Search results
1 – 10 of 248Maximiliano Emanuel Korstanje and Babu George
The present conceptual paper evinces a new understanding of the present and future of the tourist city in a post-COVID-19 world. The pandemic has wreaked havoc in the tourism…
Abstract
Purpose
The present conceptual paper evinces a new understanding of the present and future of the tourist city in a post-COVID-19 world. The pandemic has wreaked havoc in the tourism industry as well as global trade. The world, at least as we know, is debating the next recovery steps for 2023.
Design/methodology/approach
In this conceptual paper, the authors explore the substantial shifts faced by the urban areas during and post-COVID-19 pandemic. The disposed [and imposed] restrictive measures have affected negatively not only mobilities but also the urban landscape. The tourist-city, at least as it was imagined by J. Urry, has invariably set the pace to a ghost-city. In this new landscape, citizens are confined to be at home.
Findings
The tourist city has faced substantial changes. The authors dubbed the term ghost city to give some reflections on the radical changes urban zones are experiencing during 2020 and 2021. Classic notions as “the Other,” “globalization” and the “city” are in motion. The borders of some nations are being re-drawn while some radicalized voices and movements flourish.
Research limitations/implications
The authors introduce readers to the literature about the tourist city, which offers a perfect landscape for attraction, consumption and protest. The tourist city has been developed by scholars as a sign of a globalizing process that laid the foundations toward a new understanding of urban zones.
Practical implications
The present paper discusses critically the problem of COVID-19 and its severe restriction of free circulation and the forms in which the city is lived and dwelled. We were pressed to live our proximity through the lens of a screen or using digital media. The basic rights that are historically characterized by the legal architecture of the nation-state – which is based on high mobilities and the right of traveling – were suddenly suspended.
Originality/value
The authors deal with the problems of sociology to study the ghost city, which include not only the dilemmas revolving around the health passport but also the introduction of technology in formalizing the creation of a surveillance society that scrutinizes and, at the same time, entertains modern citizens, in a new culture where the “Other” becomes an undesired guest.
Propuesta
la presente nota intenta explicar el futuro de la ciudad turística en un contexto posterior al COVID-19. Habiendo dicho eso debe destacarse que la pandemia ha hecho estragos en la industria turística como así también en el comercio global. Los especialistas sugieren que el mundo global a los niveles iniciales anteriores a la pandemia se recuperará a mediados de 2023.
Metodología
el presente trabajo es una discusión conceptual que focaliza en los efectos del COVID-19 en la imagen de la ciudad turística.
Alcances
la ciudad turística atraviesa por estos días cambios radicales que afectan su naturaleza. Usamos el término ciudad fantasma [ghost city] para referirnos a los efectos socio-culturales a largo alcance de las medidas restrictivas para frenar el avance de la enfermedad. Nociones clásicas como “el Otro,” y la globalización deben ser re-conceptualizadas a raíz de la reconfiguración de las nuevas fronteras y de discursos racistas y radicalizados tendientes a negar a ese “Otro” diferente.
Implicaciones
el trabajo introduce a los lectores en la literatura especializada destacando las tensiones entre la ciudad turística y la ciudad como lugar de protesta y negociación. La ciudad turística es una creación directa del proceso globalizador que ha configurado las zonas urbanas.
Implicaciones prácticas
el presente trabajo discute críticamente como la crisis del COVID-19 ha marcado la forma de relacionarnos en la circulación. Estamos forzados a vivir nuestra proximidad por intermedio de las redes digitales, y un televisor, alterando las bases mismas del estado de libre tránsito y los derechos fundamentales a la circulación.
Originalidad
entre unos de los temas más originales que aborda el trabajo se encuentra el pasaporte sanitario, documento emitido por el estado para dar movilidad al sujeto. El pasaporte sanitario transforma no sólo la forma de validad la identidad, sino que introduce la tecnología al servicio de vigilancia del estado sobre el sujeto. En el mundo post COVID-19 el turista se transformado en un huésped indeseado.
Details
Keywords
LeAnn Brown, Babu George and Candace Mehaffey-Kultgen
The purpose of this paper is to trace the development of a competency model in a medium-scale power utility company located in the Midwest USA.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to trace the development of a competency model in a medium-scale power utility company located in the Midwest USA.
