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Article
Publication date: 9 April 2024

Robertico Croes, Valeriya Shapoval, Manuel Rivera, Monika Bąk and Piotr Zientara

The study aims to delve into the influence of tourism on the happiness of city residents, grounded in the overarching concept of livability. It posits that prioritizing residents’…

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to delve into the influence of tourism on the happiness of city residents, grounded in the overarching concept of livability. It posits that prioritizing residents’ happiness is crucial for effectively addressing cities’ challenges in balancing development and distinctiveness. The study pursues three primary objectives: first, establishing a potential correlation between city tourism and residents’ happiness; second, examining the contributing factors to this correlation and third, identifying potential mediators that influence the connection between tourism development and residents’ happiness.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative single-case design and partial least square analysis, the study underscores the intricate nature of various tourism development components. It specifically explores the roles of cognitive flexibility and social comparison in shaping the relationship between city tourism and happiness.

Findings

The findings make a distinctive contribution by revealing that not all tourism domains contribute positively to happiness. Furthermore, it sheds light on how tourism development impacts the emotional and cognitive dimensions of happiness, emphasizing the adverse effects of inequality and feelings of insecurity.

Research limitations/implications

The study acknowledges certain constraints, including its employment of a cross-sectional design, the issue of generalizability, potential sampling bias and the reliance on subjective measurements when evaluating constructs like happiness and satisfaction with life. Using self-reported data introduces susceptibility to social desirability bias and individual perceptual differences, potentially resulting in measurement inaccuracies. Nevertheless, despite these limitations, the study’s findings offer valuable insights that contribute to both theoretical advancement and the realm of urban management.

Practical implications

The findings elucidated through the mediation analyses conducted for hypotheses three to seven shed light on the significant roles played by mental adaptation and social comparison mechanisms in shaping individuals’ happiness. These insights substantially enhance our understanding of this field. Particularly, the dimensions of social and environmental impact within tourism appear to counterbalance the positive effects stemming from the economic and cultural aspects. This suggests a scenario where an excessive focus on tourism development could potentially undermine the overall livability of the city. These outcomes further indicate the necessity for proactive interventions by destination managers. Their efforts should be directed toward enhancing the environmental and social domains, aiming to reinvigorate the sense of community among residents, which appears to be gradually waning.

Social implications

The outcomes of this study emphasize the utmost significance of prioritizing residents’ happiness above mere considerations of economic growth when formulating efficacious strategies for tourism. By concentrating on the happiness of the local population, a harmonious resonance is established with Sustainable Development Goal 11, which advocates for the creation of habitable cities founded upon the principle that “a city that is not good for its citizens is not good for tourists.” This alignment underscores the interconnected nature of residents’ happiness and the sustainable development of tourism. Moreover, residents’ happiness plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenge that cities face in harmonizing growth and their uniqueness, ensuring competitiveness and sustainability.

Originality/value

The research underscores the need for a people-oriented perspective in urban planning and tourism development initiatives. The study identifies diverse factors impacting residents’ happiness in city tourism, highlighting the complex interplay of environmental, cultural and socioeconomic elements. It emphasizes income’s role but underscores nonmaterial factors and individual preferences. Overall, the study offers timely and valuable insights into the intricate connection between tourism development, residents’ happiness, living conditions and human perception, guiding urban planners and stakeholders.

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 December 2016

Manuel Rivera, Robertico Croes and YunYing Zhong

This paper aims to examine and identify important attributes for mobile applications (apps) that might dictate tourist preferences for the apps on a small island destination…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine and identify important attributes for mobile applications (apps) that might dictate tourist preferences for the apps on a small island destination. Guided by the Task Technology Fit (TTF) theory, the study considers the tasks performed, technology characteristics and individuals’ characteristics in determining the mobile apps attribute set.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a conjoint methodology within a case study approach framework. The conjoint analysis allows for assessing preferences from different consumers regarding the objective characteristics of products or services that facilitate the optimal design of product development. Optimal product development is a challenge for destinations, as they strive to achieve and sustain optimal market positions. Mobile apps may empower destinations in this endeavor. The case study approach imparts a context-dependent knowledge that facilitates a more nuanced understanding of consumer preference of use.

