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This study aims to examine the influence of the three dimensions of travel agents’ manager competencies – ability, motivation and opportunity seeking – on knowledge transfer and travel agents’ performance. In addition, the study investigates how employee’s absorptive capacity moderates the effects of managers’ competencies on knowledge received by the employees and moderates the effects of knowledge received by the employees on travel agents’ performance.

A positivist research philosophy was adopted with a quantitative approach, in which quantitative data were gathered based on questionnaires to tackle different stages of the study. To test the hypotheses, a self-administrated face-to-face survey of about 42 questions, launched on November 7, 2016, was used to compile response from top and medium management Category A travel agents operating in Egypt.

Based on a sample of 577 travel agents’ frontline employees, the results showed that the three dimensions of travel agents’ competencies have a positive effect on knowledge received by the employee. Findings further indicated that knowledge received by employee mediates the link between these three competencies and travel agents’ performance. The link between the competencies and knowledge received by the employee was found to be positively moderated by employee absorptive capacity. Moreover, these findings suggested that the relationship between knowledge received and travel agents’ performance is stronger when employees’ absorptive capacity is greater.

This study is bound by certain limitations that also provide fertile grounds for further research. First, the study examined how an employee’s absorptive capacity moderates the effects of managers’ competencies on knowledge received by the employees and moderates the effects of knowledge received by the employees on travel agents’ performance. However, innovation as a dependent variable can be investigated. Second, one limitation is that the study is restricted to Category A travel agents only in Greater Cairo. Third, examining the antecedents of ability, motivation and opportunity seeking to transfer knowledge is also important.

It is important for travel agents, owners, managers and employees to acknowledge absorptive capacity as a critical component for organizations to sustain, grow and compete. Travel agents can also take steps to develop their employees’ absorptive capacity. Doing so would further enhance the success of knowledge, employees and travel agents’ performance. Also, travel agents’ top management has to ensure their employees’ absorbing knowledge, identifying and recognizing external knowledge, processing and understanding it, combining it with existing knowledge and applying the new knowledge to commercial ends. Hence, the development of absorptive capacity contributes to a travel agent’s achievement of competitive advantage.

This study contributes to the literature by expanding the extant literature on knowledge transfer and absorptive capacity by investigating the influence of travel agents’ manager competencies – ability, motivation and opportunity seeking – for knowledge transfer in the Egyptian context. In addition, it investigates the direct effects of the three dimensions of travel agents’ manager competencies – ability, motivation and opportunity seeking – for knowledge transfer. Finally, the paper investigates how employee’s absorptive capacity moderates the effects of managers’ competencies on knowledge received by the employees and moderates the effects of knowledge received by the employees on travel agents’ performance

This study aims to investigate the impact of perceived subtle and overt discrimination on employees’ emotional exhaustion, along with potential mitigating factors such as social support, organizational inclusion and religiosity.

The research is based on a sample of 359 Muslim employees working in US restaurants. The data are analyzed using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Techniques.

The results reveal that high/low emotional exhaustion in tourism and hospitality sector is triggered by multiple combinations of high/low levels of subtle and overt discrimination, family and friends support and religiosity. Such findings hold important implications to both theory and practice.

By using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis, this research stands out from studies on discrimination that use conventional statistical methods. It proposes several solutions leading to a single outcome (high/low emotional exhaustion). This new approach contributes to the advancement of theory in this context.

This study shows that there is no single best solution for high/low emotional exhaustion. Stated differently, multiple solutions provide several ways for firms to mitigate employees’ emotional exhaustion.

Religious discrimination in workplaces is increasing at an alarming rate, particularly in customer facing roles, such as the tourism and hospitality industry. This is having detrimental effects on employees from minority groups, often leading to excessive levels of emotional exhaustion. Nonetheless, the extant literature has somewhat understated the consequences of this issue, creating a void that needs to be fulfilled. This study addresses this gap.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceived severity of service failure (PSSF) and service recovery strategies (SRSs) as antecedents of customer forgiveness (CF), customer reconciliation, negative word-of-mouth and re-patronage intention as outcomes across two Middle Eastern countries: Egypt and Oman.

A quantitative technique was used, using a questionnaire, to collect data from customers of the national airline companies of Egypt and Oman. The perspectives of 1,084 airline customers were analysed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling.

The results of this study show that service failure severity has a negative influence on the effectiveness of SRSs. In turn, proper SRSs strongly and positively affect both Egyptian and Omani CF. Furthermore, the findings of this study indicate that service failure habit plays an important role in increasing the negative influence of perceived service failure severity on Egyptian, but not Omani, CF. Overall, results suggest that CF differs considerably between Egyptians and Omanis.

