International tourists' spending on traveling inside a destination : does local happiness matter?

This paper investigates the travel spending behaviour of international tourists inside happier destinations. The empirical model is tested for 58 developed and developing countries. Applying various estimation methods and two different measures of nations’ happiness, the results show that tourists spend more on travelling inside a destination where local people are happier. In addition, we find that foreign tourists’ expenditures on travelling are higher in countries with a higher quality of travel infrastructure and larger numbers of World Heritage sites. Our results provide some implications for tourism planners and authorities

Using smartwatches for fitness and health monitoring: The UTAUT2 combined with threat appraisal as moderators

Recent advancements in smartwatch technology have led to several applications in continuous fitness and health monitoring. Considering the benefits of smartwatches, their low level of usage for fitness and health monitoring purposes, and the limited understanding of determinants of their usage, this study advances the body of knowledge by developing an innovative and comprehensive research model that integrates the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) with perceived vulnerability and perceived severity as moderators. The model was tested using partial least squares (PLS), in a quantitative study with data from 271 respondents from Malaysia. The results showed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions and hedonic motivation have positive impacts on behavioural intentions towards using smartwatches for health and fitness monitoring. Perceived vulnerability moderates positively the impacts of effort expectancy. Perceived abstract severity moderates positively the impacts of social influence and negatively the influence of hedonic motivation. The findings provide useful insights for smartwatch technology developers, marketers and managers in developing more effective devices and strategies and consequently promoting smartwatches as health monitoring devices. These outcomes extend the UTAUT2 and provide new insights into drivers of the use of smartwatches for fitness and health monitoring

Shyness, self-esteem, and loneliness as causes of FA: The moderating effect of low self-control

This study examined the impacts of shyness, self-esteem and loneliness on Facebook addiction by considering their inter-relations. Furthermore, the moderating effect of low self-control on the relationship between Facebook addiction and individuals’ performance was also examined. Data were collected via an online survey from 348 Malaysians and were analysed using the partial least squares technique. The results showed that shyness has both a direct effect and an indirect effect through loneliness on Facebook addiction. Although self-esteem has no direct effect on Facebook addiction, it has an indirect effect through loneliness. The results also confirmed that low self-control negatively moderates the relationship between Facebook addiction and individuals’ performance. The findings of the study contribute to knowledge on the impacts of social and psychological problem, including shyness, self-esteem and loneliness, on Facebook addiction. In addition, this study is the first attempt to investigate the moderating effect of personal characteristics, including low self-control, on the relationship between Facebook addiction and performance. The results could benefit psychologists, managers, and school counsellors in helping to prevent Facebook addiction and control its effect on individuals’ performance by developing prevention and intervention programs

The impacts of Shariah-compliant hotel attributes on Muslim travellers revisit intention: Religiosity as a moderator

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of Shariah-compliant hotel attributes on Muslim travellers’ revisit intention. Design/methodology/approach A total of 361 Muslim travellers who have stayed at Shariah-compliant hotels in the previous 12 months were recruited to take part in this research. The hypothesized research model was assessed using the partial least squares (PLS) approach. Findings The analysis revealed that Muslim travellers’ revisit intention is dependent on the halal food and beverages and the provision of Shariah-compliant facilities at the hotel, whereas the Shariah-compliant operation and interior design of hotels are not significantly associated with it. The findings also uncovered that religiosity moderates the impacts of Shariah-compliant facilities and interior design on travellers’ revisit intention. Practical implications Guidelines to offer services that meet Muslim travellers’ needs can be developed based on the results of this study to help Shariah-compliant hotel marketers attract and retain more customers. Originality/value The findings of this study have provided insights into the importance of halal attributes and practices in retaining Muslim customers at Shariah-compliant hotels

The impact of board and hotel characteristics on biodiversity reporting: Market diversification as a moderator

Purpose: This study aims to explain how board and hotel characteristics affect biodiversity reporting and to test the moderating effect of market diversification. Design/methodology/approach: The annual reports of 105 hotels were examined for the period between 2016 and 2017 to analyse these hotels’ biodiversity reporting using content analysis. The partial least squares technique was used to test the proposed relationships. Findings: The results show that the number of board members who are also on the corporate social responsibility committee, number of board members who are in environmental organizations, the star rating of the hotel, hotel size and hotel location have significant positive effects on the extent of biodiversity reporting. In addition, market diversification moderates positively the effects of number of board members with environmental experience and number of board members from environmental organizations on the extent of biodiversity reporting. Practical implications: The results of this study will be useful in enabling hotel manager and investors to become knowledgeable about these aspects of boards, which lead to higher biodiversity reporting. This study can also inform policymakers about the types of hotels that are less likely to disclose biodiversity reports and to develop effective enforcement of regulations. Originality/value: These findings extend the literature on biodiversity reporting by exploring the importance of board and hotel characteristics on the extent of biodiversity reporting and testing the moderating effect of market diversification

Industry 5.0 implications for inclusive sustainable manufacturing: an evidence-knowledge-based strategic roadmap

Despite the hype surrounding Industry 5.0 and its importance for sustainability, the micro-mechanisms through which this agenda can lead to socio-environmental values are largely understudied. The present study strived to address this knowledge gap by developing a strategic roadmap that outlines how Industry 5.0 can boost sustainable manufacturing. The study first conducted a content-centric literature review and identified 12 functions through which Industry 5.0 can inclusively boost sustainable manufacturing. The study further developed a strategic roadmap that identified the complex contextual relationships among the functions and explained how they should be synergistically leveraged to maximize their contribution to sustainability. Results reveal that value network integration, sustainable technology governance, sustainable business model innovation, and sustainable skill development are the most driver and tangible implications of Industry 5.0 for sustainable manufacturing. Alternatively, renewable integration and manufacturing resilience are among the most dependent and hard-to-reach sustainable functions of Industry 5.0, and their materialization requires major strategic collaboration among stakeholders. The strategic roadmap outlines how Industry 5.0 stakeholders can leverage the technological and functional constituents of this agenda to promote sustainable manufacturing inclusively

Decision-making in manufacturing systems: an ipa/fuzzy approach

Bibliography: p. 80-84

Corruption and outbound business travels

This article investigates the effect of corruption on growth of outbound business travels (OBT), after controlling other relevant determinants of demands for OBT. The model is empirically tested for 62 countries from 2007 to 2016. Using a panel fixed effects estimation method, the results show that higher levels of corruption lead to the growth of OBT. We also find that the impact of corruption on OBT is more apparent in emerging economies than developed countries