title: The role of values in destination decision-making: The Indian travel market

authors: Dassanayake, Dassanayake Mudiyanselage Chaminda

subjects: Destination decision-making

abstract: Destination decision-making has gained considerable attention in the field of tourism research because it relates directly to the destination selection behaviours of tourists, and thus to formulating and implementing effective marketing strategies. This research examines the destination decision-making process and applies a value-based approach to the globally influential travel market of Indian tourists. 
The motive for this research was to study Indian travellers as a potential market for Sri Lankan tourism. However, as the research evolved, following the initial qualitative research findings, the thesis developed and empirically tested a model for the influence of values on destination decision-making; thus, the study of Indian visitors to Sri Lanka became a secondary concern. 
The conceptual framework, informed by exploratory qualitative research and two phases of literature review, for the first time in the destination decision-making literature, integrates four different concepts and theories: destination decision-making, consumption value theory, destination image, and the consumers’ value hierarchy. 
More specifically, the introduction of a new variable labelled selective image, derived from destination image and consumption value theories, successfully synthesises several variables previously studied in destination selection research. Human values and travel motivations are included in the model as precursors of selective image. The model conceptualises human values, travel motivations, and selective image as a tourism value hierarchy with corresponding constructs to a consumers’ value hierarchy.
The research adopted an exploratory mixed method approach, using qualitative face-to-face interviews and quantitative online questionnaires. The qualitative study was directed by a preliminary conceptual framework, which described destination decision-making as a three-staged process, with each stage involving its own choice sets, until the final destination is selected. However, the qualitative findings highlighted limitations of the preliminary framework; so that, the conceptual framework was further developed through a second phase of literature review. This extended conceptual framework integrated destination image theory, consumption value theory, destination decision-making, and the concept of consumers’ value hierarchy. Human values, travel motivations, and travel constraints were identified as the main independent variables, whereas selective image was the main dependent variable of the conceptual framework, with selective image being a second-order variable to the consumer value dimensions: i.e., the functional, social, emotional, epistemic, and conditional.      
The qualitative data were analysed using thematic and content analysis. The quantitative data analysis used a range of techniques such as ANOVA, PLS path modelling, Leximancer maps, and descriptive statistics 
The outcomes of this research contribute to the field of tourism behavioural research through the introduction of a new variable ̶ selective image. This can be used to assess destination decision-making. The value hierarchy of human values-travel motivations-selective image provides a solid foundation upon which to integrate the value concept in destination decision-making. The conceptual model is relevant to, and can easily be applied by, destination marketers for market analysis and segmentation. Another key contribution of this research is its applicability in the context of tourism marketing

text: The role of values in destination decision-making: The Indian travel market Destination decision-making has gained considerable attention in the field of tourism research because it relates directly to the destination selection behaviours of tourists, and thus to formulating and implementing effective marketing strategies. This research examines the destination decision-making process and applies a value-based approach to the globally influential travel market of Indian tourists. 
The motive for this research was to study Indian travellers as a potential market for Sri Lankan tourism. However, as the research evolved, following the initial qualitative research findings, the thesis developed and empirically tested a model for the influence of values on destination decision-making; thus, the study of Indian visitors to Sri Lanka became a secondary concern. 
The conceptual framework, informed by exploratory qualitative research and two phases of literature review, for the first time in the destination decision-making literature, integrates four different concepts and theories: destination decision-making, consumption value theory, destination image, and the consumers’ value hierarchy. 
More specifically, the introduction of a new variable labelled selective image, derived from destination image and consumption value theories, successfully synthesises several variables previously studied in destination selection research. Human values and travel motivations are included in the model as precursors of selective image. The model conceptualises human values, travel motivations, and selective image as a tourism value hierarchy with corresponding constructs to a consumers’ value hierarchy.
The research adopted an exploratory mixed method approach, using qualitative face-to-face interviews and quantitative online questionnaires. The qualitative study was directed by a preliminary conceptual framework, which described destination decision-making as a three-staged process, with each stage involving its own choice sets, until the final destination is selected. However, the qualitative findings highlighted limitations of the preliminary framework; so that, the conceptual framework was further developed through a second phase of literature review. This extended conceptual framework integrated destination image theory, consumption value theory, destination decision-making, and the concept of consumers’ value hierarchy. Human values, travel motivations, and travel constraints were identified as the main independent variables, whereas selective image was the main dependent variable of the conceptual framework, with selective image being a second-order variable to the consumer value dimensions: i.e., the functional, social, emotional, epistemic, and conditional.      
The qualitative data were analysed using thematic and content analysis. The quantitative data analysis used a range of techniques such as ANOVA, PLS path modelling, Leximancer maps, and descriptive statistics 
The outcomes of this research contribute to the field of tourism behavioural research through the introduction of a new variable ̶ selective image. This can be used to assess destination decision-making. The value hierarchy of human values-travel motivations-selective image provides a solid foundation upon which to integrate the value concept in destination decision-making. The conceptual model is relevant to, and can easily be applied by, destination marketers for market analysis and segmentation. Another key contribution of this research is its applicability in the context of tourism marketing

