Hamid Seddighi

A model of tourism destination choice: a theoretical and empirical analysis☆

Abstract In recent years tourism has become one of the fastest growing sectors of the world economy and is widely recognised for its contribution to regional and national economic development. The main aim of the paper is to propose a methodological framework within which the impact of characteristics of a tourism product on foreign travel can be captured and analysed. This is achieved by combining the Lancasterian product characteristics approach with the Koppelmans consumer transportation model. Within the proposed model the characteristics of the tourism product/destination including quality of service, advertising and political instability are combined to generate a perception/feeling regarding the tourism destination in the mind of the tourists. In order to measure these perceptions/feelings and, hence, develop a preference ordering, the model is estimated by utilising a conditional Logit analysis. The analysis is based on primary data collected from tourists visiting Cyprus. The conditional Logit model generates the probability of revisit given the characteristics of tourists and the Cyprus tourism product. The paper extends further the Lancaster product characteristics framework as applied to tourism by Rugg (Rev. Econom. Stat. 55(1) (1973) 64), Morley (Ann. Tourism Res. 19 (1992) 250) and Papatheodorou (Ann. Tourism Res. 28 (2001) 164) by including the neglected but from any viewpoint important political instability characteristic that is attached to the tourist product of Cyprus. The inclusion of product characteristics/attributes in tourism analysis appear to strongly contribute towards the better understanding of travel choice behaviour.

Does cultural background of tourists influence the destination choice? an empirical study with special reference to political instability.

Abstract Political Instability is a complex and multidimensional term with various conceptualisations and interpretations. This paper investigates the cross-cultural differences of the perceptions of travel agents concerning the impact of political instability on tourism. To capture the impact a composite index of political instability indicators was developed and was subsequently distributed to 2000 travel agents in six major tourism generating countries. An integrated empirical framework has been developed which allows the analysis of the survey data using repeated measures ANOVA. The results of the study demonstrates the existence of significant differences on the way that travel agents perceive the impact of the various types of political instability on the tourism industry. The results might be of some interest to tourism policy makers and marketing agents.

The demand for tourism in North East England with special reference to Northumbria: an empirical analysis.

Abstract This paper examines the trends of tourism in North East England. In particular, we focus on the area of Northumbria to show the potential of tourism for economic development in the region. Within this analysis, we concentrate on the demand for tourism in the region, and in particular we are concerned with tourism by UK residents in Northumbria (‘domestic’ tourism). The long run relationship between domestic tourism demand, and a number of economic factors effecting this demand, is considered using the Johansen and Juselius (1990, 1992) Multivariate Cointegration analysis. An error-correction model is then proposed for short-run forecasting of domestic demand for tourism in Northumbria.

An empirical evaluation of management and operational capabilities for innovation via co‐creation

Purpose – The aim of this study is twofold: to evaluate empirically the incidence of co‐creation activities; and to identify company characteristics that enable capabilities for innovation via co‐creation.Design/methodology/approach – The study used a positivist research methodology that focused on data collection via a literature‐based designed questionnaire, followed by analyses of the collected data. This first stage study focused investigation on a sample of high turnover companies, the “Top 250 Companies” annual list published by Durham University Business School, operating in the North East region of England. Eighty complete questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 32 per cent.Findings – The results of the survey indicated that co‐creation activities and capabilities were not extensive in the sample population. However, the companies that were strategically focussed on meeting the demands of individual customers were more inclined to have developed capabilities necessary for co‐...

Political instability and tourism: an empirical study with special reference to the microstate of Cyprus.

Abstract Political instability is characterised by a multifaceted and complex character and its existence and impact in various countries is multilevel and multidimensional. The need for assessment, evaluation and analysis of the various interrelationships between political instability and the tourism industry is essential considering the sensitive nature of the tourism industry, the ever-increasing competition, and the very narrow profit margins. This study provides an exploratory model for the identification and analysis of the theoretical and empirical dimensions of political instability that are related to the tourism industry of Cyprus. Twenty-eight variables were selected as ‘candidate indicators’ of political instability. The selected variables were included in a questionnaire that was distributed to travel agents in Cyprus. Factor analysis was employed and four dimensions of political instability emerged which were interpreted according to the particularities and individual characteristics of the tourism industry of Cyprus.