This study developed and empirically examined a comprehensive conceptual model of the drivers and outcomes of CF of airline companies. This study provides academics with meaningful insights into how social and cultural differences between customers in different countries can result in sometimes dramatically different behaviours following a service failure.

本研究在埃及和阿曼两个中东国家调查了感知的服务失败严重性（PSSF）, 并将其作为服务恢复策略, 作为顾客宽恕, 顾客和解, 负面口碑和重购意向的前因变量。

本研究采用定量方法, 使用问卷调查, 从埃及和阿曼国家航空公司的顾客中收集数据。使用PLS-SEM分析了1084个航空公司客户的观点。

结果表明, 服务失败严重性对服务恢复策略的有效性有负面影响。相应地, 适当的服务恢复策略对埃及和阿曼顾客的宽恕度有强烈的积极影响。此外, 研究结果表明, 在埃及（而不是阿曼）的顾客中, 服务失败习惯对感知到的服务失败严重程度对宽恕的负面影响方面起着重要作用。总体而言, 结果表明, 埃及和阿曼顾客之间的顾客客户宽恕差异很大。

本研究开发并实证检验了航空公司顾客宽恕的驱动因素和结果的综合概念模型。本研究为学界提供了有意义的见解, 即了解不同国家/地区的顾客之间的社会和文化差异如何导致服务失败后出现截然不同的行为。

Este estudio analizó la gravedad percibida de los fallos del servicio de reclamaciones (PSSF) y quejas como antecedentes de respuesta a los clientes, la reconciliación con el mismo, el boca a boca negativo y la intención de patrocinio como resultados en dos países del Medio Oriente (MO): Egipto y Omán.

se empleó una técnica cuantitativa, utilizando un cuestionario, para recopilar datos de los clientes de las compañías aéreas nacionales de Egipto y Omán. Se analizaron las perspectivas de 1084 clientes de aerolíneas utilizando PLS-SEM.

los resultados muestran que la gravedad de los fallos en el servicio tiene una influencia negativa en la efectividad de las estrategias del servicio de reclamaciones. Asimismo, las estrategias de este tipo afectan fuerte y positivamente sobre la empatía de los clientes egipcios y omaníes. Además, los resultados indican que los fallos en el servicio de quejas, juega un papel importante en el aumento de la influencia negativa de la severidad percibida sobre el servicio y la consideración a la hora de perdonar por parte del cliente egipcio, pero no en el omaní. En general, los resultados sugieren que el perdón del cliente difiere considerablemente entre egipcios y omaníes.

el estudio se desarrolló y se implementó empíricamente sobre un modelo conceptual integrado de impulsores y resultados del perdón de los clientes de las compañías aéreas. El estudio brinda a los académicos información significativa sobre cómo las diferencias sociales y culturales entre los clientes en diferentes países pueden resultar en comportamientos a veces dramáticamente diferentes en los fallos en el servicio.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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。

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。

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。

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。

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。

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of strategic leadership (SL) on business operational resilience (OR) in the hotel industry in Egypt, namely, during and after the pandemic. This investigation also aimed to explore the mediating function of crisis response strategies (CRSs) and organisational e-readiness (Oe-R) in this relationship.

The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire as the primary data collection method. Using partial least squares structural equation simulation (PLS-SEM), the study used a comprehensive sample that targets the general managers of all five-star hotels in Egypt.

Results indicated that SL has a positive impact on CRSs and Oe-R. Furthermore, the results reveal a positive influence of Oe-R on both CRSs and hotel OR. On the other hand, CRSs do not influence hotel OR. The findings showed that CRSs fully mediate the link between SL and OR. However, CRSs do not serve as a mediator between Oe-R and OR. Furthermore, the findings showed that Oe-R partially mediates the link between SL and both OR and CRSs.

The study yields unique and valuable theoretical and practical insights to guide hotel leaders and managers towards adaptive recovery and resilience in turbulent and crisis-ridden environments by demonstrating that the combined mediating function of CRS and Oe-R is more effective in strengthening the relationship between SL and OR.

This study represents a pioneering investigation that establishes a correlation between SL and OR, either through direct or indirect means. The research examines the involvement of CRSs and Oe-R as collaborative mediators in this relationship. Previous studies undertaken in the hotel industry and service sector have not investigated this specific element.

Destination competitiveness is a significant contributor to tourism growth, performance and development. The current research intends to test the effect of the dimensions of the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) on destination competitiveness in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Oman and how competitiveness influences tourism performance and development.

The perspectives of 460 responses were collected from the UAE, 457 from Egypt and 301 responses from Oman. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was utilised to measure the research model relationships.

