Mohamed Al Hosani and Syed Zamberi Ahmad
This case can be used in entrepreneurship, small business management, project management, strategic planning, and strategic management courses.
Abstract
Subject area
This case can be used in entrepreneurship, small business management, project management, strategic planning, and strategic management courses.
Study level/applicability
The case is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate business students (bachelor and master levels).
Case overview
People's relationship to chocolate starts in childhood. Parents often motivate their kids simply by promising them a piece of chocolate. The making of candy is more of an art than a business, and managing a chocolate business requires more than just management skills. This case study highlights the success story of an entrepreneur called “Radwan Al Hosani”, who managed to transform his dream into practice through insistence and hard work. His chocolate shop “Fuala” was the first in this field to be made in the UAE, and he managed to enlarge his business from small shop in 2002 to 16 branches locally and internationally within ten years. The story in this case study serves as a source for imitation for those willing to start a new business as it illustrates real-world challenges that beginners may face.
Expected learning outcomes
This case study will expose students to a strategically successful example of expansion and critical thinking beyond the daily operation of a business. The students will be able to apply five forces business models.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
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Noha M. Hassan, Talal Al Maazmi, Ali Al Hadhrami and Mohamed Al Hosani
The purpose of this study is to examine whether discrete event simulation (DES) can be equally utilised in the design phase of the architecture, engineering and construction…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine whether discrete event simulation (DES) can be equally utilised in the design phase of the architecture, engineering and construction industry (AEC) projects to achieve a more efficient facility layout. Facility design is a complex process involving diverse disciplines, tasks, tools and events. Integrating key participants involved in the design generally leads to a more satisfied end-user. The AEC thoroughly examined different approaches to enhance this integration through improved communication, visualisation and coordination among the different project participants. DES has been used extensively as a tool for analysis and evaluation, especially during the construction process.
Design/methodology/approach
A facility planning framework is illustrated that combines both qualitative and quantitative analysis to achieve a performance-driven design. An investigative qualitative research approach is used to determine the design criteria and performance metrics based on the end-user and authority requirements. This approach is achieved by conducting critical reviews, surveys, focus groups and interviews. The research findings and collected data are used to perform a quantitative analysis to determine the effectiveness of the proposed design if constructed using DES. The potential of the method is shown through a case study to design a mall parking facility.
Findings
The case study illustrated the capability of DES to improve construction design by comparing the artificially designed facility following the proposed framework to an existing facility. Increasing customer satisfaction by enhancing safety, minimising waiting time and maximising parking spot availability were the performance metrics used to evaluate the designs. DES was used as a tool to measure these criteria. Utilising DES in facility design increased resource utilisation and resulted in a safer layout that satisfied the end-user, client and authority requirements.
Originality/value
Previous studies focused on integrating other modules such as energy, HVAC, lighting, acoustics and life cycle analysis to achieve a performance-driven design. The overwhelming majority of the literature focused on the use of DES for improving construction operations. Research literature about integrating DES as a tool for concurrent life cycle design was scarce. This research demonstrated that DES is an effective method and a vital key for determining the facility’s operational efficiency after construction.
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Mohamed Mousa, Hala Abdelgaffar, Islam Elbayoumi Salem, Walid Chaouali and Ahmed Mohamed Elbaz
This study examines how far female tour guides in Egypt experience sexual harassment and how they cope with it.
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines how far female tour guides in Egypt experience sexual harassment and how they cope with it.
Design/methodology/approach
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.
Findings
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.
Originality/value
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.
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Naushad Mohamed, Babak Taheri, Anna Farmaki, Hossein Olya and Martin Joseph Gannon
This study aims to investigate the combinations of religiosity, cosmopolitanism and perceived destination image leading to satisfaction and loyalty amongst Muslim consumers within…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the combinations of religiosity, cosmopolitanism and perceived destination image leading to satisfaction and loyalty amongst Muslim consumers within the Maldivian tourism and hospitality context.
Design/methodology/approach
Using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study reveals that diverse combinations of religiosity, cosmopolitanism and destination image dimensions stimulate satisfaction and loyalty in Muslim consumers.
Findings
Multiple recipes can be used to design compelling destinations that balance the desire for religiosity and cosmopolitanism characteristic of contemporary Muslim consumers. The results confirm the applicability of complexity theory in explaining Muslim consumer behaviour within the Islamic destination context.
Practical implications
Several implications for the hospitality and tourism industry are drawn from the results, with suggestions for future research provided. Each fsQCA recipe identifies distinct suggestions to shape the design of destination attributes and hospitality offerings to stimulate consumer satisfaction and loyalty.