Introductory econometrics : a practical approach

Unit 1: Single Equation Regression Models 1. Economic Theory and Modelling in Practice 2. Formulating Single Equations Regression Models 3. Estimating single equation Regression Models, Basic ideas, Concepts and Methods 4 .Evaluation of the Regression Results- Hypotheses Testing and Tests of Significance 5. Autocorrelation, Hetroscedasticity and Diagnostic Testing 6. The Phenomenon of the Spurious Regression, Data Generation Process (DGP), and Additional Diagnostic Tests 7. Traditional Approach to Dynamic Modelling: The Distributed Lag Models Unit 2: Simultaneous- Equation Regression Models 8 Simultaneous- Equation Models and Econometric Analysis. Unit 3 Qualitative Variables in Econometric Models and Panel data Regression Models 9. Dummy Variable Regression Models 10. Qualitative Response Regression Models 11. Panel Data Regression Models Unit 4 Time Series Econometrics 12. Stationary and Non -stationary Time Series 13. Testing For Stationarity :The Unit Root Tests 14. Cointegration Analysis: Two -Variable Case 15. Cointegration Analysis: Multivariate Case Unit 5 Aspects of Financial Time Series Econometrics 16 Modelling Volatility and Correlations in Financial Time Series

A Dynamic Model of Virtual Organisations: Formation and Development

Despite the rapid growth of virtual organisations in the global business environment, there is comparatively little theoretical work on their formation and operation. This paper proposes a model to explain their formation and operation. The model focuses on the concept of core competencies and identifies their development over time as the primary strategic objective of a firm within a virtual organisation. It is shown that pursuing this objective will inevitably result in “upstream” (Formation) and “downstream” (Operation) clusters within which virtual organisations are formed and operate. The model is dynamic, linking “upstream” and “downstream” clusters through a dynamic feedback mechanism.

Consequences of Predicted Climatic Changes on International Trade in Cool Season Grain Legume Crops

A substantial proportion of the population of the Indian sub-continent depends on cool season grain legumes (in particular, dry pea, chickpea and lentil) as a major component of their diet. From 2001 to 2007, India was the main producer of the major cool season grain legume crops, followed by Canada, China, France and Russia. Although India was the main producer of cool season grain legumes from 2001 to 2007, it was also the main importing country of these crops over the same period, followed by Spain, Egypt, Bangladesh, Belgium, the Netherlands and Pakistan. The main exporter of cool season grain legume crops from 2001 to 2006 was Canada, followed by Australia, France, the USA and Turkey. An important feature of the data is that the major exporting countries are developed countries, while major importers are India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, the three largest countries with respect to population in the Indian sub-continent. Climate change models predict increasing temperatures, decreasing rainfall and hence decreased yields of cool season grain legume crops in substantial areas of the Indian sub-continent over the next fifty years. If these predictions prove to be correct, and demand is augmented further due to rapidly growing populations, then it is likely that the Indian sub-continent will need to rely more heavily on imports of grain legumes. In relation to the current major export countries, climate change models predict increases in yields in Canada, USA and France but decreased yields in Australia and Turkey. Because of this, and because Canada, USA and France have an established infrastructure favourable to increases/ shifts in production of cool season grain legumes, they are the countries most likely to be able to respond to increased demand. In conclusion, if climate change results in decreased productivity of cool season grain legume crops in the Indian sub-continent, then Canada, France and the USA are likely to be the countries that would meet the increased demand for these crops.

A general equilibrium framework for optimal planning in an oil-producing economy

Abstract This paper shows how a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model can provide a consistent and detailed framework for investigating the intertemporal planning problems in oil-rich countries. The analysis is carried out with the aid of a price endogenous CGE model which acts as the constraint of a discrete time optimal control problem. The system is used to generate optimal solutions for policy variables which work through market prices, as well as those working through quantity variables. The study shows that a CGE model, together with an appropriate optimization model, can provide an effective planning tool for oil-producing countries.

Research and development activities by SMEs: a regional comparison (the West Midlands and the North East of England)

This study provides an analysis of two regional samples on R&D activities in manufacturing small and medium‐size firms in the UK. The results show that there are statistically significant regional differences between the North East and the West Midlands (χr2 of 11.8 s.s. at p < .01), where the North East SMEs seem to engage less in R&D activities. The results may be of some interest to the relevant R&D funding bodies.