Environmental pressures and eco-innovation in manufacturing SMEs: the mediating effect of environmental capabilities

Purpose: Although environmental pressures have been covered in great detail in prior literature as the drivers of eco-innovation, there remains inconsistency in the empirical results concerning the effects of these pressures on eco-innovation behaviour. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the impact of environmental pressures, namely, regulatory pressure, green demand and competitive pressure, on eco-innovation among manufacturing SMEs. Moreover, it examined the mediating role of environmental capabilities on the environmental pressure–eco-innovation relationship. Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative data were collected using an online self-reported questionnaire survey to test the hypothesised model. A total of 183 valid questionnaires were collected from managers and owners of manufacturing SMEs in Egypt. Findings: The results of the data analysis using the Smart-PLS software package revealed that among environmental pressures, only green demand had a direct effect on eco-innovation. In addition, environmental capabilities only mediated the effect of competitive pressure on eco-innovation. Originality/value: This study has been one of the few addressing the issue of how the drivers of eco-innovation interact. It has also provided the managers and owners of SMEs and policymakers with practical implications

Institutional pressure and eco-innovation: The mediating role of green absorptive capacity and strategically environmental orientation among manufacturing SMEs in Egypt

With the growing concern about climate change, businesses have been under increasing pressure from regulatory agencies and customers to implement proactive environmental practices such as eco-innovation. While environmental pressures have been extensively discussed in the literature as drivers of eco-innovation, empirical evidence on the influence of these pressures on eco-innovation behaviour remains inconsistent. Therefore, the current study essentially aims to investigate the direct effect of institutional pressures, namely, regulation, eco-friendly product demand, and competitive pressure on eco-innovation, coupled with the indirect effect of these pressures by mediating internal drivers of eco-innovation including green absorptive capacity and strategically environmental orientation among manufacturing SMEs in Egypt. Based on a sample of 176 managers and owners of these enterprises, a cross-sectional survey is conducted to collect data related to research constructs. The results of data analysis using Smart-PLS show that all external pressures are not directly associated with eco-innovation. Of the six indirect hypothesized effects, only four indirect effects are supported. The results illustrate that green absorptive capacity mediates the relationship between institutional pressure (eco-friendly product demand and competitive pressure) and eco-innovation. The results also show that strategically environmental orientation mediates the relationship between institutional pressure (regulation and competitive pressure) and eco-innovation. This study provides an in-depth understanding of firms’ responses to institutional pressures as well as the notable implications for SMEs managers, policymakers and future researchers

Analysis of the impact of length of stay on the quality of service experience, satisfaction and loyalty

Although length of stay is a relevant variable in destination management, little research has been produced connecting it with tourists' post-consumption behaviour. This research compares the post-consumption behaviour of same-day visitors with overnight tourists in a sample of 398 domestic vacationers at two Mediterranean heritage-and-beach destinations. Although economic research on length of stay posits that there are destination benefits in longer stays, same-day visitors score higher in most of the post-consumption variables under study. Significant differences arise in hedonic aspects of the tourist experience and destination loyalty. Thus, we propose that length of stay can be used as a segmentation variable. Furthermore, destination management organisations need to consider length of stay when designing tourism policies. The tourist product and communication strategies might be adapted to different vacation durations

The impact of destination attributes on Muslim tourist's choice

The success of marketing destinations for Muslim tourists could be guided by observing Islamic teachings in tourism activities. This study is a trial to explore which Islamic attributes of destinations could be used a base for tailoring Halal tourist packages. Qualitative data were collected by conducting two focus group discussions and fifty three interviews in Malaysia. Two major aspects are identified which may attract Muslim tourists. Some suggestions are also presented to satisfy Muslim tourists

The mediating role of tourist satisfaction: a study of Muslim tourists in Malaysia

