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Article
Publication date: 26 March 2024

José Luis Alfaro-Navarro and María Encarnación Andrés-Martínez

Being awarded world heritage status is a distinguishing factor when it comes to promoting tourism in a city. Tourism in these cities should be developed in a way that does not…

Abstract

Purpose

Being awarded world heritage status is a distinguishing factor when it comes to promoting tourism in a city. Tourism in these cities should be developed in a way that does not compromise either the city’s heritage or the inhabitants' quality of life. Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of a European city achieving world heritage status on the subjective quality of life of its citizens.

Design/methodology/approach

First of all, we classify European cities according to whether or not they have been declared world heritage sites. Then, we analyze the effect of this classification on the main aspects used to measure the residents' perception of quality of life that are available in the Flash Eurobarometer 419.

Findings

The results show that achieving world heritage status has a negative effect on residents' perceptions of the noise level, air quality and feeling of safety. However, it does not affect their perceptions of public transport or cleanliness. In addition, world heritage status positively affects residents’ perceptions of the cultural activities in the city and their ease of finding a job. Residents report high levels of happiness in both world heritage and non-heritage cities, although levels are somewhat higher in non-heritage cities.

Originality/value

Residents' perceptions of the influence of tourism on their quality of life are undoubtedly of major importance; however, due to a lack of available data, few studies have examined this subjective quality of life at the city level.

Details

Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-1266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2024

Handan Kunkcu, Kerim Koc and Asli Pelin Gurgun

Work–family conflict is one of the most challenging stressors for construction industry professionals to cope with emotional problems. This study aims to propose a model linking…

Abstract

Purpose

Work–family conflict is one of the most challenging stressors for construction industry professionals to cope with emotional problems. This study aims to propose a model linking work–family conflict and high-quality relationships among project team members and explore mediating effects of life and job satisfactions.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical framework was established based on the spillover theory and social exchange theory. Data were obtained by a questionnaire survey conducted with 328 respondents working in construction projects. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test interrelationships among work–family conflict, job satisfaction, life satisfaction and high-quality relationship.

Findings

The results indicate that work–family conflict is negatively associated with both job and life satisfactions of construction professionals. In addition, there were direct and positive relationships between satisfaction domains and high-quality relationship capacity. The findings further support that job satisfaction plays a mediating role between work–family conflict and high-quality relationship among construction professionals, while life satisfaction does not mediate the relationship.

Originality/value

The effects of interrole conflicts on the context of satisfaction have been investigated previously; however, there is a lack of knowledge regarding its influence on high-quality relationship among project team members. This study extends the body of knowledge on high-quality relationships among project team members to understand how conflict and satisfaction factors influence interpersonal relationships in construction project management.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 January 2024

Jaffar Abbas, Gulnara Mamirkulova, Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, Khalid Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti and Imran Bashir Dar

Mega-infrastructure development plans pave the way for policies to upgrade the infrastructure, environmental management and different aspects of locals’ well-being. These…

Abstract

Purpose

Mega-infrastructure development plans pave the way for policies to upgrade the infrastructure, environmental management and different aspects of locals’ well-being. These developmental dynamics can positively affect rural tourism including heritage sites destinations. The quality of life of local people can be linked to this positive developmental change through long-term and sustainable economic revitalization projects. In terms of this process, developing large-scale infrastructure and incorporating tourism sustainability can improve the quality of life-related to different dimensions that are critical to the community's well-being. Therefore, researchers have attempted to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected between September and October 2020. The study sample size was the residents of Zhabagly village, including Zhabagaly, Abaiyl and 115 Railway settlements. Moreover, the residents were older than 18 years. A systematic random sampling technique was utilised to reach the targeted sample size and the researchers received 243 responses from the locals. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used for analysis.

