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Article
Publication date: 19 May 2022

Islam Elgammal

This study aims to explore community involvement in sustainable tourism development (STD) at Siwa Oasis, Egypt, and examines the perspectives of local communities, visitors and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore community involvement in sustainable tourism development (STD) at Siwa Oasis, Egypt, and examines the perspectives of local communities, visitors and governmental decision makers concerning the area’s STD plans. It provides a brief discussion on the stakeholders’ conflict of interest alongside exploring the costs and benefits of STDs for the community. This study examines the area’s problems and challenges and expands the discussion on STD by providing a deep understanding of the oasis context, which involves a broad range of issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this exploratory study, 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted with three groups of stakeholders (local community, governmental decision makers and visitors) to investigate the current practices of STD and the future vision for the area. Data were coded and interpreted using thematic analysis.

Findings

This paper provides empirical insights into how STDs can be practised in an oasis context. It suggests there is a conflict between the governmental vision for the area and the community’s needs that could lead to a failure to implement STDs. Themes related to environmental, social and economic STD dimensions are discussed. The findings provide managerial and practical implications for decision makers on the promotion of STDs in remote communities.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, the results may lack generalizability. Therefore, future studies are encouraged to test the study’s propositions further by using a mixed-methods approach, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practical implications

This paper has implications for STD within an oasis context, particularly concerning balancing the economic, environmental, political and social aspects of STD.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study how STD can be practised when most of the local community is already comparatively well-off economically.

Details

Journal of Place Management and Development, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8335

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 December 2022

Md. Shahzalal and Islam Elgammal

In spite of the increased interest of academics, there has not been a thorough examination of the actors and factors of accessible tourism (AT) development. The purpose of this…

Abstract

Purpose

In spite of the increased interest of academics, there has not been a thorough examination of the actors and factors of accessible tourism (AT) development. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between stakeholders’ attitudes, collaborative intervention and corporate sustainability and responsibility (CS&R) and the implementation of accessible tourism (IAT).

Design/methodology/approach

Focus group discussion, an expert content validity test and structural equation modelling were all used as part of a mixed-methods approach. At the longest sea beach in the world, located in Bangladesh, data was collected from the tourism stakeholders using an on-site questionnaire survey.

Findings

Stakeholders’ attitude is significantly related to their collaborative intervention, but accessibility inclusive corporate substantiality and responsibility (AICSR) mediates the relationships between attitude and implementation, as well as collaborative intervention and implementation. As a result, AICSR is identified as a key driver in the IAT.

Research limitations/implications

Purposive sampling was used to select stakeholders from Bangladesh’s most popular tourist destination. Nonetheless, the statistically valid model of this exploratory study can be tested for generalization in other contexts with a large sample size. The findings will bring diverse stakeholders to light and encourage barrier-free tourist growth that could improve the destinations’ comparative advantage and competitiveness.

Originality/value

This study is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, one of the first studies to use rigorous quantitative methods to investigate AT implementation with a focus on CS&R. It adds to the existing AT literature by providing a scale and model of IAT while highlighting the extent to which AT can be implemented within CS&R.

目的

尽管学术界对无障碍旅游发展的参与者和因素越来越感兴趣, 但还没有相关研究对此领域进行彻底的调查。本研究的目的是调查利益相关者的态度、协作干预、企业可持续性和责任 (CS&R) 与实行无障碍旅游 (IAT)之间的关系。

研究设计/方法/途径

本文采用的混合研究方法包括了焦点小组讨论、专家内容有效性测试和结构方程模型 (SEM)。在位于孟加拉国的世界上最长的海滩上, 我们通过现场问卷调查从旅游利益相关者那里收集了数据。

结果

利益相关者的态度与其协作干预显著相关, 但企业可持续性和责任的无障碍包容性(AICSR)在态度与实施以及协作干预与实施之间的关系中起中介作用。因此, AICSR 被确定为实施无障碍旅游的关键驱动力。

