Loredana Di Pietro

Social network for the choice of tourist destination: attitude and behavioural intention.

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to investigate how social networks can become the main tool for achieving fast and detailed information for the choice of tourism destination, in order to deeply understand the benefits of these media for promoting tourism destinations in a global perspective, reaching a wider range of potential visitors, and developing ad hoc and marketing strategies with benefits for competitive advantage on the market.Design/methodology/approach – The research focuses on an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) which also integrates the constructs e‐word‐of‐mouth communication and enjoyment. In particular, 1,397 experience users have been involved.Findings – The main findings are related to the key role of e‐word of mouth communication on both the perception of usefulness and the attitude towards the use of social network as powerful tool for the choice of tourism destinations; as well as to enjoyment which underlines the role of the fun provided by the social network and represe...

Understanding Consumer’s Acceptance of Technology-Based Innovations in Retailing

The availability of a huge number of studies about the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) for predicting consumer’s acceptance and usage of innovations in points of sale motivates writing of the present. Review, with emphasis on the new variables integrated in the traditional model. This is concerned with a synthesis of the current progresses in the field, thus offering a unified view of consumers’ behaviour towards new technical solutions. Such synthesis is achieved from an extensive literature analysis, including computer science, innovation, human-computer interaction, and technology management perspectives. For each case, both opportunities and issues are outlined in order to advance the current knowledge and highlight what practitioners and scholars should take into account for developing new and efficient corporate strategies.

The Role of Organizational Culture on Informal Conflict Management

Many researchers and scholars would without hesitation justify the role of formal processes to manage the conflict in the workplace. The conflict process is greatly influenced by organizational culture. A number of researchers have explored the influences of organizational culture on the different ways of handling conflict. But the organizational culture and conflict management research has often ignored the examination of the impact and implications of culture on informal conflict management in organizations. In this article we take a narrower approach that focuses on the specific domain of culture pertaining to the management of conflict. The purpose of this study was to analyze the amount and types of conflict in organizations with the aim of investigating the relationship between organizational culture and the behavioral norms used to informally manage conflict by examining the results of a survey questionnaire given to 168 employees of a Public Administration. The results indicate that there is a relationship between culture and behavioral norms. In this scenario, formal processes of conflict management become prescriptions and lose their relevance for understanding the challenges and the evolutions of conflict situations. We demonstrate that the practice of conflict management is more problematic, especially in that it brings the topic of organizational culture into the discussion of conflict theory literature.Many researchers and scholars would without hesitation justify the role of formal processes to manage the conflict in the workplace. The conflict process is greatly influenced by organizational culture. A number of researchers have explored the influences of organizational culture on the different ways of handling conflict. But the organizational culture and conflict management research has often ignored the examination of the impact and implications of culture on informal conflict management in organizations. In this article we take a narrower approach that focuses on the specific domain of culture pertaining to the management of conflict. The purpose of this study was to analyze the amount and types of conflict in organizations with the aim of investigating the relationship between organizational culture and the behavioral norms used to informally manage conflict by examining the results of a survey questionnaire given to 168 employees of a Public Administration. The results indicate that there is a rel...

Creating Competitive Advantage for Calabrian-Made Products: The Influences of Culture and Price Perception

The purpose of this article is to investigate the influence of culture on consumers’ price perception of local products as well as the creation of competitive advantage for local firms. In particular, we analyze the locally produced goods of the Calabrian region in southern Italy. The research methodology is based on qualitative approach and quantitative approach. The results of the study offer important insights into consumers and firms. Since the firm has a better understanding about the role of culture and its effect on consumer perception, it will be able to adjust or improve its pricing policy and thus achieve consumer satisfaction and retention and gain competitive advantage to increasing sales. In this study we introduce specific cultural factors, such as the image and tradition of Magna Græcia culture. Although substantial research on the influence of cultural factors on consumer’s perception exists in the field of consumer research, this study further contributes to the literature by acting as a catalyst for future scientific enquiries in this important area.

Contractual Conditions, Organizational Level, Dimension of Organization, and Work Conflict as Potential Predictors of Job Stress in Public Administration

Job stress is a pervasive problem for employers in the 21st century economy, making it a timely and important topic in organizational settings. The variables influencing job stress are numerous and consequently it may be analyzed from different perspectives, but the root is primarily physical and psychosocial. This study specifically explores three physical sources of job stress—contractual condition of work, organizational position, and dimension of organization—and of one psychosocial source—work conflict. A survey instrument was used to collect information from regional Public Administration employees of South Italy. Data from 1,130 respondents were analyzed. Statistical correlations and hierarchical regression showed that contractual condition of work, organizational position, organizational dimension, and work conflict were all predictive aspects of job stress.

The Firm’s Global Strategies and the Effect of Group Knowledge Environmental Variables on the Decision-Making Process

A firm can only be successful if it applies effective strategies and possesses appropriate intrinsic resources and capabilities and related extrinsic information in order to analyze market opportunities and to capture market share to sustain competitive advantage in the global business landscape. In this context, consumer knowledge, within the framework of a groups’ consumer behavior, is a critical strategic factor in creating competitive advantage. Within this framework it is important to understand that competitive advantage can no longer be measured solely by the amount of resources that are readily accessible or by material production. Accessibility to consumer knowledge is an integral part of a firm’s core competencies. Strategically, consumer knowledge is an intangible resource that helps firms become more flexible and thus more competitive in the business environment (de Vita, Mercurio, & Testa, 2007).