Findings

The results of the conjoint analysis suggest a strategic mapping of the most important attributes including type of content information, coupons and location awareness in defining apps product development. Within each attribute, the study also identifies the significant characteristics of a mobile application that are preferred by tourists. This ranking exists irrespective of familiarity with the destination (first-time and repeat visitors).

Research limitations/implications

The implication is that revealed preferences anchored in conjoint analysis provide a powerful approach to optimize product development in a small island destination. From a practical perspective, the findings suggest that the developments of a mobile app for a destination must concentrate on fostering spending and consider the app as a new marketing channel. From a theoretical point of view, the current study highlights the usefulness of using the conjoint analysis and the TTF theory as an overarching framework in mapping a multi-attribute decision-making space that influences tourist judgment and preference of use. The conjoint method applied in the study enables researchers to clearly identify a combination of various mobile app attributes that are most influential on tourists’ choice and preference of use. The guiding framework, TTF theory, allows the conjoint product designs to go beyond the technology characteristics to include tasks performed by tourists and their individual characteristics.

Originality/value

This study is the first to apply a conjoint analysis within the TTF theoretical framework in the context of a small island destination when assessing tourists’ use preferences toward mobile applications, while at the same time investigating whether any differences exist between first-time and repeat visitors. The study demonstrates that complementing the nature of the task (traveling) with context-specific interface and interactive features is an important area of inquiry that can benefit from adopting conjoint analysis.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 28 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 September 2021

Hugo Padrón-Ávila, Robertico Croes and Manuel Rivera

This study aims to examining how tourists’ activities condition the relationship between destination image, satisfaction and loyalty.

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examining how tourists’ activities condition the relationship between destination image, satisfaction and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a constructive replication design (CRD) to investigate the alleged critical role of tourism activities in impacting the tourism experience dimensions of image, satisfaction and loyalty. The CRD approach does not include new concepts or original relationships. However, what is new in the established relationship between image, satisfaction and loyalty is discerning the role of tourism activities as a moderator conditioning the relationship between the three dimensions. The purpose is to establish the external validity of previous studies’ findings through a more stringent test of the findings’ replicability. The analysis used partial least square modeling to examine the relationship between activities, dimensions and multigroup analysis to estimate potential significant differences in group-specific parameters, which are not often used in destination analysis, ensuring rigor in the data analysis and model. The number and type of activities practiced moderate the relationships between these constructs.

Findings

The results indicate that tourists’ type and several destination activities moderate the relationship between tourists’ satisfaction, perceived image and loyalty. The results also suggest that the more destination activities tourists practice, the greater is their satisfaction. These two theoretical propositions put activities at the center of destination management and marketing and identify potential experiential consumption spheres. The analysis of activities’ central role is a productive research field.

Practical implications

This study made several recommendations to destination managers to increase activities participation such as strategic marketing opportunities, expansion of the activities portfolio with sports, wellness, nature based and life observation wildlife, voluntary and educational activities, revamping of the UNESCO heritage site and festivals. This study also recommended a strategic use of technology for information dissemination, the design of a daily activity agenda based on the identified segments’ activity patterns and a destination one-stop online travel shopping.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to apply the tourism activity-based approach to examine actual tourist behavior regarding their engaged activities instead of their experience or perceptions with those activities in a small island destination. Another contribution lies in examining if tourists’ type and activity engagement moderate the relationship between tourists’ satisfaction, perceived image and loyalty. This paper requires researchers to consider tourism activities’ impact on tourists’ image, satisfaction and loyalty.

小型海岛旅游目的地的旅游活动, 形象, 和旅客的满意度和忠诚度

研究目的 (Purpose)

本案例研究考察了旅游活动如何影响目的地形象、游客满意度和忠诚度之间的关系。

研究设计 (Design)

本研究采用建设性复制设计 (CRD) 来分析旅游活动在影响目的地形象、游客满意度和忠诚度等三个旅游体验维度起到的关键作用。 CRD 方法并没有引进新概念或关系。然而, 本研究新颖的地方在于认证旅游活动在目的地形象、游客满意度和忠诚度三个维度之间建立的调节关系。该研究通过严格测试研究结果的可复制来建立先前研究的外部有效性。该分析使用 PLS建模 和多组分析(MGA)来检验旅游活动和旅游体验的多维度之间的关系和估计特定组参数的潜在显著差异。 这些参数在目的地研究中不常使用, 从而确保我们数据分析和模型的严谨性。该研究结果表明旅游活动的数量和类型调节了这些旅游体验维度的关系。

