Tourism and Travel Commons^™

Editorial: Academic Peer Reviewers – The Good, Bad, And The Ugly, Faizan Ali, Seden Dogan

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

My academic research journey started a decade ago as a Ph.D. student at the Azman Hashim International School, University Technology Malaysia. Since then, I have authored over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, books, and book chapters. In addition to guest editing several special issues for academic journals, I also had an opportunity to serve as the Director of Research for numerous professional organizations. Furthermore, I have served in senior editorial positions for numerous well-established hospitality and services management journals for the last three years. All these roles involve sending out invitations to review the manuscripts. The usual scenario is …

Covid-19 And Hospitality Services: The Role Of Information Sources, Believability, Fear, And Behavioral Intentions, Shaniel Bernard, Imran Rahman, Sijun Liu, Luana Nanu

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Based on the Social Amplification of Risk Framework (SARF) and crisis decision theory, this study examined the influence of trust in different types of information sources on the believability of COVID-19 information (BCI). Furthermore, the influence of BCI on fearfulness and the corresponding influence of fearfulness on the intention to use hospitality services and stay at home are analyzed. Structural equations modeling, using data from 1,017 American consumers, successfully confirmed the significant influences of trust in media and government on BCI and the corresponding positive effect of BCI on fearfulness. Additionally, the negative effects of fearfulness on intentions to visit …

The Impact Of Terrorism On Risk Perceptions: An Analysis Of The Dutch Market Behavior And Attitudes Towards Egypt, Rami K. Isaac

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

This research aims to gain a better understanding of the impact of terrorism on risk perceptions and attitudes of Dutch travel behavior towards Egypt. The research process involved an online self-administered method created with one of the leading research and web-based survey tools called Qualtrics. The questionnaire was filled in by 414 respondents. Findings indicate that (potential) Dutch tourists are less likely to take risks when traveling with children. For instance, people that usually travel with children state to avoid traveling to countries within the MENA region because of unrest related to terrorism. Over half of the sample size would …

Muslim-Friendly Medical Tourism, Noradiva Hamzah, Norlida H. M. Salleh, Izuli Dzulkifli, Tengku Wook

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Tourism has emerged as an important socio-economic activity as it is a promising sector in the global economy. In every industry, intellectual capital (IC) is a crucial knowledge-based asset. It has become the most potent element in the production of organizational wealth. This article intends to shed some light on the Islamic value (IV) dimension of Muslim-friendly medical tourism (MFMT). This study employed a case study approach on five hospitals. The data was collected through in-depth discussions, hospital tours, and interviews. Within-case analysis was conducted to analyze the data. This study found that the hospitals’ management highlighted that taqwa (piety) …

Gastro-Tourism Well-Being: The Interplays Of Salient And Enduring Determinants, Muhammet Kesgin, Irfan Onal, Ihsan Kazkondu, Muzaffer Uysal

Articles

Purpose-This research developed and tested an integrated structural gastro-tourism well-being model consisting of food-related lifestyle and leisure attitude as precursor of the consumption enjoyment of the gastro-tourism experience with satisfaction, life domain outcomes, tourism autobiographical memory and life satisfaction as outcomes of the consumption enjoyment. Design/methodology/approach – The conceptual model was assessed with quantitative data collected from tourists based on their deliberate and incidental gastro-tourism experiences (N=617). Findings – Findings indicated that enjoyment of gastro-tourism consumption experience significantly influences satisfaction, life domain outcomes, life satisfaction, and tourism autobiographical memory. Life domain outcomes and tourism autobiographical memory have enduring influence on …

Ramble: Travel Journal Application Concept, Christine Elizabeth Curulla

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this project is to provide an easier and more engaging way for study abroad students to document their experiences. I wanted to collect data on the effectiveness of student journaling while abroad, and identify ways to improve the process through a mobile application.

