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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Feasibility Study Of Installing Artificial Bathing Platforms At The Northeast Coast Of Malta, Darren Bianco Dec 2013

Feasibility Study Of Installing Artificial Bathing Platforms At The Northeast Coast Of Malta, Darren Bianco

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The need to create additional bathing areas at rugged karst rocky shores of the northeast coast of Malta could be met by installing temporary wooden decking platforms, since current sandy beaches are very crowded in the peak summer season. Wooden decking platforms are also an acceptable alternative to beach nourishment projects, where the latter can have permanent negative environmental impacts. The old and eroded concrete platforms which cover large areas of the northeast coast of Malta represent an eyesore to the public. The option of overlaying these concrete platforms with a permanent rock amalgam composed of fiber-reinforced concrete which mimics …


Assessment Of Seawater Quality: Do Public Perceptions Of Seawater Quality Match Indications Given By Macroalgae?, Angela Bartolo Dec 2013

Assessment Of Seawater Quality: Do Public Perceptions Of Seawater Quality Match Indications Given By Macroalgae?, Angela Bartolo

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Determination of seawater quality is an essential activity in coastal areas especially in ones that attract bathers. This study aims to investigate whether the Ecological Quality Status (EQS) of seawater in bathing areas in the Maltese Islands differs across sites. The study also aims to investigate the correlation between public perceptions and objective measures of seawater quality as well as factors affecting perception of seawater quality. Another objective of this study is to investigate the public’s knowledge about macroalgae and opinion on macroalgae. The EQS of seawater in six coastal sites in the Maltese Islands is investigated using the EEI-c …


Fair Trade Tourism: Conceptual Evolution And Potential Market Projection, Dongoh Joo Dec 2013

Fair Trade Tourism: Conceptual Evolution And Potential Market Projection, Dongoh Joo

All Theses

Fair trade tourism commonly refers to any attempts to ensure and maximize the benefits from tourism for stakeholders in destination areas (Tourism Concern, online; FTTa, online). It is drawing recent attention as a means of reducing associated economic and social costs that undermine the validity of tourism as a development tool, and to make tourism more sustainable. To achieve these goals, the principles of the commodity-based fair trade movement (a set of well-established efforts designed to result in a more equitable distribution in product markets) are introduced to tourism. However, both the nature of tourism - as intangible and destination-oriented …


An Examination Of Twitter's Role In The Formation Of Collegiate Sport Fans' Allegiance Using The Revised Psychological Continuum Model (Pcm), Sukjoon Yoon Dec 2013

An Examination Of Twitter's Role In The Formation Of Collegiate Sport Fans' Allegiance Using The Revised Psychological Continuum Model (Pcm), Sukjoon Yoon

All Theses

Allegiance has long been considered one of the most notable research topics in sport studies (Funk & Pastore, 2000; Wann & Branscombe 1990). Allegiant fans are those who have formed strong connections to their favorite team, and these attitudes strengthen their psychological involvement. Twitter has grown dramatically since its inception in 2006, totaling more than 500 million users as of early 2013 (Gupta, Goel, Lin, Sharma, Wang, & Zadeh, 2013). Twitter is one of the most popular communication technologies used by both fans and sport organizations (Clavio, 2011), and allows individuals, organizations, and other social groups to connect with one …


Modeling The Marketability Of Tourism Small Businesses: Oman's Experiences, Hamed Ibrahim Al Azri Oct 2013

Modeling The Marketability Of Tourism Small Businesses: Oman's Experiences, Hamed Ibrahim Al Azri

Open Access Dissertations

Tourism Small Businesses (TSBs) are vital factors in the prosperity of local communities and the development of authentic and satisfying tourism experiences. Because of their small size, they are unable to effectively use textbook marketing models and techniques. The purpose of this study is to help TSBs market their products in a way that suits their unique nature and business environment. Specifically, this study aims to develop a theoretical model of TSB marketing, identify the main factors affecting TSB marketing, and discern relationships between these factors. Since the aim of the study is to develop a theoretical model, the method …


An Examination Of Service Quality And Satisfaction In A Religious Tourism Setting, Mohamed Darfoon Aug 2013

An Examination Of Service Quality And Satisfaction In A Religious Tourism Setting, Mohamed Darfoon

All Dissertations

Since the beginning of time, people have traveled far and wide seeking to gain affirmation of their faith, and to honor the lands where their religious beliefs originated. Faith tourism, or religious tourism, is a pilgrimage that is exclusively or strongly motivated by religious reasons. The pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj, is an Islamic pilgrimage where Muslims travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to attend one of the largest religious events in the world, with participation from about 3 million people on certain days every year. Despite its spiritual and economic importance, little attention has been paid to Hajj …


Lions On The Beach, Whales In The Jungle: A Study Of Social Segmentation And Socialization In Rock Climbers, Christopher Starker Aug 2013

Lions On The Beach, Whales In The Jungle: A Study Of Social Segmentation And Socialization In Rock Climbers, Christopher Starker