Originality/value
Complexity theory was applied to assess the complex causal relationships among Muslim consumers’ religiosity, perceived destination image, cosmopolitanism, satisfaction and loyalty.
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Mohamed A. Nassar, Mohamed M Mostafa and Yvette Reisinger
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of travel motivation, Muslim-friendly amenities and lifestyle, cognitive and affective destination image and quality of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of travel motivation, Muslim-friendly amenities and lifestyle, cognitive and affective destination image and quality of service on Kuwaiti travelers’ intentions to visit Islamic tourism destinations.
Design/methodology/approach
A self-administered questionnaire consisting of multiple-item scales was developed. A convenience sample of 224 Kuwaitis was surveyed. The hierarchical regression analysis tested whether and how much the influencing factors predicted a significant amount of the variance in travel. The analysis was controlled for the effects of demographic variables.
Findings
Travel motivation and cognitive and affective image had the largest significant effects on the Kuwaiti travelers’ intention to visit Islamic destinations. Contrary to expectations, the findings suggested that Muslim-friendly amenities and quality of service did not affect Kuwaitis’ travel decisions.
Originality/value
This study provides a starting point for future empirical research into Islamic tourism in the Middle East. It provides an understanding of the importance of travel motivation and destination image in attracting Kuwaiti travelers to Islamic destinations.
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Tahir Islam, Saman Attiq, Zahid Hameed, Munnawar Naz Khokhar and Zaryab Sheikh
The purpose of this paper is to test the impact of symbolic and functional incongruity on brand hate. According to self-congruity theory, symbolic and functional congruence are a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test the impact of symbolic and functional incongruity on brand hate. According to self-congruity theory, symbolic and functional congruence are a critical phenomenon in consumer buying decisions. Therefore, the present study develops a theoretical framework based on self-congruity theory to examine the key determinants of brand hate.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected only in fast-food chain franchises in the capital city territory of Pakistan. Therefore, it is hard to generalize the findings of this research for customers from different cultural backgrounds.
Findings
The results of the study reveal that symbolic and functional incongruence are the primary factors responsible for brand hate among Pakistani fast-food customers. Customers carefully consider both self-image and product attributes when purchasing products.
Research limitations/implications
The research uses the cross-sectional method, which limits the findings’ usefulness in other sectors.
Practical implications
The current research helps policymakers understand the key determinants of brand hate, showing that symbolic incongruence is the primary antecedent. Therefore, policymakers and corporate leaders should consider that Pakistan is an Islamic country where consumer choices of food are not only derived from food quality, food hygiene and service quality, but also the symbolic image (i.e. halal food) is a vital determinant of consumption.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by discussing the above issue and presenting quantitative data. This research extends the literature by testing and validating a conceptual model that includes two types of congruence (symbolic and functional) to study brand hate. The proposed conceptual model provides a novel, theoretical, self-congruity point of view on brand hate.
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Sameera Mohamed Al Zaidi, Shilpa Iyanna, Fauzia Jabeen and Khalid Mehmood
This paper aims to investigate the impact of situational factors and internal psychological states on employees’ decisions to perform voluntary pro-environmental behavior. This…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impact of situational factors and internal psychological states on employees’ decisions to perform voluntary pro-environmental behavior. This study used a model combining the theory of planned behavior, norm activation model and comprehensive action determination model. This stud also explored the moderating role of habit (HAB) on the relationship between intention and actual voluntary pro-environmental behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through three waves of time-lagged survey questionnaires from 519 employees of public organizations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Findings
Employees’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) had a significant impact on intention to perform voluntary pro-environmental behavior, as did all other variables except perceived behavioral control. HABs related to pro-environmental behavior enhanced the relationship between intention and actual behavior.
Practical implications
The main factors influencing employees’ voluntary pro-environmental behavioral intentions were perceived CSR, personal moral norms, organizational citizenship behaviors toward the environment and attitude. Public organization planners, managers and practitioners can use these findings to improve their organization’s environmental performance, leveraging nonmandated actions.
Social implications
Employees can achieve a better work–life balance in organizations with flexible CSR policies and which sponsor social activities to improve public well-being and individuals’ life quality. Positive sense-making of corporate social activity helps employees develop social interactions with stakeholders, increasing their involvement in society and decreasing work stress.
Originality/value
This study sheds light on the factors influencing employees’ voluntary pro-environmental behavior. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to combine these three models to explain the variables affecting intent to perform voluntary pro-environmental behavior in the workplace.
