- Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences
MAKS603,
University of Malta
Msida, MSD2080
Malta. - 00356 79314808
Mark Camilleri
University of Malta, Corporate Communication, Faculty Member
- Market Research, Marketing Planning, Branding, Corporate Reputation, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Digital Marketing, and 36 moreContent Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Marketing, Strategic CSR, Creating Shared Value, Shared Value, Corporate Sustainability, Strategic Philanthropy, Cause Related Marketing, Sustainable Tourism, Social Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship, SME, Tourism, Tourism SMEs, Sustainable/Responsible Tourism, Business, Environmental Sustainability, Emarketing, Stakeholder Theory, Marketing, Resource Based View, Business Ethics, Tourism Studies, Search Engine Optimisation, Social Responsibility, Sustainability Reporting, Tourism Management, Corporate Governance, Strategic Management, Tourism Planning and Policy, Resource-based view, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Marketing Research, and Consumer Behavioredit
- Mark Anthony CAMILLERI, Ph.D. (Edinburgh), MBA, M.Sc. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Corporate Commun... moreMark Anthony CAMILLERI, Ph.D. (Edinburgh), MBA, M.Sc. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Corporate Communication at the University of Malta, Malta. He is also a visiting academic (Fulbrighter) at NorthWestern University in Evanston, USA.
In 2021 and 2022, he was featured among the world's top 2% scientists in an author database of standardized citation indicators, published through Elsevier's Mendeley Data.
Prof. Dr. Camilleri is regularly engaged as a scientific expert, reviewer or as a foreign member of expert teams of various (national) research councils in Europe. He has been recognized as an "excellent reviewer" as well as a "top peer reviewer" by Publons. In 2022, he was awarded a Literati Award by Emerald, for his "outstanding reviews".
He is a Coordinating Editor of Elsevier's International Journal of Hospitality Management (IF: 10.427), an Associate Editor of Wiley's Business Strategy and the Environment (IF: 10.801) and of Business Ethics, the Environment and Responsibility - that was formerly known as Business Ethics: A European Review (IF: 5.056). He is also serving as a Social Media Editor of Taylor and Francis (T&F)’s Tourism Planning and Development.
He is a member in the editorial board of Emerald's "Interactive Technology and Smart Education"; "International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management", "International Journal of Tourism Cities", and in the "Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology"; in T&F’s "Anatolia: An International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Research"; in Springer's "Technology, Knowledge and Learning" (Journal) and in the "International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility"; and in Wiley's "Sustainable Development" and "Business Strategy and the Environment". Mark is also a member of the academic advisory committee in the Global Corporate Governance Institute (USA).
He is a member in the following conference committees (among others): International Conference on Education and Service Science - ICESS2022; International Conference on E-Education, E-Business, E-Management and E-Learning - IC4E2022; International Conference on E-Education, E-Business and E-Technology - ICEBT2022; International Conference on Engineering Education and Information Technology - EEIT2023; International Conference on e-Society, e-Learning and e-Technologies - ICSLT2022; International Conference on Education and Training Technologies - ICETT2022; International Conference on Education Development and Studies - ICEDS2022; International Conference on Educational Technology - ICET2022; International Conference on Education Technology Management - ICETM 2022; International Conference on Modern Educational Technology - ICMET2022 and Tourism, Hospitality and Events: Innovation and Resilience During Uncertainty - The INC2022.
He is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), and was a former member of Academy of Management, Academy of Marketing Sciences, American Marketing Association, and in the British Academy of Management. He published conference papers in the proceedings of the Academy of Management (AOM2018), Academy of Marketing Sciences (AMS2019), American Marketing Association (AMA2014, AMA2015), and in the British Academy of Management (BAM2017, BAM2018), among others.
He authored articles in high impact journals and edited the following 8 books:
Camilleri, M.A. (Ed.) (2021). Strategic Corporate Communication in the Digital Age. Bingley, UK: Emerald.
https://books.emeraldinsight.com/page/detail/Strategic-Corporate-Communication-in-the-Digital-Age/?k=9781800712652
Camilleri, M.A. (Ed.) (2018). Tourism Planning and Destination Marketing. Bingley, UK: Emerald.
https://books.emeraldinsight.com/page/detail/Tourism-Planning-and-Destination-Marketing/?K=9781787562929
Camilleri, M.A. (Ed.) (2018). The Branding of Tourist Destinations. Theoretical and Empirical Insights. Bingley, UK: Emerald.
https://books.emeraldinsight.com/page/detail/The-Branding-of-Tourist-Destinations/?K=9781787693746
Camilleri, M.A. (Ed.) (2018). Strategic Perspectives in Destination Marketing. Hershey, USA: IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/book/strategic-perspectives-destination-marketing/193073
Camilleri, M.A. (2017). Travel Marketing, Tourism Economics and the Airline Product: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319498485#aboutBook
Camilleri, M.A. (2017). Corporate Sustainability, Social Responsibility and Environmental Management: An Introduction to Theory and Practice with Case Studies. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319468488
Camilleri, M.A. (Ed.) (2017). CSR 2.0 and the New Era of Corporate Citizenship. Hershey, USA: IGI Global. http://www.igi-global.com/book/csr-new-era-corporate-citizenship/166426edit
Digital technologies have the potential to support achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Existing scientific literature lacks a comprehensive analysis of the triple link: "digital technologiesdifferent industry... more
Digital technologies have the potential to support achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Existing scientific literature lacks a comprehensive analysis of the triple link: "digital technologiesdifferent industry sectors-SDGs". By systematically analyzing extant literature, 1098 sustainable business practices have been collected from 578 papers, using 11 digital technologies in 17 industries to achieve the 17 SDGs. For instance, find that artificial intelligence can be used to achieve affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) as well as to address climate change (SDG 13). Further, geospatial technologies may be applied in the agricultural industry to reduce hunger in various domains (SDG 2), to foster good health and well-being (SDG 3), to improve the availability of clean water and sanitation facilities (SDG 6), raise awareness on responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and to safeguard life on land (SDG 15), among other insights.
Research Interests:
Industry 4.0 technologies present new opportunities for the sustainable development of companies in the agrifood industry. The extant literature on this topic suggests that innovative technologies can support agrifood companies in... more
Industry 4.0 technologies present new opportunities for the sustainable development of companies in the agrifood industry. The extant literature on this topic suggests that innovative technologies can support agrifood companies in addressing environmental, economic, and social sustainability issues. While the environmental and economic benefits of technological innovations in the agrifood industry have been widely investigated, few studies sought to explore the impact of the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies on long-standing social issues. This research addresses this knowledge gap, The data was gathered from 116 Italian agrifood companies that utilized Industry 4.0 technologies. The findings from structural equations modelling partial least squares (SEM-PLS) show that adopting Industry 4.0 technologies helps agrifood companies to improve human resources management, supply chain management, and stakeholder relationships. Finally, this contribution puts forward implications for practitioners, as it raises awareness on the benefits of using technological innovations to promote social sustainability outcomes.
