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Article
Publication date: 9 April 2024

Sachin Bhogal, Amit Mittal and Urvashi Tandon

Heritage tourism is an increasingly popular form of tourism that allows individuals to connect with the past and immerse themselves in cultural and historical narratives. Hence…

Abstract

Purpose

Heritage tourism is an increasingly popular form of tourism that allows individuals to connect with the past and immerse themselves in cultural and historical narratives. Hence, the purpose of this study is to explore the intricate relationships among vicarious nostalgia (VNOS), memorable tourism experiences (MTEXs) and their collective influence on tourists’ behavioral intentions (BINTs). Additionally, this study examines the moderating effect of social return (SN) in the context of heritage tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire from 259 tourists visiting heritage sites in Jaipur. The proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results confirmed that VNOS had a significant positive impact on BINT in the context of heritage tourism. The causal relationship between VNOS and BINT was fully mediated by MTEX. The results further verified that the presence of SN strengthens the association between MTEXs and BINT.

Practical implications

This research will guide the firms associated with heritage tourism to target specific cohorts interested in heritage tourism. Policymakers may find it easier to create unique offerings and packages that appeal to visitors interested in historical sites and produce memorable travel experiences. One key implication is to create “social media friendly spaces” at different locations of the sites. To increase tourism, managers may use the findings from this research to create plans for the ethical promotion and protection of cultural and natural heritage sites.

Originality/value

Overall, this research advances the understanding of the role of VNOS in heritage tourism by elucidating its cognitive and emotional aspects and their subsequent influence on the memorability of tourist experiences and BINT s. Additionally, by considering the moderating effect of SN, this study provides a comprehensive view of how these factors collectively shape tourists’ decisions and actions in the context of heritage destinations. This research has been conducted in the heritage city of Jaipur (North-Western India), which, surprisingly – despite its popularity as a heritage tourism site – has not been sufficiently explored in the scholarly research.

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 September 2021

Amit Mittal, Harveen Bhandari and Pawan Kumar Chand

The purpose of this study is to examine how the anticipated positive evaluation of a tourist’s social media posts by significant others, known as social return (SR), impacts the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how the anticipated positive evaluation of a tourist’s social media posts by significant others, known as social return (SR), impacts the memorable tourism experience (MTE) and how this evaluation influences the revisit intention and recommend intention (operationalized dimensions of behavioral intention-BI).

Design/methodology/approach

The relationship among SR, MTE and BI was measured using established scales that were assessed for reliability and validity. Structural equation modeling was applied to the data collected from 316 respondents who had visited a heritage site.

Findings

The findings indicate that SR significantly impacts MTE and BI and MTE partially mediates the relationship between SR and BI. However, the impact of SR on revisit intention is weak despite being statistically significant.

Research limitations/implications

This paper seeks to extend the SR concept introduced in tourism and hospitality literature in 2018. This study validated the scale in a new context while retaining the inviolability of the scale by including a world heritage site. This study used an extended version of the MTE scale and an adapted version of the BI scale. The use of these three scales together is an attempt to examine the symbolic nature of social media posts that can generate perceptions regarding the memorability of the tourist’s visit.

Originality/value

SR is a relatively new construct and has been very sparsely studied with no known study linking SR, MTE and BI.

Details

International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6182

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 May 2021

Ruchi Mittal, Wasim Ahmed, Amit Mittal and Ishan Aggarwal

Using data from Twitter, the purpose of this paper is to assess the coping behaviour and reactions of social media users in response to the initial days of the COVID-19-related…

Abstract

Purpose

Using data from Twitter, the purpose of this paper is to assess the coping behaviour and reactions of social media users in response to the initial days of the COVID-19-related lockdown in different parts of the world.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows the quasi-inductive approach which allows the development of pre-categories from other theories before the sampling and coding processes begin, for use in those processes. Data was extracted using relevant keywords from Twitter, and a sample was drawn from the Twitter data set to ensure the data is more manageable from a qualitative research standpoint and that meaningful interpretations can be drawn from the data analysis results. The data analysis is discussed in two parts: extraction and classification of data from Twitter using automated sentiment analysis; and qualitative data analysis of a smaller Twitter data sample.