研究局限/应用

立意抽样法用于从孟加拉国最受欢迎的旅游目的地选择利益相关者。尽管如此, 该探索性研究的统计有效模型可以在具有大样本量的其他情况下进行泛化测试。调查结果将揭示不同的利益相关者, 并鼓励无障碍的旅游增长, 从而提高目的地的比较优势和竞争力。

原创性/价值

本文是最早以CS&R为重点, 使用严格的定量方法调查实行无障碍旅游的研究之一。它通过提供 IAT 的规模和模型来补充现有的无障碍旅游文献, 同时强调无障碍旅游可以在 CS&R 中实施的程度。

Propósito

A pesar del creciente interés de los académicos, no se han examinado a fondo los actores y factores del desarrollo del turismo accesible. El propósito de este estudio es investigar las relaciones entre las actitudes de los actores, la intervención colaborativa y la sostenibilidad y responsabilidad corporativa (RSC) y la implementación del turismo accesible (ITA).

Diseño/Metodología/enfoque

El estudio utiliza un enfoque de métodos mixtos que incluye una discusión de grupo focal, una prueba de validez de contenido de expertos y un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (MEE). En la playa marítima más larga del mundo, situada en Bangladesh, se recogieron datos de los agentes turísticos mediante una encuesta con cuestionario in situ.

Hallazgos

La actitud de las partes interesadas está significativamente relacionada con su intervención colaborativa, pero la sustancialidad y la responsabilidad corporativa inclusiva de la accesibilidad (SRCIA) media las relaciones entre la actitud y la implementación, así como la intervención colaborativa y la implementación. Como resultado, la SRCIA se identifica como un factor clave en la implementación del turismo accesible.

Limitación de la investigación

Se utilizó un muestreo discrecional para seleccionar a las partes interesadas del destino turístico más popular de Bangladesh. No obstante, el modelo estadísticamente válido de este estudio exploratorio puede probarse para su generalización en otros contextos con una muestra grande. Las conclusiones mostrarán diversos grupos de interés y fomentarán el crecimiento del turismo sin barreras que podría mejorar la ventaja comparativa y la competitividad de los destinos.

Originalidad/valor

Se trata de uno de los primeros estudios que utilizan métodos cuantitativos rigurosos para investigar la implantación del turismo accesible centrándose en la RSC. Contribuye a la bibliografía existente sobre turismo accesible al proporcionar una escala y un modelo de ITA, al tiempo que pone de relieve hasta qué punto se puede implementar el turismo accesible dentro de la RSC.

Article
Publication date: 25 April 2022

Ghada Talat Alhothali, Felix Mavondo and Islam Elgammal

In recent days, there has been an increasing interest towards achieving sustainable tourism objectives globally and specifically in Saudi Arabia. The benefits can be maximized if…

Abstract

Purpose

In recent days, there has been an increasing interest towards achieving sustainable tourism objectives globally and specifically in Saudi Arabia. The benefits can be maximized if the government is successful in attracting current pilgrims and influence their future intention to revisit the country as tourists. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to measure pilgrims’ revisit intentions to understand more about the possibility of their potential contribution towards the Saudi tourism and hospitality industry in the evolving circumstances.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses configuration theory to identify the “ideal” type of the pilgrims and compares this to the rest to establish if they differ and if that difference matters. Data were collected from 278 visitors to the Holy Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah.

Findings

The findings show that a large deviation from the “ideal pilgrim” is negatively related to revisiting intentions and dissemination of positive word of mouth (PWOM).

Research limitations/implications

The development of profiles gives a better understanding of organizations or people across several dimensions looked at holistically. Fundamental to the theory is that there are only a limited number of configurations that achieve optimal performance (however defined).

Originality/value

The analytical approach adopted in this paper leads to achieving verbal and statistical correspondence in tests of “gestalts”. The interest is in establishing whether this difference matters to intentions to revisit and providing PWOM.