Research Interests:
Few researchers sought to identify the most popular themes of study that promote ethical leadership in service organizations. This paper addresses this knowledge gap in the academic literature. Its research objectives are threefold: (i)... more
Few researchers sought to identify the most popular themes of study that promote ethical leadership in service organizations. This paper addresses this knowledge gap in the academic literature. Its research objectives are threefold: (i) first, it identifies and extracts high impact articles on service ethics published in the last 5 years; (ii) second, it presents the results from a thematic analysis, to shed light on research paradigms and areas of study focused on this topic; (iii) third, it advances theoretical and practical implications. In sum, this article raises awareness on ethical and social responsibilities of service organizations in an age where they are utilizing disruptive technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), big data and analytics, as well as with sharing economy platforms, among others. The findings indicate that they are expected to conduct sustainability accounting, reporting and assurance of their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, to prove their legitimacy with stakeholders, among other responsibilities.
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Purpose-The purpose of this research paper was to determine which needs for incentives influence positive word-of-mouth (PWOM) among international tourists and how these needs differ based on the cultural orientation toward individualism... more
Purpose-The purpose of this research paper was to determine which needs for incentives influence positive word-of-mouth (PWOM) among international tourists and how these needs differ based on the cultural orientation toward individualism and collectivism. Design/methodology/approach-This research used online surveys to gather data from 959 Australian, US, UK, Japanese and Korean respondents who had visited Beijing. A random sampling method was used, and data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0. By adopting the existence relatedness growth theory, the findings explain how cultural orientation affects the impact of needs for incentives in generating PWOM. Findings-Three hypothesized relationships were significant for Australia/UK/USA and Japan/Koreathe effect of needs for incentives on motivation, the effect of motivation on PWOM and the effects of needs for incentives on PWOM were significant and positive for Australia/UK/USA and Japan/Korea. The effect of needs for incentive type on motivation varied across national populations, and the intensity of the effects of needs for incentive type on PWOM was also different. For Australian, UK and the US tourists, the honorary title was the most influential need to stimulate word-of-mouth motivation. The need for cultural learning was the most influential for Japanese and Korean tourists. Originality/value-This research contributes to the literature by exploring and comparing the needs for incentives that influence PWOM among tourists from the perspective of individualism and collectivism. The results also increase the understanding of the relationships among needs for incentives, motivation and PWOM.
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The metaverse has created a huge buzz of interest because such a phenomenon is emerging. The behavioral aspect of the metaverse includes user engagement and deviant behaviors in the meta-verse. Such technology has brought various dangers... more
The metaverse has created a huge buzz of interest because such a phenomenon is emerging. The behavioral aspect of the metaverse includes user engagement and deviant behaviors in the meta-verse. Such technology has brought various dangers to individuals and society. There are growing cases reported of sexual abuse, racism, harassment, hate speech, and bullying because of online disinhibition make us feel more relaxed. This study responded to the literature call by investigating the effect of technical and social features through mediating roles of security and privacy on deviant behaviors in the metaverse. The data collected from virtual network users reached 1121 respondents. Partial Least Squares based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) were used. PLS-SEM results revealed that social features such as user-to-user interaction, homophily, social ties, and social identity, and technical design such as immersive experience and invisibility significantly affect users' deviant behavior in the metaverse. The fsQCA results provided insights into the multiple causal solutions and configurations. This study is exceptional because it provided decisive results by understanding the deviant behavior of users based on the symmetrical and asymmetrical approach to virtual networks.
Research Interests:
Few studies have explored the use of artificial intelligence-enabled (AI-enabled) large language models (LLMs). This research addresses this knowledge gap. It investigates perceptions and intentional behaviors to utilize AI dialogue... more
Few studies have explored the use of artificial intelligence-enabled (AI-enabled) large language models (LLMs). This research addresses this knowledge gap. It investigates perceptions and intentional behaviors to utilize AI dialogue systems like Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT). A survey questionnaire comprising measures from key information technology adoption models, was used to capture quantitative data from a sample of 654 respondents. A partial least squares (PLS) approach assesses the constructs' reliabilities and validities. It also identifies the relative strength and significance of the causal paths in the proposed research model. The findings from SmartPLS4 report that there are highly significant effects in this empirical investigation particularly between source trustworthiness and performance expectancy from AI chatbots, as well as between perceived interactivity and intentions to use this algorithm, among others. In conclusion, this contribution puts forward a robust information technology acceptance framework that clearly evidences the factors that entice online users to habitually engage with text-generating AI chatbot technologies. It implies that although they may be considered as useful interactive systems for content creators, there is scope to continue improving the quality of their responses (in terms of their accuracy and timeliness) to reduce misinformation, social biases, hallucinations and adversarial prompts.
Research Interests:
More businesses are embedding stakeholder engagement (SE) practices in their corporate disclosures. This article explores the extent to which SE practices are featured in the sustainability reports (SRs) of 48 Italian food and beverage... more
More businesses are embedding stakeholder engagement (SE) practices in their corporate disclosures. This article explores the extent to which SE practices are featured in the sustainability reports (SRs) of 48 Italian food and beverage businesses, follow-ing the latest Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. The researchers analyze the content of their SRs dated 2020 and 2021. They utilize a panel regression technique to examine the relationship between stakeholder engagement disclosures (SED) and corporate financial performance (CFP), and to investigate the
mediating role of SR assurance. The results show a positive and significant relationship between SED and CFP. They also confirm that there is a moderating effect from SR assurance on this causal path. However, the findings reveal that SED in SRs of Italian food companies is still moderate. This contribution builds on the logic behind the stakeholder theory. It implies that there is scope for food companies to forge relationships with stakeholders. It indicates that it is in their interest to disclose material information about their SE practices in their SR and to organize third party assurance assessments in order to improve their legitimacy with stakeholders.
mediating role of SR assurance. The results show a positive and significant relationship between SED and CFP. They also confirm that there is a moderating effect from SR assurance on this causal path. However, the findings reveal that SED in SRs of Italian food companies is still moderate. This contribution builds on the logic behind the stakeholder theory. It implies that there is scope for food companies to forge relationships with stakeholders. It indicates that it is in their interest to disclose material information about their SE practices in their SR and to organize third party assurance assessments in order to improve their legitimacy with stakeholders.
Research Interests:
Highlights • This research explores online users' satisfaction and loyalty levels with consumer reviews • Factors from information adoption model significantly affect online users' intentions to revisit review websites/apps. • A partial... more
Highlights • This research explores online users' satisfaction and loyalty levels with consumer reviews • Factors from information adoption model significantly affect online users' intentions to revisit review websites/apps. • A partial least squares approach is used to examine the robustness of the proposed structured model. • Online users still feel that consumer reviews are helpful as they are frequently referring to them.
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Electronics waste (e-waste) is the fastest growing category of hazardous solid waste in the world. While the generation of e-waste has recently attracted the attention of a number of researchers, currently, there is little awareness on... more
Electronics waste (e-waste) is the fastest growing category of hazardous solid waste in the world. While the generation of e-waste has recently attracted the attention of a number of researchers, currently, there is little awareness on its management, monitoring and control among the consumers of crowdfunding platforms. This is surprising because the supporters (backers) of crowdfunding are usually considered as disruptive innovators by other stakeholders. In this light, this research explores the role of e-waste management solutions and the formulation of “message framing” in influencing consumer behaviours in crowdfunding contexts. To do this, this study involves an in-depth investigation of fund-raising campaigns focused on e-waste, that were promoted between 2009 and 2020, through Kickstarter’s reward-based crowdfunding platform. The results show that environmentally sustainable projects focused on waste reduction and pollution prevention are generating increased funds and triggering the interest of a number of crowd investors who are willing to finance such laudable initiatives. At the same time, the findings suggest that the fundraisers elaborate framing messages on environmental protection and on the preservation of the natural eco-systems can increase the likelihood of the success of their crowdfunding projects.
