Stefanos Nachmias, Brendan Paddison and Chris Mortimer
The research takes a comprehensive evaluation of hospitality students’ perceptions towards small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) employment and explores whether the current…
Abstract
Purpose
The research takes a comprehensive evaluation of hospitality students’ perceptions towards small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) employment and explores whether the current recession and labour market changes influence hospitality students career-related decisions. Such exploration would provide vital information as to how the new economic environment has modified the nature and context of hospitality students perceptions towards SMEs. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The research focuses on a constructionist philosophy in order to interpret how hospitality students construct of career choice. The qualitative methodology adopts semi-structured interviews in order to explore the socially constructed views of hospitality students’ perception of SMEs employment.
Findings
In spite of recessional challenges which particularly affect the graduate labour market, the research confirms the original academic arguments that socially constructed barriers and influencing factors do not highlight SMEs as an attractive first employment destination.
Practical implications
This research recognises the need to reconsider the curriculum for hospitality students to embed the notion of SMEs as a possible career choice.
Social implications
Socially SMEs have not either historically or in the present day been seen as providing adequate resources for graduates entering the world of work. Such an implication has a considerably impact upon the supply and demand side of SMEs graduate labour market.
Originality/value
The economic downturn now poses a real challenge for new graduates as it is difficult to predict and discuss future labour market issues and trends. The research allows key stakeholders in graduate employment to understand the effects of the economic environment to graduate SMEs perceptions and take measures in improving SMEs-graduate employment in hospitality.
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M. Carmen Díaz-Fernández, M. Rosario González-Rodríguez and Brendan Paddison
The purpose of this paper is to determine the top management team (TMT) intangible assets (demographical and managerial experience) diversity which influences firm performance in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the top management team (TMT) intangible assets (demographical and managerial experience) diversity which influences firm performance in a diverse industrial context.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper analyses 159 whole TMTs from Latin American and European enterprises. The study focuses on three indicators (sales, return on assets and return on sales) as proxies of firm performance. The hypotheses formulated were tested using panel data and applying a random-effects model.
Findings
The paper reveals a large degree of volatility in the findings depending on the type of firm performance indicator. This provides insights regarding the controversy surrounding the black box Upper Echelon Theory and for entrepreneurial purposes concerning the relationship between TMT composition and the achievement of a high level performance.
Research limitations/implications
This study could be extended by analysing other important variables, such as top mangers’ physiological traits and cultural differences within the TMTs. The analysis could also be applied to a wider geographical area.
Practical implications
This paper may help enterprises to reach a better understanding of their TMT’s internal complex diversity by providing appropriate insights for a better decision-making process required to achieve an accurate firm outcome.
Originality/value
The paper is an extension on prior studies not only by focusing on a different geographical area different from the traditional USA context but also applying a longitudinal study scarcely applied in the demographic literature. In addition, attributes for all the TMT’s members (not only CEOs), three different proxies of performance and a highly diverse industry context from Latin American and European companies have been considered.
Propósito
El propósito de este artículo es determinar la diversidad de los activos intangibles del equipo de alta dirección (características demográficas y experiencia directiva) que influyen en el rendimiento empresarial en un contexto industrial diverso.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
El artículo analiza 159 equipos de alta dirección completos procedentes de empresas Latino-Americanas y Europeas. El estudio se centra en tres indicadores como proxies del rendimiento empresarial (ventas, rotación de los activos y la rotación de las ventas). Las hipótesis fueron testadas utilizando datos de panel y aplicando un modelo de efectos aleatorios.
Resultados
El artículo pone de manifiesto una gran volatilidad en los resultados dependiendo del tipo de indicador de rendimiento utilizado. Este resultado proporciona luz a la controversia existente en torno a la “caja negra” de la Upper Echelon Theory y para propósitos empresariales concernientes a la relación entre la composición del equipo de alta dirección y el logro de altos niveles de rendimiento.
