to assess the performance of different widely-adopted models to forecast Italian hotel occupancy. In particular, the paper tests the different models for forecasting the demand in hotels located in urban areas, which typically experience both business and leisure demand, and whose demand is often affected by the presence of special events in the hotels themselves, or in their neighborhood.Design/methodology/approach– Several forecasting models that the literature reports as most suitable for hotel room occupancy data were selected. Historical data on occupancy in five Italian hotels were divided into a training set and a test set. The parameters of the models were trained and fine-tuned on the training data, obtaining one specific set for each of the five Italian hotels considered. For each hotel, each method, with corresponding best parameter choice, is used to forecast room occupancy in the test set.Findings– In the particular Italian market, models based on booking information outperform historical ones: pick-up models achieve the best results but forecasts are in any case rather poor.Research limitations/implications– The main conclusions of the analysis are that the pick-up models are the most promising ones. Nonetheless, none of the traditional forecasting models tested appears satisfactory in the Italian framework, although the data collected by the front offices can be rather rich.Originality/value– From a managerial point-of-view, the outcome of the study shows that traditional forecasting models can be considered only as a sort of “first aid” for revenue management decisions.
Employment characteristics and retention predictors among hourly employees in large US theme parks and attractions
Authors: Milman Ady , Dickson Duncan 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– The aim of this paper is to evaluate and analyze hourly line-level employees' characteristics and their perceptions of their employment experience in large US theme parks and attractions, as well as to explore predictors for their retention.Design/methodology/approach– The research instrument adopted a theoretical framework based on previous retention studies of hourly employees in various industries. Following a qualitative phase with theme park employees, the survey was tailored to the uniqueness of the industry. Since major theme park companies are protective of their employee database, a “snowball” sampling technique was adopted using a variety of Social Networking Sites (SNS). A total of 307 usable responses were attained.Findings– The results indicated that of the 27 employment characteristics studied, the most important were perceived to be advancement opportunities, humane approach to employees, and a fun and challenging job. Importance-Performance analysis revealed that the largest gaps were recorded in the areas of pay, advancement opportunities, and a humane approach to employees. The results also confirmed that hourly employees' retention was predicted by employees' level of satisfaction, better experience with pay, and better experience with employee development training classes. However, hourly employee retention was also predicted by the employees' negative experience with flexible working hours and performance reviews.Research limitations/implications– Data collection through Social Networking Sites (SNS) may not necessarily be as reliable a source for data collection as other methodologies, though some contemporary research justifies its reliability. Utilizing the “snowball” technique and the absence of random sampling may have slanted the responses. Although demographic data on the typical theme park employee is unavailable, the data was skewed towards younger employees who may not necessarily represent other age groups. Due to the US theme park industry's leading presence in Central Florida, the sample primarily represented hourly employees working for the Central Florida theme park industry.Practical implications– As the labor pool continues to decline, employers must adopt new creative strategies to keep their employees and attract new ones at the same time. This may be attained by developing and revising mission statements, values, and corporate visions that may be applicable to hourly employees: the largest labor segment in the theme park and attraction industry.Originality/value– While recent hospitality turnover research focused on its antecedents, this study explores the predictors of why employees stay. Previous retention studies have focused on hotels or restaurants and not on the unique group of theme park hourly employees that work in different settings and employment conditions. Knowing why people stay can help reduce turnover and thus lower the cost of staffing.
How do international tourists perceive hotel quality?
Authors: Taylan Dortyol Ibrahim , Varinli Inci , Kitapci Olgun 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– The aim of this paper is to identify tourists' perceptions of services provided by hotels in Antalya/Turkey and to explore hotel service quality dimensions. Specifically, the objectives are as follows: to identify the dimensions of hotel service quality, and to determine the relative impact of those dimensions on customer satisfaction levels, on customer value and on customers' intentions to recommend or revisit a hotel.