Research Interests:
A number of articles are increasingly raising awareness on the different uses of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for customers and businesses. Many authors discuss about their benefits and possible challenges. However, for the... more
A number of articles are increasingly raising awareness on the different uses of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for customers and businesses. Many authors discuss about their benefits and possible challenges. However, for the time being, there is still limited research focused on AI principles and regulatory guidelines for the developers of expert systems like machine learning (ML) and/or deep learning (DL) technologies. This research addresses this knowledge gap in the academic literature. The objectives of this contribution are threefold: (i) It describes AI governance frameworks that were put forward by technology conglomerates, policy makers and by intergovernmental organizations, (ii) It sheds light on the extant literature on “AI governance” as well as on the intersection of “AI” and “corporate social responsibility” (CSR), (iii) It identifies key dimensions of AI governance, and elaborates about the promotion of accountability and transparency; explainability, interpretability and reproducibility; fairness and inclusiveness; privacy and safety of end users, as well as on the prevention of risks and of cyber security issues from AI systems. This research implies that all those who are involved in the research, development and maintenance of AI systems, have social and ethical responsibilities to bear toward their consumers as well as to other stakeholders in society.
Research Interests:
Purpose: A number of hospitality businesses are understaffed and are experiencing severe labor shortages, in various contexts. In many cases, hotels and restaurants are finding it difficult to retain and recruit motivated employees. In... more
Purpose: A number of hospitality businesses are understaffed and are experiencing severe labor shortages, in various contexts. In many cases, hotels and restaurants are finding it difficult to retain and recruit motivated employees. In this light, this research uses key constructs related to the self-determination theory and integrates them with a responsible human resources management (HRM) measure, to investigate the antecedents of organizational commitment. The underlying objective of this study is to shed light on employee psychology and on responsible organizational behaviors in the hospitality industry. Design/Methodology/Approach: Primary data were captured through an online questionnaire distributed via popular LinkedIn groups that represent hospitality employees. A composite-based structural equations modelling approach was utilized to confirm the reliability and validity of the chosen factors and to shed light on the causal paths of this contribution's proposed model. Findings: The results indicate that there are highly significant direct and indirect effects in this study, particularly between extrinsic motivations-organizational commitment and between responsible HRM-organizational commitment. These relationships are mediated by intrinsic motivations. Practical implications: This research implies that practitioners ought to incentivize and reward hardworking employees, in a commensurate manner, to offer them great working environments as well as appropriate conditions of employment, to enhance their loyalty, minimize turnover rates, and to attract promising talent. Theoretical implications: This contribution advances a robust Responsible Organizational Behavior (ROB) model comprising responsible HRM, extrinsic rewards, intrinsic motivation and organizational commitment. Originality/Value: This empirical study incorporates a responsible HRM construct with extrinsic and intrinsic motivations. It confirms that they are significant antecedents of organizational commitment. Unlike previous research, this contribution focuses on employee psychology as well as on strategic organizational behaviors during a time when tourism businesses are experiencing an increase in demand for their services, in the aftermath of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It raises awareness on the industry's perennial challenges in attracting and retaining employees.
Research Interests:
Purpose: Many educators are increasingly acquainting themselves and becoming adept with interactive technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Some of them are also looking forward to utilizing Metaverse... more
Purpose: Many educators are increasingly acquainting themselves and becoming adept with interactive technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Some of them are also looking forward to utilizing Metaverse applications, as they want to benefit from its immersive three dimensional (3D) capabilities. Therefore, this research critically reviews the extant literature to investigate how, why, where and when the Metaverse can be used for educational purposes. It also discusses about opportunities, challenges and risks related to this disruptive technology. Methodology: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) rigorous protocol is used to search, extract, scrutinize and synthesize content from high-impact articles focused on the use of the Metaverse technology in the realms of education. Afterwards, this research theorizes on the costs and benefits of using this interactive technology with students. Findings: A number of researchers are already experimenting with virtual technologies that are very similar to the Metaverse, in different contexts. This research indicates that most students are lured by immersive multi-sensory 3D environments as well as by VR applications that could simulate real life situations and provide engaging experiences with virtual representations of people, places and objects. On the other hand, it reveals that educators ought to consider the potential pitfalls of the Metaverse, including privacy breaches and security risks, as well as possible addictions and the development of mental health issues, among others. Practical implications: Students and educators can use the Metaverse to catapult themselves in a simulated digital universe that could reconfigure their sensory inputs, definitions of space, time and points of access to information. This research calls for the development of regulatory instruments including of sound principles, guidelines and procedures that are intended to safeguard and protect Metaverse users. Originality: This contribution implies that there is scope for educators to continue developing the Metaverse's virtual spaces in order to improve their students' motivations, aptitudes and learning outcomes. It clarifies that the use of the Metaverse in education can create infinite possibilities to enhance their knowledge, competences and abilities through its immersive applications. Yet, it also raises awareness on possible challenges in the short term as well on other risks associated to the prolonged use of this captivating technology.
Research Interests:
Due to the growing concern towards natural resource depletion and the increasing levels of waste generation caused by economic growth, sustainable consumption has gained the attention of both governments and society. Despite this, the... more
Due to the growing concern towards natural resource depletion and the increasing levels of waste generation caused by economic growth, sustainable consumption has gained the attention of both governments and society. Despite this, the market share of sustainable products remains low, and studies analysing the factors influencing consumers’ perception of sustainable products provide inconclusive results. This work aims to help bridge this gap by summarising the main literature results and focusing on practical implications. We perform a systematic literature review to identify the factors influencing consumers’ perception of sustainable products. Next, we classify these factors according to the triple bottom line framework, to provide a holistic perspective on the subject and present useful suggestions for companies. The findings suggest that most studies adopt a partial perspective on sustainability, focusing on only one of the sustainability dimensions or considering a single product category. The results also show that there are numerous factors that can influence consumer perception across all three sustainability dimensions. To increase the market share of sustainable products, companies should try and target new customer segments, by adopting a holistic approach to sustainability and analysing how consumers manage the trade-offs between the factors related to different sustainability dimensions. From a practical perspective, this study provides managers with a solid starting point to identify and assess the value of sustainable products in relation to the sustainability dimensions and the characteristics of the target customer segments.
Research Interests:
This research examines the impact of firms' decision-making, crisis management, and risk-taking behaviors on their sustainability and circular economy behaviors through the mediating role of their eco-innovation behavior in the energy... more
This research examines the impact of firms' decision-making, crisis management, and risk-taking behaviors on their sustainability and circular economy behaviors through the mediating role of their eco-innovation behavior in the energy industry in Iraq. Firms are exploring applicable mechanisms to increase green practices. This requires the industry to possess the essential skills to overcome the challenges that reduce sustainable activities. We applied a dual-stage structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach to explore the linear relationships between variables, determine the weight of the criteria, and rank energy companies based on a circular economy. The online questionnaire was sent to 549 managers and heads of departments of Iraqi electric power companies. Out of these, 384 questionnaires were collected. The results indicate that firms' crisis management, decision-making, and risk-taking behaviors are significantly and positively linked to their eco-innovation behavior. This study confirms the significant and positive impact of firms' eco-innovation behavior on their sustainability and circular economy behaviors. Likewise, eco-innovation behavior has a fully mediating role. For the MCDM methods, ranking energy companies according to the circular economy can support policymakers' decisions to renew contracts with leading companies in the ranking. Practitioners can also impose government regulations on low-ranked companies. Thus, governments can reduce the problems of greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental pollution.