Findings

The findings from the structural equation modelling suggest that sustainable tourism increases due to the positive effect of mega-infrastructure development and positively impacts the locals' quality of life. Notably, no direct effect of mega-infrastructure development on quality of life reveals the pivotal role of sustainable tourism. Therefore, during the COVID-19 period, the dimensions of sustainable tourism – economic, market, socio-cultural and environmental – played a role in securing the positive impact of mega-infrastructure development on the locals’ quality of life.

Research limitations/implications

This research highlighted the fact that when infrastructure projects are implemented to their full potential, they will generate sustainable tourism activities, provide eco-adventure activities, relax, treat signatories and boost the economy of all stakeholders. The study used AMOS to test the hypotheses. Qualitative research methods, including interviews with citizens, government officials and tourism managers, require further study.

Practical implications

The infrastructural development on a mega-scale means building an upscaling tourism ecosystem. This ecosystem is marked by the availability of drinking water, waste and energy management facilities that support the elevation of living material, community, health, safety and emotional well-being. It reflects the policy-level implications for future Belt and Road initiatives (BRIs). The tourism industry's resilience during COVID-19 has practical lessons for other industries.

Originality/value

Large-scale infrastructure construction must create favourable conditions for the rapid development of tourism. The availability of clean water, waste and energy management facilities contributes to the food production, social cohesion, physical and mental health and general well-being of the ecosystem. This is one of the few studies that used sustainable tourism as a mediator between the impact of large infrastructure projects and their impact on the quality of life of locals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aksu-Zhabagly, a World Heritage Site in Kazakhstan, was the site of this field study.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 May 2024

Lucyann Chikaodinaka Akunna, Uche Abamba Osakede and Olayinka Omolara Adenikinju

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, quality of life and the labour market outcome across North and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, quality of life and the labour market outcome across North and Southern Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was obtained from staff laid off in selected tertiary institutions in North East and South West Nigeria using a self-administered questionnaire with a total sample size of 185. Findings are shown using the heteroscedastic linear regression and descriptive statistics.

Findings

The results showed a significant negative effect of unemployment during the pandemic on mental health and quality of life. Less than half of those laid off are reabsorbed into the labour market with the majority in the South than the Northern region and most are in self-employment.

Practical implications

The coronavirus pandemic negatively affected the human race, with a huge socio-economic impact linked to health and well-being. This reality calls for attention to the role it played on mental health and the quality of life as well as how it has influenced the labour market. Labour empowerment during a pandemic is key to cushion the effect of pandemics on health and the labour market. This can be in the form of skill empowerment and increased access to funds for business start-ups to enable self-employment that typifies the labour market after a pandemic. This in turn will reduce mental health challenges and low quality of life associated with pandemics.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first in the literature that provides empirical evidence of the effect of unemployment during the pandemic on well-being captured using mental health and the quality of life in Nigeria. Findings on labour market outcomes due to the pandemic and across regions in Nigeria are also scarce in the literature.

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2023

Ajitabh Dash

This study aims to investigate the influence of the built environment of smart cities on citizens’ quality of life in a developing country like India, focusing on the role of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of the built environment of smart cities on citizens’ quality of life in a developing country like India, focusing on the role of citizens’ participation as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used partial least square-based structural equation modelling to test the hypotheses using data from 542 sample respondents residing in five smart cities of India.

Findings

The findings of this study confirmed that the smart city-built environment dimensions of smart governance, smart economy, smart mobility, smart environment and smart living positively relate to citizen quality of life, except for the smart people dimension. This study also confirmed that citizen participation moderates the relationship between all six dimensions of the smart city-built environment and citizens’ quality of life.

Originality/value

This study investigates the relationship between the built environment of smart cities and residents’ quality of life and the moderating effect of citizen participation on this relationship.

