Marco Cecchi and Belinda Nwosu
The purpose of this paper is to explore, from the vantage point of an expatriate manager, some of the issues that surround human capital development (HCD) in the tourism and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore, from the vantage point of an expatriate manager, some of the issues that surround human capital development (HCD) in the tourism and hospitality industry in Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
An informal interview was carried out via email. Marco Cecchi has 33 years experience working in the tourism and hospitality industry in Europe and now in Africa. He was recently appointed General Manager at Hotel Bon Voyage in Lagos under the African Management Service Company (AMSCO), an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme and the International Finance Corporation to help build human capital for sustainable African enterprises.
Findings
The interview offers valuable insights for researchers and practitioners who are seeking to understand cross-cultural differences related to human resources.
Originality/value
The transcript provides a much needed context for understanding the issues facing HCD in the African continent.
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The purpose of this paper is to review contributions made to the strategic question about human capital development issues in the hotel industry in Nigeria and how they can be…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review contributions made to the strategic question about human capital development issues in the hotel industry in Nigeria and how they can be addressed.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the strategic question, a critical analysis of each contribution was carried out to identify the key themes, and then the issues, impacts and proposed solutions related to each theme.
Findings
The findings show eight key themes related to the human capital development question in the hotel industry in Nigeria.
Research limitations/implications
The findings create a framework to kick-start a conversation by all stakeholders in the hotel industry in Nigeria. The lack of reliable data in many areas is a limitation in reaching empirically based quantitative conclusions. It would be useful to include a wider range of stakeholders in the conversation.
Originality/value
All ten articles have contributed different perspectives to the conversation; all confirm that an engagement of all industry stakeholders is critical if a sustainable resolution is to be achieved.
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This paper aims to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes issue “What are the issues facing human capital development in the hotel industry in Nigeria and how might…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes issue “What are the issues facing human capital development in the hotel industry in Nigeria and how might they be addressed?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editors, contributors from industry and academia and the theme issue outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for their theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process.
Findings
Concerns have been raised about the absence of a strategic government policy for human capital development in Nigeria’s tourism sector, a task that individual businesses address in a fragmented and inefficient manner – and sometimes not at all. Likewise, a weak regulatory framework has given rise to imbalances in the employment relationship and business operations that do not create an enabling environment, a primary condition for developing knowledge, skills and attitude to acceptable service levels.
Practical implications
This paper reflects a sustained dialogue between leading Nigerian academics and senior industry practitioners about the barriers to workforce development and ways of unlocking the potential that exists for employment and professional development in hospitality and tourism.
Originality/value
This paper reports on the first comprehensive set of discussions between academics and practitioners about the human capital development challenges facing the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria. Specifically, the theme issue identifies key action steps needed to keep pace with industry development in Nigeria – the largest and fastest growing market in Africa.
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During the recent past there have been two successive and successful takeovers of Telecom Italia, in both cases by other Italian companies and employing the device of “Chinese…
Abstract
During the recent past there have been two successive and successful takeovers of Telecom Italia, in both cases by other Italian companies and employing the device of “Chinese boxes” to secure control without the need either to hold a majority stake in the acquired company or to pay much regard to the interests of minority shareholders. This raises into question the extent to which “Anglo‐Saxon” attitudes in financial markets are making inroads in continental Europe; the willingness of continental European governments to permit foreigners to acquire control of the “commanding heights” of their economies; and the manner in which the European telecommunications sector is being restructured.
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A.C. Viana, E. Teshima, A.C.S.D. Chaves and M.E.O. Mamede
The objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of Coalho cheese produced using two different strains of Lactococcus spp. that were isolated from artisanal Coalho cheese in…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of Coalho cheese produced using two different strains of Lactococcus spp. that were isolated from artisanal Coalho cheese in Bahia, Brazil.
Design/methodology/approach
Three different batches of cheeses were produced using lactic acid Lactococcus spp. strains named “LA‐02”, “RE‐02” and “Blend” (LA‐02 plus RE‐02). To study the quality of these products the paper uses quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA), a test of acceptability and an analysis of physical‐chemical parameters.