Ramble is a social app I designed that provides a new question or prompt each day to encourage more frequent, fun journaling while traveling, and connection with others at home and abroad. Ramble solves problems that accompany traditional journaling by making the journaling process more accessible and requiring less time from the user.

A Guide To Abductive Thematic Analysis, Jamie Thompson

The Qualitative Report

Thematic analysis is an increasingly popular method for analysing qualitative data within the social sciences. Current guides for conducting thematic analysis promote the method’s broad flexibility across research designs, which has resulted in criticism that the method lacks the rigour and structure necessary for credible academic research. Recognizing the challenges faced by qualitative scholars, I developed and present an 8-step prescriptive approach specific to abductive methodologies incorporating many concepts from seminal works in thematic analysis, and importantly maintaining the balance of theorising with empirical data, which is the core of abductive research.

Creating A Healthy Rural Ecosystem For Community Vitality: Developing Rural Community Business Research, Karalyn Kutzer, Dr. Emily Newell

Thinking Matters Symposium

The objective of this project is to create a model of and mechanism for statewide, systematic data collection to support workforce development pathways for P-20 students in rural Maine to ensure the long-term vitality and success of these communities. Businesses, as sites of financial and social capital development, can be more thoughtfully calibrated to local workforce needs in these communities. However, data is not currently made available to businesses and community leaders that would allow them to make thoughtful decisions about how to use community resources and time in order to create these partnerships. Businesses and economic growth in rural …

Implementing A Micro-Business Internship Program In Dangriga, Belize, Shaadee Shojai

Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Over the Summer, I was able to work with Peacework in Belize through the University of Arkansas. While I was unable to physically go to Belize due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I feel that I was still able to learn about the culture, in both the casual and business workplace, as well as help the people of Dangriga. The goal of my project was to help consult with the Tourism Department of Dangriga to help develop their small business into businesses that were more appealing to tourists. Unfortunately, most people who own small businesses in Dangriga can’t support themselves with …

Religious Servicescape: Does Convenience Matter For Revisit Intentions And Positive Word Of Mouth?, Ghada Talat Alhothali, Islam Elgammal, Felix T. Mavondo

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Umrah is an optional holy ritual that is highly rewarded when performed in the month of Ramadan. Hence, managing such an event is a challenging mission facing stakeholders. However, limited studies have examined the quality of services provided in the Umrah site (i.e., the Holy Mosque in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia) from the pilgrims’ perspective. The current study examines the influence of religious servicescape on service convenience and investigates whether service convenience matters to pilgrims. Further, the study tests the role of religious attractiveness (i.e., of the Kaaba) on pilgrims’ behavioural outcomes (i.e. intention to revisit and Positive …

From Strategic Goal To Reality: The Development Of The Myrtle Beach Invitational Basketball Tournament, Mark Mitchell, Dennis Edwards, John Marcis

The Coastal Business Journal

The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, area was selected to serve as one-time hosts for two tournaments in 2017: the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament and the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Men's College Basketball Tournament, when circumstances required those events to relocate on very short notice. Following the success of these two one-time events, the region sought to become a permanent host of an annual men's college basketball tournament to be played in November or December. This manuscript examines the development process of this tournament and illustrates how tournament organizers addressed the most common elements found in such events.

A Risk-Based Approach To Cybersecurity: A Case Study Of Financial Messaging Networks Data Breaches, Xiang Michelle Liu

The Coastal Business Journal

With banking becoming increasingly global and largely digital, a magnitude of data breach incidents resulted from cyberattacks have been observed and can be frequently traced to ineffective security practices and procedures. Cyberattacks do not require physical proximity, nor are they deterred by national borders. Cybercriminals can remain undetected for a long period of time. Such breaches inevitably result in losses of reputation, customer confidence, and in some instances, productivity. The purpose of this study is to take a deeper look into various breaches of the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) messaging network to illuminate vulnerabilities inherent in the …

Understanding Residents' Opinions And Support Toward Sustainable Tourism Development In The Caribbean: The Case Of Saint Kitts And Nevis, David Mc.A Baker, Ramaprasad Unni

