Environmental attitudes, motivation, and attachment: Toward a model of nature-based tourism

As research in the field of nature-based tourism (NBT) continues to expand, researchers are increasingly adapting constructs such as attitudes, motivation, and attachment to capture the unique behavior associated with the visitation of natural areas. Unfortunately, the relationships among these constructs are not well understood. In order to facilitate a better understanding of these constructs as they apply to NBT, our research proposes and empirically tests a theoretically-based model of NBT behavior whereby NBT motivation mediates the relationship between environmental attitudes and place attachment. Results of the analyses are presented followed by a discussion of important findings and implications

Glass Ceiling Or Saran Wrap™? Women In Gaming Management

This study explores women\u27s representation in gaming management in the 24 highest gross revenue gaming establishments in America. While almost 54% of foodservice and lodging employees are women, and approximately 44% of the managers in foodservice and lodging are women, one area of hospitality seems to be lagging-gaming. Our data indicated that women held 123 of 496 positions or 24.8% of casino management positions. Almost 68% of these female managers were in non-gaming positions. Our findings appear to support social closure theory since 11 of the 40 women in gaming management positions were in the cage department, and 4 of the 5 managers in Keno departments were women

Does Race Matter? Understanding the role of social connectedness in student retention in hospitality programs

The recruitment and retention of ethnic minority students lies at the core of diversity efforts instituted by colleges and universities across the U.S. Withstanding the changing racial demographics in the U.S. and the need to have qualified ethnic minority professionals serving diverse communities, retention and matriculation heighten in importance. With the recruitment and retention challenge that many predominately White institutions (PWI’s) face in mind, this study aimed to understand how “social connectedness” related to retaining African-American students in a hospitality management program. Focus groups were utilized to chronicle the lived experience of African-American students. The findings suggest that the following factors play an important role in the retention of African American students: (1) being connected to the program, university community, and other ethnic minority students; (2) the depth and quality of relationships with faculty

Accurately assessing expectations most important to restaurant patrons:the creation of the DinEX scale

Over the years, those studying the restaurant industry have attempted to accurately assess what expectations are most important to restaurant patrons. The results have been centered on the domains of food, service, and atmosphere. This research adds the domain of social connectedness and homophily to the model. A scale to accurately and efficiently measure these concepts was created utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research techniques and engaging 5 samples numbering 2,500 respondents. Five stages were employed to provide validity, reliability, stability, and homogeneity. A 20-item sale—DinEX—was created using a two-step confirmatory analysis approach

Where everybody knows your name:homophily in restaurant atmospherics

Atmospherics are an underresearched, yet important aspect of restaurant performance. This study takes an exploratory approach to measurement development, by conceptualizing a social capital scale to measure homophily in five different restaurant settings, and all three traditional meal periods. A national sample of 1,220 restaurant-goers was obtained, and a unidimensional construct reflecting homophily was found overall; for breakfast and lunch periods, and within three of the five restaurant types. We offer insight into these findings, and discuss the use of the scale in future research