Findings
For the flavor attribute, the highest acceptabilities were for LA‐02 (7.38) and Blend (6.92). The panelists found that 13 attributes were important to describe Coalho cheese. The Blend cheese was characterized by its yellow color, hardness, consistency, chewiness, typical Coalho cheese aroma and flavor. The LA‐02 cheese was characterized by its acid flavor, homogeneity and softness. All the samples analyzed showed values of moisture and fat that were in line with Brazilian legislation.
Practical implications
Coalho cheese is a typical Brazilian artisanal cheese that is normally produced with raw milk, even though legislation does not allow this. Pasteurization of the milk used to produce cheeses guarantees the microbiological safety of the product and, in this case, the cheese needs the addition of lactic acid bacteria in order to improve the sensorial quality and to give typical characteristics.
Originality/value
Coalho cheese, as produced in the artisanal form, is widely appreciated for its sensorial characteristics. The Coalho cheese proposed in this research retains the typical sensory characteristics by using different strains of Lactococcus spp. that were isolated from artisanal Coalho cheese but according to the specification of good manufacturing practices (GMP).
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Maija Kontukoski, Harri Luomala, Bruno Mesz, Mariano Sigman, Marcos Trevisan, Minna Rotola-Pukkila and Anu Inkeri Hopia
This paper aims to extend current understanding concerning the cross-modal correspondences between sounds and tastes by introducing new research tools and experimental data to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to extend current understanding concerning the cross-modal correspondences between sounds and tastes by introducing new research tools and experimental data to study associations and their reflections between music and taste.
Design/methodology/approach
The experiment design addresses the multidisciplinary approach by using cultural, chemical and statistical analysis methods.
Findings
The paper provides further evidence that exposure to the “sweet” or “sour” musical pieces influences people’s food-related thinking processes and behaviors. It also demonstrates that sweet or sour elements in the music may reflect to actual sweetness (as measured by sugar content) and sourness (as measured by organic acid content) of foods developed in association with music carrying similar taste characteristics.
Research limitations/implications
The findings should be replicated and expanded using larger consumer samples and wider repertoires of “taste music” and dependent variables. Also, the level of experimental control should be improved; e.g., the “sweet” and “sour” music were produced using different instruments, which may have an influence to the results.
Practical implications
Ambient “taste music” that is congruent with the basic flavors of the dishes can be played in restaurants to highlight guests’ sensory experience.
Social implications
By carefully considering the symbolic meanings of the music used in different social situations, it is possible to create multimodal experiences and even subconscious expectations in people’ minds.
Originality/value
Cross-modal associations are made between the tastes and music. This can influence on perception of food and provide new ways to build multimodal gastronomic experiences.
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Monica Camuffo, Stefano Soriani and Gabriele Zanetto
This study seeks to consider the recent evolution of the Italian policy in the field of marine protected areas (MPAs). In particular, it aims to point out the increasing role…
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to consider the recent evolution of the Italian policy in the field of marine protected areas (MPAs). In particular, it aims to point out the increasing role played by Italian regions in establishing and managing MPAs. This evolution is to be described by focusing attention on the North Adriatic case.
Design/methodology/approach
After a brief introduction on the legislative framework, points of weakness and strength of the Italian experience in the field of MPAs are discussed. Different initiatives for promoting and implementing an MPA strategy are analyzed through the North Adriatic case study, pointing out the increasing role played by the regions in the design and implementation of protection policies.
Findings
The analysis shows how regions direct greater attention to the involvement of the public and economic sector in the design and implementation of protection policies, and to the definition of more flexible management tools. This element clearly confirms the general and overall tendency towards more regional‐based forms of environmental policy, even in coastal and marine affairs. However, in order to improve the environmental gains and implement sustainable forms of economic development, these regional initiatives should be better linked to a more comprehensive coastal zone management framework, which is still lacking. From this perspective, a national strategy for the Italian coast system could strongly contribute to increasing the role and effectiveness of regional initiatives aimed at protecting coastal and marine ecosystems.
Originality/value
The North Adriatic case shows the growing need for integrated policies in different scale projects, enhancing the involvement of local communities toward their own territory.