year: 2017

title: Digital technologies as a panacea for social isolation and loneliness among older adults: An intervention model for flourishing and wellbeing

authors: Amundsen, Diana Leigh

abstract: This article explores whether digital communication technologies have applicability in reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Issues of social isolation and loneliness among older adults are important as they are identified risk factors for mortality, disability, cognitive ability, depression and poor wellbeing. This problem is more urgent due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has required older adults to physically and socially distance from family, friends, neighbours, communities and health services. In the context of the present Covid-19 pandemic, this article is of interest to educators, social workers, community service providers, health service practitioners, gerontological scholars involved in preparing older adult communities for present and future traumatic events resulting in socially isolating experiences. The literature identified that use of technology to promote social connection and enhance wellbeing for older adults can be an effective intervention, but more information is needed as to what aspects of such interventions make them effective. This research advocates for improvement in wellbeing and social connectedness of older adults through consideration of interventions through a model for flourishing and wellbeing. The research contributes to our growing understanding of how to change the way we think, feel and act towards older adults, ageing and flourishing.

text: Digital technologies as a panacea for social isolation and loneliness among older adults: An intervention model for flourishing and wellbeing This article explores whether digital communication technologies have applicability in reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Issues of social isolation and loneliness among older adults are important as they are identified risk factors for mortality, disability, cognitive ability, depression and poor wellbeing. This problem is more urgent due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has required older adults to physically and socially distance from family, friends, neighbours, communities and health services. In the context of the present Covid-19 pandemic, this article is of interest to educators, social workers, community service providers, health service practitioners, gerontological scholars involved in preparing older adult communities for present and future traumatic events resulting in socially isolating experiences. The literature identified that use of technology to promote social connection and enhance wellbeing for older adults can be an effective intervention, but more information is needed as to what aspects of such interventions make them effective. This research advocates for improvement in wellbeing and social connectedness of older adults through consideration of interventions through a model for flourishing and wellbeing. The research contributes to our growing understanding of how to change the way we think, feel and act towards older adults, ageing and flourishing.

year: 2021

title: Putting Sylvia in her place: Ashton-Warner as New Zealand educational theorist

authors: Middleton, Sue

subjects: Sylvia Ashton-Warner

abstract: Sylvia Ashton-Warner, a New Zealand teacher, won international acclaim in the 1950s-1950s with her novels, autobiographies, and accounts of her educational theory. Blurring genres between fiction and autobiography, much of her writing was centred on the ‘creative teaching scheme’ she developed in Maori Schools. At the heart of the scheme was the idea that literacy was best achieved when children captioned their experiences of fear and sex, the two great (Freudian) drives. In Sylvia’s infant room, these erupted to the surface by means of captions (a child’s ‘key vocabulary’). I introduce Lefebvre’s idea of ‘rhythm analysis’, applying it first to the teaching scheme, then to the ‘system’ in which Ashton-Warner taught. With reference to extracts from Ashton-Warner’s Creative Teaching Scheme and Myself, I connect the rhythms of her life with her ‘theory.’ I identify Sylvia’s own ‘key words’ (violence and war; ghosts; sex and the kiss) and their rhythmic engagements and collisions with educational ‘authorities.’

text: Putting Sylvia in her place: Ashton-Warner as New Zealand educational theorist Sylvia Ashton-Warner, a New Zealand teacher, won international acclaim in the 1950s-1950s with her novels, autobiographies, and accounts of her educational theory. Blurring genres between fiction and autobiography, much of her writing was centred on the ‘creative teaching scheme’ she developed in Maori Schools. At the heart of the scheme was the idea that literacy was best achieved when children captioned their experiences of fear and sex, the two great (Freudian) drives. In Sylvia’s infant room, these erupted to the surface by means of captions (a child’s ‘key vocabulary’). I introduce Lefebvre’s idea of ‘rhythm analysis’, applying it first to the teaching scheme, then to the ‘system’ in which Ashton-Warner taught. With reference to extracts from Ashton-Warner’s Creative Teaching Scheme and Myself, I connect the rhythms of her life with her ‘theory.’ I identify Sylvia’s own ‘key words’ (violence and war; ghosts; sex and the kiss) and their rhythmic engagements and collisions with educational ‘authorities.’

year: 2009