The Coastal Business Journal

Saint Kitts and Nevis are two islands forming one nation in the Caribbean. This paper examines differences in the perceived economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of tourism between residents of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the residents' attitudes about the pace and direction of tourism development. A self-administered household survey was used to assess perceptions of these impacts from tourism among residents. After excluding 53 non-residents, effective sample size was 269. ANOVA was used to analyze differences between the two islands. Residents of both islands shared similar perceptions about the pace and direction of tourism development in their islands. However, …

Promoting Ecotourism To Millennials Through Social Media, Melissa Clark, Paul Clark, Michael Latta

The Coastal Business Journal

This paper explores how coastal ecotourism marketers can utilize social media to effectively market to millennials. Coastal Tourism is one of four types of ecotourism identified by Honey and Krantz (2007) in their study Global Trends in Coastal Tourism sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund. An online survey of university students from the millennial generation was utilized. Findings indicate that millennials are interested in ecotourism and gather information about it from friends and social media. They check their accounts several times a day and usually from their smartphones. They would choose an ecotourism destination if money were not an issue. …

The Strategic Problem Of Information Security And Data Breaches, Michael Dinger, Julie Terrill Wade

The Coastal Business Journal

This paper considers the strategic uncertainties and impacts created by high-profile data breaches and discusses the unique strategic problem presented by information security breaches for organizational executives. Based on theory regarding strategic uncertainties, we develop a framework depicting a strategic perspective on breaches within and outside the firm. Then, within the major categories outlined by the framework, this research evaluates instances of 17 public disclosures of high-profile data breaches over the past four years. Based on our discussion of these 17 cases, we identify six major issues complicating strategic decision-making regarding security breaches and discuss guidance for managers.

The Role Of Forensic Accounting In U.S. Counterterrorism Efforts, Amie L. Haun, Madison Gaither, Joanie Sompayrac

The Coastal Business Journal

The September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center directed international attention to the financial component of terrorist operations. The demand for forensic accounts has continued to increase because of a growing intolerance for fraud and terrorist activity. Forensic accountants have and will continue to have a vital role in United States' counterterrorism efforts in the post-9/11 era by detecting acts of fraud and money laundering. Comprehensive review of relevant literature including books, peer-reviewed articles, government databases, court records and news media confirms that forensic accountants are equipped with special skills and analytical tools that make them valuable members of …

Extraordinary Item Classification Eliminated From The Income Statement: Some Supportive Evidence, Mark G. Mccarthy, Dennis O'Reilly, Douglas K. Schneider

The Coastal Business Journal

Accounting Standards Update 2015-01 formally eliminated the reporting of "extraordinary items" in the income statement for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Gains and losses previously reported as extraordinary items and presented separately below income from continuing operations, are now reported as other gains and losses and included in income from continuing operations. The use of the extraordinary item classification fell sharply after 2002 when gains and losses from the early extinguishment of debt were no longer required to be reported as extraordinary items. By 2003 less than 100 publicly traded firms reported extraordinary items and in 2011 the …

The Impact Of The Carrollton Greenbelt On Residential Housing Prices: A Spatial Approach, Heather R. Bono, Lisa L. Gezon, William J. Smith, Macy D. Walker

The Coastal Business Journal

The Carrollton GreenBelt is a linear park encircling the City of Carrollton Georgia. The GreenBelt differs from other linear parks in that it is an entirely new construction and was not built upon existing rail lines, as was the Atlanta Beltline and the nearby Silver Comet Trail. Using GIS, data from the Carroll County Tax Assessor's office and spatial econometric techniques, we estimate local fair-market housing values within the hedonic framework to measure the relationship between home prices and access to the GreenBelt. We find the expected positive effects from the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage, but access …

Small Business Identity And Entrepreneurial Identity In A Destination Resort Town: Are Birds Of A Feather Flocking To The Beach?, Janice A. Black, Carol Megehee, Frances H. Fabian

The Coastal Business Journal

Identities can be considered an intangible resource when they support the competitive advantage of a firm. Some work has shown that the context of an organization matters but will that hold true at a beach location filled with large numbers of micro-businesses and small businesses where entrepreneurs and small business owners engage their world both as individuals and as organizations? We examine the literature on identity and utilize a zoomorphic metaphor to elicit unbiased understandings of the coherence or dissonance of entrepreneurial and organizational identities. We found some intriguing results showing unexpected similarities and an affinity for coherent identities.