Research Interests:
To date, few researchers have linked open innovation approaches with triple bottom line corporate sustainability objectives in terms of economic, social, and environmental performance. A systematic review suggests that the businesses'... more
To date, few researchers have linked open innovation approaches with triple bottom line corporate sustainability objectives in terms of economic, social, and environmental performance. A systematic review suggests that the businesses' collaborative relationships with external consultants or organizations can increase their competitive advantage, as external stakeholders could assist them in the development of sustainable innovations, diversification into different markets, and in the generation of new revenue streams. At the same time, they can support them in addressing numerous deficits in society. On the other hand, this contribution implies that an organizational culture that promotes open innovation approaches could expose practitioners to risks and uncertainties, like revealing sensitive information to outsiders, among others. In reality, it may prove difficult for the businesses to trust new partners, as they are not subject to their organizations' codes of conduct, rules, and regulations.
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Purpose: Customers are increasingly utilizing mobile applications (apps) to compare prices of travel and hospitality services and to purchase their itineraries, tours and stays. This study explores key factors influencing the individuals’... more
Purpose: Customers are increasingly utilizing mobile applications (apps) to compare prices of travel and hospitality services and to purchase their itineraries, tours and stays. This study explores key factors influencing the individuals’ perceptions about the usefulness of travel apps and sheds light on the causal paths predicting the individuals’ dispositions to utilize them.
Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative data was gathered from 1,320 subscribers of social media groups. They were analyzed through a composite-based partial least squares (PLS) approach.
Findings: The results indicate that information quality, source credibility and the functionality of travel apps are significantly affecting the individuals’ perceptions about their usefulness as well as their intentions to use them. They also confirm that there are highly significant indirect effects within the proposed model.
Practical implications: This study suggests that there is scope for the travel service providers to enhance the quality and functionality of their mobile apps, in order to improve their consumers’ perceptions about the utility of these ubiquitous service technologies.
Theoretical implications: The study integrates information quality and source credibility factors with a functionality construct. It examines their effects on the technology acceptance model (TAM)’s perceived usefulness and behavioral intentions.
Originality: This contribution incorporates a functionality construct in an information technology adoption model to shed light on the individuals’ dispositions to avail themselves of online content and/or to adopt interactive innovations. In this case, it implies that certain functionality features of travel apps including their responsiveness and technical capabilities can trigger users to increase their engagement with these mobile technologies on a habitual basis.
Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative data was gathered from 1,320 subscribers of social media groups. They were analyzed through a composite-based partial least squares (PLS) approach.
Findings: The results indicate that information quality, source credibility and the functionality of travel apps are significantly affecting the individuals’ perceptions about their usefulness as well as their intentions to use them. They also confirm that there are highly significant indirect effects within the proposed model.
Practical implications: This study suggests that there is scope for the travel service providers to enhance the quality and functionality of their mobile apps, in order to improve their consumers’ perceptions about the utility of these ubiquitous service technologies.
Theoretical implications: The study integrates information quality and source credibility factors with a functionality construct. It examines their effects on the technology acceptance model (TAM)’s perceived usefulness and behavioral intentions.
Originality: This contribution incorporates a functionality construct in an information technology adoption model to shed light on the individuals’ dispositions to avail themselves of online content and/or to adopt interactive innovations. In this case, it implies that certain functionality features of travel apps including their responsiveness and technical capabilities can trigger users to increase their engagement with these mobile technologies on a habitual basis.
Research Interests:
This research is focused on the utilization of artificially intelligent (AI), customer service chatbots in travel, tourism and hospitality. Rigorous criteria were used to search, screen, extract and synthesize articles on conversational,... more
This research is focused on the utilization of artificially intelligent (AI), customer service chatbots in travel, tourism and hospitality. Rigorous criteria were used to search, screen, extract and synthesize articles on conversational, automated systems. The results shed light on the most cited articles on the use of "chatbots" and "tourism" or "hospitality". The researchers scrutinize the extracted articles, synthesize the findings and outline the pros and cons of using these interactive technologies. This contribution implies that there is scope for tourism businesses to continue improving their online customer services in terms of their efficiency and responsiveness to consumers and prospects. For the time being, AI chatbots are still not in a position to replace human agents in all service interactions as they cannot resolve complex queries and complaints. However, works are in progress to improve their verbal, vocal and anthropomorphic capabilities to deliver a better consumer experience.
Research Interests:
This study aims to investigate perceptions about interactive travel websites. The researchers hypothesize that engaging content, the quality of information and source credibility has a significant effect on the consumers' utilitarian... more
This study aims to investigate perceptions about interactive travel websites. The researchers hypothesize that engaging content, the quality of information and source credibility has a significant effect on the consumers' utilitarian motivations to continue using them in the future. Design/methodology/approach: A structured survey questionnaire was used to gather data from 1,287 online users, who were members of two popular social media groups. The methodology relied on a partial least squares (PLS) approach to analyze the causal relationships within an extended information adoption model. Findings: The findings reveal that the research participants perceive the utility of interactive travel websites and are willing to continue using them, particularly the responsive ones. The research participants suggest that these sites are easy-to-use, capture their attention, and offer them useful information on various tourism services. The results also indicate that they appreciate their source credibility (in terms of their trustworthiness and expertise of their curators) as well as their quality content. Research limitations/Implications: This study integrates key measures from the information adoption model (IAM) with a perceived interactivity construct, to better understand the individuals' acceptance and use of interactive websites. Practical implications: This research implies that service businesses ought to have engaging websites that respond to consumer queries, in a timely manner. Hence, they should offer a seamless experience to their visitors to encourage loyal behaviors and revisit intentions to their online domains. Originality: To the best of our knowledge, there are no other studies that incorporated an interactive engagement construct with key constructs from IAM and from the technology acceptance model (TAM). This contribution underlines the importance of measuring the individuals' perceptions about the engagement capabilities of interactive media when investigating information and/or technology adoption.
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Purpose: This article aims to investigate the status of and the trends in the intertwining of crowdfunding and innovation literature by identifying, evaluating and synthesizing the findings from previous research. This paper provides a... more
Purpose: This article aims to investigate the status of and the trends in the intertwining of crowdfunding and innovation literature by identifying, evaluating and synthesizing the findings from previous research. This paper provides a bibliometric meta-analysis of the already substantial and growing literature on innovation and crowdfunding research. Design/methodology/approach: Using a bibliometric approach, this research scrutinizes all articles that include terms related to "crowdfunding" and "innovation" (in their title, abstract or keywords) in Elsevier's Scopus database. VosViewer and Bibliometrix package in R have been used to analyse 150 articles. Findings: The results suggest that there are three main research clusters in the innovation and crowdfunding literature. The first cluster highlights the role of crowdfunding in fostering radical and incremental innovation. The second cluster focuses on the concept of openness and its effect on innovation in crowdfunding campaigns, while the third cluster explains the role of platforms' innovation in crowdfunding success. Originality/value: Taking a holistic perspective, this contribution advances new knowledge on the intertwining of crowdfunding and innovation research fields. It implies that crowdfunding is facilitating the flow of knowledge between different stakeholders, including project initiators and crowd investors, among others, as they all benefit from open innovation platforms.