All Theses

Rock climbing, as a sport, began as a definitive style in the pursuit of attaining mountain peaks. However, over time, it has evolved into several different styles with varying rules and different goals, and can be experienced in a variety of settings. The growing popularity of the indoor gym climbing as both a practice space for more serious climbers and as an introductory venue for beginning climbers may have changed the way climbers develop attitudes, skills, and ethics that influence the role of managers of climbing areas. Information on how climbers may or may not be similar in terms of …


Development And Execution Of Coaching Philosophies Among Competitive Youth Sport Coaches, Evan Schreiner Aug 2013

Development And Execution Of Coaching Philosophies Among Competitive Youth Sport Coaches, Evan Schreiner

All Theses

Coaching in the field of youth sports consists of many different approaches and philosophies. While some, when executed correctly, work well at keeping youth engaged and competing at a high level, there are other philosophies that are not implemented correctly at that high performance level. Past experiences have made coaches examine their philosophies in a different way or even change their perspective altogether. Although there are many different coaching styles and beliefs, little is known about how the philosophies of youth coaches are executed. This research is intended to define the core elements in a coaching philosophy, and determine how …


Recreation Displacement Of Bass Fishermen From Central Coast Lakes, Erin Gray Jun 2013

Recreation Displacement Of Bass Fishermen From Central Coast Lakes, Erin Gray

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

The purpose of this study was to assess the impacts of aquatic invasive species preventative measures on recreation displacement of bass fishermen from Central Coast lakes. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to participants at a local bass fishing tournament. Thirty-six respondents completed the questionnaire. The results indicated that boat inspection procedures do not necessarily cause bass fishermen to displace. This study found that fishermen are likely to avoid recreating at a Central Coast lake in fishing practice conditions rather than in tournament conditions, and are likely to avoid tournaments at their least favorite lake if boat inspection procedures take too …


Integrating Spatial Modeling Into Recreational Planning In Parks And Protected Areas, John Beeco May 2013

Integrating Spatial Modeling Into Recreational Planning In Parks And Protected Areas, John Beeco

All Dissertations

Understanding the utility of space in natural area resources is of growing importance as recreation in these areas increases and availability of land remains stagnant. Space utility is of particular importance to multiple use forests which may have multiple recreation demands, minimum acceptable levels of biophysical impacts, sensitive ecological areas, and/or timber harvesting and mineral extraction strategies for the generation of revenue. In order to holistically consider space and protected area management, three factors must be better understood: a) methods and spatial analysis tools that can help with managerial and planning decisions, b) how space affects the relationship between use …


New Mexico Tourism: Conflict And Cooperation In The Land Of Enchantment, Emily Alyce Bullington May 2013

New Mexico Tourism: Conflict And Cooperation In The Land Of Enchantment, Emily Alyce Bullington

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact that tourism and tourist sites have upon the surrounding communities in New Mexico. It will look specifically at Bandelier National Monument, El Santuario de Chimayo, and the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell. These sites have all been the cause of tensions in their interactions with the local communities, over issues of culture, identity, or resource usage. But these tourist attractions have also brought economic stimulus to these areas, which has brought about a need for cooperation and compromise between the groups as they have negotiated how tourism …


The Impact Of Place Attachment On Camp Counselor Retention In Summer Camps, Kaitlin Nichols May 2013

The Impact Of Place Attachment On Camp Counselor Retention In Summer Camps, Kaitlin Nichols

All Theses

Summer camps employ over one million staff members every summer, most of whom fall between the age range of 18-25 (ACA, 2012). Surveys done by the American Camp Association show that approximately 50% of camps have a 48% rate of return for counselors each summer, yet little research has been conducted to focus on what impacts staff retention (ACA, 2011). The theory of place attachment proposes that people form and retain bonds to physical locations by means of place dependence, place identity, social bonding, and affective attachment (Kyle, Mowen, & Tarrant, 2004; Milligan, 1998; Scannell & Gifford, 2010). Place attachment …


Tourist Intentions To Continue Poverty Alleviation Actions After Participating In Microfinance Tourism, Michelle Nance May 2013

Tourist Intentions To Continue Poverty Alleviation Actions After Participating In Microfinance Tourism, Michelle Nance

All Theses

The tourism industry has begun to incorporate microfinance into a new type of niche tourism that integrates local entrepreneurs and tourists. This type of tourism is called microfinance tourism. The study investigates the tourist role in poverty alleviation using the Theory of Planned Behavior to explore how attitude, perceived behavioral control, and social norms impact intention to continue investment and/or donation to microentrepreneurs and microfinance organizations. The study was conducted in conjunction with Investours, a non-profit organization that offers `microfinance tours' in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The study found perceived behavioral control and attitude to be …


An Assessment Of Relationship Quality Between Forest Service Land Managers And Volunteers, Jessica H. Evett Mar 2013

An Assessment Of Relationship Quality Between Forest Service Land Managers And Volunteers, Jessica H. Evett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between Forest Service land managers and volunteers was studied quantitatively utilizing theoretical principles of relationship management theory and efficacy. 39 Forest Service employees completed quantitative surveys designed to compare within sample responses related to four volunteer partner types. Results showed measurable differences between mean scores for relationship quality and efficacy levels between partnership types selected as those land managers most liked and least liked working with. Partial support was found for the hypothesis stating that levels of relationship quality would predict willingness to recruit and work with volunteers, and partial support was also found for the hypothesis stating …