Limitaciones de la Investigación/implicaciones
Este estudio podría ser ampliado a partir del análisis de otras variables importantes como los rasgos psicológicos de los altos directivos y las diferencias culturales existentes dentro del equipo de alta dirección. El análisis puede ser también aplicado a una más amplia área geográfica.
Implicaciones prácticas
Este artículo puede ayudar a las empresas a alcanzar una mayor comprensión de la de la complejidad de la diversidad interna de su equipo de alta dirección proporcionando necesario para adoptar el mejor proceso de toma de decisiones para alcanzar y asegurar los objetivos empresariales.
Originalidad/Valor
El artículo es una extensión de estudios anteriores que no solo se centran en un área geográfica diferente al contexto tradicional norteamericano sino que también es una aplicación de una estudio longitudinal escasamente aplicado en la literatura demográfica. Además, se han considerado atributos de la totalidad de los miembros del equipo de alta dirección (no solo aquellos referentes a los CEOs), tres diferentes proxies del rendimiento y todo ello aplicado en un contexto industrial altamente diverso integrado por empresas Latino-Americanas y Europeas.
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Maria Fernandez de Osso Fuentes, Brendan James Keegan, Jenny Rowley and Esther Worboys
This paper aims to investigate place marketing and branding at the micro-place scale through the case study of St Christopher’s Place in London (UK). This study illustrates the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate place marketing and branding at the micro-place scale through the case study of St Christopher’s Place in London (UK). This study illustrates the distinctive differences of micro-place marketing, in comparison to city and country levels.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory case study was conducted through a sequential mixed methods approach involving direct observation, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and social media analysis. Analysis of data was performed by using thematic analysis and triangulation of quantitative measures collected through the questionnaire and social media analysis.
Findings
Analysis of data illustrated noticeable differences of place management at the micro-place level compared to city or country scale of place marketing and branding. The function of emotional marketing leading to value co-creation is more effective at this level, establishing close and personal ties between occupiers and customers. Yet, measurement of micro-place marketing and branding value creation is difficult to achieve.
Originality/value
This study draws attention to the unique value and benefits of place branding at smaller spatial scales. Findings contribute to the place micro-brand concept by adding knowledge of micro-places through place management activities comparing them with city and country scales, and emotional marketing value co-creation practices, including challenges relating to measurement.
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Jinquan Zhou, Hong-Wai Ho and Susana Mieiro
This study aims to critically evaluate the impact of government tourism promotion methods on city image and visiting intentions and to explore the moderating effect of tourism…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to critically evaluate the impact of government tourism promotion methods on city image and visiting intentions and to explore the moderating effect of tourism experience on two of the conceptualized relationships, using Macao as a case study.
Design/methodology/approach
The research analyzed responses from 407 Macao visitors during the pandemic to determine the effects of tourism promotion methods on the city’s image and visiting intention using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypotheses.
Findings
This study revealed that tourism promotion methods positively impact the city’s image and visiting intentions. City image also mediates the relationship between tourism promotion methods and visiting intentions. Furthermore, tourism experience moderates the relationships between promotion methods and city image and between promotion methods and visiting intentions.
Research limitations/implications
The study’s findings on the effects of promotion methods utilized by local governments support and expand upon existing theoretical frameworks within the realm of nonprofit organizations’ management and marketing for destination marketing organizations (DMOs). However, the cross-sectional design limits causality, and findings may not be generalizable beyond Macao without further comparative research.
Practical implications
This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and marketers to design promotional campaigns that deliver authentic and memorable experiences, aligning with their promotional promises, especially in postpandemic contexts.
Social implications
This research contributes to the theoretical and methodological advancement of management and marketing for DMOs from a public sector perspective, highlighting the critical role of government involvement in urban tourism promotion.
Originality/value
The research offers valuable insights into how promotional activities influence visiting intentions, advancing tourism management and marketing for DMOs from a nonprofit perspective. The study validates theories and adds unique insights by focusing on Macao’s postpandemic recovery, offering practical implications for similar urban settings.