Research Interests:
This research uses a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol to investigate the utility of artificially intelligent (AI) conversational chatbots in service business settings. The findings shed... more
This research uses a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol to investigate the utility of artificially intelligent (AI) conversational chatbots in service business settings. The findings shed light on key theoretical underpinnings focused on human-computer interactions and clarify the benefits and costs of using responsive chatbot technologies. This contribution implies that, for the time being, works are still in progress for interactive, anthropomorphic chatbots to mimic human customer services agents' verbal, vocal and visual cues, when they respond to online queries. In conclusion it puts forward plausible research avenues in this promising area of study.
Research Interests:
This contribution aims to evaluate key theoretical bases that were used in previous research, to investigate the use of crowdfunding platforms by small businesses and startups. It presents the findings from a systematic review to better... more
This contribution aims to evaluate key theoretical bases that were used in previous research, to investigate the use of crowdfunding platforms by small businesses and startups. It presents the findings from a systematic review to better explain the pros and cons of utilizing these disruptive technologies for crowdsourcing and/or crowd-investing purposes. Design/methodology/approach The researchers adopt the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodical protocol to search, screen, extract and scrutinize seventy-two (72) articles that were indexed in both Scopus and Web of Science. They examine their research questions, describe their methodologies. Afterwards, they synthesize the findings from previous literature, outline implications and discuss about future research avenues. Findings A thorough review of the relevant literature suggests that there are opportunities as well as challenges for project initiators as well as for crowd-investors, if they are considering equity crowdfunding, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending and rewards-based crowdfunding platforms, among others, to raise awareness about their projects and to access finance from crowd-investors. Research limitations/implications Further research is required on this timely topic. There are a number of theories relating to technology adoption and/or innovation management, strategic management, accounting and financial reporting, and normative/business ethics, among other research areas, that can be utilized as theoretical bases, to explore this topic. Practical implications Crowd-investors are striving in their endeavors to find a trade-off between risks and rewards associated with crowd-financing. Originality/value Currently, there are few systematic reviews and conceptual articles focused on the crowdfunding of small businesses and startups. Hence this contribution closes this gap in the academic literature. Moreover, it links the extant theory to practice. It clarifies that the resource-based view theory of the firm, the theory of planned behavior, the diffusion of innovations theory as well as the signaling theory, among other conceptual frameworks, can be used to investigate different facets of crowdsourcing and crowd-investing.
Research Interests:
This research investigates perceptions about online content attractiveness, interactive engagement and real time conversation capabilities through travel and tourism social media groups. The study hypothesizes that these factors affect... more
This research investigates perceptions about online content attractiveness, interactive engagement and real time conversation capabilities through travel and tourism social media groups. The study hypothesizes that these factors affect the social media subscribers’ attitudes toward the destinations’ social media groups, their intentions to revisit them, and could even influence their social facilitation behaviors. The data was gathered from 923 Facebook (Meta) subscribers who were members of travel and tourism groups. A partial least squares (PLS) approach was used to reveal the validity and reliability of the chosen constructs. The findings suggest that Facebook subscribers were drawn to those groups that featured aesthetically pleasing content and to the ones that facilitated their engagement. This contribution implies that today's marketers ought to embrace digital transformation processes that are disrupting social network services (SNSs). Content curators are expected to continuously present appealing content in their social media posts, to interact with their followers in a timely manner, and to encourage positive social facilitation behaviors through online and offline channels.
Research Interests:
Societies benefit from the delivery of inclusive education, lifelong learning and from active labour market policies. Therefore, this research presents a critical review of the relevant literature. It features a comparative analysis on... more
Societies benefit from the delivery of inclusive education, lifelong learning and from active labour market policies. Therefore, this research presents a critical review of the relevant literature. It features a comparative analysis on the latest socioeconomic policies that are currently being implemented in the Mediterranean island states of Malta and Cyprus. The findings suggest that both countries need to attract more students to vocational and higher education in order to improve their employment prospects. The latest European reports indicate that their labour market policies are increasingly targeting vulnerable individuals, including women, single parents, older adults and migrant workers, among others, who are not in employment, education or training. In conclusion, this contribution implies that the pursuit of continuous improvements in quality education and social cohesion can create a virtuous cycle of productivity outcomes, including job creation and societal well-being.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Business, Marketing, Tourism Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, Hospitality Management, and 12 moreSustainable Tourism, Hospitality, Responsible Tourism, Tourism, Social Science Research Network, Stakeholder Engagement, Creating Shared Value, Personnel Management, Sustainable/Responsible Tourism, Tourism Planning & Development, Routledge, and Social Responsibility of Business
This contribution investigates higher education students’ perceptions about mobile learning (m-learning) applications, as well as the effects of social influences and of appropriate facilitating conditions, on their intentions to continue... more
This contribution investigates higher education students’ perceptions about mobile learning (m-learning) applications, as well as the effects of social influences and of appropriate facilitating conditions, on their intentions to continue using them. A structured survey questionnaire integrated valid measures from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to better explain their acceptance and use of m-learning software. The findings reported that facilitating conditions including the provision of resources, ongoing training opportunities and technical support, were affecting the respondents’ engagement with m-learning programs. The respondents indicated that they were not influenced by others, to use mobile technologies for educational purposes. The results also suggest that they were well acquainted (and habituated) with the use of mobile devices and their applications. Evidently, they helped them improve their learning journeys.
Research Interests:
Large organizations, including listed businesses, financial service providers as well as public services entities are increasingly disclosing information on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues through corporate... more
Large organizations, including listed businesses, financial service providers as well as public services entities are increasingly disclosing information on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues through corporate websites or via social media. Therefore, this research uses valid measures from the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) to explore the individuals' attitudes toward online corporate social responsibility (CSR) communications. The data was gathered from a structured questionnaire among three hundred ninety-two respondents (n=392). A structural equations modeling partial least squares (SEM-PLS 3) approach was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the timeliness, relevance and accuracy of information as well as the source expertise were highly significant antecedents that were affecting the research participants' attitudes toward CSR communications. This contribution implies that there is scope for content curators to publish quality online information on their business activities to improve their trustworthiness and positive credentials among stakeholders.
Research Interests: Business, Communication, Corporate Social Responsibility, Digital Media, Structural Equation Modeling, and 7 morePLS (Partial Least Squares) Methods, PLS Path Modeling, CSR communication, ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance issues), Elaboration Likelihood Model, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and Smart PLS
This contribution presents the findings from a two-stage systematic review. It relied on PRISMA’s methodical protocol to capture and analyze high-impact articles, that were fo-cused on the International Standards Organization’s ISO 14001... more
This contribution presents the findings from a two-stage systematic review. It relied on PRISMA’s methodical protocol to capture and analyze high-impact articles, that were fo-cused on the International Standards Organization’s ISO 14001 - Environment Management Systems. Whilst stage 1 shed light on the most cited publications since 1995, stage 2 nar-rowed down the search results between 2015 and 2021. The findings suggest that the use of this certifiable standard may result in operational efficiencies through better utilization of resources and waste management systems. It provides opportunities for practitioners to re-conceive their license to operate and to enhance their credentials with stakeholders. It considered potential pitfalls like high certification costs, time constraints as well as an in-crease in paperwork and red tape. Moreover, it recognizes that managers and employees may not be willing to implement changes as they may prefer the status quo or could not be knowledgeable enough to integrate the standard’s environment management systems with existing practices.