Details

Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. 14 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0833

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 March 2022

Muhammad Haroon Shoukat, Islam Elgammal, Syed Asim Shah and Hira Shaukat

The primary objectives of this paper are to examine the mediating effect of team learning (TL) in the relationship between shared leadership (SL) and team performance (TP), to…

Abstract

Purpose

The primary objectives of this paper are to examine the mediating effect of team learning (TL) in the relationship between shared leadership (SL) and team performance (TP), to investigate the important contingencies-moderating role of workplace bullying in the relationship between SL and TL and to investigate the moderating role of job insecurity in the relationship between TL and TP in health-care organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the social learning theory, this study used the aggregation approach to collect data, by using a structured questionnaire and the purposive sampling technique, from 223 respondents (60 leaders and 174 team members) of 60 sales teams from the top 10 pharmaceutical companies. A structural equation modeling on SmartPLS 3.2.9. was then used for analyzing the data collected.

Findings

The results indicate that SL significantly affects TP and that TL partially mediates this relationship. Workplace bullying has a significant impact as it reduces the effect of SL on TL and has a significant impact on TL. On the other hand, job insecurity has positively influenced TL and TP.

Originality/value

One of the first studies in the Pakistan health-care producer context used social learning theory to develop a contingency model based on important contingencies (workplace bullying and job insecurity). The study contributes to the existing literature on team leadership, highlighting how leadership can be translated into team performance.

Details

Team Performance Management: An International Journal, vol. 28 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-7592

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2022

Islam Elgammal, Ghada Talat Alhothali and Annarita Sorrentino

Umrah is a religious ritual that takes place inside the Holy Mosque in Makkah. Umrah can be performed any time during the year; however, performing Umrah in the month of Ramadan…

Abstract

Purpose

Umrah is a religious ritual that takes place inside the Holy Mosque in Makkah. Umrah can be performed any time during the year; however, performing Umrah in the month of Ramadan is much rewarded. Although the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is hosting this event each year, studies that focus on exploring the Holy Mosque visitor segments are scarce. This study aims to explore and describe the marketing segments of Umrah performers relative to their Umrah experience inside the Holy Mosque of Makkah. Most specifically, this study aims to explore segments of Umrah performers based on their perception of servicescape, hedonic and convenience value and the visitors’ outcome behaviors [i.e. intention to revisit and positive word of mouth (PWOM)].

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed-method techniques of data collection [i.e. self-administered questionnaires (n = 278) and short discussions (n = 10)] were used.

Findings

Cluster analysis is used for data analysis. The findings revealed four clusters of Umrah performers: real, occasional, rational and passionate performers.

Research limitations/implications

This study is a first attempt to target pilgrims based on their experience with the servicescape during the organized religious event; despite its exploratory nature, it reveals interesting insights that will be useful for managers and scholars. Although the study helps to enrich the existing knowledge on visitors’ experience and proposes some implications for practitioners, it does have some limitations. First, convenience sampling was used, and hence the findings cannot be generalized. Second, the limited period of observation did not allow the authors to provide a complete picture of the pilgrims’ behavior; for this reason, the study findings partially describe the phenomenon. Another limitation is related to the difficulty of approaching respondents from Asia or South East Asia although they constitute a significant percentage of the total Umrah performers every year; this is because of the language barrier as data was collected from only English and Arabic speakers. Hence, to overcome these limitations, it is suggested that future studies could be expanded to target Asian respondents and perhaps other nationalities; and could be undertaken in other religious contexts. Moreover, an interesting future study could be carried out to compare the same model during other religious events. Added to that, another growing area of research could be approached by researchers, such as the impact of pilgrims sharing their experiences on influencing E-PWOM.

