A conceptualisation and empirical validation of eco-service quality (ECOPERF) and its impact on behavioural intentions

This research aims to develop an integrated behavioural intention model in an ecotourism context. The focus of this research is to study the dimensions of service quality and antecedents of behavioural intentions in the context of ecolodge accommodations in Australia. The survey questionnaire was designed in Survey Monkey, an invitation e-mail was sent to 4,571 general Australian ecotourists via five different ecolodges’ management, serving as intermediaries to reach the customers. This research project have completed and the data will not be reused in future

An Exploratory Examination of Service Quality Attributes in the Ecotourism Industry: testing

© 2016 Taylor & FrancisThis study explores service quality attributes of ecolodges in Australia. In-depth interviews were used to develop service quality dimensions that ecotourists believe to be of importance when visiting ecolodges. The performance-based measure of service quality (SERVPERF) was adapted as a generic measure of service quality in order to investigate whether the SERVPERF instrument is applicable to the ecolodge industry. Findings indicate that three additional dimensions are specific to the ecolodge sector: eco-friendly practices, eco-activities, and eco-learning. The findings are significant in assessing guests’ perceptions of service quality in the ecotourism area and can serve as a framework for further empirical research

An Exploratory Examination of Service Quality Attributes in the Ecotourism Industry: testing

© 2016 Taylor & FrancisThis study explores service quality attributes of ecolodges in Australia. In-depth interviews were used to develop service quality dimensions that ecotourists believe to be of importance when visiting ecolodges. The performance-based measure of service quality (SERVPERF) was adapted as a generic measure of service quality in order to investigate whether the SERVPERF instrument is applicable to the ecolodge industry. Findings indicate that three additional dimensions are specific to the ecolodge sector: eco-friendly practices, eco-activities, and eco-learning. The findings are significant in assessing guests’ perceptions of service quality in the ecotourism area and can serve as a framework for further empirical research

An empirical validation of eco-service quality (ECOPERF) scale measure: A short form ECOPERF

This study examined validity two key dimensions of eco-service quality (ECOPERF) scale measure in predicting ecotourism customer satisfaction. Data collected from 269 ecotourists in Australia suggest that the short form ECOPERF instrument (i.e., Eco-service dimension alone) can serve as a useful tool for assessing ecotourism service quality in predicting customer satisfaction. Further, our findings show that the environmentally-friendly practice is a prominent service quality attribute in the assessment of ecotourism service quality. The results provide useful implications for academics and practitioners

Analysing the impact of occupational stress on employee performance: A case study on Hayleys Plantations and tea export PLC in Sri Lanka

Employees spend fifty percent of their lives in indoor workplace environments, which greatly influence their mental status, reactions, and performance. Therefore, organisations are responsible in creating a stress-free work environment for their employees to perform well while maintaining their physical and psychological well-being. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to identify the impact of occupational stress on employee performance in plantation industry, Sri Lanka. Respectively, the researchers looked at the research problem in a positivist view by utilising deductive reasoning to collect quantitative (survey design) data. The target population was 110 employees in which 82 sample size was decided based on Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size table and chosen utilising simple random sampling. However, the data was collected from 81 employees of a prominent organisation in plantation industry. Our results suggested a significant positive relationship (r = .978, p<.01) between occupational stress and employee performance by accepting main alternative hypothesis. The findings have implications for researchers and managers in plantation industry

Developing a model for online social travel networks in the tourism industry

The importance of the online social travel networks for tourism businesses is gaining new attention in the academic literature. This paper utilizes the Technology Acceptance model (TAM) to investigate key variables that affect the use of an information system with respect to Korean tourists. According to the TAM model, the antecedents of actual acceptance of the information system are positively related to both the roles of usefulness and ease of use. The antecedent of the intention of future use is also derived from the attitude towards the information system. As tourism is an intangible and information- intensive industry, the communication and the relationships between service providers and travellers represent a vital factor in travel marketing. In order to better predict and increase user acceptance, tourism management needs to better understand the reasons for people accepting or rejecting the information system. This can help to understand the key variables for end-users to accept and use the information technology that enhances information search behaviour. This paper aims to establish research propositions in the context of TAM model and to identify critical factors influencing user intentions to utilize internet in an online travel network, namely TripAdvisor. Six propositions were developed for future testing. The conceptual model proposed hopes to explain the antecedents of user acceptance in an attempt to suggest managerial practices for increasing online travellers’ practical value for using the information system

Distributed ledger technology - Addressing the challenges of assurance in accounting systems: A research note

Background: With the progressive development of blockchain technology, its potential influence on the accounting and auditing professions is of interest to academia and practitioners. As the technology gains acceptance in businesses such as banking, stock exchanges, insurance, law, government services, and e-voting, business leaders are beginning to recognise its potential to transform their organisations. Despite concerns about how this technology will marginalise the accounting and auditing profession, blockchain continues to lag behind in adoption and there is time for accountants and auditors to reflect on their current practice and update their knowledge and skills to maintain their relevance to the industry. Motivation: The literature has not fully examined the implications of distributed ledger technology and its implications for the accounting and auditing profession. The intent of this research note is to identify opportunities for research that are of significance to the application of distributed ledger technology to accounting and auditing. Research Question: To identify possibilities that exist in researching the adoption, implementation and application of a distributed ledger solution in the context of accounting and auditing. Framework: Based on the literature, the study proposes a framework for a blockchain model of a simplified triple-entry bookkeeping system using smart contracts to automate self-verification and replication of transactions in a public distributed ledger. Findings: Drawing on the framework the article develops a series of research questions that may significantly reduce barriers and challenges facing organizations that want to implement blockchain technology in their accounting systems. Contribution: Given the complex nature of blockchain, cross disciplinary research is proposed to bring together information technology, accounting, assurance, economics and psychology resulting in further understanding of the technology as it relates to, and influences the accounting and auditing profession. In doing so, the paper makes several contributions to the literature

How service quality and perceived value affect behavioral intentions of ecolodge guests: The moderating effect of prior visit

Psychographic segmentation is popular within the tourism literature. It is useful in describing a prototypical customer, however psychological attributes are hard to detect at the individual level and by front-line staff. This paper tests the viability of prior visits (first-time vs. repeat visits) as a segmentation strategy, given this information is readily available to tourism operators. We test an interaction effect between prior visits, service quality, and perceived value using the ECOSERV model, a well-established model of ecotourism customer satisfaction. Using a sample of ecolodge guests, we demonstrate that a prior visit attenuates the relationship between perceived value and customer satisfaction. Among repeat guests, perceived value has less impact upon customer satisfaction and intentions to revisit or recommend an ecolodge. Conversely, service quality continues to predict satisfaction for both first-time and repeat guests. The data suggest attracting first-time guests requires appeals to the setting, features and price of an offering. Meanwhile, strategies to maximize repeat guests should emphasize non-monetary qualities of the experience