A Preliminary Examination Of Gender Differences In Graduate And Undergraduate Reading Engagement: Using Books To Supplement Students' Learning, Suzanne Clinton, Lee Tyner, Robert Epstein, Abbie Lambert

The Coastal Business Journal

As America's universities advance the use of technologies, including learning management systems, videos, PowerPoint, "clickers," virtual classrooms, and everything else "i" and "e," students may become over sensitized and yearn for a missing component: The focused study of reading a book. This study analyzes differences in graduate and undergraduate students, and male and female attitudes and perceptions of reading engagement involving non-textbook reading in academic courses, especially among business students. This research is based on the experiences of four professors who have incorporated (auto)biographies and practitioner books to support the growth and development of students' study of human resource management …

An Active Learning Exercise To Help Students Discover How To Model A Third Decision, Julie Ann Stuart Williams, Randall Reid, Kristine Gallamore

The Coastal Business Journal

In this paper, we describe an active learning exercise for a fictitious business producing sea turtle bamboo beach towels. The students are asked to assume the role of a junior analyst at a company as they are led through a series of business memos, directed questions, nutshell summaries, and class discussions. In this role, students have the opportunity to discover how to review business communications to identify a new third decision, what additional data will be needed, and what changes will be required to reformulate the existing product mix model for sea turtle bamboo beach towels.

Shared Leadership In A Department Of Defense Acquisition Project Management Team, Valentin Novikov

The Coastal Business Journal

Integrated product teams (IPTs) manage the acquisition of modernized military equipment. Since acquisition processes are complex and multi-functional, product management team leaders are not experts in every phase of their projects. Therefore, team leaders rely on member expertise by serving as social architects to orchestrate collaborative work group cultures required to accomplish the teams' missions through shared leadership (Stagnaro & Piotrowski, 2013). Since a comprehensive search of literature revealed a lack of published field studies on shared leadership in product management teams, an in-depth qualitative study was conducted on a successful acquisition IPT that suggested the team portrayed the characteristics …

Estimating Modified Duration And Convexity For Income Properties, Frank Handforth, Eugene M. Bland, Neil F. Riley

The Coastal Business Journal

Some institutions hold income producing properties directly as part of an investment portfolio. These properties are subject to interest rate risk. The two widely used measures of interest rate risk are modified duration and convexity. These measures can be difficult to calculate directly for income properties when net operating income and cash flows are not constant or when they are functions of the underlying yield. A numerical technique using sensitivity analysis is developed to provide estimates of modified duration and convexity. These estimates can then be used, along with corresponding values for debt, to determine the modified duration and convexity …

Teaching Aggregate Planning In Operations Management, Johnny C. Ho, Francisco J. López, David Ang

The Coastal Business Journal

This paper describes some unique characteristics of Aggregate Production Planning, which make the teaching of this topic in Operations Management courses somewhat different than other topics. A challenge when teaching Aggregate Planning is to make students understand the need to apply trial-and-error approaches to test, evaluate, and improve Aggregate Plans. In other words, do not just learn how to do the computations needed to develop an Aggregate Plan under certain conditions, but to actually analyze it and try to modify it with the objective of producing an improved plan. We recommend that in operations management courses, Aggregate Planning is taught …

Finishing Or Winning? The Variables That Impacted The Nascar Championship In The Chase I Format (2004-2013), Tracy D. Rishel, Elizabeth W. Baker, C. Barry Pfitzner

The Coastal Business Journal

Since 2004 NASCAR has evolved its championship format in an effort to put more emphasis on wins, thus encouraging drivers to take more risk to get the race win. Past research has shown that drivers taking a conservative approach, by completing laps rather than going for wins, results in championships. This research attempts to determine if previous models are robust in predicting factors that influence individual points accumulation towards winning the championship and if driver consistency, rather than winning, remains the dominant factor in predicting NASCAR's championship standings.