Design/methodology/approach
– The present study uses the framework which originally appeared in Juwaheer's study investigating international tourists' perceptions of hotels in Mauritius. In this framework ten hotel service quality dimensions were defined by factor analysis and then the most important dimensions for each component were determined using stepwise regression analysis.

Findings
– Of the ten hotel service quality dimensions, “tangibles” and “food quality and reliability” influence the customer satisfaction level the most. Customer value is explained by five dimensions which generate 37.8 percent of the variance. “Hotel employees and problem solving”, “transportation”, “food quality and reliability”, “climate and hygiene”, “level of price”, “tangibles”, “interaction with Turkish culture” and “friendly, courteous and helpful employees” are the main dimensions which affect whether a guest will recommend a hotel. “Tangibles”, “interaction with Turkish culture”, and “level of price” are seen as the most influential dimensions in terms of customers' intentions to revisit a hotel.

Research limitations/implications
– The basic limitation of the study is the unexplained variance, which is the result of the regression analysis. Therefore, future research should aim to determine the factors explaining that variance.

Practical implications
– In light of these findings, hotel managers in Antalya can better understand their guests' priorities and consequently, they can arrange their service encounter process accordingly to fulfill these priorities.

Originality/value
– This study presents potentially valuable information for hotel managers in Antalya with regards to understanding customer value and satisfaction, which are the key elements in terms of guests revisiting a hotel and recommending it to others. As providing an opportunity for a comparative study of service quality searches, this study contributes to the field.
Generation Y's dining information seeking and sharing behavior on social networking sites
Authors: Bilgihan Anil , Peng Cheng , Kandampully Jay 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– Since the advent of the internet, social networking sites (SNS) have grown rapidly in popularity. This paper aims to explore Generation Y's information seeking and sharing behavior with regard to information about SNS; it also investigates the impact of consumer characteristics and gender differences on information seeking and sharing behaviors, to help marketers and researchers gain better insight into Generation Y consumers and social media marketing.

Design/methodology/approach
– A self-administered survey was conducted among Generation Y college students. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and Mann-Whitney U-tests were employed to address the research questions.

Findings
– Generation Y'ers are heavy users of SNS. Consumer opinion leadership (COL) and consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence (CSII) affect Generation Y's dining information seeking and sharing behavior on SNS. No gender differences emerged.

Research limitations/implications
– This research extends COL and CSII, from general consumer behavior to dining-related behavior, and offers insights into the information seeking and sharing behavior of Generation Y. In practical terms, it raises marketers' awareness of Generation Y consumers and highlights the importance of social media marketing. A limitation of this study is the sample size and generalizability of the results.