Practical implications

The findings reveal several implications for policymakers and stakeholders. The segmentation of Umrah performers assists destination managers, policymakers and local firms involved in managing this mass event to identify effective marketing decision-makers, business strategies and policymakers to satisfy the needs of these visitors (Disegna et al., 2011). Particularly, the identification of the key characteristics of these visitors can help destination marketers to develop a marketing mix that suits the needs of each cluster (Smith et al., 2014). Despite that the performers’ main motivation is the religious purpose, marketing strategists can attract the attention of these visitors to visit other religious, cultural and heritage sites in the country.

Social implications

Encouraging the visit to other tourist spots in Saudi has several impacts on nourishing the economy and the community. Tourism in Saudi could encourage entrepreneurs to start new ventures to satisfy the need of visitors to the country. Small-medium enterprises could benefit from tourism as they could target market niches in which leader companies are not serving. For instance, hand-made souvenirs are one of these industries that could grow to satisfy the need of visitors.

Originality/value

The results contribute to the literature of event segmentation by identifying visitors’ profiles to rarely investigated destinations. The findings reveal several implications for policymakers and stakeholders.

Details

Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0833

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 March 2023

Toka S. Mohamed and Mohammed M. Elgammal

This study aims to compare the nexus between donations to Islamic and conventional microfinance institutions (MFIs) and their credit risk, financial performance and social…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to compare the nexus between donations to Islamic and conventional microfinance institutions (MFIs) and their credit risk, financial performance and social outreach.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use fixed effects and two-step system generalized methods of moments models with internal instrumentation. The analysis is conducted on an international sample of 1,519 MFIs in 55 countries during 1999–2019.

Findings

Islamic MFIs receiving greater donations experience an increase in credit risk, whereas the opposite occurs among their conventional counterparts. Donations are associated with an improvement in the depth of outreach of Islamic MFIs, allowing them to serve a poorer client base, despite a simultaneous decline in the breadth of their outreach. On the other hand, donations improve both the depth and breadth of conventional MFIs outreach. Donations also exhibit a positive relation with productivity, efficiency and sustainability in conventional MFIs.

Practical implications

This paper addresses a gap in the literature on Islamic MFIs and their use of donor funds by examining how donations contribute to the quality of their credit portfolios, financial performance and social outreach. This study used Ahmed’s (2012, 2017, 2020, 2021) total factor productivity model to capture the impact of donations on the performance of MFIs.

Social implications

Donations are found to contribute to positive financial inclusion outcomes for both Islamic and conventional MFIs, a promising implication for society and donors alike.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a gap in the academic literature on Islamic MFIs and their use of donor funds by examining how donations contribute to the quality of their credit portfolios, financial performance and social outreach.

Details

International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, vol. 16 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8394

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 8 January 2018

Walid ElGammal, Abdul-Nasser El-Kassar and Leila Canaan Messarra

Studies show that corporate governance (CG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are driven by ethical practices. The relationships between corporate ethics, CG and CSR have…

29739

Abstract

Purpose

Studies show that corporate governance (CG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are driven by ethical practices. The relationships between corporate ethics, CG and CSR have been heavily studied indicating significant associations. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of CG on the relationship between ethics and CSR.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through questionnaires from small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. The results were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that ethical practices have positive impact on CG, and in turn CG has a positive impact on CSR. The results also reveal a mediating effect of CG on the relationship between ethics and CSR.

Research limitations/implications

The sample selected is based on two countries in the MENA region, Egypt and Lebanon. Only SMEs are considered.

Practical implications

The innovative capabilities of SMEs in developing and emerging economies could be enhanced through corporate ethical practices which guide management for more CSR engagement through good CG.

Originality/value

The study contributes to corporate ethics, CG and CSR literature by providing evidence from a significant region, with both developing and emerging economies, on the mediating role of CG on the relationship between ethics and CSR.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 56 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 September 2021

Semih Ceyhan and Mehmet Barca

Classical assumptions of agency theory (AT) fall short of providing satisfactory answers to modern management and organizational knowledge (MOK) problems, and there is a need for…

Abstract

Purpose

Classical assumptions of agency theory (AT) fall short of providing satisfactory answers to modern management and organizational knowledge (MOK) problems, and there is a need for extending the scope of the field. This article aims to compare modern AT assumptions with the agency perspective of Islamic historical political treatises (namely, siyasetnamas) and point out how AT can be furthered.