A Comparison Of Core Competencies Of Women And Men Leaders In The Manufacturing Industry, Daniel R. Tomal, Kevin J. Jones Jr.

The Coastal Business Journal

This study compared the rankings of fourteen leadership core competencies for women and men managers in middle management and women and men in first-line supervisory positions in five manufacturing companies in the Midwest. Surveys were completed by the respondents and follow-up interviews were conducted. Results indicated that there were no significant differences in the rankings of core competencies between women and men supervisors or women and men managers. However, all supervisors (women and men combined) ranked mentoring and coaching employees higher than all managers (p<.05), and all managers ranked managing finances and employing strategic leadership higher than the supervisors (p<.05). It appears that the role of the leader position may be a more determinant factor in selecting core competencies than the gender of the leader. Including these core competencies in leadership professional development is recommended.

Assessment Of Essays In A Management Science Course, Julie Ann Stuart Williams, Claudia J. Stanny, Randall Reid, Christopher Hill, Maxwell Rankin, Katie Martin Rosa

The Coastal Business Journal

The ability to communicate a problem statement and an appropriate quantitative business method are important professional skills. This paper presents an analysis of student skill in writing a final exam essay that describes how a specific organization can improve decision making using mathematical programming, the business modeling approach that was the focus of the course. Although performance on assessments of professional writing and the description of a mathematical programming model averaged less than 80% across all essays written, improved writing when students received formative feedback in 2013 suggests that teaching students to identify and articulate the development and use of …

Distribution And Movements Of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) Along The Northern South Carolina Coast: A Research Partnership With Ecotourism, Courtney N. Dunn, Dani C. Silva, Emily P. Deborde, Robert F. Young

The Coastal Business Journal

Assessments of bottlenose dolphin stocks rely on current information about the distribution and abundance of specific populations. We partnered with two ecotourism dolphin watch businesses to investigate bottlenose dolphins along the northern South Carolina coast. The temporal and spatial distribution of dolphins was examined by comparing dorsal fin images from research-based surveys with photo-identification efforts from commercial dolphin watch groups. Matches between survey locations and times revealed patterns of seasonal residency, potential migratory dispersal between seasons, and variable patterns for home range size. An enhanced understanding of the structure of local populations will contribute to the management of local fisheries, …

Playing The Lottery Games?, Johnny C. Ho, David Ang, Tzu-Liang (Bill) Tseng

The Coastal Business Journal

The lottery is a huge business. In 2011, $57.6 billion worth of lottery tickets were sold in 43 states and the District of Columbia. There are three major parties (governments, lottery players, and retailers) involved in the lottery industry, plus many more stakeholders. This paper examines the lottery from the viewpoints of these three primary parties. From the lottery players' viewpoint, we show how to statistically determine the expected value of a lottery ticket and discuss when to conclude it is profitable to buy lottery tickets. We explore the question of whether lottery players are rational. State governments have, for …

Economic Convergence: Evidence From Counties In The Carolinas, C. Barry Pfitzner, Steven D. Lang

The Coastal Business Journal

This paper applies a common empirical methodology in testing for convergence of per capita incomes across the counties in North and South Carolina. Decennial census data on per capita income for the 46 counties of South Carolina and the 100 counties of North Carolina are used to test for two types of income convergence over the 1959-2010 time span. The results indicate that both beta and sigma convergence occurred across the counties for the full period, but there were sub-periods (the 1980s, and the 2000s) over which neither measure of convergence was evident. In fact, measured by the beta method, …