Design/methodology/approach
The model is developed based on insights drawn from the literature, company documents, and primary interviews with the key company stakeholders. The research process was carried out according to the guidelines of action research methodology.
Findings
Competencies required for employees were identified and operationally defined. Existing competencies were inventoried and superimposed on the required competencies. Gaps in competency presence and proficiency levels were noticed. The competencies required for effective performance were distributed across different levels in the hierarchy, according to the competency needs of each hierarchical level.
Practical implications
Attempts to tie these competencies to employee selection, succession planning, performance appraisal, training need assessment, leadership development, etc., are currently ongoing. The case company has also initiated a competency-driven leadership development process. Possible adaptations of this model for similarly placed companies in other sectors are discussed.
Originality/value
This is an original case study based on primary data, conducted as action research.
Details
Keywords
Gina Marano, Tony Henthorne and Babu George
Hospitality and Tourism.
Abstract
Subject area
Hospitality and Tourism.
Study level/applicability
Senior undergraduate level and graduate level.
Case overview
This case study charts out the development of a business plan for Ch’ulel Mendoza, a hypothetical all-villa resort nestled against the Andes Mountains, where guests enjoy luxurious wine-infused spa treatments. The business plan has to be comprehensive because it should become the basis of a turnkey project for potential investors. Ch’ulel Mendoza is surrounded by the lush vineyards of some of the most famous wine estates in Argentina. The spa, facilities and services pay homage to the wine-growing heritage of the region, promoting wine to its guests as both pleasurable for consumption and conducive to healthy living. The architectural design speaks directly to the vines themselves: the earth-covered spa is where guests soak up the healing nutrients in the vinotherapy and water treatments, much like the roots are nourished by the elements and water in the soil; the resort area embraces the outdoors with decks, open patios and pools where guests can bask in the sun and enjoy other natural elements, just like the grape plants themselves. Once it becomes operational, Ch’ulel Mendoza will symbolize a blend of wellness, recreation and the charm of the Latin American culture.
Expected learning outcomes
Develop a comprehensive business plan for a new business, understand the business environment, prepare a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and weaknesses analysis, develop functional (marketing, finance, human resources, operations, etc.) plans and understand the opportunities and challenges in the new product development process.
Subject code
CSS: 12: Tourism and Hospitality.
Details
Keywords
Kunal Yogen Sevak and Babu George
This paper systematically reviews the evolution of Internet of Things (IoT) research in business and management over the past decade and a half. It synthesizes current knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper systematically reviews the evolution of Internet of Things (IoT) research in business and management over the past decade and a half. It synthesizes current knowledge, identifies major themes, gaps, and future opportunities to guide scholars on potential research directions within this exponentially growing domain.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured systematic literature review methodology filtered IoT publications across business/management journals using Scopus database. Detailed thematic and bibliometric analyses chronologically mapped the progress of peer-reviewed articles from 2005–2023. Both quantitative metrics and qualitative coding inductively revealed historical trends, topics, applications and research implications.
Findings
Analysis uncovered six primary IoT research themes - business models, technology, data, customers, organizations, and sustainability. Dominant focuses were found on technological enablers, business model innovation and customer experience transformations. While technical aspects are well-documented, strategic technology integrations and organizational change management require greater emphasis.
Research limitations/implications
Focus restricted to academic articles published in management journals risks missing relevant papers published in other fields. Screening process involved some subjectivity. Lacks geographic analysis of research contexts. The rapidly evolving nature of technology domain risks findings’ generalizability.
Practical implications
Key enablers and success factors that we identified may support managerial decision making when it comes to IoT adoption.
Social implications
We discuss advancing IoT innovation through ethics and sustainability lenses and these may help ensure responsible adoption.
Originality/value
This analysis weaves together the extant literature and offers an evidence-based research agenda for management scholars by chronicling the state, evolution, influential factors, and future opportunities within IoT literature. It highlights major thematic shifts and priority gaps to address.
Details
Keywords
Anil Gupta, Nikita Dogra and Babu George
This study aims to identify factors affecting tourists’ intention of using travel apps installed in their smartphones.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify factors affecting tourists’ intention of using travel apps installed in their smartphones.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was developed largely based on the available scales in the published literature. A total of 389 participants responded to the survey, out of which 343 valid responses were obtained for statistical analysis.