研究结果 (Findings)

研究结果表明游客的类型和某些旅游活动调节了游客满意度、目的地形象和忠诚度之间的关系。结果还表明, 游客参与的活动越多, 他们的满意度就越高。这两个研究结果确定了旅游活动在目的地管理和营销的中心地位, 同时也指出了潜在体验消费的范围。研究目的地活动的核心作用将会是一个富有成效的领域。

研究的创新性 (Originality)

本研究首次应用基于旅游活动的理论方法 (TAB) 来检查旅客在小型海岛旅游目的地的实际行为, 而不是他们的体验或看法。本研究的另一个贡献在于检验游客的类型和活动参与是否会调节他们满意度、感知目的地形象和忠诚度之间的关系。该论文结果表明未来的研究需要考虑旅游活动对目的地形象、游客满意度和忠诚度的影响。

实际意义 (Practical implications)

本研究向目的地管理人员提出了几项建议以提高旅游活动的参与度, 例如战略营销机会、扩大运动、康养、大自然和野生动物观摩的活动组合、志愿和教育活动、和改善联合国教科文组织遗产地和节日。该研究还建议战略性地使用技术进行信息传播, 根据确定的细分市场活动模式设计游客日常活动议程, 以及目的地一站式在线旅游购物。

Propósito

Este caso de estudio examina cómo las actividades de los turistas condicionan la relación existente entre la imagen del destino, la satisfacción y la fidelidad.

Diseño

El estudio empleó una replicación constructiva para investigar el supuesto papel crítico de las actividades turísticas en el efecto de la imagen, satisfacción y lealtad de los turistas en su experiencia turística. El enfoque usado no incluye nuevos conceptos ni relaciones originales. Sin embargo, lo novedoso de la relación establecida entre imagen, satisfacción y fidelidad es discernir el papel de las actividades turísticas como moderadoras condicionando la relación entre las tres dimensiones. El propósito es establecer la validez externa de los resultados de estudios previos a través de una prueba más estricta sobre la replicabilidad de dichos resultados. El análisis utilizó un modelo PLS para examinar la relación entre las actividades, las dimensiones mencionadas y el análisis multigrupo con el objetivo de estimar las posibles diferencias significativas entre los parámetros de cada grupo, método no se utiliza con frecuencia en el análisis de destinos turísticos, lo que garantiza el rigor de nuestro análisis y del modelo. El número y tipo de actividades practicadas moderan las relaciones entre los constructos.

Resultados

Los resultados indican que el tipo de turistas y las diversas actividades del destino moderan la relación entre la satisfacción, la imagen percibida y la lealtad de los turistas. Los resultados también sugieren que cuantas más actividades del destino sean practicadas por los turistas, mayor es su satisfacción. Estas dos propuestas teóricas sitúan las actividades en el centro de la gestión y el marketing de destinos e identifican esferas potenciales de consumo experiencial. El análisis del papel central de las actividades es un campo de investigación en auge.

Originalidad

Este estudio es el primero en aplicar el enfoque basado en actividades turísticas para analizar el comportamiento del turista con respecto a las actividades realizadas en relación con su experiencia o percepciones con esas actividades en un destino insular pequeño. Otra contribución radica en estudiar si el tipo de turista y su compromiso con la actividad moderan la relación entre la satisfacción de los turistas, la imagen percibida y la fidelidad. El estudio sugiere que los investigadores deben considerar el impacto de las actividades turísticas en la imagen, satisfacción y fidelidad de los turistas.

Implicaciones prácticas

El estudio realiza varias recomendaciones a los administradores de destinos para aumentar la participación en actividades, como oportunidades de marketing estratégico, expansión de la cartera de actividades con deportes, bienestar, observación de la vida y la naturaleza basada en la naturaleza, actividades voluntarias y educativas, renovación del sitio del patrimonio de la UNESCO y festivales. El estudio también recomendó un uso estratégico de la tecnología para la difusión de información, el diseño de una agenda de actividades diarias basada en los patrones de actividad de los segmentos identificados y una ventanilla única de viajes en línea.

