S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh

An assessment of the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in hospitality research

Purpose Structural equation modeling (SEM) depicts one of the most salient research methods across a variety of disciplines, including hospitality management. While for many researchers, SEM is equivalent to carrying out covariance-based SEM, recent research advocates the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) as an attractive alternative. We systematically examine how PLS-SEM has been applied in major hospitality research journals with the aim of providing important guidance and, if necessary, opportunities for realignment in future applications. As PLS-SEM in hospitality research is still in an early stage of development, critically examining its use holds considerable promise in order to counteract misapplications which otherwise might reinforce over time. Design/methodology/approach We reviewed all PLS-SEM studies published in six SSCI-indexed hospitality management journals between 2001 and 2015. Tying in with prior studies in the field, our review covers reasons for usin...

Factors Influencing Residents’ Perceptions toward Tourism Development: Differences across Rural and Urban World Heritage Sites

This article compares the effects of factors influencing residents’ perceptions toward tourism development in urban and rural World Heritage Sites (WHSs). This study has been conducted in the rural Lenggong and urban George Town WHSs in Malaysia. Partial least squares–structural equation modeling, using a number of recently developed advanced analysis methods, has been used to assess the proposed measurement and structural models, and to compare the relationships between the two groups. The results of this study reveal significant differences between the effects of economic gain and community involvement on residents’ perceptions in rural and urban contexts. However, the findings do not support differences between the effects of community attachment and environmental attitudes on residents’ perceptions. This study makes a significant theoretical contribution by comparing rural and urban WHS residents in the developing world. Furthermore, this study has a number of practical implications for the local authorities.

Sustainable tourism development and residents’ perceptions in World Heritage Site destinations

ABSTRACT Set in Malaysia’s Lenggong Valley World Heritage Site (WHS), this paper uses stakeholder theory to explore the heterogeneity of positive and negative perceptions among residents and their effects on residents’ support for and participation in sustainable tourism development. Data from 221 completed questionnaire surveys revealed heterogeneous negative perceptions across residents’ age, level of education and economic involvement in tourism. Moreover, residents’ positive perceptions had a positive effect on their support for and participation in tourism development. This study contributes to the resident perception literature by using stakeholder theory to conceptualise the heterogeneity of residents’ perceptions and by examining the effects of those perceptions on their support for and participation in tourism development in a rural WHS destination in the developing world. Furthermore, the findings of this study have practical implications for local authorities aiming to improve residents’ support and participation in tourism planning for sustaining tourism development.

How Visitor and Environmental Characteristics Influence Perceived Crowding

This paper aims to investigate tourists’ perceptions of crowding and factors influencing those perceptions. The effects of visitor socio-demographic characteristics, economic factors, and destination situational characteristics are investigated. Questionnaire data were collected from a sample of 362 tourists at Pantai Cenang Beach, Langkawi Island. The results confirmed the significant effect of visitor socio-demographic characteristics on perceived crowding. Among the economic factors, although the findings did not confirm an effect for level of income, the results showed a positive effect for spending money per day on perceived crowding. Furthermore, the hypothesized effect of situational characteristics on perceived crowding could not be verified. In light of the absence of studies investigating the factors influencing perceived crowding using partial least squares–structural equation modeling, this study contributes theoretically and methodologically to the perceived crowding literature. Moreover, the results can assist the local authorities to understand the perceptions of tourists for future development.

Factors affecting international students’ travel behavior:

This article attempted to find out important factors influencing international students’ travel behavior. A total of 409 international postgraduate students studying in five Malaysian research universities (Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) participated in this quantitative study through a self-administered questionnaire. A structural equation modeling–partial least squares using Warp PLS 3.0 was applied to analyze data. The study revealed that a number of demographic characteristics including age, marital status, nationality, and source of finance significantly affect preferred travel activities and preferences. In addition, travel behavior (as a third-order factor) was also affected by age, marital status, nationality, and source of finance. The moderating effect of information source on relationship between nationality and travel behavior has also been identified, with its main function being adjusting the strengths of relationships between nationality and travel behavior.