Research Interests:
Following the unprecedented outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), educators and students have shifted from conventional face-to-face lectures to fully virtual sessions that were delivered via video conferencing software. This... more
Following the unprecedented outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), educators and students have shifted from conventional face-to-face lectures to fully virtual sessions that were delivered via video conferencing software. This research investigates the facilitating conditions and the students' perceptions toward using these interactive resources to continue their learning journey. The data was gathered through a structured questionnaire among 777 students in tertiary education. The survey instrument comprised valid measures that are frequently utilized in academia, to evaluate the individuals' acceptance of interactive educational technologies. A partial least squares (PLS) approach revealed that there were very significant factors that were predicting the students' dispositions to utilize synchronous learning programs. The findings underlined the importance of providing appropriate facilitating conditions to improve perceptions and attitudes toward interactive conferencing software. These results reflect the latest developments, as COVID-19 has inevitably accelerated the digital transformation in the realms of education. This contribution implies that students adapted well to a new normal. It confirmed that they are willing to participate and engage in virtual meetings through video conferencing programs.
Research Interests: Information Technology, Education, Educational Technology, Distance Education, Technology Management, and 10 moreInteractive Media, Attitudes (Social Psychology), Video Conferencing, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, Beliefs and attitudes, Modified UTAUT, Facilitating Conditions, Remote Learning, Elearning, and Perceived interactivity
This special issue aims to explore how Open Innovation (OI) may address societal challenges, whilst adding value to the businesses. Its underlying objective is to disseminate knowledge and understanding on OI approaches, in different... more
This special issue aims to explore how Open Innovation (OI) may address societal challenges, whilst adding value to the businesses. Its underlying objective is to disseminate knowledge and understanding on OI approaches, in different contexts. The guest editors encourage submissions of contributions that investigate the role of OI systems that address environmental and social deficits in our societies.
Theoretical as well as empirical studies can shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of using OI in a post COVID-19 scenario. Prospective authors could identify OI approaches that can be adopted by for-profit organizations to address their environmental, social and governance deficits. They can shed light on specific OI strategies that help companies build competitive advantage through corporate responsible and ethical behaviors. They may clarify which OI practices could be used to address a number of the United Nations sustainable development goals (UNSDGs). Alternatively, they may elaborate on the difficulties and challenges of implementing OI approaches in their organization.
The guest editors would welcome contributions that clearly articulate their theoretical as well as practical implications of implementing OI approaches in different contexts. Contributing authors may use different methodological approaches including quantitative or qualitative research methods to reveal new insights on open innovations and collaborative practices among stakeholders, that can ultimately add value to businesses and society. They may reveal how and to what extent OI approaches are (or are not) creating value for their business and to society, in the long run. Suitable topics of interest may include, but are not limited to, the following:
▪ OI strategies and corporate social responsibility practices;
▪ Benefits and risks of implementing OI approaches for sustainable (and social) enterprises;
▪ Impacts of OI on sustainable development and environmental, social and corporate governance performance;
▪ OI and openness cultures that could transform businesses and influence their competitiveness;
▪ Relationships between OI and sustainability-oriented approaches;
▪ Sustainable practices affected by OI approaches;
▪ Understanding the future of OI to address global challenges;
▪ Characteristics of OI approaches and their role to navigate in uncertain environments;
▪ Factors influencing OI strategies and their effects on ethical and sustainable behaviors;
▪ Ethical and responsible solutions by companies adopting OI;
The call is open to all types of papers, conceptual, theoretical and empirical and to all research methods that support novel, rigorous and innovative academic analyses.
Time schedule
The following schedule is planned:
Submission of papers: 31st October 2022
Initial decisions made and authors informed: 15th November 2022
Deadline for last paper revisions for consideration in the special issue: 15th February 2023
Publication of special edition of journal: summer 2023
Contributions
Full papers are invited to be considered for publication in the journal special issue. Paper submissions should not exceed 8,000 words, for theoretical papers and empirical studies and should follow the author guidelines. Submitted papers should make clear their relevance to business, ethics, the environment, responsibility, management practice, and academic significance. We also welcome joint papers by academics and practitioners.
Guest editors and contact information
Stefano Bresciani University of Turin, Stefano.Bresciani@unito.it
Mark Anthony Camilleri University of Malta, Mark.A.Camilleri@um.edu.mt
Ciro Troise University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Ciro.Troise@unicampania.it
Nicholas O'Regan Aston University, N.Oregan@aston.ac.uk
Theoretical as well as empirical studies can shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of using OI in a post COVID-19 scenario. Prospective authors could identify OI approaches that can be adopted by for-profit organizations to address their environmental, social and governance deficits. They can shed light on specific OI strategies that help companies build competitive advantage through corporate responsible and ethical behaviors. They may clarify which OI practices could be used to address a number of the United Nations sustainable development goals (UNSDGs). Alternatively, they may elaborate on the difficulties and challenges of implementing OI approaches in their organization.
The guest editors would welcome contributions that clearly articulate their theoretical as well as practical implications of implementing OI approaches in different contexts. Contributing authors may use different methodological approaches including quantitative or qualitative research methods to reveal new insights on open innovations and collaborative practices among stakeholders, that can ultimately add value to businesses and society. They may reveal how and to what extent OI approaches are (or are not) creating value for their business and to society, in the long run. Suitable topics of interest may include, but are not limited to, the following:
▪ OI strategies and corporate social responsibility practices;
▪ Benefits and risks of implementing OI approaches for sustainable (and social) enterprises;
▪ Impacts of OI on sustainable development and environmental, social and corporate governance performance;
▪ OI and openness cultures that could transform businesses and influence their competitiveness;
▪ Relationships between OI and sustainability-oriented approaches;
▪ Sustainable practices affected by OI approaches;
▪ Understanding the future of OI to address global challenges;
▪ Characteristics of OI approaches and their role to navigate in uncertain environments;
▪ Factors influencing OI strategies and their effects on ethical and sustainable behaviors;
▪ Ethical and responsible solutions by companies adopting OI;
The call is open to all types of papers, conceptual, theoretical and empirical and to all research methods that support novel, rigorous and innovative academic analyses.
Time schedule
The following schedule is planned:
Submission of papers: 31st October 2022
Initial decisions made and authors informed: 15th November 2022
Deadline for last paper revisions for consideration in the special issue: 15th February 2023
Publication of special edition of journal: summer 2023
Contributions
Full papers are invited to be considered for publication in the journal special issue. Paper submissions should not exceed 8,000 words, for theoretical papers and empirical studies and should follow the author guidelines. Submitted papers should make clear their relevance to business, ethics, the environment, responsibility, management practice, and academic significance. We also welcome joint papers by academics and practitioners.