Article
Publication date: 31 October 2024

Robertico Croes, Hugo Padrón-Ávila, Manuel Rivera and Chaithanya Renduchintala

This study aims to examine key factors influencing hospitality employee turnover in a post-pandemic context, challenging conventional assumptions about the role of demographics…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine key factors influencing hospitality employee turnover in a post-pandemic context, challenging conventional assumptions about the role of demographics and work-related factors in retention decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopted a comprehensive framework using the capability approach and geospatial data analysis, integrating social vulnerability indexes with survey responses from 797 hospitality employees. This study analyzed turnover intentions across demographics, job roles and regions, focusing on Florida’s I-4 corridor.

Findings

Individual conversion factors like age and marital status were the strongest predictors of turnover, with older and married employees less likely to leave their jobs. In contrast, traditional variables like income, education and job type did not significantly influence turnover intentions. The pandemic blurred distinctions between job roles, highlighting personal circumstances, health risks and economic pressures as critical factors. Contrary to expectations, financial assistance did not significantly reduce turnover intentions. In addition, employees’ life circumstances, such as social vulnerability, influence labor relations and turnover more than work-related conditions.

Research limitations/implications

This study enriches turnover literature by confirming that personal life circumstances, like age and marital status, are pivotal in understanding employee retention. It challenges conventional demographic and work-related predictors and urges future research to explore the interaction between personal and professional factors in the hospitality industry. The study’s agent-based framework deepens the understanding of how various factors shape employee decisions to stay or leave.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that hospitality employers must develop more localized, employee-centric retention strategies, especially for younger employees. Tailored approaches considering regional and demographic differences, such as providing career development opportunities and flexible work conditions, could foster long-term loyalty. In rural areas, retention efforts should focus on improving job satisfaction and community support, while in urban areas, strategies prioritize career progression and flexibility.

Social implications

The study’s findings have significant social implications, particularly in reshaping how employee retention strategies are developed in the hospitality industry. By emphasizing life circumstances over traditional work-related factors, the research highlights the importance of supporting employees’ resilience, especially for those facing social vulnerability. Employers may need to create more flexible and inclusive policies that account for personal, economic and health-related challenges. In addition, the findings suggest that financial aid alone is insufficient in reducing turnover, calling for a more holistic approach that integrates emotional and social support to foster a more stable and loyal workforce.

Originality/value

This study challenges traditional turnover models by shifting focus from work-related factors to life circumstances, particularly the resilience of older and married employees. It integrates three dimensions – personal (sociodemographics), social (support) and environmental (job type, pandemic challenges) – to examine their influence on employee agency. This triadic framework offers insights into how individual, social and contextual factors shape turnover decisions.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 July 2018

Manuel Antonio Rivera, Kevin S. Murphy and Jalayer Khalilzadeh

This paper aims to investigate hospitality study abroad experiences as an educational service in which the experience encompasses services that combine tangible and intangible…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate hospitality study abroad experiences as an educational service in which the experience encompasses services that combine tangible and intangible actions that require students to move from the classroom to a practical setting. It empirically investigates the relationship between students’ study abroad, perceived value and perceived sacrifice (monetary and non-monetary) with their overall satisfaction and internationalization intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 57 students who had completed an international externship experience were contacted and invited to complete an online survey. The online survey gauged the student’s perception of their externship experience, the overall satisfaction and the internationalization intentions. The instrument also gathered demographic information about the participants. The proposed model was estimated by using partial least squares (PLS) path modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that PLS can be used to assess the theory of consumption value for study abroad experiential learning. The results of the hypotheses testing indicate that the value students get and give is a suitable and significant predictor of satisfaction and internationalization. However, students’ satisfaction with their study abroad internship does not predict future internationalization intentions.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on hospitality students’ perceived value, satisfaction and internationalization intentions when they complete a study abroad internship program. The results indicate that the value students get and give is an appropriate and important predictor of satisfaction and attitude toward international education.