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Jason M.S. Lam, Zafir Khan Mohamed Makhbul, Norzalita Abd Aziz and Mohd Amirul Hafidz Ahmat
The present study aims to examine and explain cultural heritage destination by applying multiple dimension image model (cognitive–affective–conative aspects).
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to examine and explain cultural heritage destination by applying multiple dimension image model (cognitive–affective–conative aspects).
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 233 international heritage-based tourists were surveyed on-site at some of the most prominent historical attractions in Malacca, one of the first cities in Malaysia declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The covariance-based structural equation modelling was applied to examine the hypotheses.
Findings
The structural equation modelling validated that cognitive image aspects such as living culture, intangible and tangible are affected positively. The effects are statistically significant for conative and affective images. On the other hand, cognitive tangible image is an aspect that impacted affective image to a lesser degree than conative image. Whereas affective image attributes were found to have significant and positive influence on conative image.
Originality/value
This study enriches the limited empirical research study on heritage image conceptualisation by expanding into tri-component model. The destination image has garnered a great deal of attention, particularly due to its significant and impactful influence on the decision-making and the sustainable behaviour of tourists, and it has since become the subject of many studies in the tourism and hospitality literatures. But most research concerning heritage image for destinations has considered the construct uni-dimensionally.
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Veronica Scuotto, Deniz Karagöz, Nicola Farronato and Ilan Alon
Environmental knowledge management (EKM) has been studied mainly owing to the increasing awareness of environmental issues. Such issues have generated a warning in the tourism…
Abstract
Purpose
Environmental knowledge management (EKM) has been studied mainly owing to the increasing awareness of environmental issues. Such issues have generated a warning in the tourism industry that has stimulated a new wave of research on EKM. EKM forges landscape characteristics and so destination image. In turn, EKM sounds affecting tourism destination which calls for destination personality which shows a research context less explored. From a knowledge management perspective, The present research aims to investigate on EKM to understand how it leverages tourists' and destination personality.
Design/methodology/approach
With the intent of exploring EKM, the research uses a quantitative analysis on a sample of 2,222 young Chinese tourists. In this context, EKM is linked with destination’s personality and tourists’ personalities, their satisfaction with the destination and their behavioral intentions.
Findings
By SPSS regression model, EKM and destination personality are positively linked. This positive relationship is also reflected on destination personality and destination satisfaction, behavioral intention.
Originality/value
The authors’ original contribution to the knowledge management literature extends the new wave of research on EKM. The research also proves the need to make a close collaboration between tourists, the local community and marketers. Marketers need to pay more attention to what tourists want to do and see in the place visited. In a nutshell, there is the need of enforcing and promoting EKM.
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Amir Zaib Abbasi, Carsten D. Schultz, Ding Hooi Ting, Faizan Ali and Khalil Hussain
Drawing on Ducoffe’s advertising value model, this study aims to integrate additional constructs (credibility, fantasy and visual appeal) as important antecedents to the perceived…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on Ducoffe’s advertising value model, this study aims to integrate additional constructs (credibility, fantasy and visual appeal) as important antecedents to the perceived advertising value of vlogs. The study also examines the mediating role of place attachment between perceived advertising value and intention to visit a destination.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 267 valid online questionnaires were collected among Pakistanis who (regularly, frequently, weekly or at least monthly) watch vlogs of tourist places on social networking sites and YouTube.
Findings
The empirical results using the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach show that informativeness, entertainment and credibility have significant positive effects, whereas irritation negatively impacts advertising value. The study also supports the positive effect of advertising value on visit intention and the mediating role of place attachment.
Originality/value
These findings reinforce a paradigm shift in advertising building on personal credibility, experiences and trustworthiness. This study contributes to the line of research that links promotional activities, destination image, tourists’ attitudes, visit intention and behavior.
研究目的
本研究借鉴 Ducoffe 的广告价值模型, 将其他构念(可信度、幻想和视觉吸引力)作为感知视频博客广告价值的重要前提。该研究还考察了地方依恋在感知的广告价值和访问目的地的意愿之间的中介作用。
研究设计/方法/路径
本研究在社交网站和 YouTube 上(定期、频繁、每周或至少每月)观看旅游视频博客的巴基斯坦游客中收集了 267 份有效的在线问卷。
研究发现
使用 PLS-SEM 方法的实证结果表明, 信息量、娱乐性和可信度具有显着的积极影响, 而刺激则对广告价值产生负面影响。该研究还支持广告价值对访问意愿的正向影响以及地方依恋的中介作用。
研究原创性/价值
这些发现强化了基于个人信誉、经验和可信赖性的广告范式转变。本研究有助于将促销活动、目的地形象、游客态度、访问意图和行为联系起来的研究路线。