bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
M‐learning: next generation hotel training system
Authors: Kim Jungsun (Sunny) , Kizildag Murat 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to explore whether there is a need for a mobile learning (M‐learning) system and what types of mobile applications will be appropriate for each department at a hotel. It focuses on addressing three key questions: how can a hotel utilize mobile devices for training purposes in each area? What kinds of features or functions would hotel employees like to see on the mobile device? Are there any differences in the M‐learning acceptance level of the participants based on their demographic factors or previous experience with mobile usage?Design/methodology/approachTen experts in the hospitality academia and industry participated in this qualitative research. This study used snowball sampling as a selection strategy.FindingsThis study found there are various ways to utilize mobile devices for hotel employee training in different departments. Housekeeping, room service, restaurant, and other customer‐service sectors were suggested as good areas to use mobile devices for training. Beyond this suggestion about proper departments for M‐learning, this study uncovered a number of interesting applications for each department.Research limitations/implicationsThis is an exploratory study conducted in a research area where a few scholarly works exist. Since this study uses a qualitative approach, future research should conduct an experimental study or a survey with hotel major students or hotel employees to obtain more generalizable results.Originality/valueAs the literature review reveals, very few studies have investigated the M‐learning adoption and even fewer studies have empirically tested an individual's perceptions that can explain the adoption of mobile devices for hotel employee training. This study develops a research framework and suggests appropriate determinants of M‐learning adoption for future studies.
Does ICT adoption enhance hotel performance?
Authors: Sirirak Sirawit , Islam Nazrul , Ba Khang Do 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of information and communication technology (ICT) adoption on hotel performance in Thailand.Design/methodology/approachThe elements for measuring the level of ICT adoption include: availability of ICT components, integration of ICT components, and intensity of ICT usage. Operational productivity and customer satisfaction were used for measuring hotel performance. To control for the influence of location and employee and management characteristics on hotel productivity, data were collected solely from three star hotels operating in the same location, Phuket, Thailand. Operational productivity was calculated by using data envelopment analysis. A five‐point Likert type scale was employed to measure customer satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis was utilized to assess the relationship between ICT adoption and hotel performance.FindingsThe findings indicate that ICT adoption has a significant positive relationship with hotel performance. However, ICT adoption influences operational productivity more than customer satisfaction within three star hotels. ICT availability and ICT integration have a significant positive relationship only with operational productivity, while the intensity of ICT usage has a significant, positive relationship with both operational productivity and customer satisfaction.Practical implicationsThe findings will benefit the hotel industry by providing critical information to management in deciding on the areas in which ICT should be adopted, such as room division or food and beverage division, as well as the specific technologies that would improve hotel performance. It also contributes valuable information to ICT marketing personnel.Originality/valueThis study fills a gap in terms of the requirement for more studies investigating the impact of ICT on hotel performance in general, and in developing countries in particular. This helps in understanding the topic from a developing country's perspective.
An exploratory study of the role of pervasive environments for promotion of tourism destinations
Authors: Pantano Eleonora , Servidio Rocco 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe aim of this research is to investigate how virtual reality, with emphasis on pervasive environments, might affect tourism choice of a destination, in order to exploit it as a marketing tool to promote tourism destination in a global perspective. In particular, the paper analyzes the case of Calabrian territory (Southern Italy), due to the high archaeological value, heritage of the ancient Magna Graecia culture (VIII cent. B.D.‐I cent. A.D.). Despite this heritage, Calabria has been not fully exploited its resources in a tourism perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology is based on a qualitative approach, focused on a questionnaire promoted along with tourists. In particular, the authors asked them to explore the pervasive environments which reproduce some Calabrian scenarios, and answer some specific questions related to the experience. The interviews have been processed with the MaxQDA software for the content analysis.FindingsTwo aspects of the results emerge from a theoretical standpoint: the role of pervasive environments for improving tourism contents communication; and the influence of pervasive environments on the tourists' destination choice. Furthermore, the use of pervasive environments is efficient especially for the territories with a high archaeological value.Originality/valueThe increasing competition among territories forces the tourism industry to develop new strategies for enhancing competitive advantages. This paper studies how pervasive environments might have an impact on the promotion of tourism destinations, which have not been yet fully appraised by the current literature.