研究目的

本论文旨在研究酒店管理专业出国留学的学生体验, 此体验既包括实体化行动又包括非实体化行动, 使学生走出教室, 进行实际操作。本论文实际检验学生出国留学、价值感知、牺牲感知(物质上和非物质上)、以及他们整体满意度和国际化意向。

研究设计/方法/途径

本论文采用在线问卷采样形式, 57名参加出国实习项目的学生为问卷样本。问卷主要衡量了学生出国实习体验、整体满意度、和国际化意向。此外, 问卷还采集了人口统计信息。本论文采用偏最小二乘回归(PLS)路径建模的分析方法来分析数据。

研究结果

分析结果表明PLS可以检验出国体验学习的消费价值理论。 研究结果表明学生得到和给与的价值是一项决定其满意度和国际化意向的指标。然而, 学生对于出国实习的满意度并不能决定其国际化意向。

研究原创性/价值

本论文主要研究了酒店管理专业的学生, 当完成出国留学项目后, 他们的价值感知、满意度、以及国际化意向。研究结果表明学生得到和给与的价值是他们满意度和国际化意向的有效的决定指标

关键词

国际化行为、酒店管理专业实习、体验学习、校外实习、出国留学、价值、满意度

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9880

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 March 2022

Manuel Antonio Rivera, Valeriya Shapoval, Kelly Semrad and Marcos Medeiros

The study investigates how cultural festival attendees’ familiarity and involvement may influence their overall satisfaction and future behavioral intentions towards the festival.

Abstract

Purpose

The study investigates how cultural festival attendees’ familiarity and involvement may influence their overall satisfaction and future behavioral intentions towards the festival.

Design/methodology/approach

A path analysis is used to test the proposed model. The Sobel test is performed to determine the mediating role of attendee satisfaction on future behavioral intentions.

Findings

Attendee familiarity positively and directly impacts attendee involvement. Attendee satisfaction mediates the relationship between involvement and intention to return to the festival. The findings did not demonstrate a relationship between attendee involvement and intention to recommend the cultural festival. Attendees’ intention to return to the festival positively and directly impacts intention to recommend the festival.

Practical implications

For repeat cultural festival attendees, satisfaction is influenced by festival familiarity and involvement. As attendees become more satisfied with their festival involvement, their decision to return to the festival increases. The mediation effect of satisfaction indicates that this should be a priority, as it fully mediates the relationships. However, this is not the case as it relates to the intentions to recommend the festival.

Originality/value

The study contributes to literature on the impact of familiarity and involvement on repeat attendee satisfaction levels and how these relationships influence attendees’ decisions to return or recommend the festival. It is one of the first studies that investigates actual behavior of festival attendees, specifically in the context of an African-American cultural festival.

Details

International Journal of Event and Festival Management, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1758-2954

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 April 2015

Manuel Antonio Rivera and Abraham Pizam

– This study aims to analyze the progression of research in the domain of Hospitality Management since its inception in the early part of the twentieth century.

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the progression of research in the domain of Hospitality Management since its inception in the early part of the twentieth century.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of qualitative analyses of the published literature in the past 80 years plus a quantitative survey of 613 manuscripts published in the International Journal of Hospitality Management (IJHM) from 2000 to 2012.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that hospitality management research has progressed in the past four years through four distinct phases, namely, Story Tellers (1930-1950), Profilers (1950-1970), Copy Cats (1970-2005) and Innovators (since 2000). The evolution in the literature reflects that people in hospitality management and academia are improving their connection between theory and practice.

Research limitations/implications

The quantitative part of this study was limited to articles published in the IJHM, and as such, they may not be fully representative of research articles that were published in other journals both in English and/or additional languages.

Originality/value

The results of this study can be used as evidence that the modern field of hospitality management has reached a maturity level that is equal in rigor and sophistication to other disciplines in the domains of business administration and the social sciences.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 27 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 October 2015

Manuel Rivera, Amy Gregory and Liza Cobos

The purpose of this study is to examine consumer perceptions toward the adoption of mobile technology within the vacation ownership/timeshare segment of the hospitality industry…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine consumer perceptions toward the adoption of mobile technology within the vacation ownership/timeshare segment of the hospitality industry. Despite the proliferation of mobile applications in the greater hospitality and tourism industry, few timeshare companies use this technology. However, customers have expressed strong intentions to use technology. Therefore, this study examines consumers’ attitudes toward and experiences with mobile applications and then through the use of a prototype, examines consumers’ intentions to use a mobile application. The relationships between attitude, experience and usefulness are explored in relation to intention to use.

