tourism management
Ali Motevali; Ali Mobini Dehkordi; Hossein Sadeghi
Abstract
The need to transition to an economic system that does not exceed environmental constraints requires a great deal of effort to address sustainability issues. In this regard, the circular economy model is expanding at political, commercial, and academic levels. The present study aimed to identify and ...
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The need to transition to an economic system that does not exceed environmental constraints requires a great deal of effort to address sustainability issues. In this regard, the circular economy model is expanding at political, commercial, and academic levels. The present study aimed to identify and analyze the factors influencing the entrepreneurial ecotourism based on circular economy. Having retrieved a total of 152 articles from the Google Scholar database, the study applied various filters and identified the most relevant articles (i.e., 14 items) regarding title, abstract, methodology, and article text. A meta-synthesis approach was used to analyze the articles, which led to the identification of 62 open codes and, at a higher level, seven core codes. The extracted categories were finally categorized under three stages: pre-circulation (empowerment and value creation), circulation (technology and biocentrism), and post-circulation (recycling and continuity).IntroductionDespite being classified as a service sector that produces intangible services, tourism relies on vast amounts and flows of inexhaustible natural resources. However, it largely reflects a linear production model (Manniche et al., 2021), which is based on a linear model of production and consumption, namely extraction/production and consumption/disposal, which depletes natural resources and produces waste. The current linear economy neither optimizes the use of materials nor promotes recycling and reuse of waste. Therefore, policymakers and stakeholders worldwide have increasingly focused on the concept of circular economy (CE). However, much of the CE literature has been developed mainly for the manufacturing sector, with only a limited number of sources devoted to the tourism sector, where massive consumption of energy and water, food waste, congestion problems, and CO2 emissions are prevailing (Rodríguez et al., 2020). Nonetheless, there is a growing focus on CE in order to address sustainability challenges. CE is emerging as a transformational model with economic, environmental, and social benefits (Clube & Tennant, 2020). It is gaining popularity in academia, industry, and policymaking as an alternative model that reduces resource consumption and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions. Business models are essential for implementing this concept at the organizational level (Geissdoerfera et al., 2020). However, there are very few documented initiatives on CE in the tourism industry, and this area has yet to be fully explored. CE is considered a relatively new paradigm that can contribute to a more sustainable tourism industry. In this respect, the tourism industry is worthy of further attention since it plays an essential role in economic transformation due to its multiplier effect on the whole economy and its capacity to encourage cyclical flows among suppliers and customers.Materials and MethodsThe current study is a qualitative research based on the meta-synthesis approach which involves examination of the data and findings extracted from other qualitative studies related to a research topic. It is worth noting that meta-synthesis is not the same as a comprehensive review of the qualitative literature. In meta-synthesis, the secondary and primary data analysis is applied not to the studies themselves but to their findings, so it involves combining interpretations of the primary data from the selected studies. This approach focuses on qualitative studies that do not necessarily cover a broad theoretical basis and, instead of providing a comprehensive summary of the findings, creates an interpretive synthesis of the findings (Zimmer, 2006). The sample of the present study consisted of a number of qualitative studies selected according to their relevance to the research question (Walsh & Down, 2005). Having retrieved a total of 152 articles from the Google Scholar database, the study applied various filters and identified the most relevant articles (i.e., 14 items) regarding title, abstract, methodology, and article text. They were then analyzed through a meta-synthesis approach, leading to the identification of several themes and categories.Results and DiscussionThe extracted categories were categorized under three stages: pre-circulation (empowerment and value creation), circulation (technology and biocentrism), and post-circulation (recycling and continuity).ConclusionThe primary purpose of this study was to identify and analyze previous research in the field of CE and its relationship with the tourism industry. Based on the analysis of the relevant articles, the extraction categories were categorized under three stages: pre-circulation (empowerment and value creation), circulation (technology and biocentrism), and post-circulation (recycling and continuity). The research findings suggest that developing the tourism industry based on CE approach is considered essential for sustainable growth and development of regions. The industry’s evolution towards CE to minimize its environmental footprint is of great importance. Circular tourism emphasizes the reuse of goods and waste recycling, and considers the use of second-hand rental goods and facilities as a valuable measure. In circular tourism, unlike linear tourism, the tour process does not end with the completion of the tour but enters the post-tour stage, which is as important as the tour stage. Compared to previous research, the present study is innovative in both practical and theoretical aspects. It is innovative in terms of research because it is one of the first studies in Iran to address the issue of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the tourism industry with an emphasis on CE. Secondly, it looked at the conditions and advantages of tourism from an ecosystem perspective. The research findings can be useful for policymakers concerned with improving competitiveness and creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurial businesses. The novelty of this study lies in the contribution it makes by providing the relevant policymakers with a refined and new insight into the topic.