Findings
Significant predictors of smartphone app usage intention included performance expectancy, social influence, price saving, perceived risk, perceived trust and prior usage habits. Usage behavior was largely mediated by usage intention, except in the case of habits. Contrary to the expectation, factors such as hedonistic motivation, facilitating conditions or effort expectancy did not impact usage intention or behavior.
Practical implications
The study gives app developers vital cues on tourist expectations from the apps. Oftentimes, developers tend to focus entirely on the material utility of their apps, neglecting every other factor influencing use. One particular implication is that despite tourism being a hedonistic activity, travel app usage behavior is not a hedonistic activity.
Originality/value
This is one of the few studies to examine adoption of smartphone travel apps in an emerging economy context by using extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology framework with additional constructs.
研究目的
本研究旨在于鉴定游客安装旅游手机APP的影响因素。
研究设计/方法/途径
本论文采用问卷形式进行采样。在389人的样本中,本研究共获得343有效数据以用于数据分析。
研究结果
经本研究鉴定,影响游客安装手机旅游APP的因素包括:性能预期、社会影响力、节约成本、感知风险、使用习惯。其中,使用动机为影响因素(使用习惯除外)是作用于使用行为的中间变量。与原本研究预期相左,诸如享乐主义的动机、便利条件、以及努力期望等因素对使用动机和使用行为并没有显著作用。
研究应用价值
本研究结果对于APP开发商将如何达到游客期望有着至关重要的启迪。开发商往往会专注于APP的物理性能方面的开发,忽视了其他影响APP使用的因素作用。本论文其中一个重要的实际应用价值在于,虽然旅游业是享乐主义的活动,旅游APP的使用行为却大相径庭。
研究原创性/价值
本研究是少数几篇以新型经济体为背景,采用延伸整合型科技接受模式(UTAUT2)为理论框架,研究旅游APP使用情况的论文。
Details
Keywords
Babu George, Lena Bucatariu and Tony L. Henthorne
Telehealth has been playing a progressively significant role in the management of the COVID-19 crisis. The enforcement of social distancing measures has had the consequence of…
Abstract
Telehealth has been playing a progressively significant role in the management of the COVID-19 crisis. The enforcement of social distancing measures has had the consequence of reduced technology distance in almost every walk of life. In this chapter, based primarily on the still-unfolding experiences of deploying it during the current situation, we argue that telehealth has finally come of age and that it is time to move it from the peripheries to the center of the twenty-first-century healthcare. To provide a live context to the discussion, several instances of how telehealth strengthened our healthcare systems during the COVID-19 crisis are presented.
Details
Keywords
Empowered patients are allies to the healthcare system, especially in emergency situations. Social media use has emerged to be a major means by which patients interact with the…
Abstract
Empowered patients are allies to the healthcare system, especially in emergency situations. Social media use has emerged to be a major means by which patients interact with the healthcare system, and in times such as the current COVID-19 situation social media has to play an even greater crisis management role by empowering patients. Social media channels serve numerous beneficial purposes, despite them also being blamed for the spread of misinformation during this crisis. In this Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) focused case study, we will discuss the increasingly greater role being played by the social media in healthcare in the region and how that empowers not just the patients but the system as a whole. In the GCC region, the healthcare sector is found to reflect a steady growth, leading to an increased drive for empowering patients by lowering the barriers to effective communication and consultation through online media. As of today, social media has become an element of the telehealth infrastructure being deployed in the region. During COVID-19, patients are seen to leverage it pointedly for online health consultations thereby lowering the stress on the healthcare system and adding to efficiencies.
Details
Keywords
Victoria Mitchell, Tony L. Henthorne and Babu George
Over the years, dark tourism as a theory has become very heterogenous. It has come to mean a lot of different things, according to the vantage points chosen for analysis. The…
Abstract
Over the years, dark tourism as a theory has become very heterogenous. It has come to mean a lot of different things, according to the vantage points chosen for analysis. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the research that has been conducted on the topic of dark tourism including what the accepted definitions are, where it originated from, subcategories of the topic, and tourist motivations for visiting such sites. A discussion regarding the role of cultural differences in perceiving the phenomenon of dark tourism is also included. Dark tourist experience is qualitatively different from that of the leisure tourists, and the theories and frameworks available in the extant tourism literature to understand leisure tourism are insufficient to capture its essence. This means, more foundational conceptualisations and radical theory building are called for – rather than incrementally tweaking the existing ones.
Details