Browsing by Author "Jani, Dev"
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Item Analyzing International Tourists' Functional Information Needs: A Comparative Analysis of Inquiries in an On-Line Travel Forum(2013) Jani, Dev; Jeong, Ho K.; Hwang, Yeong H.On-line travel forums inform tourists' trip decisions; however, little is known about their information needs. Using international tourists' inquiries from an on-line travel forum, this study examines tourists' functional information needs, their relationship with prospective destinations, and the timing of posting. This study examines samples of Lonely Planet inquiries made about Japan (n=123) and South Korea (n=97). Using content analysis, three judges rate postings by the messages' functional information needs. Statistical tests of aggregate ratings find international tourists tend to use on-line travel forums to gain product knowledge rather than to reduce risks or to make travel plans more efficient. Tourists' functional information needs also vary significantly by travel destination. The association between the postings' timing and functional information needs appears to be marginal.Item Big Five Factors of Personality and Tourists' Internet Search Behavior(Taylor and Francis, 2014) Jani, Dev; Jang, Jun H.; Hwang, Yeong H.This study aimed at relating tourists' Internet search behaviors and the Big Five Factors (BFF) of personality to identify personality items that better predict tourists' Internet search behaviors. Survey data from domestic tourists to a metropolitan city in South Korea was used to empirically examine the relationships. Results indicate that travel information sought through the Internet vary with the BFF with the exception of extraversion, and the Internet channels used for travel information search also varied with the BFF with the exception of conscientiousness. The Internet is more widely used as a source of travel information but less for travel purchases. The results also suggest that the responses to some BFF items can substantially improve the predictability of tourists' Internet search behaviors. Implications for the use of the BFF in designing travel information systems are addressed.Item Big Five Personality Factors and Travel Curiosity: Are They Related?(Taylor and Francis, 2014) Jani, DevDespite propositions relating the Big Five Factors of personality and travel curiosity, empirical evidence is lacking. This study examined the relationship between these two constructs within tourism settings. A survey strategy was employed in data collection that yielded 360 usable questionnaires. Findings indicate openness to experience to have a significant positive influence on the interest-type travel curiosity, while neuroticism and agreeableness to have a significant positive impact on the deprivation-type travel curiosity. Extraversion and conscientiousness had no significant effects on either of the two types of curiosity. The study affirms the applicability of openness to experience, neuroticism, and agreeableness in relating to travel curiosity. Destination marketers can thus use travel curiosity in their marketing communications to cater to different personalities.Item Big five personality factors and travel curiosity: are they related?(Taylor and Francis, 2014) Jani, DevDespite propositions relating the Big Five Factors of personality and travel curiosity, empirical evidence is lacking. This study examined the relationship between these two constructs within tourism settings. A survey strategy was employed in data collection that yielded 360 usable questionnaires. Findings indicate openness to experience to have a significant positive influence on the interest-type travel curiosity, while neuroticism and agreeableness to have a significant positive impact on the deprivation-type travel curiosity. Extraversion and conscientiousness had no significant effects on either of the two types of curiosity. The study affirms the applicability of openness to experience, neuroticism, and agreeableness in relating to travel curiosity. Destination marketers can thus use travel curiosity in their marketing communications to cater to different personalities.Item Challenges facing lodging operations in Tanzania’s national parks(Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2021-02-25) Mhalafu, Francis; Jani, DevTanzania is among few countries that has designated larger parts of its land under national parks as an initiatives to preserve the flora and fauna for the benefits of both current and future generations. In order to utilize these natural resources for tourism purposes, tourism facilities like lodges need to be within the national parks. Sustainability of businesses within designated national parks worldwide including those in Tanzania have been questioned given the environment in which they are operating as well as the profit motive that logically led to the lodging operations. This chapter reports the results of a study that aimed at exploring sustainability challenges facing lodges in Tanzanian National Parks and the coping strategies used to overcome those challenges. A qualitative approach was used in collecting primary data. An in-depth interview with the aid of a checklist was used in gathering relevant information from those who are operating and/or owning lodges inside the national parks. A sequential purposive sampling was used in selecting 7 national parks among the 16 national parks in Tanzania and the selection of 14 