Search results

No matter how much human beings strive to make strictly rational choices, they are incapable of doing so because human knowledge is limited and suffers the influence of psychological aspects. This paper aims to demonstrate how the use of foresight methods has contributed to minimize problems inherent to human rationality through a qualitative descriptive study of the case of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation – Embrapa.

This paper collected primary and secondary data through document analysis and interviews with managers of the Embrapa’s strategic intelligence system (SIS), Agropensa (a recognized success case of strategic intelligence (SI)/futures studies in Brazilian public administration).

The results show that it was possible to strengthen corporate behavior in the long term, minimize biases inherent to the decision-making process and bring relevant information into the management of the organization. Foresight methods and tools have made it possible to mitigate problems arising from bounded rationality (BR) in the Embrapa’s decision-making processes. The change in company’s culture potentiated long-term views and access to future-bearing information. Embrapa’s SIS contributes to mitigate difficulties inherent to human nature by bringing uncertainty into managerial discussions.

Taking in consideration all the advances in the future studies/SI approach, this paper realizes that this particular practical case can contribute to scientific community deepening the understanding of how a structure dedicated to run future studies/SI can diminish BR impacts on the company’s decision-making process.

The purpose of this paper is to measure the image of surf tourism destination, Praia do Rosa, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in order to examine the complex relationship between destination image components and surfers’ behavior in relation to surfing itself and to the trips made to take part in surfing activities, in a surf spot.

From the tourist population in Praia do Rosa surf spot, in Brazil, a sample of 200 surfers was taken. Data analysis included the following multivariate techniques: exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling as a procedure for the development and reliability of the measurement models of destination image of surf tourism in Brazil. Data analysis was performed using PASW-SPSS 24 and Mplus 7.

Through EFA and CFA, it was possible to identify the attributes that make up the image of a surf destination and their relationship with the behavior profile of surfers. The results highlight the role of the different factors that make up the overall image of the destination, through the analysis of cognitive, affective and conative components.

The results confirm and provide theoretical and empirical support for the research, showing that the set of observable variables and the specified latent dimensions are reliable. However, it is necessary to expand the sample studied so that the measurement model has better fit indices and show convergent and discriminant validity.

This study is relevant as it provides information that can be used by destination managers, especially regarding surf tourism. In the face of strong growth, the sector could benefit from the identification of destination image attributes which can be used in marketing campaigns put forward by both the public and private sector.

The results of the current study provide both public and private tourism managers with insights into surf tourism demand useful in developing effective marketing and positioning strategies.

This study explored and tested the image perception in a surf destination. The results contribute theoretically and empirically to discussions about the components of destination image. Also, the findings add to the understanding of surfing behavior, one of the most popular sports in the world, with surfers willing to travel long distances in search of ideal surf conditions.