Findings

This study found that during the lockdown the majority of users on Twitter shared positive opinions towards the lockdown. The results also found that people are keeping themselves engaged and entertained. Governments around the world have also gained support from Twitter users. This is despite the hardships being faced by citizens. The authors also found a number of users expressing negative sentiments. The results also found that several users on Twitter were fence-sitters and their opinions and emotions could swing either way depending on how the pandemic progresses and what action is taken by governments around the world.

Research limitations/implications

The authors add to the body of literature that has examined Twitter discussions around H1N1 using in-depth qualitative methods and conspiracy theories around COVID-19. In the long run, the government can help citizens develop routines that help the community adapt to a new dangerous environment – this has very effectively been shown in the context of wildfires in the context of disaster management. In the context of this research, the dominance of the positive themes within tweets is promising for policymakers and governments around the world. However, sentiments may wish to be monitored going forward as large-spikes in negative sentiment may highlight lockdown-fatigue.

Social implications

The psychology of humans during a pandemic can have a profound impact on how COVID-19 shapes up, and this shall also include how people behave with other people and with the larger environment. Lockdowns are the opposite of what societies strive to achieve, i.e. socializing.

Originality/value

This study is based on original Twitter data collected during the initial days of the COVID-19-induced lockdown. The topic of “lockdowns” and the “COVID-19” pandemic have not been studied together thus far. This study is highly topical.

Details

Information Discovery and Delivery, vol. 49 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6247

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 April 2024

Harveen Bhandari, Amit Mittal and Meenal Arora

The study investigates the mediated moderation impact of Memorable Religious Experience (MRE) and Religiosity (REL) on the relationship between Memorable Tourism Experience (MTE…

Abstract

Purpose

The study investigates the mediated moderation impact of Memorable Religious Experience (MRE) and Religiosity (REL) on the relationship between Memorable Tourism Experience (MTE) and Attitude towards Pilgrimage (ATT) finally driving Recommend Intention (RCI) of visitors to a religious site. It suggests visitors' incentive variable religiosity can influence their decision to recommend visiting a religious destination.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a quantitative cross-sectional approach wherein a self-administered survey was used for data collection from 223 pilgrims who visited a popular pilgrimage site. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for analysis.

Findings

The results showed that MTE has a significant influence on ATT which further influences RCI (a dimension of behavioral intention-BI) of visitors towards a religious destination. Further, MRE mediates the relationship between MTE and ATT. Nevertheless, REL illustrated a significant moderation influence on the relationship between MRE and ATT, further verifying the mediated moderation impact of MRE and REL in the model.

Practical implications

Recommendation of existing customers is one of the most powerful indicators of customer loyalty and usually leads to revisit. The research provides destination managers/tourism planners of pilgrimage sites to formulate appropriate marketing strategies to develop RCI and sustainable branding.

Originality/value

This study adds to the empirical studies conducted on REL by constructing a composite picture of the memorable tourism experience within a pilgrimage tourism context. The uniqueness lies in the attempt to investigate the mediated moderation impact of MRE and REL using a symmetric (PLS-SEM) approach.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2023

Deepika Jhamb, Aditi Chandel, Amit Mittal and Urvashi Tandon

Earlier, the consumption of products was based mainly on their utilitarian benefits, but at present, the love for nature has driven consumers towards products not harming the…

Abstract

Purpose

Earlier, the consumption of products was based mainly on their utilitarian benefits, but at present, the love for nature has driven consumers towards products not harming the environment and society. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the influence of consumers' attitudes towards organic personal care products on brand love, brand trust, altruism and sustainable consumption behaviour. Furthermore, the study further examines the impact of sustainable consumption behaviour on continuous purchase intention using health consciousness as a moderator. Finally, the study validates Behavioural Reasoning Theory and the emotional affinity towards nature to understand the proposed claims.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 364 respondents from India. Only those respondents were included in the survey who had prior experience of using organic personal care products. This study used the structural equation modelling approach to test the conceptual model.

Findings

Results of the study confirmed the positive influence of consumer attitude on brand love, brand trust and altruism. Brand love and altruism had a significant impact on sustainable consumption behaviour. Health consciousness also emerged as a moderating variable between sustainable consumption behaviour and continuous intention. Interestingly, the brand trust had no impact on sustainable consumption behaviour. Furthermore, sustainable consumption behaviour had a significant impact on continuous intention.