This study attempts to empirically test the mediating effect of overall tourist satisfaction between travel motivations (push and pull) and destination loyalty. The tourism motivations were found significantly and positively related to tourist satisfaction. The results also supported that the tourist satisfaction positively associated with destination loyalty. The results indentified that the most important push motivations for Muslim tourists include achievement, exciting and adventure, family togetherness, knowledge/education, and escape. The most important pull motivations for Muslim tourists include natural scenery, wide space and activities, cleanness and shopping, and modern atmosphere

Islamic attributes of destination: construct development, measurement validation, and their impact on tourist satisfaction

The objectives of the paper are to first develop a measurement scale for Islamic attributes of destination and then to investigate the influence of Islamic attributes on overall tourist satisfaction. This study followed the sequence of steps that should be performed in developing measures of constructs. The measurement was tested and found to be both reliable and valid. The study found positive relationship between Islamic attributes of destination and overall tourist satisfaction. Important marketing implications are also presented

Toward a halal tourism market

This article begins by explaining the concept of Islamic Shariah. It explains the sources of Shariah as well as its higher objectives. The article focuses on the implications of observance of Shariah in the tourism and hospitality industries. Following this is a description of the recent phenomena of “Halal tourism" and “Islamic Hospitality” illustrated through selected examples from Muslim countries in Asia and the Middle East. The development of "Islamically oriented” standards is also discussed giving rise to new concepts such as “Shariah-compliant,” which refers to Islamic consideration of being alcohol free, gambling free, and the availability of “Halal” food. Lastly, the article discusses future trends and challenges related to Halal tourism

Effects of personality traits (big five) on expatriates adjustment and job performance

Purpose - Researchers have been focusing on the predictors of expatriates adjustment and job performance at different levels (individual level, organizational level, and societal level) but still some of the predictors have been ignored or unclear in the expatriate literature. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of personality traits (big five) on expatriates adjustment and job performance. Design/methodology/approach - In this regards, data were collected from 201 expatriates working in Malaysia and analyzed by using structural equation modelling with Amos 16. Findings - The findings of this study indicated that personality traits (big five) which include extroversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism positively influence expatriate adjustment which further influence expatriate performance rated by peers. In other words, expatriates adjustment (work, interaction, and general) mediate the relationship between big five personality traits (extroversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism) and expatriates job performance (task, relationship building, and overall performance). Research limitations/ implications - The findings of this study will help the researchers to further understand the importance of personality traits required for successful completion of international assignment. Furthermore, the findings also suggest human resource professionals to consider these personality traits before selecting an individual for international assignment. Finally, future research directions have been proposed. Originality/value - Literature on expatriate adjustment and job performance is still at developing stage. This paper shed light on the individual characteristics which work as predictors for expatriates adjustment and job performance

Linking internal environmental capabilities to sustainable competitive advantage in manufacturing SMEs: The mediating role of eco-innovation

With the world's growing emphasis on environmental issues and the increased pressure on small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) to address such issues, sustaining competitiveness has become a critical concern for SMEs. Their organisational resources and capabilities must be configurated to align with environmental requirements to sustain their competitiveness. While mounting research has highlighted the importance of environmental capabilities in facilitating proactive environmental practices, it remains unclear how these capabilities can improve manufacturing SMEs' sustainable competitive advantage (SCA). This study, therefore, has investigated how; green absorptive capacity, organisational capabilities and strategic environmental orientation have affected firms' SCA, along with exploring the mediating effect of eco-innovation in such relationships. Using a sample of 176 manufacturing SMEs in Egypt, a cross-sectional survey approach was adopted to collect data on the research variables. The data were analysed using the Smart-PLS software application, and the results demonstrated the significant roles of; green absorptive capacity and strategic environmental orientation in facilitating eco-innovation, which in turn have helped SMEs sustain their competitive advantage. On the other hand, organisational capabilities did not appear to directly or indirectly affect firms' SCA. Hence, this study may pique the interest of SME managers as it has emphasised the importance of strategic environmental orientation and green absorptive capacity in fostering eco-innovation and sustaining competitive advantage