Details

Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6166

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 June 2023

Burhanudin Burhanudin

Quality of life is a concern of banking customers, but it has received little attention in studies conducted within the banking context. This study aims to investigate the…

1479

Abstract

Purpose

Quality of life is a concern of banking customers, but it has received little attention in studies conducted within the banking context. This study aims to investigate the influence of mindfulness on customers’ quality of life and the mediating role of service value, satisfaction and loyalty to the company in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Three hundred banking customers participated in the survey. In this study, partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the relationship between the variables. Then, complementary methods were used to assess the robustness of the PLS-SEM results.

Findings

In this study, it was found that mindfulness directly influences service value, satisfaction and quality of life. Service value was also found to directly influence satisfaction. Satisfaction directly influences loyalty to the company. In addition, loyalty to the company, but not satisfaction, directly influences quality of life. However, this study did not find any evidence that service value, satisfaction and loyalty to the company mediate the influence of mindfulness on quality of life.

Practical implications

Banking marketing managers need to ensure that their customers have an impressive moment-to-moment experience with the services provided to support improving their quality of life.

Originality/value

The findings help to advance the understanding of how banks can improve their customers’ quality of life while maintaining the well-being of other stakeholders.

Objetivo

La calidad de vida es una preocupación de los clientes de banca, pero ha recibido poca atención en los estudios realizados en el contexto bancario. Este estudio pretende investigar la influencia del mindfulness en la calidad de vida de los clientes y el papel mediador del valor del servicio, la satisfacción y la lealtad a la empresa en esa relación.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Trescientos clientes de banca participaron en la encuesta. Este estudio utilizó la modelización de ecuaciones estructurales por mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS-SEM) para comprobar la relación entre las variables. A continuación, se utilizó métodos complementarios para evaluar la solidez de los resultados del PLS-SEM.

Resultados

Este estudio halló que mindfulness influye directamente en el valor del servicio, la satisfacción y la calidad de vida. El valor del servicio también influye directamente en la satisfacción. La satisfacción influye directamente en la lealtad a la empresa. Además, la lealtad a la empresa, pero no la satisfacción, influye directamente en la calidad de vida. Sin embargo, este estudio no encontró pruebas de que el valor del servicio, la satisfacción y la lealtad a la empresa medien la influencia de mindfulness en la calidad de vida.

Originalidad

Los hallazgos ayudan a avanzar en la comprensión de cómo los bancos pueden mejorar la calidad de vida de sus clientes al tiempo que mantienen el bienestar de otras partes interesadas.

Implicaciones prácticas

Los directores de marketing bancario deben asegurarse de que sus clientes tienen una experiencia impresionante en cada momento con los servicios prestados para apoyar la mejora de la calidad de vida de los clientes.

目的

生活质量是银行业客户关心的问题, 但在银行业范围内的研究中, 它很少得到关注。本研究旨在研究正念对客户生活质量的影响, 以及服务价值、满意度和对公司的忠诚度在这种关系中的中介作用。

设计/方法/途

三百名银行业客户参与了调查。本研究采用偏最小平方结构方程模型(PLS-SEM)来检验各变量之间的关系。然后, 本研究使用补充方法来评估PLS-SEM结果的稳健性。

研究结果

本研究发现, 正念直接影响了服务价值、满意度和生活质量。服务价值也被发现直接影响满意度。满意度直接影响到对公司的忠诚度。此外, 对公司的忠诚度, 但不是满意度, 直接影响了生活质量。然而, 本研究没有发现任何证据表明服务价值、满意度和对公司的忠诚度可以调解心态对生活质量的影响。

原创性/价值

研究结果有助于推进人们对银行如何在保持其他利益相关者福祉的同时提高客户的生活质量的理解。

实践意义

银行营销经理需要确保他们的客户对所提供的服务有令人印象深刻的时刻体验, 以支持改善客户的生活质量。

Article
Publication date: 16 September 2022

Rowaida Yawar, Soulat Khan, Maryam Rafiq, Nimra Fawad, Sundas Shams, Saher Navid, Muhammad Abdullah Khan, Nabiha Taufiq, Areesha Touqir, Moazma Imran and Tayyab Ali Butt

This study aims to examine the relationship between aging anxiety, self-esteem, physical symptomology and quality of life in early and middle adults as well as to explore the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between aging anxiety, self-esteem, physical symptomology and quality of life in early and middle adults as well as to explore the mediating role of self-esteem.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was designed, and a sample of N= 700 educated men and women aged between 35 and 65 years were taken through purposive sampling. Anxiety about Aging Scale, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, The World Health Organization Quality of Life – BREF and Somatic Symptom Scale-8 were used for assessment.

