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1 – 6 of 6Paul Christopher Strickland and Vanessa Ratten
The main purpose of this article is to understand the motivations for Bhutanese students to study hospitality and tourism courses. The second objective is to analyse what…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this article is to understand the motivations for Bhutanese students to study hospitality and tourism courses. The second objective is to analyse what countries are the preferred destinations for study abroad and visitation for students. This includes focussing on new course topic areas such as sustainability for business in hospitality and tourism courses.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative methodology approach was undertaken with two surveys administered to the first and second student intakes into the Bhutan Middle Management Hotel Program. Motivational and reasoned action theory form the basis of the theoretical framework to understand behavioural intentions regarding educational choices in hospitality and tourism courses.
Findings
The results of the surveys indicate that the main motivations to study hospitality and tourism are for attraction, career opportunities, status, broader benefits and aptitude. In addition, it was found that students studying hospitality and tourism in Bhutan are likely to stay in the sector for a long period of time thereby contributing to the economic and social development of Bhutan. Moreover, it was found that the United Nations Sustainable Development goals are increasingly being integrated into the tourism and hospitality sector, which is influencing students to study these topic areas.
Research limitations/implications
The results of this study will help government and hospitality providers support educational training programs by focussing on new education topic areas. This study is limited to Bhutan.
Practical implications
The results of this study will help government and hospitality providers support educational training programs by focussing on new education topic areas such as sustainability for business management. This will enable hospitality and tourism providers in Bhutan to update their curriculum and to focus on emerging industry needs.
Originality/value
This is amongst the first studies on Bhutanese students motivations for studying hospitality and tourism. It will provide practical and policy advise about how to train workers in order to become less reliant on foreign training providers and the importance of integrating sustainability topics in course design.
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Sami Alanzi and Vanessa Ratten
This article introduces the key findings from investigating technology's role in mitigating the business slowdown enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated increased…
Abstract
Purpose
This article introduces the key findings from investigating technology's role in mitigating the business slowdown enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated increased reliance on technological means among Saudi firms and citizens to facilitate business operations and other daily life routines, and the impact of this increase in technology adoption on the Saudi digital ecosystem and creating an inviting environment to digital entrepreneurship.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative interview methodology is undertaken to understand Saudi managers’ perceptions about the COVID-19 pandemic and digital entrepreneurship.
Findings
A significant finding is that now than ever before, the Saudi market is ready to accommodate more digital entrepreneurial ventures and digitalisation support services. Due to the pandemic's negative implications on the Saudi economy and the business slowdown associated with social distancing measures, a substantial increase in digital orientation and a need for technological solutions were noticed among Saudi firms. This means more attention needs to be placed on how Saudi firms can capitalise on the knowledge economy and digital revolution.
Originality/value
Saudi citizens have become more reliant on technology to manage daily activities and shop for their needs, creating opportunities for digital entrepreneurship to serve and fulfil firms' and people's increased demand for technology solutions.
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Margarida Freitas Oliveira, Eulália Santos and Vanessa Ratten
Errors are inevitable, resulting from the human condition itself, system failures and the interaction of both. It is essential to know how to deal with their occurrence, managing…
Abstract
Purpose
Errors are inevitable, resulting from the human condition itself, system failures and the interaction of both. It is essential to know how to deal with their occurrence, managing them. However, the negative tone associated with them makes it difficult for most organizations to talk about mistakes clearly and transparently, for fear of being harmed, preventing their detection, treatment and recovery. Consequently, errors are not managed, remaining accumulated in the system, turning into successive failures. Organizations need to recognize the inevitability of errors, making the system robust, through leadership and an organizational culture of error management. This study aims to understand the role of these influencing variables in an error management approach.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors applied the methodology of a quantitative nature based on a questionnaire survey that analyses error management, leadership and the organizational culture of error management of 380 workers in Portuguese companies.
Findings
The results demonstrate that leadership directly influences error management and indirectly through the organizational culture of error management, giving this last variable a mediating role.
Originality/value
The study covers companies from different sectors of activity on a topic that is little explored in Portugal, but part of the daily life of organizations, which should deserve greater attention from directors and managers, as they assume a privileged position to promote and develop error management mechanisms. Error management must be the daily work of leaders. This study contributes to theoretical knowledge and business practice on error management.
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Deepak Kumar, B.V. Phani, Naveen Chilamkurti, Suman Saurabh and Vanessa Ratten
The review examines the existing literature on blockchain-based small and medium enterprise (SME) finance and highlights its trend, themes, opportunities and challenges. Based on…
Abstract
Purpose
The review examines the existing literature on blockchain-based small and medium enterprise (SME) finance and highlights its trend, themes, opportunities and challenges. Based on these factors, the authors create a framework for the existing literature on blockchain-based SME financing and lay down future research paths.
Design/methodology/approach
The review follows a systematic approach. It includes 53 articles encompassing multiple dimensions of blockchain-based SME finance, including peer-to-peer lending platforms, supply chain finance (SCF), decentralized lending protocols and tokenization of assets. The review critically evaluates these approaches' theoretical underpinnings, empirical evidence and practical implementations.
Findings
The review demonstrates that blockchain-based SME finance holds significant promise in addressing the credit gap by leveraging blockchain technology's decentralized and transparent nature. Benefits identified include reduced information asymmetry, improved access to financing, enhanced credit assessment processes and increased financial inclusion. However, the literature acknowledges several challenges and limitations, such as regulatory uncertainties, scalability issues, operational complexities and potential security risks.
Originality/value
The article contributes to the growing knowledge of blockchain-based SME finance by synthesizing and evaluating the existing literature. It also provides a framework for the existing literature in the area and future research paths. The study offers insights for researchers, policymakers and practitioners seeking to understand the potential of blockchain technology in filling the SME credit gap and fostering economic development through improved access to finance for SMEs.
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