Russell R. Currie

Going where the Joneses go: understanding how others influence travel decision‐making

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine if an evoke set exists for pleasure travelers based on the past and future travel destinations of their peer groups.Design/methodology/approach – Researchers distributed a questionnaire to university students enrolled in the same program. The literature review suggests four ways in which peers can influence individuals: not to travel influence, direct influence, indirect influence, and shared goal of future destination influence. Results from the respondents provide data for correlation analysis based on these four types of peer influence.Findings – The findings support previous researchers demonstrating a strong influence of peer reference groups on service purchase decisions, specifically tourism destination choice. Given a relatively small sample population, all four types of peer reference found support in the data.Research limitations/implications – Limitations are related to sample size and the homogeneity of the sample. Because, the respondents were...

Who Should Rank Our Journals...And Based on What

Purpose – This study aims to establish the use of active scholar assessment (ASA) in the field of education leadership as a new methodology in ranking administration and leadership journals. The secondary purpose of this study is to respond to the paucity of research on journal ranking in educational administration and leadership.Design/methodology/approach – This empirical study uses on‐line survey research methods with analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical analysis.Findings – The main findings of this study are: ASA minimizes noted limitations in peer assessment studies; publishing rates and years of service do not significantly influence quality assessment bias; ASA provides a comprehensive and fair assessment of journals; and ASA responds to established criteria as a new, independent system for journal ranking. This study also provides current rankings of educational administration and leadership journals.Research limitations/implications – This study points to the importance of continued research ...

Examining Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Education

Abstract The authors of this paper examine the current state of undergraduate entrepreneurship education. After critiquing the spectrum of liberal and vocational elements of education and the importance of each, a new framework, “Shared Values Framework for Entrepreneurship Education,” is proposed and evaluated. Institutions’ undergraduate entrepreneurship literature and course material are analysed through content analysis, followed by 12 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with educators working in the field. Findings indicate that as a whole, undergraduate entrepreneurship education is underdeveloped and educators positioned in the field face challenges in three major areas: political tensions, philosophical dilemmas and implementation struggles. The authors conclude with recommendations to support entrepreneurship educators in their practice.

Joining the in‐crowd: symbols for backpacker identity

Purpose – The authors of this paper examine the role of the guidebook as a symbol and the implications of symbols in relation to tourist behaviors. The objective of the researchers is to determine if guidebooks act as a symbol for group identity within the backpacker community.Design/methodology/approach – The researchers conducted ten in‐depth interviews in a Halifax youth hostel in Nova Scotia to collect data for analysis. The data obtained in this study is analyzed through a thematic analysis that involved grouping background information with the data that related to each criterion for a symbol.Findings – From the analysis of information obtained from the eight respondents, guidebooks accomplish three functions equivalent to the three criteria of symbols: facilitating communication, providing the basis for attitude development and acceptable modes of behavior, and facilitating collaboration and conformity of the group.Research limitations/implications – There are several limitations to this study that ...

Contextualising site factors for feasibility analysis

This paper explores the utility of site analysis as one factor in determining the feasibility of a proposed development in relation to organisational objectives. Feasibility analysis models frequently include site analysis as one factor in the broader study. However, site analysis for site planning and design is generally presented under the assumptions of a more advanced stage of planning than can be admitted by the constraints imposed by a feasibility analysis in the pre-start up phase of a proposed development. Site analysis in the context of feasibility analysis requires a model that emphasises its capacity for making a ‘go/no go’ decision on a proposed development programme based on uncertainty, limited resources and multiple stakeholder interests. From the multiple criteria decision-making literature a method is developed and applied to determine the fitness of a site for supporting a proposed tourism development. Moreover, the proposed site analysis matrix and coding scheme provides practitioners with parameters that can inform subsequent site planning actions. While application of the concept bears limitations in quantitative measurement and spatial representation, the results suggest the proposed method for site analysis is beneficial and useful in the context of feasibility analysis.

Inter-Enterprise Destination Competitiveness

This paper describes an application and analysis of the destination competitiveness concept to inter-enterprise tourism competitiveness in the marine-based tourism sector. In this context, it specifically illustrates the tourism potential of small craft harbours in the marine-based tourism sector by investigating the competitive potential of tourism in five small craft harbours. Data were gathered from in-depth interviews of key informants and used to estimate the economic impact of tourism at each harbour. Comparisons are made between the harbours and economic activities revealing characteristics that might explain the differences in the relative success that each has had in generating marine-based tourism. Varying success is found to be most related to two factors: 1) the number of services provided at these harbours; and 2) the existence of tourism product. A 2 × 2 destination competitiveness matrix based on these two factors is offered as an effective way to categorize small craft harbours from a tourism potential perspective.