Originality/value
– This study represents a first attempt to use COL and CSII to explain dining behavior and link these two consumer characteristics with social media marketing.
Knowledge influencers: leaders influencing knowledge creation and mobilization
Authors: Reid Steven 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of leaders on knowledge creation and mobilization.Design/methodology/approach– This mixed methods study included three high-performing districts based on provincial assessment results and socio-economic factors. Interviews and questionnaires were used to gather data from 53 participants including: 11 principals, 11 teacher leaders, 26 teachers, and five system leaders.Findings– The findings of the study emphasized the importance of leaders supporting knowledge creation and mobilization processes through practices such as engaging school-based knowledge influencers and fostering cultures of trust and risk taking. The author defined knowledge influencers as leaders, formal or informal, who have access to knowledge creating groups at the local and system level. These leaders influenced knowledge mobilization at different levels of the district.Research limitations/implications– A research limitation of this study was present based on the sole use of high-performing districts and schools. Participation was determined via comparisons of provincial assessment results (Ontario, Canada) and socio-economic status (SES) factors. Although causal effects are cautioned, districts and schools from various SES communities (high, medium, low) were chosen to support broad generalizations and associations.Practical implications– This study provided pragmatic considerations and recommendations for system and school leaders, those charged with increasing student achievement (e.g. use of knowledge influencers and an expanded array of data use while creating knowledge).Originality/value– A knowledge creation model was developed by the author based on a synthesis of the findings. The model and study will be of interest to those wishing to further implement or study the creation and mobilization of knowledge within organizations.
Development and validity of the Ethical Leadership Questionnaire
Authors: Langlois Lyse , Lapointe Claire , Valois Pierre , de Leeuw Astrid 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– This study had five objectives: explain the initial steps that led to the construction of the Ethical Leadership Questionnaire (ELQ); analyze the items and verify the ELQ reliability using item response theory (IRT); examine its factorial structure with a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and an exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) approach; test the item bias of the ELQ; assess the relation between the ELQ dimensions and ethical sensitivity. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– Study 1 and Study 2 involved 200 and 668 respondents, respectively. Step 1 consisted in IRT; Step 2 in CFA and ESEM analysis; Step 3 in invariance of the ELQ items across gender, and Step 4 in structural equation modeling.Findings– Results indicated the presence of the three types of ethic in the resolution of moral dilemmas, validating Starratt's model. The factor structure was gender invariant. Ethic of critique was significantly related to ethical sensitivity.Research limitations/implications– More replications will be needed to fully support the ELQ's validity. Given that the instrument may be used in diverse cultural contexts, invariance across cultures would be warranted.Practical implications– As educational organizations become aware of the crucial need for more ethical leaders, they will need to pay particular attention to the ethic of critique as it appears to play a significant role in the development of ethical sensitivity.Social implications– Results presented in this paper answer a vital need for more ethical skills in educational leadership.Originality/value– The ELQ provides a validated measure of Starratt's conceptual framework and highlights the key role played by ethical sensitivity and the ethic of critique.
Liquidity and real estate asset pricing: a pan-European study
Authors: Scholz Alexander , Lang Stephan , Schaefers Wolfgang 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– Understanding the pricing of real estate equities is a central objective of real estate research. This paper aims to investigate the impact of liquidity on European real estate equity returns, after accounting for well-documented systematic risk factors.Design/methodology/approach– Based on risk factors derived from general equity data, the authors extend the Fama-French time-series regression approach by a liquidity factor, using a pan-European sample of 272 real estate equities.Findings– The empirical results indicate that liquidity is a significant pricing factor in real estate stock returns, even after controlling for market, size and book-to-market factors. In addition, the authors detect that real estate stock returns load predominantly positively on the liquidity risk factor, suggesting that real estate equities tend to behave like illiquid common equities. These findings are underpinned by a series of robustness checks. Running a comparative analysis with alternative factor models, the authors further demonstrate that the liquidity-augmented asset-pricing model is most appropriate for explaining European real estate stock returns.Research limitations/implications– The inclusion of sentiment and downside risk factors could provide further insights into real estate asset pricing in European capital markets.Originality/value– This is the first study to examine the role of liquidity as a systematic risk factor in a pan-European setting.
Measuring European property investment performance: comparing different approaches
Authors: Devaney Steven 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– Price indices for commercial real estate markets are difficult to construct because assets are heterogeneous, they are spatially dispersed and they are infrequently traded. Appraisal-based indices are one response to these problems, but may understate volatility or fail to capture turning points in a timely manner. This paper estimates “transaction linked indices” for major European markets to see whether these offer a different perspective on market performance. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– The assessed value method is used to construct the indices. This has been recently applied to commercial real estate datasets in the USA and UK. The underlying data comprise appraisals and sale prices for assets monitored by Investment Property Databank (IPD). The indices are compared to appraisal-based series for the countries concerned for Q4 2001 to Q4 2012.Findings– Transaction linked indices show stronger growth and sharper declines over the course of the cycle, but they do not notably lead their appraisal-based counterparts. They are typically two to four times more volatile.Research limitations/implications– Only country-level indicators can be constructed in many cases owing to low trading volumes in the period studied, and this same issue prevented sample selection bias from being analysed in depth.Originality/value– Discussion of the utility of transaction-based price indicators is extended to European commercial real estate markets. The indicators offer alternative estimates of real estate market volatility that may be useful in asset allocation and risk modelling, including in a regulatory context.