Facebook as an edutainment medium to engage students in sustainability and tourism
Authors: Isacsson Annica , Gretzel Ulrike 
Published: March 2011

PurposeEmerging technologies offer an ever expanding variety of means to support and enrich learning environments. However, there is currently a lack of information on how to best implement new media in tourism and hospitality education. This paper aims to describe an example of an international, collaborative learning project that involves Facebook so that future practice regarding social media use in teaching can be informed.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a case study approach to describe in detail how Facebook was used to foster self‐directed learning about sustainable tourism.FindingsThe findings presented in the paper are based on the postings of the students in Facebook as well as student and faculty reflections on the success of the project. Overall, the project was a success and led to the construction of a useful, current and engaging knowledge base about sustainable tourism. Also, the students appreciated the more informal learning environment. However, there were clear barriers to collaboration that could not be overcome by using Facebook. In addition, not all students were equally engaged and some clearly lacked experience with the medium.Originality/valueThe paper documents the use of Facebook in support of a collaborative learning project to illustrate the potential of social media in creating engaging learning environments. It situates the case study in the theoretical discussion of the value of edutainment and the promise of social media to foster self‐directed and social learning. The findings provide theoretical implications for the conceptualization of social media use in education and practical implications for tourism and hospitality educators who would like to integrate social media in their teaching.
Power and hegemony within a community festival
Authors: Clarke Alan , Jepson Allan 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to develop an illustrative case study of power and hegemony involved in the creation of a local community festival, through the representations of local communities' cultures from various ethnic groups within the city of Derby.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on observational analysis of the steering group and the planning forum processes, this paper will deconstruct the discourses utilised, deployed and reinvented in the Derby Jubilee Festival. Power is revealed as a pervasive and constructive set of forces that are both enabling and disenfranchising.FindingsThe definitions of cultures used in the construction of the festival are demonstrated to have significant outcomes for the communities involved or to be excluded from the community festival. Further elaborates how the paper positions are constructed on the basis of different discourses of power.Originality/valueFew studies have developed an analysis of power and hegemony within festivals. The study shows how the values inscribed within exclusive definitions of “culture” can exclude participation from community festivals.
Event stakeholder management: developing sustainable rural event practices
Authors: Reid Sacha 
Published: March 2011

PurposeChanges to the economic and social fabric of rural communities in Australia have resulted in an outmigration of residents, shifting economies and disenfranchisement with rural life styles. As a result, events provide important social and recreational opportunities for residents. However, rural communities are constrained by limited resources, such as the number of individuals who are willing and able to participate in event organizations; therefore, it is essential for the sustainable organization of events that stakeholders are attracted and retained. This paper aims to apply a stakeholder theoretical approach to the organizing and planning of rural events to identify event stakeholders, monitor satisfaction and ensure stakeholder retention within rural events.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research design using a multiple case study approach examined event stakeholders in three rural communities of Southwest Queensland, Australia. In total, 54 in‐depth interviews were undertaken with event stakeholders and analyzed using an iterative thematic content analysis.FindingsThe findings reveal that rural‐event stakeholders fulfill multiple roles, differentiated by risk, and fraught with competing or conflicting agendas. The paper identifies strategies that event organizers utilize to manage relationships, and that facilitate stakeholder satisfaction and continued involvement.Originality/valueThere is limited understanding of event stakeholders, particularly in rural communities. Involving rural residents in organizing and planning events develops individual skills, knowledge and capacity. Rural communities benefit from an ability to deal with adverse conditions based on improvements in capacity of individuals and the community.