Findings

Research suggests that an increase in aging anxiety leads to poor quality of life and lower self-esteem. Additionally, a negative relationship was observed between aging anxiety and physical symptomology. Self-esteem plays a mediating role significantly in these relationships.

Practical implications

The study highlighted the adverse effects of aging anxiety on the basis of which strategies can be devised to cope with it as well as to improve the self-esteem and quality of life in transition age. These findings can also aid in providing health care and public services in later adulthood. This study also emphasizes on aging as a human right rather than merely a process such as the human right for physical health and mental health.

Originality/value

This study provides a new outlook and perspective toward how the phenomenon of aging impacts the lives of adults who are about to enter older adulthood in a few years. The fears related to aging influence physical and mental health, due to which it is necessary to investigate the effect of aging anxiety.

Details

International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, vol. 17 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4902

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 February 2023

Arturo Bris, Shlomo Ben-Hur, José Caballero and Marco Pistis

The purpose of this paper is to assess the country-level drivers of managers' and executives' mobility. Both sub-groups play a fundamental role in entrepreneurship, innovation and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the country-level drivers of managers' and executives' mobility. Both sub-groups play a fundamental role in entrepreneurship, innovation and ultimately on wealth creation in destination countries. The objective is to capture how the impact of economic, cultural and institutional factors differ for these sub-groups’ vis-a-vis the broad highly skilled group's mobility.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates the country-level drivers of managers' and executives' bilateral migration from 190 countries to 32 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. It builds a model on four macro-contextual attractiveness factors of destination countries: economic conditions, cultural affinity, institutions and quality of life. The authors use fixed-effects regressions and carry several model specifications comparing the impact of different attractiveness factors on the migration of lower skilled, highly skilled, managers and executives.

Findings

The authors find that economic incentives do not motivate managers' or executives' mobility. The quality of life is more significant in driving executives' mobility than economic measures are. Cultural affinity, institutions and quality of life are more important for managers. Ethnic relations are significant for the overall highly skilled sample.

Practical implications

These results have implications for global companies interested in recruiting managers and executives and their recruitment strategies. International businesses attempting to maximize their access to international managers, for instance, can develop recruitment packages that capitalize on the particularities of the quality of life of the potential destination country. Such packages can contribute to streamlining the process and focusing on candidates' needs to increase the likelihood of relocation. The study’s results, in addition, have policy implications in terms of the “branding” of countries whose aim is to attract managers and other highly skilled talent. Officials can build an effective country-branding strategy on the existence of ethnic networks, effective institutions and quality of life to attract a particular segment of the talent pool. For instance, they can develop a strategy to attract executives by focusing on a specific cultural characteristic and elements of the quality of life such as the effectiveness of their country's healthcare and education systems.

Social implications

The paper also points out to the issues that policymakers must resolve in the absence of an education system that guarantees the talent pool that the economy needs. For those countries that rely on foreign talent (such as Switzerland, Singapore and the USA), it is paramount to promote safety, quality of life and institutional development, in order to guarantee a sufficient inflow of talent.

Originality/value

Most global studies focus on the complete migrant stock or on highly skilled workers in particular. The authors disaggregate the sample further to capture the drivers of managers' and executives' migration. The authors find that latter sub-groups respond to different country-level attractiveness factors compared to the broader highly skilled sample. In doing so, the authors contextualize the study of mobility through a positively global lens and incorporate the impact of some of the factors generally overlooked.