Design/methodology/approach

This article applies content analysis method to find out agency perspectives in Islamic political treatises and then compare them with those of the basic AT assumptions to find out similarities and differences between them in explaining agency problems.

Findings

The agency perspective in siyasetnamas are based on the following assumptions which could contribute to the development of AT with their emphasis on (1) responsibilities beyond contracts, (2) entrustment rather than ownership, (3) shared societal responsibility rather than conflicting individual interests, (4) importance of self-control for both principals and agents and (5) trust discourse which emphasizes inner virtues rather than control discourse.

Originality/value

Agency perspectives cannot be considered independent of cultural imprints. By introducing siyasetnamas' agency perspective, this article makes an effort to suggest implications for how to further modern MOK based overwhelmingly on individualistic cultural assumptions to rediscuss agency problems from the viewpoint of specifically the emerging markets in which collectivist culture plays an important role in social and economic life. In this respect, siyasetnamas' agency perspective based on the notion of entrustment seems, arguably, to be a better fit to the contextual realities and managerial practices of emerging markets.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. 18 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Manoël Pénicaud and Anne-Gaëlle Jolivot

To date, a few studies have examined the use and circulation of votive materiality in religious pilgrimages. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has explored…

Abstract

Purpose

To date, a few studies have examined the use and circulation of votive materiality in religious pilgrimages. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has explored the ritual reuse of votive materiality within pilgrimages. This paper aims to explore the (re)uses and circulations of votive materiality in the ritual process.

Design/methodology/approach

In the analysis, the authors adopt the cross-views of an anthropologist and a marketing researcher. Votive practices are examined through the anthropologist’s past ethnographies. Audiovisual data play a central role in this analysis. Moreover, the authors choose a comparative perspective by focusing on two not famed pilgrimage arenas, each mobilising Muslim pilgrims and food offerings.

Findings

Revisiting the thoughts of Weber (1978) on the religious field and those of Kotler (2019) on transformational experiences, the authors propose a graphic schematisation to trace the circulations of votive materiality (sugar) involving four interdependent ideal-typical actors: the merchant, the priest, the mystical operator and the pilgrim-consumer who, in her/his quest for the divine, is the target for the first three. Either pilgrims or mystical operators can ritually reuse votive materiality. However, such reuses are not performed for ecological purposes, but for practical reasons, mainly due to an overabundance of votive materiality.

Originality/value

It is often believed that a votive object is only for single use, used only once, for a single request or thanksgiving, by a single person. But the authors show that once used, certain votive objects – as vehicles for grace – can be reused, revealing an unexpected ritual reuse.

Details

Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-2752

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 September 2023

Mahmoud Abou Kamar, Azza Maher, Islam Elbayoumi Salem and Ahmed Mohamed Elbaz

This study used an integrated model that incorporates the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to empirically investigate how…

Abstract

Purpose

This study used an integrated model that incorporates the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to empirically investigate how eco-gamification stimulates users' sustainability knowledge and, consequently, their pro-sustainable intentions through the mediating roles of sustainable knowledge and psychological and social norms. Thus, the study aims to examine users'’ experiences with the JouleBug app, which is designed to encourage users to complete at least one daily green task.

Design/methodology/approach

After a trial period of two weeks, a total of 360 participants completed the post-game survey during the research process.

Findings

The findings from the structural equation modeling and data analysis indicated a good fit for the model. The findings demonstrate that usefulness, ease of use and enjoyment of eco-gamification enrich users' sustainability knowledge, which, in turn, strongly influences their pro-sustainable intentions. According to the findings, the three factors of TPB have a significant impact on users' pro-sustainability intentions. Both sustainable knowledge and social cues play mediating roles in such relationships.