The role of social and intangible factors in cultural event planning in Catalonia
Authors: González Reverté Francesc , Miralbell Izard Oriol 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThis article aims to detail the scope of social capital (SC) in cultural events held in Catalonia and to analyze their tourism appeal. This study considers three elements of SC which play a role in event planning (motivation, internal network creation, and leadership) and analyzes their impact on the local tourism industry.Design/methodology/approachThe current work assesses the presence and importance of SC factors at 263 surveyed events. This information was crossed with tourism appeal and impact data obtained from the same survey, and the statistical significance of the differences between various SC factors was evaluated via a χ2 test.FindingsThis study's primary conclusion is that events with SC elements which strengthen their social cohesion, view and justify the event as a socializing fact, regardless of the scope of tourism at these functions. Additionally, research showed that the creation of relationship networks strengthened the community's internal cohesion, representativeness, and sense of identity. Finally, leadership elements which increase visibility and connect the event to external networks explain the current differences between events' tourism appeal and impact.Originality/valueThe study's major contribution lies in highlighting the role of SC as a factor which affects the social and tourism repercussions of Catalan events. Recommendations suggest the strategic importance of incorporating SC in managing and creating new products and tourism policies focused on cultural events.
Gatecrashing: an exploration of community attitudes and experiences
Authors: Earl Cameron , Patten Emma 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThis article aims to present the findings from a study designed to gain a general understanding of community attitudes and experiences associated with gatecrashing at outdoor music festivals (OMFs).Design/methodology/approachThis study was an exploratory, descriptive study with data collection involving a web based, survey tool and convenience and snowballing sampling methodologies. A total of 196 people from across Australia participated in the study.FindingsThe key findings were that 15.3 per cent of the respondents were supportive of others gatecrashing, 65.3 per cent were against others gatecrashing while the remaining study participants did not care either way (19.4 per cent). About 39 per cent of the respondents had considered gatecrashing an event however the majority of this group (86 per cent) did not go through with these intentions. The remainder of the respondents (61 per cent) had never personally considered gatecrashing an event. In total, 11 per cent of study participants reported having gatecrashed events and there was generally a level of planning associated with their gatecrashing experiences. The male respondents were more supportive and more likely to have considered gatecrashing an event than the female participants. Males also made up the majority of the study participants that had gatecrashed events.Research limitations/implicationsThe collection of data involved the use of convenience and snowballing sampling methodologies and voluntary participation. As these methods are non‐probability based and so generalisations from this sample group were not be discussed in terms of the wider population.Practical implicationsIt is expected that these findings will inform the work of event organisers and regulatory authorities involved in managing gatecrashing at these events.Social implicationsThis study provides supportive evidence to inform education campaigns designed to reduce the impacts of gatecrashing at outdoor music events.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the body of knowledge on gatecrashing behaviour within the context of OMFs.
Marketing event outcomes: from tactical to strategic
Authors: Crowther Phil 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe paper aims to introduce a framework within which to interpret and manage organisational events that have marketing significance. It also seeks to introduce associated concepts to further this area of study and practice.Design/methodology/approachThe paper introduces and appraises the marketing event landscape and goes on to examine the unique DNA of marketing events evaluating their specific relevance and role in the contemporary marketing environment. The final section of the paper explores a range of strategic event objectives as the starting point for event design, delivery, and evaluation. Couched between the author's previous and future (ongoing) empirical work in this area, this article provides much needed conceptual development.FindingsThe framework provides a structured approach through which practitioners and academics can interpret and realise the value of marketing events. The discussion demonstrates that there exists a wide and rich array of organisational events that have marketing utility, marketing events is therefore an inclusive term. Underpinning the framework, and associated discussion, is how the marketing events feed into a wider marketing strategy. The connection between event objectives and marketing strategy is therefore pivotal, and is a prevailing theme of the paper.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates how the inherent qualities of marketing events are very relevant given the contemporary marketing environment. Despite this, there is a lack of academic literature and events remain a poor relation to other forms of marketing communication. This detracts from them realising their potential as a relevant and high impact marketing delivery method. The models, concepts, and ideas in this paper are original, inspired by a range of fragmented literature relevant to the topic of marketing and events.