Details

Journal of Global Mobility: The Home of Expatriate Management Research, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-8799

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 11 December 2023

Hamid Doost Mohammadian

The technological revolution is fundamentally changing our lifestyle, work, and communication. There is still no accurate information about the future of this great…

Abstract

The technological revolution is fundamentally changing our lifestyle, work, and communication. There is still no accurate information about the future of this great transformation, but one thing is quite clear: the speed of the transformations in terms of scale and complexity, like a storm, will go through all aspects of a society's life and change all the current paradigms. One of the expectations from the fourth industrial revolution will be the expansion of smart cities in accordance with sustainable development criteria. In order for a city to be truly smart and innovative, city officials must pay attention to elements such as renewable and clean energy such as the internet of things, smart networks, smart parking, and smart transportation. In another sense, there must be a balance between economy, environment, and society in order to build a strong, sustainable, and flexible smart city that will survive the test of time. Of course, based on the 7PS model, the dimensions of culture and education are very important and fundamental for high sustainability. Researchers and those involved in the implementation of smart cities have explained the main indicators to identify these cities, which include some of the following items: For example, smart building, environmental protection, smart garbage collection, digitization of all government affairs and administrative work, widespread use of smartphones and electronic devices, complete, convenient, and universal access to the internet, car sharing service and online taxi. Other important indicators include the intelligentization of the traffic system and urban planning, citizen participation, economic ecosystem, optimization in electricity, water and energy consumption, development of electric and electric public transportation fleet, quality control and management, and reduction of air pollution. In this chapter, the theory of i-Sustainability Plus and i-Comprehensive Strategic Urban Plan is introduced as the beating heart of the ubiquitous blue-green smart city design. In such urban areas, it is all about the combination of real life, virtual reality, and in addition the future of clean technologies. In general, it can be said that sustainable smart cities are a solution to combat the challenges of urbanization.

Article
Publication date: 19 December 2023

Pantri Heriyati, Nathanya Chitta, Sekar Prasetyaningtyas, Prita Prasetya and Neeraj Yadav

Interrelationships among some common factors of human resource (HR) management and quality management are still unexplored. Changes in work patterns due to the Covid-19 pandemic…

Abstract

Purpose

Interrelationships among some common factors of human resource (HR) management and quality management are still unexplored. Changes in work patterns due to the Covid-19 pandemic have aroused interest in some of these factors, such as working-hours, work pressure, work–life balance practices, job satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to explore the interrelationships among such factors. Specifically, the influence of work hours, work pressure, job rotation and work–life balance on job satisfaction is evaluated both directly and under the mediating influence of working conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in Indonesia among diversified organisations. A total of 432 responses were gathered, and they were examined using hypothesis testing and partial least square based structural equation modelling.

Findings

The study confirms the statistically proven impact of work pressure, job rotations and work–life-balance practices on working conditions. Job rotations, work–life balance practices and working conditions directly influenced job satisfaction. Work pressure did not influence job satisfaction directly, but it significantly influenced working conditions, which eventually affected job satisfaction. Working hours neither affected working conditions nor job satisfaction in a significant manner.

Practical implications

Covid-19 necessitated working from home, which is a peculiar work–life balance situation. The findings are helpful for organisations in planning strategies related to work–life-balance, working hours, multi-skilling, working conditions and other quality of work life factors in both regular working conditions and under Covid-19 conditions.

Social implications

The proven influence of work pressure and work–life-balance practices may result in the formation of informal organisations, social groups and increased social networking. As working hours are not diagnosed as an influencing factor for job satisfaction, organisations may think about increasing them, affecting the social fabric of the working community.

Originality/value

Previously unexplored interrelationships among various quality of work life factors are established. Under Covid-19 circumstances, factors such as working hours, work–life-balance and work pressure are investigated in a novel manner. The factors and their interrelationships are important to both quality management professionals and HR professionals.

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