Brian Handley, Tekle Shanka and Fazlul K. Rabbanee
The purpose of this paper is to explore Australasian students’ current perception towards a sales career.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore Australasian students’ current perception towards a sales career.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through a self-administered survey from 431 students enrolled in a Sales Management unit in a large Australian university and its Asian campuses.
Findings
The study reveals a four-factor solution with factors labeled as “exciting,” “deceptive,” “taxing,” and “challenging,” with “exciting” being the only factor to significantly predict likelihood of pursuing a sales career. Although no differences of perception were found between males and females, Asian students were found to perceive sales career as more exciting, innovative and fun than Australian students.
Research limitations/implications
Although significant difference was noted between Australian and Asian students’ perceptions towards sales as an exciting career, it is prudent to interpret and generalize the finding with caution as Asia is the largest continent with different cultures, religions and races.
Practical implications
The four factors that were found to influence students’ perception towards a sales career are novel, psychometrically sound, and are pertinent for businesses conducting graduate recruitment. This study indicates how sales education at university level assist in changing students’ views towards a sales career from negative to positive.
Originality/value
While previous research has reported negative perceptions about sales as a career, this study reveals that students consider sales to be an “exciting” career.
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Flora Minnee, Tekle Shanka, Ruth Taylor and Brian Handley
This paper aims to explore social expectations and practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Oman.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore social expectations and practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Oman.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 153 respondents (45 per cent Omanis and 55 per cent expatriates) shared their expectations which were compared with documentary evidence from core large and medium‐sized enterprises' CSR practice in Oman.
Findings
On average, CSR mean scores exhibited similarity for most respondent groups except for Omanis, young people, and those with high school or lower education who scored less, indicating a general lack of awareness of CSR. Society in Oman seems to expect corporations to provide “safe and reliable products/services”, “appropriately treat employees”, “behave ethically”, and be “committed to social responsibility”.
Research limitations/implications
While there is limited generalizability of the findings of this exploratory study per se due to sample size limitations, a clear pattern emerges to facilitate more in‐depth studies on CSR in Oman, and furthermore in other emerging market economies and transitional economies.
Practical implications
The study demonstrates a need for additional research into CSR awareness, philosophy and practice in the small and medium enterprise sectors, and other industry sectors.
Originality/value
The paper presents findings from an exploratory empirical study investigating social expectations of CSR in Oman, and highlights the practice of CSR in Oman. It also compares these findings and other studies' on the philosophy, nature and practice of CSR in emerging market and transitional economies.
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Ian Phau, Tekle Shanka and Neema Dhayan
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influences of information sources, namely organic sources and induced sources, on perceived destination image and destination choice…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influences of information sources, namely organic sources and induced sources, on perceived destination image and destination choice intention of university student travellers to Mauritius.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using a convenience sample in a large university in Western Australia. A self‐administered questionnaire was designed using established scales. In total, 388 usable responses were collected and analyzed using a variety of statistical techniques.
Findings
The perceived attractiveness of Mauritius as a vacation destination is based on the fact that tourists picture the island as one which offers good value for money and cheap travel. Both information sources are found to have an influence on perceived destination image and destination choice intention. Perceived destination image is found to predict destination choice intention.
Research limitations/implications
The sample is limited to potential tourists in Western Australia. Larger or national sample can be used for future studies. Qualitative methods could be explored in future.
Practical implications
It is recommended that destination marketers should use multiple sources of information to target tourists. In particular, the internet seems to be the highest incidence of information source.
Originality/value
The paper has redressed some deficits in the literature. Prior studies have not examined Mauritius as a tourist destination. Neither have Australians been studied as potential tourists. It has also tested the conceptual determinants of perceived destination image and destination choice intention and has proved that destination image is a multidimensional concept.
Ian Phau, Vanessa Quintal and Tekle Shanka
The purpose of the study is to examine young Australian tourists’ consumption values, perceived beneficial image and tourist’s destination choice intention towards Mauritius as a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to examine young Australian tourists’ consumption values, perceived beneficial image and tourist’s destination choice intention towards Mauritius as a tourism destination.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through an intercept method of Australian consumers in a downtown shopping complex. A self-administered questionnaire was used; 408 usable questionnaires were collected, and regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
Only emotional/epistemic, social and functional values were found to significantly influence perceived beneficial image of the tourism destination. Only social and conditional values were found to significantly influence destination choice intention.
Practical implications
Communication initiatives should focus on functional and conditional values such as quality of infrastructure and personal safety benefits. Destination planners and marketers should emphasize emotional values in their programs, as these values bond with potential young Australian tourists.
Originality/value
This is the first study where young Australian tourists’ perceived beneficial image, consumption values and intentions to visit Mauritius are investigated. It provides policy makers with strategies to better promote Mauritius as a tourism destination.
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ChienHsing Wu, Yu-Hui Tao and Yu-Min Lin
Consumer behaviors in internet are changing over time. The purpose of this paper is to propose and examine a research model that describes the repurchase behavior for the legal…
Abstract
Purpose
Consumer behaviors in internet are changing over time. The purpose of this paper is to propose and examine a research model that describes the repurchase behavior for the legal and paid music products of physical genre and online genre. The consumption value theory is used to develop the research model. Comparison of physical genre with online genre is presented. Implications and suggestions are addressed.
Design/methodology/approach
The research model is examined empirically. The research targeted music product consumers who had purchasing experience in the past one year. The research results are obtained, and the findings are revealed on the basis of 728 valid music product consumers.
Findings
The functional, emotional and epistemic value are the significant driving factors, though it shows a limited distinction for the two types. In comparing of the concepts of designed functional value, physical music consumers tend to have a stronger enthusiasm in music consumption. Social value and conditional value are not the predicators of repurchase satisfaction, implying that the music consumption is self-oriented for any normal amusement. The epistemic value shows significant on all levels of significance for the physical type, whereas insignificant if a = 0.01 for the type of online.
Originality/value
The research model is applied for the two contrariety product types, and to make a comparison, trying to understand the reasons why music fans are still willing to spend money on music products and what factors make them choose between product genres. After fluctuation and alternation of the music industry within this decade, this research provides a reference and correlated results for the future studies for the related studies, especially for the prosperous physical parallel imports items and online music.