The results showed that the competitiveness index components are significantly contributing to destination competitiveness and that this competitiveness is predicting both tourism performance and development.

This study developed and empirically tested the effect of an integrative model of the competitiveness index on destination competitiveness from the perspective of local visitors in three Muslim and Arab nations. This study gives scholars valuable perceptions into how socio-cultural variations between residents and locals in various nations might result in significantly diverse behaviours.

This study aims to investigate the perceptions of female tour guides’ lower and top levels of management in travel agencies about how misunderstanding Islam and its culture may engender the poor representation of women in the tour guide profession.

A qualitative research method is used, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 full-time female tour guides working at several travel agencies in Egypt. Thematic analysis helped extract main ideas from the transcripts.

The representation of female tour guides in travel agencies is shaped by the following three determinants: religious (familial obligations and marital status), contextual (nature of tour guide activities, poor representation of women in senior tourism-related jobs, cronyism, sexual harassment and spread of foreign female tour guides) and media influence. Understanding these three factors may enable a more comprehensive representation of female tour guides.

Female tour guides could work closely with tourism policymakers in Egypt to shape the media messages about them. This might include elaborating on the main challenges faced by female tour guides. Social support from families and friends may allow female tour guides more freedom and empowerment.

This study contributes by filling a gap in tourism, human resources management and gender studies in which empirical studies on the representation of females in travel agencies have been limited so far.

This study aims to examine the role of eco-label hotel engagement as a pathway to sustainable practices via scouting entrepreneurial resilience and orientation at highly ranked hotels in Oman. The authors developed and tested a novel model built on resilience theory, the theory of entrepreneurial orientation and the theory of reasoned action (TRA).

Data from 167 human resources directors, hotel managers and other employees were analyzed by partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).

Results indicate a strong positive relationship between entrepreneurial resilience and entrepreneurial orientation. Entrepreneurial orientation significantly increased all eco-label strategies, but not all strategies enhanced sustainable tourism practices. High adoption of sustainability practices depended on core strategies related to awareness, benefits, reputation and necessity, but the cost was also an issue. Managers adopted sustainability practices if they were not perceived as costly, or when perceived as costly if they believed they would help them reduce operating costs.

Policymakers should assist hotel managers when the sector is hit by political events, natural disasters or health crises such as the current pandemic can bounce back and develop their resilience. Likewise, training and workshops can be organized to improve managers’ entrepreneurial mindset, which was found to be a precursor to favorable attitudes toward sustainability.

This study tests a novel model built on three theories: resilience theory, the theory of entrepreneurial orientation and the TRA by using PLS-SEM and fsQCA.

This study examines how far female tour guides in Egypt experience sexual harassment and how they cope with it.

A qualitative research method is employed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 full-time female tour guides working for several travel agencies in Egypt. Thematic analysis was used to extract the main ideas from the transcripts.

The findings show that female tour guides in Egypt would encounter annoying gender harassment mostly from tourists they serve, and they might suffer from irresponsible behavior – gender harassment, unwanted sexual harassment, and sexual coercion – from their local managers. When facing sexual harassment, female tour guides usually tend to adopt one of the following three coping strategies: (a) indifference to sexual harassment they encounter, (b) heroism by taking legal action when exposed to sexual harassment or (c) fatalism by taking inconsequential action such as complaining the harasser to his direct manager or filling in an official complaint inside their workplace. The selection of the coping strategy is usually based on the female victim's personality and the organizational and social context she adapts to.

This paper contributes by filling a gap in tourism, human resources management and gender studies in which empirical studies on the sexual harassment that female tour guides encounter, particularly in non-Western contexts, have been limited so far.

Purpose of This Chapter: This chapter aims to clarify how employee voice (EV) is conceptualized in the extant literature. Then, the present chapter develops a model of EV based on previous studies from 1970 to 2022.

Design / Methodology / Approach: In all, 53 articles were investigated in this study – the focus was on articles in the field of management. The target articles were limited to those which were written in English and were indexed by the Web of Science (WOS).

Findings: The concepts related to EV have been presented in five main dimensions. The content analysis results revealed a theoretical agreement over the central elements reflecting an integrated description of EV.

Research Limitations: The study was limited to the sources published in the WOS database, which could affect the scope of findings.

Research Implications: The conclusion showed that EV is a multi-dimensional, emerging field that has been undergoing a definitional debate in the literature. This concept indicates an ongoing responsibility for the public’s benefit, welcomes different financial activities to supply market forces’ requirements, and investigates society’s existing demands.

Originality: It represents the first attempt to conduct an EV systematic literature review based on the definition of key factors and the complex relations in a typical EV process. Also, according to the review of selected articles from 1970 to 2022, there has been no coherent conceptualization of employees’ voices.