Guest editors and contact information
Stefano Bresciani University of Turin, Stefano.Bresciani@unito.it
Mark Anthony Camilleri University of Malta, Mark.A.Camilleri@um.edu.mt
Ciro Troise University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Ciro.Troise@unicampania.it
Nicholas O'Regan Aston University, N.Oregan@aston.ac.uk
Research Interests:
This special issue is focused on key theoretical underpinnings relating to strategic corporate responsibility and stakeholder management behaviors within tourism and hospitality industry contexts. Tourism organizations like destination... more
This special issue is focused on key theoretical underpinnings relating to strategic corporate responsibility and stakeholder management behaviors within tourism and hospitality industry contexts. Tourism organizations like destination management entities as well as businesses including tour operators, travel agents, hotels and restaurants, among others, are increasingly engaging in responsible behaviours whilst operating in a profitable manner (Camilleri, 2015; Camilleri, 2019; Carroll & Shabana, 2010; Porter & Kramer, 2006, 2011; Van Marrewijk, 2003; Vogel, 2005). Very often they do so to minimize institutional pressures from governments, whilst satisfying their legitimate stakeholders' interests (Garay & Font, 2012; Kang et al., 2010). Various stakeholders including the businesses' employees, patrons, guests, suppliers, local communities, regulatory authorities and the community, at large, are triggering them to engage in ethical behaviours, responsible human resources management (HRM) and to invest in environmentally friendly initiatives (Camilleri, 2015). Their laudable behaviours including their engagement with stakeholders as well as their environmental management behaviours will enable them to create value to society and their business.
Research Interests: Business, Business Ethics, Tourism Studies, Corporate Social Responsibility, Hospitality Management, and 11 moreStrategic Management, Sustainable Tourism, Environmental Sustainability, Community Based Tourism, Hospitality, Stakeholder Relationships & Issues Management, Tourism, Strategy, Stakeholder Theory, Hotel Management, and Carrying Capacity
This contribution appraises previous theoretical underpinnings that are focused on family businesses in tourism and hospitality. It discusses about the opportunities and challenges for their development. Method: A systematic literature... more
This contribution appraises previous theoretical underpinnings that are focused on family businesses in tourism and hospitality. It discusses about the opportunities and challenges for their development. Method: A systematic literature review was carried out through peer reviewed publications that were indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. It relied on the PRISMA protocol to evaluate rigorous articles and reviews. A content analysis sheds light on high impact contributions on "family business" and "tourism" or "hospitality", that were published since 2010. Findings: This bibliographic research captured, analyzed and synthesized the findings from previous contributions to identify the factors that are facilitating the growth prospects, long term sustainability and innovative approaches of family businesses within the tourism and hospitality industry. Originality: Currently, there are just a few contributions that advance relevant knowledge and understanding on the business development of family firms in tourism and hospitality. This research addresses this academic gap as these entities constitute the life blood of tourist destinations in various contexts.
Research Interests:
Despite in the last decade there was a significant increase in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature, little attention has been devoted to shed light on strategic CSR practices in the hospitality industry, especially in the... more
Despite in the last decade there was a significant increase in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature, little attention has been devoted to shed light on strategic CSR practices in the hospitality industry, especially in the context of developing countries. This paper uses a casestudy methodology to investigate CSR practices of eight hotels in Santa Marta, Colombia. The results show that hotel companies were implementing different CSR behaviors that can be classified as philanthropic-reactive, legal-reactive and active groups. The findings revealed that their CSR activities were intended to add value to their economic performance. Hence, this contribution discusses about these hospitality establishments' individual improvement plans and puts forward a CSR management model for the entire industry. In conclusion, it presents important theoretical as well as managerial implications for practitioners, and proposes future research avenues. The authors suggest that future research should take into account other companies' CSR activities from different industries.
Research Interests:
This contribution suggests that community-based tourism (CBT) can create commercial and social value to destinations, local businesses as well as to residents. At the same time, it clarifies that CBT offers rich, immersive cultural... more
This contribution suggests that community-based tourism (CBT) can create commercial and social value to destinations, local businesses as well as to residents. At the same time, it clarifies that CBT offers rich, immersive cultural experiences that can enhance the tourists’ experiences when visiting different communities. It posits that sustainable CBT approaches can improve the local economic development (LED) of communities by reducing economic leakages from the tourism industry. It explains that there is scope for destination managers and tourism businesses to engage in sustainable tourism practices and to utilize local resources, in a strategic manner, in order to maximize linkages in their economy. In conclusion, this paper puts forward a theoretical model that clearly illustrates the business case to implement sustainable CBT strategies. It also implies that these strategies can ultimately result in opportunities for economic growth of tourism businesses and may increase the competitiveness of destinations, whilst safeguarding the environment and addressing their carrying capacities.
Research Interests:
Generally, businesses are capable of implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmentally sustainable behaviors as they pursue their profit-making activities. While there are a number of contributions that investigated... more
Generally, businesses are capable of implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmentally sustainable behaviors as they pursue their profit-making activities. While there are a number of contributions that investigated the effect of CSR and responsible environmental practices on the companies' bottom lines, few studies were focused on the strategic attributions of responsible corporate behaviors in the tourism industry context, during an unprecedented pandemic situation. Hence this research investigates the stakeholders' perceptions on the hospitality businesses' social responsibility and environmentally friendly practices. The data were collected from a sample of 462 research participants who worked in tourism and hospitality. The findings suggest that their employers' stakeholders were triggering their businesses to engage in ethical behaviors, responsible human resources management and to invest in environmentally friendly initiatives. As a result, they were creating value to their companies, to society and to the natural environment. In sum, this contribution implies that there are strategic attributions of CSR behaviors and of environmentally sustainable practices as responsible businesses can improve their growth prospects and increase their competitiveness in the long run.
Research Interests:
Although previous researchers have explored the circular economy practices of different businesses in various contexts, currently, there are still a few contributions that are focused on the sustainable preparation and consumption of food... more
Although previous researchers have explored the circular economy practices of different businesses in various contexts, currently, there are still a few contributions that are focused on the sustainable preparation and consumption of food in the tourism and hospitality industry context. Hence, this paper sheds light on case studies from hotels, restaurants, and cafes that are located in urban tourist destinations. This research suggests that catering businesses can implement a number of responsible initiatives by introducing preventative measures and recycling practices to curb food loss and the generation of waste. In conclusion, this contribution implies that there is scope for regulatory authorities and policymakers to encourage hospitality practitioners to engage in circular economy approaches and to incentivize them to minimize food waste in tourism cities.
Research Interests: Business, Tourism Studies, Tourism Marketing, Food Science, Hospitality Management, and 11 moreEnvironmental Sustainability, Hospitality, Food Science and Technology, Tourism, Business and Management, Mobile Applications, Sustainable Consumption, Hotels, Restaurants, Circular Economy, and Sharing Economy
During the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, higher education institutions (HEIs) have shifted from traditional and blended learning approaches to a fully virtual course delivery. This research investigates the students'... more
During the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, higher education institutions (HEIs) have shifted from traditional and blended learning approaches to a fully virtual course delivery. This research investigates the students' perceptions on remote learning through asynchronous learning management systems (LMS) and via synchronous video conferencing technologies like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams or Zoom, among others. The data was gathered from a sample of 501 higher education students in a Southern European context. A survey questionnaire included measures that investigated the participants' acceptance of interactive technologies to better understand their utilitarian motivations to use them. The findings suggest that the research participants accessed asynchronous content and interacted with online users, including with their course instructor, in real time. While there are a number of theoretical or opinion papers on the impact of COVID-19 on higher education services, currently, there are still a few empirical papers that shed light on the factors that are having an effect on the students' attitudes and intentions to utilize remote learning technologies. This contribution underlines the importance of maintaining ongoing, interactive engagement with students, and of providing them with appropriate facilitating conditions, to continue improving their learning journey.