Originality/value

The study is helpful to organic product companies, practitioners, academicians, environment protection agencies and market regulatory authorities as it gives fresh insight into the new collective relationship of consumer attitude with brand love, brand trust, altruism and sustainable consumption behaviour in case of organic personal care products.

Details

Young Consumers, vol. 24 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-3616

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 November 2022

Tanusree Chakraborty, Harveen Bhandari and Amit Mittal

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of teachers’ performance expectancy, teachers’ effort expectancy, teachers’ performance anxiety, teachers’ engagement, perceived…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of teachers’ performance expectancy, teachers’ effort expectancy, teachers’ performance anxiety, teachers’ engagement, perceived student engagement, teachers’ digital competence, teachers’ normalization ease and perceived organizational support as predictors of teachers’ satisfaction with online teaching-learning, especially during a pandemic in the context of hospitality, tourism and travel education.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptually, this study is grounded in the normalization process theory and examines teachers’ satisfaction by applying the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model. To test the proposed model, 374 complete survey forms were received for data analysis from teachers engaged with higher education institutes offering courses in the field of hospitality, travel and tourism. Minor modifications were made to the survey instrument based on inputs received after a pilot study.

Findings

The model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Of the eight constructs predicting teachers’ satisfaction in the online teaching-learning environment, two constructs, that is, teachers’ effort expectancy and teachers’ digital competence, were found to have an insignificant relationship. This finding hints at the emergence of a “new normal.”

Practical implications

This study contributes to the literature by presenting and validating a theory-driven framework that accentuates the factors influencing online teaching during the outbreak of a pandemic. This study further extends the unified theory of acceptance and integrates it with the normalization process theory to test and validate the model in the unique context of hospitality education which is considered to be highly practice oriented.

Originality/value

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled educational institutions to shift to online learning modes. This is unprecedented for students and teachers of hospitality, travel and tourism, especially in a developing country like India, and it has brought with it a new set of challenges and opportunities. With the extension of the pandemic-induced lockdown in educational institutions, teachers – and other stakeholders – must adapt to this new normal of reliance on remote education.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 September 2022

Meenal Arora, Anshika Prakash, Amit Mittal and Swati Singh

This study aimed to evaluate the factors that determine an individual's decision to adopt human resources (HR) analytics. This study attempts to extend Unified Theory of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the factors that determine an individual's decision to adopt human resources (HR) analytics. This study attempts to extend Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology - 2 (UTAUT2) to identify the lag rate in adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

Responses were obtained from 387 HR employees of the Banking Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector in metropolitan cities of India through nonprobabilistic purposive sampling. The analysis was performed through hierarchical regression, structural equation modeling and moderation of resistance to change.

Findings

The results suggest that performance expectancy, hedonic motivation and data availability are endorsed by proponents of the intention to adopt HR analytics. In contrast, effort expectancy, social influence, quantitative self-efficacy and habits did not influence behavioral intention (BI). Additionally, the actual use behavior (UB) of HR analytics was determined by BI and facilitating conditions. Furthermore, the moderating effect of resistance to change is explored.

Practical implications

This study makes a significant contribution to the literature on the adoption of HR analytics. By appropriately concentrating on the adoption intention of HR analytics, organizations can intensify healthy employee relationships, thus encouraging the actual usage of HR analytics.

Originality/value

This study formulates a conceptual framework for the adoption of HR analytics that can be used by top management to formulate strategies for the implementation of HR analytics. Moreover, this study aimed to expand UTAUT2, emphasizing the concept of data availability and quantitative self-efficacy and examining the moderating role of resistance to change in the relationship between BI and UB.

Details

Evidence-based HRM: a Global Forum for Empirical Scholarship, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-3983

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 October 2021

Urvashi Tandon, Amit Mittal, Harveen Bhandari and Kanika Bansal

This study identifies the facilitators and inhibitors for the adoption of e-learning for the undergraduate students of architecture. Nine constructs are identified as facilitators…

Abstract

Purpose

This study identifies the facilitators and inhibitors for the adoption of e-learning for the undergraduate students of architecture. Nine constructs are identified as facilitators and five constructs are identified as inhibitors to the adoption of online learning systems in the context of the study. These constructs were used to propose a research model.