Residents’ perception toward tourism development: a pre-development perspective

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the positive and negative perceptions of residents towards tourism development in Bujang Valley (Lembah Bujang), an underdeveloped rural area that is targeted for world heritage site inscription because of its archaeological value. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data among residents and 143 questionnaire were returned. Findings – The results demonstrated that the residents of Bujang Valley have generally positive perceptions towards tourism development and are agreeable with supporting tourism development. Moreover, these results were highly correlated with one another, with residents’ positive perceptions having a positive effect on their support for tourism development, and negative perceptions have a negative effect on their support for tourism development. Practical implications – The findings of this study can assist the Bujang Valley local authorities to improve the support and participation of residents in touri...

The effects of community factors on residents’ perceptions toward World Heritage Site inscription and sustainable tourism development

Abstract Using partial least squares-structural equation modeling, we analyzed data from 410 questionnaires completed by a sample of residents from the vicinity of the George Town World Heritage Site (WHS), Malaysia, to investigate the effects of community factors on residents’ perceptions and support for WHS conservation and tourism development. To conceptualize these relationships, we developed a framework based on social exchange theory (SET) and previous empirical evidence. While community attachment, cultural attitudes, community involvement, and community gain had positive effects on residents’ perceptions, the effects of community members’ gain and status consistency were particularly strong. Our results suggest that perceptions strongly influence support for WHS conservation and tourism development. Having examined a number of new resident perception factors, this study makes a significant theoretical and methodological contribution to the tourism and resident perception literature. Furthermore, this study has practical implications for future sustainable community development in the George Town WHS.

Perceived sociocultural impacts of tourism and community participation: A case study of Langkawi Island

Using partial least squares-structural equation modeling, we investigated the relationship between residents’ perceptions of the sociocultural impacts of tourism development and community participation in Pantai Cenang, Langkawi Island. We also investigated the moderating role of gender, age and education level on these relationships. The results revealed significant positive relationships between the positive and negative perceptions of residents and community participation; moreover, residents’ gender and age had a moderating effect on these relationships. These findings have implications for tourism development planners and government authorities seeking to expand the involvement of local residents in tourism developments.

Effective interpretation using various media toward mindfulness: a case study of Malacca.

Effective interpretation among visitors to heritage sites contributes towards achieving sustainable tourism. Mindful visitors are more likely to be interested in being educated and learning about a site; therefore, mindfulness can play a key role in the formation of effective interpretations. Diverse media communicates with visitors in different ways and has various effects which can improve mindfulness among heritage site visitors. This study aims to investigate the effects of three different media, namely exhibitions, guided tours (GT) and printed materials (PM) on enhancing mindfulness. A questionnaire was developed and administered to approximately 200 visitors at 6 heritage sites across Malacca City in Malaysia, which was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Partial least-squares structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that PM were the most effective medium in improving mindfulness among visitors to the selected heritage sites, followed by exhibitions. The results also indicated that GT did not have any significant effect on improving visitor mindfulness. These findings can assist organisations responsible for the management of heritage sites to improve the mindfulness of visitors by identifying the most efficacious forms of media.

An investigation of the effects of an awareness campaign on young residents’ perceptions: a case study of the Lenggong World Heritage Site

ABSTRACT This paper investigates three issues concerning younger residents of the Lenggong Valley World Heritage Site (WHS) in Malaysia: their perceptions of tourism development, their perceptions and attitudes regarding their contribution to and promotion of the WHS, and the effects of an awareness campaign regarding the benefits of tourism development and WHS recognition on their perceptions. The awareness campaign was based on social exchange theory. A questionnaire was administered to secondary school students in Lenggong before and after the campaign. Responses revealed that younger residents have overall positive perceptions of tourism development and WHS recognition, and that they want to contribute towards promoting and supporting the WHS. Significant pre- and post-campaign differences in perceptions of younger residents demonstrate the importance of awareness regarding the benefits of tourism development and WHS recognition. The findings have implications for key stakeholders in the promotion of sustainable tourism development and conservation programmes in Lenggong.