Strategic SWOT analysis of public, private and not‐for‐profit festival organisations
Authors: Carlsen Jack , Andersson Tommy D. 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThis analysis relates to the strategic orientation of public, private and not‐for‐profit festivals and the adoption of stakeholder, financial, marketing and management strategies that enable them to achieve their organisational objectives. The paper aims to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachIn order to test the effectiveness of this new strategic SWOT approach, data from the four‐country study of festivals were employed to investigate how a strategic approach can be adopted by festival managers in the public, private and not‐for‐profit sector. The strategic issues that confront all festivals, including, financial management and related issues of costs, revenue, sponsorship and support are the subject of analysis.FindingsThe findings indicate that among festival managers there are some interesting and significant differences between the three ownership types in terms of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Private and non‐profit festivals are comparatively more strategic in responding to financial opportunities, threats and weaknesses and public festivals are more dependent on a single stakeholder and source of revenue. Other significant differences exist in terms of stakeholder management and sponsorship strategies, which can be explained with reference to resource dependency theory.Research limitations/implicationsStrategic SWOT analysis can provide a more rigorous and structured approach to researching the multiple challenges that festival managers face and the strategies they adopt. This paper demonstrates that it has some utility in identifying strategies in response to financial, stakeholder and sponsorship imperatives.Practical implicationsStrategic SWOT analysis provides event and festival managers with a new tool for understanding the range of challenges and opportunities that they can address through adopting a more strategic response.Originality/valueThe field of festival and event management studies is largely devoid of any literature with reference to analysis of strategies that different festivals adopt in response to identified weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This paper provides new insights into the strategic management of public, private and not‐for‐profit festival organisations using an original approach and an extensive four‐country dataset.
Organizational change: in search of the golden mean
Authors: Dillard Jesse , Rogers Rodney , Yuthas Kristi 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider an archetypal illustration of change possibilities manifested in a corporation, Enron Corporation, operating within the context of global market capitalism.Design/methodology/approachThe approach taken is a theory guided case study.FindingsIt was found that the culture within Enron changed from one grounded in a regulatory ethos to one fully dedicated to unregulated, free marketeering, and illustrates both the best and worst of market capitalism. The character and trajectory of the change was a combination of both internal and external forces, and the ability to recognize and balance the inherent enabling and debilitating dimensions.Originality/valueIn this paper, the structuration theory analysis aids focus on the extant norms and values and in seeing how, though the actions of the participants, they construct, and are constructed by, the representation schemes and the power relationships. The analysis of Enron illustrates that change driven by the dominance of unregulated markets can limit the scope of actual, and perceived, ethical alternatives considered by the organizational actors. As such, the perceived options are restricted and any sense of individual or collective responsibility and accountability is dampened.
Managing performance at the top: a balanced scorecard for boards of directors
Authors: Northcott Deryl , Smith Janine 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to draw on the perspectives and experiences of New Zealand board members to propose a balanced scorecard (BSC) for use in measuring and managing the performance of boards.Design/methodology/approachThe views of 35 board members were elicited via semi‐structured interviews. The interview evidence was analysed using a multi‐step coding process to arrive at key themes on the functions, characteristics and outcomes of effective and ineffective boards. These themes were then used as a basis for proposing an appropriate structure and content for a BSC that reflects board members' perceptions of key factors driving board performance.FindingsNew Zealand board members see behavioural measures of board performance as generally more useful than operational and financial measures. Further, strong relationships and strategic clarity are seen as both drivers of good performance and key outcomes of effective boards. Consequently, the proposed BSC incorporates multi‐dimensional outcome (i.e. lagging) measures. It also recognises the importance of including subjective measures, rather than focusing on readily quantifiable measures that board members perceive as less informative.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper provides insight into the perspectives of practising board members and informs the literature on board effectiveness. The proposed BSC adds to the performance management literature in regard to evaluating and managing the performance of boards. However, further studies are now required to test its practical utility.Practical implicationsThe proposed BSC provides a potentially useful tool for evaluating the performance of boards of directors.Originality/valueFew studies of board effectiveness have accessed the views and experiences of practising board members as this study does. Also, little prior research exists on the potential for applying a BSC approach to measuring and managing board performance.