Design/methodology/approach

Consumers that owned timeshares in the Orlando area responded to an online survey invitation from their resort management company. The survey instrument gathered data related to consumers’ attitudes toward and experiences with technology using established measures. A total of 914 surveys were collected and the proposed model was analyzed using path analysis.

Findings

Findings indicate that traditional technology adoption antecedents (experience, usefulness and attitude) explain timeshare owners’ intentions to use a mobile application. This is consistent with prior research. However, using established measures, the model explained consumers’ intentions to use the technology with greater certainty than what previous research has reported.

Research limitations/implications

The most encouraging and noteworthy implications from the findings are threefold. First, timeshare owners are using mobile technology while traveling (mobile phones, tablets and laptops). The owners’ experiences with mobile devices exert a positive influence that moderates intention to use. In addition, the impact of technology experience on intent to use is mediated by perceived usefulness and attitudes toward the application. Though the sample size was large, limitations do exist, as those surveyed were all owners of a single timeshare resort based in Orlando, Florida.

Originality/value

In studies reported to date, there is scarce empirical research regarding mobile application adoption for timeshare owners or information about the factors that drive usage, attitude and adoption. This study discusses important insights about mobile services for an industry that lacks research in information technology.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9880

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 September 2008

Manuel Rivera, Robin B. DiPietro, Kevin S. Murphy and Christopher C. Muller

The purpose of this paper is to determine differences in perceived needs of training among multi‐unit managers (MUMs) in a large casual dining restaurant organization.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine differences in perceived needs of training among multi‐unit managers (MUMs) in a large casual dining restaurant organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study methodology was used to survey a group of 71 MUMs in one organization regarding characteristics of their job. There were a total of 52 respondents for a 74.65 percent response rate. A pair‐wise comparison was used to measure the difference in perceived training needs, followed by a stepwise regression to indicate the relationship between the perceived need for training and the MUM competency levels on their current jobs.

Findings

This study found significant differences between the perceived need for training in the current job or to get promoted in areas such as finance and control, marketing and promotions, and human resources. In addition, the perceived need of training in human resources influences how competent and confident multiunit managers feel with regards to doing their job or in being promoted to the next level of supervision.

Research limitations/implications

This research is developed as a case study focused on all the MUMs from one of the top 400 restaurant chains in the USA.

Practical implications

The knowledge obtained from this study will help multi‐unit restaurant organizations in the development of training and development programs and on human resource practices across organizations.

Originality/value

This paper offers insights into how casual dining restaurant MUMs have evolved from “task master” to “people developer” in their organizational roles.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 20 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 September 2013

Manuel Rivera and Amir Shani

The current paper aims to explore the attitudes of decision makers in restaurants in Puerto Rico toward vegetarian food, and examine the restaurants' orientation toward…

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Abstract

Purpose

The current paper aims to explore the attitudes of decision makers in restaurants in Puerto Rico toward vegetarian food, and examine the restaurants' orientation toward vegetarianism and the challenges they face in catering to vegetarian patrons.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was developed to include 21 items representing the various attitudes and views toward vegetarian food; restaurant characteristics; and participant's demographic information. A total of 92 face-to-face structured interviews were conducted among various independent family restaurants located in the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Findings

The findings suggest that although the participants certainly recognize the value of vegetarian food for their restaurants, they are still unaware or uninformed about many issues related to vegetarianism and vegetarian customers. Moreover, the study also raises some worrying concerns as to the attentiveness of restaurants to the needs of vegetarians.

Originality/value

The study raised important practical implications for restaurants in San Juan and, potentially, for restaurants in other destinations that share the same challenges. Perhaps the most important implication that emerges is the need to educate the decision makers in restaurants (i.e. owners, managers and chefs) regarding critical issues related to vegetarians and vegetarian food.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 25 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

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