interviewees in those national parks. Thematic content analysis was employed to analyze data. The inter-rater coding reliability was performed that yielded 95% level of agreement. The study identified taxation, human capital, distance, poor infrastructure, information challenge, regulations and licensing procedures, non inclusivity in planning by higher authorities, and animal factors to be the main challenges hindering the lodging business to become more sustainable. The study also recognized that, there is unpredictable business climate for lodges operating in the national parks. Some of the coping strategies used by lodgers to overcome the challenges include forming and joining associations, motivating their employees, having good stock management, strict observation of rules and regulations set by the national parks, and in certain situations opting to do nothing. The study offers implications to most of the stakeholders including the central government, national park authorities, local communities, and lodgers. The government and national park authorities should consider amending the policies and regulations that influence the lodgers. The local communities by themselves and/or with the assistance from government or non-governmental organizations can be more proactive in supplying the lodges with operational necessities as well as human resources. In setting up their lodgers, the lodgers should not only consider touristic points of attractions but also logistics. Keywords: lodge, national parks, Tanzania, sustainability challenges, coping strategiesItem A comparative analysis of East African destination marketing(Taylor and Francis, 2016) Jani, DevDestination marketing organizations’ (DMOs’) websites have become an important communication platform not only with potential tourist but with all tourism stakeholders. This study aimed at comparing websites of four DMOs in East African countries, specifically Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, all of which can be considered as emerging markets. Multi-methods combining qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to evaluate the content and design of four tourism agencies in the respective countries. Data were gathered through the use of independent evaluators and the researchers appraising the four websites. Selected scores for the four DMO websites were tallied using selected Travel and Tourism Competitive Index to appraise the utility of the respective country resources vis-à-vis their website marketing. Results indicate all the countries promote tourist opportunities based on their natural attractions and less on other types of attraction. It is noted that the DMOs differ in content and design with Kenya and Uganda scoring higher in text and picture, respectively. The study sets benchmarks for the respective DMOs to improve their websites. Methodological wise, the study provides a valid methodological approach that can be used in other contexts.Item COMPARISON OF LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL Festival attendees(Cognizant, 2016) Jani, DevFestivals have been in existence since time immemorial. Festivals serve as cultural celebrations for the locals and international tourists who wish to look into the local culture. The concept of sustainability has crossed boundaries from its original environmental issues into tourism and festivals. As a means towards ensuring festivals remain a core rather than a peripheral leisure activity for both locals and international attendees, this study aimed at comparing the motives and perception of festival impacts for the two groups. A self-administered questionnaire was used in collecting data during the annual Sauti za Busara music festival in Zanzibar. Chi-square and t-tests were used to ascertain group differences where motivation to attend the festival indicated significant differences between locals and international attendees. Both groups of attendees indicated to have positive perception of the festival impacts onto the economic, environment, andsocioculture. The results have policy and management implications that can aid festival stakeholders to make the festivals sustainable.Item Comparison of Local and International Festival Attendees' Motives and Perception of Festival Impacts: Case of Sauti Za Busara(Cognizant, 2016-10-01) Jani, DevFestivals have been in existence since time immemorial. Festivals serve as cultural celebrations for the locals and international tourists who wish to look into the local culture. The concept of sustain ability has crossed boundaries from its original environmental issues into tourism and festivals. As a means towards ensuring festivals remain a core rather than a peripheral leisure activity for both locals and international attendees, this study aimed at comparing the motives and perception of festi val impacts for the two groups. A self-administered questionnaire was used in collecting data during the annual Sauti za Busara music festival in Zanzibar. Chi-square and t-tests were used to ascertain group differences where motivation to attend the festival indicated significant differences between locals and international attendees. Both groups of attendees indicated to have positive perception of the festival impacts onto the economic, environment, and socioculture. The results have policy and management implications that can aid festival stakeholders to make the festivals sustainable.Item Contextual differences in tourism-agriculture linkages in selected regions of Tanzania.(Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2021-02-25) Jani, Dev; Nguni, WinnieAn exploratory study was conducted to ascertain differences in tourism-agriculture linkages in selected regions in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at exploring if there are any situational factors that led into differences in the linkages. A case study of three tourism and agriculture based sites in Tanzania were of focus with data collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with tourism and agriculture stakeholders including farmers, middlemen, managers of touristic accommodation, farmer associations and government officials. Secondary data were gathered through reviewing key documents. Thematic content analysis was performed and emerging patterns were observed. Findings indicate tourism-agriculture linkages to be context dependent depending on nature of supply and demand, magnitude of tourism activities, stage of tourism industry growth, hotel owner’s place of residence and hotel size and types of attractions and tourists. These contextual factors lead into the variations in complexity of supply chain and farmers perception of tourism. In a high agricultural output compared to tourism development areas the supply chains are shorter and the farmers perceive the tourism industry to offer less marketing opportunities. Smaller tourism accommodation facilities were noted to promote more of local dishes with most of the ingredients sourced locally. The study implies policies and business environments should be developed accordingly for different tourism destinations for the enhancement of tourism-agriculture linkages in different localities.Item Customer information sharing and new service development: is there a link?(Emerald, 2020-07-15) Busagara, Theresia; Mori, Neema; Jani, Dev; Mossberg, Lena; Andersson, TommyPurpose–The purpose of this paper is to establish the link between customer information sharing and new service development .Design/methodology/approach–Through a survey of tourism firms, 295 questionnaires were collected in three large tourism locations in Tanzania. Thereafter, the hypotheses were tested by structural equation modeling (SEM) after undertaking both factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis Findings–Results indicate that there is a positive association/link between customer information sharing and new service development. The link here expresses the association that exists as customers share information and the extent of use of this information for the firm benefit in facilitating new service development. Specifically, customers post service information and customer interaction behaviors positively support new service development; however, customers pre-service information revealed no link.Practical implications–These results offer practical evidence that post service information and interaction behaviors form the groundwork for development of new services in service-related organizations. Originality/value–These results evidence that customer post service information and customer interaction behaviors form the groundwork for development new services in tourism. Hence, the study strengthens the value co-creation and innovation views in the service arena by extending knowledge in the use of both the service and the customer environment for service improvement.Item Determinants of soft drink customer satisfaction and purchase intentions: comparison between Tanzania’s and South Korea’s customers(UDSM, 2020-06-25) Raina, Marius; Robert, Suphian; Jani, DevThe purpose of the study was to determine the influence of quality, social value, price, and attitude towards soft drinks on customer satisfaction and purchase intention by comparing Tanzanian and South Korean customers to reflect different business contexts. Data were collected using self administered structured questionnaire directed to university students in the two countries. The data was subjected to Structured Equation Modeling using SmartPLS3 with multi-group analysis performed to decipher country differences in the hypothesized relationships. In the overall, attitude, price, and quality had a significant direct effect on satisfaction and indirect effect on purchase intention. Comparatively, attitude, price, and quality had significant direct effects on purchase intention in the South Korean group unlike in the Tanzanian group. In order to influence repurchase intention, marketers need to ensure their beverage customers are satisfied. Moreover, marketers for the two countries should use different marketing strategies to entice and satisfy customers. For the South Korean market, price offers higher leverage compared to the Tanzanian market in enhancing satisfaction and repurchase intentions. Reflecting convenience type of product, social value lacks significant effect on beverage purchase. The study offers unique comparative perspective on the determinants of beverage consumer buying behavior, thus complementing the previous studies taking a country perspective.Item Differential Effects of Tourism Resources on the Attractiveness of Destination Bundles(Taylor and Francis, 2009) Jani, Dev; Jang, Chang I.; Hwang, Yeong H.This research aimed at examining the influence of destination resource characteristics of a destination bundle on the attractiveness of the bundle. Data for this study were obtained through a survey of conveniently selected students from the Seoul Institute of the Arts (n=286). Busan was selected as a main destination and five nearby cities (i.e., Geoje, Gyeongju, Daegu, Ulsan, and Jinju) within one hour driving or ferry riding distance range were selected as a secondary destination. Respondents were asked to indicate the attractiveness of 5 destination bundles (i.e., combinations of 5 additional destinations and Busan) on a 10-point Liker type scale. Respondents were also asked to evaluate eight different aspects of tourism resource (i.e., natural resource, cultural heritage, festivals, leisure and sports activity, recreation facility, accommodation facility, shopping facility, and food) of each destination on a 5-point Likert type scale ranges from 1 ‘very limited’ to 5 ‘very rich.’ The results indicate that tourists tend to prefer a destination bundle which provides a better potential opportunity of tourism experience. However, the influence of resources appears not to be consistent across different bundles Some aspects of resource do not have significant impacts; furthermore, some aspects (i.e., shopping facility) appear to have a significant negative impact. Implications and suggestions for future research are addressed.Item The influence of complexity, perceived benefits, social influence, and demographics on adoption of Internet banking in Tanzania(UDSM, 2020-11-20) Victor, Lyimo; Jani, DevThis study aimed at testing the influence of perceived benefits, social influence, technological complexity, and demographic variables in the adoption of internet banking in Tanzania. Using a structured questionnaire, convenient and quota samples of bank customers was used that yielded 400 dully filled questionnaires with 200 for those who are using internet banking and 200 who have not adopted the use of internet banking with binary regression used to test the hypotheses. Binary logistic regression results successfully classifying bank customers’ internet usage by 75.8% after inclusion of perceived benefits, social influence and complexity. An addition of only 3.7% accuracy in classifying bank customers arises after the inclusion of demographic variables. The results indicate that complexity, perceived benefits, and social influence contribute positively in the adoption of internet banking. The finding provides practical implications to commercial banks on how to promote internet banking effectively and efficiently that will enhance financial inclusion of the population in African developing economies context. Theoretically, the study incorporates and integrates variables into the common models used to explain internet adoption.Item Influence of deprivation and interest curiosity on tourists’ Internet search behaviour(Taylor and Francis, 2016) Jani, DevThis study aims at examining the influence of interest and deprivation curiosity on tourists’ Internet information search behaviour. Empirical survey data (n = 360) for the study were collected during August 2010 in Busan, Korea, targeting tourists’ curiosity, Internet channel used, and type of information searched through the Internet. The collected data were analysed through t-tests and regression analyses. Results indicate that women are more in need of deprivation curiosity than men, and interest curiosity decreases as age increases. Interest curiosity is effective in explaining more on the use of different Internet channels. Interest and deprivation curiosity are valid, on top of demographic variables, in explaining the level of information search on different types of travel information. Findings avail several marketing implications to Internet destination marketers.Item Influence of Environmental Stimuli on Hotel Customer Emotional Loyalty Response: Testing the Moderating Effect of the Big Five Personality Factors(Elsevier, 2015) Jani, Dev; Han, HeesupThe aim of this research was to test the moderation effects of the Big Five Factors (BFF) of personality on hotel ambience-guests' consumption emotions-loyalty relationship. This was an attempt to extend the Stimuli-Organism-Response (S-O-R) that has been widely used in consumer studies without integrating personality factors that may exert effects on the relationships. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to hotel guests; 563 responses were used in data analysis. The results of the structural model affirm the effect of hotel ambience on guests' consumption emotions, with those emotions having significant effects on loyalty. Among the personality factors, extraversion, openness to experience and agreeableness significantly moderated the relationships, with groups scoring high in traits having stronger relationships than those lower in traits. Overall, the study supports the extension of the S-O-R with the inclusion of personality. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.Item Influence of environmental stimuli on hotel customer emotional loyalty response: Testing the moderating effect of the big five personality factors.(ELSEVIER, 2015) Jani, DevThe aim of this research was to test the moderation effects of the Big Five Factors (BFF) of personality on hotel ambience-guests’ consumption emotions–loyalty relationship. This was an attempt to extend the Stimuli–Organism–Response (S–O–R) that has been widely used in consumer studies without integrating personality factors that may exert effects on the relationships. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to hotel guests; 563 responses were used in data analysis. The results of the structural model affirm the effect of hotel ambience on guests’ consumption emotions, with those emotions having significant effects on loyalty. Among the personality factors, extraversion, openness to experience and agreeableness significantly moderated the relationships, with groups scoring high in traits having stronger relationships than those lower in traits. Overall, the study supports the extension of the S-O-R with the inclusion of personality. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.Item The Influence of Safety training on the Practices of Occupational Health and Safety in Small scale Mining Firms.(20th International Academy of African Business and Development conference Proceedings 8-11th May 2019, 2019) Nkolimwa, Dominic; Jani, Dev; Dominic, TheresiaThis article aimed at analysing the influence of safety training on the practices of occupational health and safety in small scale mining firms, since it promotes security, hardworking and comfort of employees after been secured, which in return has a positive impact to the national development. This article examines how safety training can influence the practices of occupational health and safety at the workplace. Structural equation modeling (SEM) has been used to analysis data collected from 297 small scale mining firms, test models and test all hypotheses on direct effect of safety training on the implementation of occupational health and safety. The results demonstrate that safety training (ST) has positive influence on the implementation of organization safety support (OSS) and proactive hazard control (PHC). These results imply that safety training should be enhanced in order to improve the implementation of health and safety at workplace.Item INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL STATUS AND CORPORATE IMAGE ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: A TEST IN THE MOBILE PHONE SECTOR(2014) Jani, DevCorporate image is one among the intangible company assets, and when used strategically, it can ensure long-term company profitability though customer satisfaction. This study aimed at testing the influence of corporate image and social comparison on customer satisfaction in the mobile sector in Tanzania. A structured questionnaire was employed in data collection from a convenience sample of mobile phone users that yielded 98 usable questionnaires. Regression analysis indicates social status to be a significant predictor of customer satisfaction compared to corporate image. The results imply managers need not only focus on improving the corporate image but also enhancing the social status of their customers through their marketing strategies. Despite being sector specific, the study elucidates the impact of both corporate image and social status for the sector as well as for a specific marketing environment.Item Influence of Social Status and Corporate Image on Customer Satisfaction: A Test in the Mobile Phone Sector(2015) Jani, DevCorporate image is one among the intangible company assets, and when used strategically, it can ensure long-term company profitability though customer satisfaction. This study aimed at testing the influence of corporate image and social comparison on customer satisfaction in the mobile sector in Tanzania. A structured questionnaire was employed in data collection from a convenience sample of mobile phone users that yielded 98 usable questionnaires. Regression analysis indicates social status to be a significant predictor of customer satisfaction compared to corporate image. The results imply managers need not only focus on improving the corporate image but also enhancing the social status of their customers through their marketing strategies. Despite being sector specific, the study elucidates the impact of both corporate image and social status for the sector as well as for a specific marketing environment.Item Investigating the Key Factors Affecting Behavioral Intentions: Evidence from a Full-Service Restaurant Setting(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2011) Jani, Dev; Han, HeesupPurpose – This study aimed at investigating factors that contribute to increasing full-service restaurant customers’ behavioral intentions. Unlike previous research, this study integrated both affective and cognitive contributors to customer satisfaction and relationship quality in explaining customers’ behavioral intentions. Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained through a questionnaire survey of full-service restaurant customers in a selected US metropolitan area. The data were subjected to structural equation modeling through the AMOS 5 program. Findings – Among the nine hypothesized paths, six were supported and three new paths were included to improve the model fit. Affect is noted to be a major contributor to both customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Customer satisfaction is a direct antecedent to trust but indirect to commitment. Noteworthy is the direct impact of service encounter performance on customer satisfaction. Research limitations/implications – Despite making use of a sample drawn from only a few selected areas and employing some constructs that are liable to expansion, the study has implications for the hospitality industry from both the theoretical and practical points of view. Originality/value – This study reappraises the contributors to behavioral intentions in restaurant settings, providing valuable insight to managers on attracting and satisfying their customers.