Design/methodology/approach

596 architecture undergraduates responded to a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was finalized after a pilot study and included standard scale items drawn from previous studies. An exploratory factor analysis was followed by structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the proposed model.

Findings

All the identified facilitators emerged significant except social influence and price value. Furthermore, technology risk emerged insignificant while all other inhibitors had significant impact on Behavioral Intention to adopt e-learning.

Research limitations/implications

The study has strong implications in academia as HEIs in developing countries need to make their students computer proficient, boost the implications of e-learning services by mitigating risks and motivating students to acquire knowledge through flexible e-learning modules.

Originality/value

The COVID-19 pandemic forced educational institutions to switch to online modes of learning. For students of architectural programs in a developing country like India, this has been unprecedented and has brought in a new set of challenges and opportunities. With the extension of the pandemic induced lockdown in educational institutions, students – and other stakeholders – have no choice but to adapt to this new normal of dependence on remote learning.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 29 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 April 2024

Nitin Patwa, Monika Gupta and Amit Mittal

This study aims to examine the impact of consumer risk appetite, biases (specifically negative recency bias), and the importance of reviews in enhancing information quality. By…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of consumer risk appetite, biases (specifically negative recency bias), and the importance of reviews in enhancing information quality. By analyzing these variables, the authors gain insights into their role in enriching the overall information spectrum available to consumers. The findings contribute to a better understanding of how risk appetite, biases and consumer reviews shape the quality of information.

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaire assessed the relationship between dependent and independent variables by asking participants to rate their experiences in relevant scenarios. Variance-based structural equation modeling with the ADANCO program was used to examine the data. ADANCO software is used explicitly for variance-based structural equation modeling. To evaluate research models and test hypotheses, partial least square path modeling is used.

Findings

The efficiency of reviews and ratings is greatly influenced by consumer risk appetite. Businesses should focus on clients who are willing to take risks and balance positive and negative feedback. It is essential to comprehend how customers understand reviews. Credibility is increased by taking biases into account and encouraging unbiased criticism. Promoting thorough reviews strengthens influence. Monitoring and making use of these elements improve online reputation and commercial success.

Research limitations/implications

The research has limitations due to the simplicity of the attributes taken into account and the requirement for a larger sample size. Overcoming barriers to promote consistent client feedback is essential, and tailored emails can help with assessment generation. Increased customer participation in writing evaluations can be achieved by removing obstacles and highlighting the advantages of participation.

Originality/value

Businesses and buyers rely on this “organically” generated content as the basis of their promotional strategy and buying decisions. Most of the research is related to consumer reviews, their behavior and the importance of social validation. However, some critical aspects related to this need further investigation.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 January 2024

Nitin Patwa, Monika Gupta and Amit Mittal

This paper aims to explain how Web 2.0, social connectedness online, has created incredible new business options. This research’s primary goal is to help businesses use these…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explain how Web 2.0, social connectedness online, has created incredible new business options. This research’s primary goal is to help businesses use these resources more effectively and perform better.

Design/methodology/approach

Variance-based structural equation modeling with the ADANCO program was used to examine the data. ADANCO software is used explicitly for variance-based structural equation modeling. To evaluate research models and test hypotheses, partial least square path modeling is used.

Findings

Theories encompassing social support and related approaches to “word of mouth” online, electronic purchasing and virtual communities mediated by technological platforms are the foundational frameworks for this research piece. It then produces a statistical model that enables users to predict how social commerce (s-commerce) building blocks, including forums, communities, ratings and reviews and recommendations, assist businesses in introducing innovative strategies to win in the digital markets. The results necessarily focus on trust, an essential component of e-commerce. Reciprocally, the study reverses engineer’s trust through the constructs of this moment mentioned.

Research limitations/implications

The present study describes the scope of empirical testing and validation of this framework and assists practitioners in further strengthening s-commerce strategy, an emerging and essential platform in the e-commerce industry.

Originality/value

Research highlights the dearth of current analysis in such conceptual domains while generating novel research insights aimed at e-commerce and digital business. From the viewpoint of potential and recurring customers who interact with online communities and product offerings, the study captures the essence of human interactions, often known as trade relationships, online.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

1 – 10 of 132