Maryam Mahmoudi; Mohammad Chizari; khalil kalantari; Abdolreza Roknadin Eftekhari
Abstract
Introduction
As one of the multifunctional agricultural strategies, agritourism refers to farming-related activities carried out on a working farm or other agricultural settings for recreational, tourism, and educational purposes (Arroyo et al., 2013). Despite the suitable conditions in the coastal ...
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Introduction
As one of the multifunctional agricultural strategies, agritourism refers to farming-related activities carried out on a working farm or other agricultural settings for recreational, tourism, and educational purposes (Arroyo et al., 2013). Despite the suitable conditions in the coastal provinces of the Caspian Sea, agritourism activities have not yet developed much in those areas. In this respect, the present study intended to investigate and identify the factors influencing the provision and development of tourism services by gardeners in the coastal provinces of the Caspian Sea, namely Golestan, Gilan, and Mazandaran.
Materials and Methods
The statistical population of this research included all multifunctional and monofunctional gardeners in Golestan, Gilan, and Mazandaran provinces. Using Cochran’s formula, the study calculated the sample size of monofunctional gardeners to be equal to 280 people (N=12004). A stratified random sampling method was to select the samples. Moreover, the research employed the estimation method since there was no valid data on the population size of gardeners providing agricultural tourism services (or multifunctional gardeners). For this purpose, the managers, officials, farmers, and village residents were interviewed, through which the statistical population of multifunctional gardeners was estimated to be 240 individuals. Using the Morgan sampling table, the study calculated the sample size to be 148 participants selected through convenience sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Cronbach’s alpha method was employed to calculate the reliability of the questionnaire. Considering the results of completing 30 pre-test questionnaires in Roknkola village located in Ghaemshahr city, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated to be higher than 0.7 for all sections of the questionnaire. Finally, the descriptive and inferential statistics (logistic regression test), done by SPSS software, were used to analyze the data.
Results and Discussion
This study showed that the relatively positive attitude of multifunctional gardeners providing agritourism services in their gardens towards agritourism whereas the monofunctional gardeners had a neutral perspective. The levels of knowledge and skills of monofunctional and multifunctional gardeners concerning agritourism development were moderate and high, respectively. According to the results, participation in entrepreneurship training courses, the level of knowledge and skills in agritourism development, entrepreneurial skills and spirit, and gardeners’ attitude towards agritourism explained 66.7 percent of the dependent variable (provision of agritourism).
Conclusion
According the research results, the two variables of age and income level did not significantly affect the prediction of the variable of acceptance and implementation of tourism businesses. In contrast, the farmers’ entrepreneurial knowledge and skills were found to be one of the variables influencing the acceptance and implementation of multifunctional agriculture and diversification of agricultural activities, including the provision of agritourism services. Hence, it is recommended that the entrepreneurial skills of farmers be strengthened as a creative and innovative response to environmental changes, including agricultural multifunctionality. Other recommendations are: Organizing appropriate training courses to strengthen farmers’ skills and entrepreneurial spirit using a balanced combination of human and technical communication skills; providing entrepreneurship education in school, vocational schools, and agricultural colleges in order to introduce and strengthen the concept and spirit of entrepreneurship; training the entrepreneurial workforce in cooperation with Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agricultural Jihad, and non-governmental organizations; establishing a system of incentives (esp. financial incentives) or subsidies for the farmers who have a specific business management plan; and providing financial and monetary funding for the projects with a prerequisite for entrepreneurship education.
Ali Mohamadi; Behzad Safaei
Abstract
Customers play an important role in successful organizations. Then, taking into consideration the demands and the needs of customers and also implementing innovation in products and services is so important. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation, ...
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Customers play an important role in successful organizations. Then, taking into consideration the demands and the needs of customers and also implementing innovation in products and services is so important. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation, learning orientation and human resource efforts on innovation and customer value in Iran 4-star and 5-star hotels. In order to achieve this goal, managers of these hotels were considered as the population of the study and a sample of 82 managers was selected. The data were collected by standard questioner and were analyzed using Structural Equation modeling, Partial Least Square method and PLS software (version 2). The results showed that there is a positive relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and human resources efforts with innovation and customer value, and also, there is a negative relationship between market orientation and innovation and its relationship with the customer value was not confirmed. The Relationship between learning orientation and innovation was rejected and its relationship with customer value was positive and significant.