Practical implications

This study advocates that eco-gamification can be used as a platform to modify tourists’ pro-sustainability intentions in emerging tourism and technology destinations such as Egypt. Hence, this study offers significant information to tourism planners and other stakeholders on tourists’ behavioural intentions.

Originality/value

This study examined the effectiveness of an integrated model of TAM and TBP in predicting tourists’ intentions to use eco-gamification to improve the sustainability of tourist destinations.

目的

本研究采用结合技术接受模型(TAM)和计划行为理论(TPB)的综合模型, 旨在探究生态游戏化如何提升用户对可持续性的认知, 从而影响他们支持环保行为的意愿。通过研究可持续性知识以及心理和社会规范在其中的中介作用来实现这一目标。因此, 本研究调查了用户使用JouleBug应用程序的体验, 该应用程序旨在鼓励用户每天完成至少一个环保任务。

设计/方法/步骤

在为期两周的试验期后, 共有360名参与者在研究过程中完成了后测问卷调查。

研究结果

通过结构方程模型和数据分析, 研究结果表明模型拟合良好。研究发现, 生态游戏化的实用性、易用性和乐趣能够丰富用户的可持续性知识, 从而强烈影响他们支持可持续性的意愿。研究结果还显示, 计划行为理论(TPB)的三个因素对用户的支持可持续性意愿有显著影响。可持续性知识和社会提示在这些关系中发挥着中介作用。

实际意义

本研究主张, 生态游戏化可以作为一个平台, 用于引导游客在埃及等新兴旅游和科技目的地中支持可持续性的意愿。因此, 该研究为旅游规划者和其他利益相关者提供了有关游客行为意向的重要信息。

创新性/价值

本研究考察了TAM和TPB综合模型在预测游客使用生态游戏化改善旅游目的地可持续性意愿方面的有效性。

Finalidad

Este estudio utilizó un modelo integrado que combina el Modelo de Aceptación Tecnológica (TAM) y la Teoría del Comportamiento Planificado (TPB) para investigar cómo la eco-gamificación aumenta el conocimiento de los usuarios sobre la sostenibilidad y, en consecuencia, sus intenciones para actuar favorablemente en el medio ambiente. Esto se logró analizando cómo el conocimiento sostenible y las normas psicológicas y sociales actuaban como mediadores. Para ello, la investigación examina las experiencias de los usuarios con la aplicación JouleBug, diseñada para fomentar que los usuarios realicen al menos una tarea verde diaria.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Tras un período de prueba de dos semanas, un total de 360 participantes completaron la encuesta posterior al juego durante el proceso de investigación.

Resultados

Los resultados del modelo de ecuaciones estructurales y análisis de datos indicaron un buen ajuste del modelo. Los resultaros evidencian que la utilidad, facilidad de uso y disfrute de la eco-gamificación enriquecen el conocimiento de sostenibilidad de los usuarios y, a su vez, influye significativamente en sus intenciones pro-sostenibilidad. Conforme a los resultados, los tres factores de la TPB tienen un impacto significativo en las intenciones pro-sostenibilidad de los usuarios. Tanto el conocimiento sostenible como las señales sociales desempeñan roles mediadores en estas relaciones.

Implicaciones prácticas

Este estudio aboga por el uso de la eco-gamificación como una plataforma para modificar las intenciones pro-sostenibilidad de los turistas en destinos emergentes de turismo y tecnología, como Egipto. Por tanto, esta investigación proporciona información significativa para los planificadores de turismo y otros interesados en las intenciones conductuales de los turistas.

Originalidad/valor

Este estudio examinó la eficacia de un modelo integrado de TAM y TPB para predecir las intenciones de los turistas de utilizar la eco-gamificación para mejorar la sostenibilidad de los destinos turísticos.

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