Ülker Çolakoğlu, Esra Anış, Özlem Esen and Can Serkan Tuncay
This study explores tourists' virtual reality experiences during the transition to the Metaverse.
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores tourists' virtual reality experiences during the transition to the Metaverse.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative approach was employed to capture tourists' virtual reality experiences and knowledge of the Metaverse at two five-star hotels in Kusadasi (Republic of Turkey). The data were collected from Kusadasi using a purposive sampling technique. The research design focused on data collection with the structured interview technique. The interview form consisted of 7 questions in total, and a voice recorder was used to record the answers of the participants. After the first 4 questions were asked, the participants were presented a virtual reality experience with the virtual reality (VR) glasses. The interview was held face-to-face with thirty-five participants consisting of domestic and foreign tourists in two five-star hotels in the summer season of 2022. The collected data were analyzed with the content analysis technique and themes were created.
Findings
This study's findings enhance the conceptual capital in this emerging field and provide insights into many of the participants who have and have never experienced virtual reality applications and who are familiar and unfamiliar with the Metaverse as a concept.
Research limitations/implications
This study generates empirical data that informs contemporary debates about virtual reality and the Metaverse.
Practical implications
The findings show that most participants have never experienced a virtual reality application. Hotels and travel agencies should be aware of this new futuristic technology before the Metaverse transition. Metaverse is for generation Y and Z instead of Baby Boomers and generation X.
Originality/value
This study is unique in terms of depth and fills the gap as it provides useful insights regarding the evaluation of tourists' virtual reality experiences in the transition process to the Metaverse.
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Keywords
Guler Aras, Ozlem Kutlu Furtuna and Evrim Hacioglu Kazak
The main purpose of this paper is to evaluate to what extent a public university, named Yildiz Technical University, integrated report provides disclosure on International…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this paper is to evaluate to what extent a public university, named Yildiz Technical University, integrated report provides disclosure on International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) content elements, suggesting the presence of integrated thinking, and whether higher education institutions’(HEIs) characteristics could affect the level of disclosure on that framework. Additionally, the purpose of this paper is to identify whether the Yildiz Technical University follows the IIRC framework and how integrated reporting can enhance the value creation for HEIs’ stakeholders in the context of voluntary reporting.
Design/methodology/approach
To conduct integrated reporting framework in HEIs specifically from a public university perspective, this paper has used a case study approach. Research data have been triangulated through interviews, questionnaires and finally, documents and archival records.
Findings
This paper gives insights into the reporting practices from a public institution, specifically from HEIs. Delivering high-quality services in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable manner is significant to public accountability and transparency. The Yildiz Technical University has been the best example in disclosing non-financial information to its stakeholders and enhancing the accountability tool.
Practical implications
This paper can be a leading practice and can be considered as an integrated reporting framework for HEIs willing to follow the same path.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to investigate the integrated reporting framework in a developing country, under HEIs and specifically for a public university.
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Guler Aras, Ozlem Kutlu Furtuna and Evrim Hacioglu Kazak
The purpose of this study is to shed light on the association between stakeholders’ materiality and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), highlighting how higher education…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to shed light on the association between stakeholders’ materiality and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), highlighting how higher education institutions (HEIs) can pursue sustainable development and provide a holistic perspective by mapping material issues. This paper provides a clear understanding of the universities’ role, specifically a state university in a developing country in fostering sustainable development. Particularly, this study identifies where the service industry and Yildiz Technical University (YTU) can contribute to the SDGs.
Design/methodology/approach
This methodology contains three stages. In the first stage, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board categories have been mapped to the SDGs, in the second stage mapping of the service sector and its industries has been carried out. Additionally, the methodology was based on an exploratory case study.
Findings
This paper provides empirical results on the significance of the service sector, education and YTU in contributing to the SDGs. Moreover, this paper provides a framework by mapping the material issues on how the education sector can make contributions to the SDGs.
Practical implications
Exhibiting how HEIs’ implement integrated thinking and voluntarily implemented International Integrated Reporting Council guidelines can assist policymakers to make regulations based on the voluntary reporting framework.
Social implications
This paper contributes to increasing academics’ awareness of sustainability practices. The research process and findings of this study can assist policymakers to make regulations based on the HEIs’ voluntary reporting framework.
Originality/value
This study is the first to identify specifically where the service industry and specifically a state university in a developing country can contribute to the SDGs and one of a few in the emerging academic studies. Additionally, how integrated reporting can contribute to value creation by establishing and proactively achieving the SDGs.
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Şahver Omeraki Çekirdekci and Fatma Ozge Baruonu Latif
This paper aims to examine how socio-economic status (SES) shapes consumers’ purchase behavior of genuine brands and counterfeits. It also forms a typology based on the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine how socio-economic status (SES) shapes consumers’ purchase behavior of genuine brands and counterfeits. It also forms a typology based on the decision-making processes of these two groups by exploring neutralization processes and emotional outcomes related to their behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 42 users and non-users of counterfeits from different SES groups.
Findings
This paper develops a consumer typology based on the customer behavior of counterfeit and genuine brand users, as well as emotional outcomes and neutralization strategies used to justify their actions according to their SES group. These categories are defined as the black chameleons, the counterfeit owners, the genuine brand owners and the authenticity seekers.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the counterfeit literature by examining the consumption practices of each SES group of users and non-users of counterfeits by focusing on motivations, emotional outcomes and neutralization processes. The study shows how consumers’ end consumption practices and their SES group explains the mix findings on the counterfeit literature.