Research Interests:
Purpose: This research identifies the critical factors of online service delivery of electronic commerce (e-commerce) websites, including website attractiveness, website functionality, website security and consumer fulfillment during an... more
Purpose: This research identifies the critical factors of online service delivery of electronic commerce (e-commerce) websites, including website attractiveness, website functionality, website security and consumer fulfillment during an unprecedented Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach: A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 430 online respondents, who were members in popular social media groups. The survey instrument relied on valid and reliable measures relating to electronic service quality (e-SERVQUAL), to better understand the participants’ satisfaction with shopping websites as well as their loyal behaviors and word-of mouth activities.
Findings: The findings reported that consumers valued the e-commerce websites’ features and their consumer order fulfillment capabilities. These factors increase the consumers’ satisfaction with online shopping experiences, generate repeat business as well as positive reviews in social media.
Originality: This contribution posits that e-commerce websites’ ought to be appealing, functional and offer secure transactions. More importantly, it suggests that online merchants should consistently deliver a personalized service in all stages of an online purchase, including after the delivery of the ordered products.
Research implications / limitations: This study addresses a knowledge gap in academia. To date, little research has focused on the consumer order fulfillment aspect of e-commerce transactions and on the after-sales services of online businesses.
Design/methodology/approach: A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 430 online respondents, who were members in popular social media groups. The survey instrument relied on valid and reliable measures relating to electronic service quality (e-SERVQUAL), to better understand the participants’ satisfaction with shopping websites as well as their loyal behaviors and word-of mouth activities.
Findings: The findings reported that consumers valued the e-commerce websites’ features and their consumer order fulfillment capabilities. These factors increase the consumers’ satisfaction with online shopping experiences, generate repeat business as well as positive reviews in social media.
Originality: This contribution posits that e-commerce websites’ ought to be appealing, functional and offer secure transactions. More importantly, it suggests that online merchants should consistently deliver a personalized service in all stages of an online purchase, including after the delivery of the ordered products.
Research implications / limitations: This study addresses a knowledge gap in academia. To date, little research has focused on the consumer order fulfillment aspect of e-commerce transactions and on the after-sales services of online businesses.
Research Interests:
The unprecedented outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had a devastating effect on the global economy. Many businesses experienced a significant decline in their business activities. As a result, their employees were concerned... more
The unprecedented outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had a devastating effect on the global economy. Many businesses experienced a significant decline in their business activities. As a result, their employees were concerned on their job security and long-term employment prospects. This research explores the service employees’ motivations in their workplace environment and sheds light on their perceptions about their employers’ corporate social responsibility (CSR). The methodology integrated key measures from the self-determination theory (SDT), CSR, job security and organizational performance. A structural equations modelling (SEM-PLS3) approach was used to analyze the proposed research model. The findings confirmed that the employees’ intrinsic motivations were significantly predicting their organizational performance. Their identified motivations, job security as well as their employers’ social responsibility were significant antecedents of their intrinsic motivations. Moreover, there were significant indirect effects that predicted the employees’ productivity in their workplace during COVID-19.
Research Interests: Business, Organizational Behavior, Corporate Social Responsibility, Organizational Culture, Motivation (Psychology), and 15 moreEmployee Motivation, Human Resource Management, Job Satisfaction, Intrinsic motivation, Organizational Performance, Employees, Employee Performance, Employees’ Job Satisfaction, Extrinsic Motivation, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Job Security, Coronavirus COVID-19, COVID-19 PANDEMIC, introjected motivation, and identified motivation
This is a pre-publication version Purpose: This contribution presents a systematic review on service quality in higher education. It discusses about the latest opportunities and challenges facing higher educational institutions (HEIs)... more
This is a pre-publication version Purpose: This contribution presents a systematic review on service quality in higher education. It discusses about the latest opportunities and challenges facing higher educational institutions (HEIs) following the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Design / methodology: The research relied on the grounded theory's inductive reasoning to capture, analyze and synthesize the findings from academic and non-academic sources. The methodology involved a systematic review from Scopus-indexed journals, from intergovernmental and non-governmental policy documents as well as from university ranking sites and league tables. Findings: The comprehensive review suggests that HEIs can use different performance indicators and metrics to evaluate their service quality in terms of their resources, student-centered education, high impact research and stakeholder engagement. Moreover, this paper sheds light about the impact of an unprecedented COVID-19 on higher education services. Practical implications: During the first wave of COVID-19, the delivery of higher educational services migrated from traditional and blended learning approaches to fully virtual and remote course delivery. In the second wave, policy makers imposed a number of preventative measures, including social distancing and hygienic practices, among others, on HEIs. Originality / value: This timely contribution has synthesized the findings on service quality and performance management in the higher education context. Furthermore, it investigated the effect of COVID-19 on higher education services. It implies that HEI leaders ought to embrace online teaching models and virtual systems, as they are here to stay in a post-COVID-19 era. In conclusion, it deliberates on the challenges and responses in the short/medium term and provides a discussion on the way forward.
Research Interests:
Purpose: The outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its preventative social distancing measures have led to a dramatic increase in subscriptions to paid streaming services. Online users are increasingly accessing live... more
Purpose: The outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its preventative social distancing measures have led to a dramatic increase in subscriptions to paid streaming services. Online users are increasingly accessing live broadcasts as well as recorded video content and digital music services through Internet and mobile devices. In this context, this study explores the individuals’ uses and gratifications from online streaming technologies during COVID-19.
Design/Methodology/Approach: This research has adapted key measures from the ‘Technology Acceptance Model’ (TAM) and from the ‘Uses and Gratifications Theory’ (UGT) to better understand the individuals’ intentions to use online streaming technologies. A structural equations partial least squares’ (SEM-PLS 3) confirmatory composite approach was used to analyze the gathered data.
Findings: The individuals’ perceived usefulness and ease of use of online streaming services were significant antecedents of their intentions to use the mentioned technologies. Moreover, this study suggests that the research participants sought emotional gratifications from online streaming technologies, as they allowed them to distract themselves into a better mood, and to relax in their leisure time. Evidently, they were using them to satisfy their needs for information and entertainment.
Research implications: This study contributes to the academic literature by generating new knowledge about the individuals´ perceptions, motivations, and intentions to use online streaming technologies to watch recorded movies, series, and live broadcasts.
Practical implications: The findings imply that there is scope for the providers of online streaming services to improve their customer-centric marketing by refining the quality and content of their recorded programs, and through regular interactions with subscribers and personalized recommender systems.
Originality/Value: This study integrates the TAM and UGT frameworks to better understand the effects of the users’ perceptions, ritualized and instrumental motivations on their intentions to continue watching movies, series and broadcasts through online streaming technologies, during COVID-19.
Design/Methodology/Approach: This research has adapted key measures from the ‘Technology Acceptance Model’ (TAM) and from the ‘Uses and Gratifications Theory’ (UGT) to better understand the individuals’ intentions to use online streaming technologies. A structural equations partial least squares’ (SEM-PLS 3) confirmatory composite approach was used to analyze the gathered data.
Findings: The individuals’ perceived usefulness and ease of use of online streaming services were significant antecedents of their intentions to use the mentioned technologies. Moreover, this study suggests that the research participants sought emotional gratifications from online streaming technologies, as they allowed them to distract themselves into a better mood, and to relax in their leisure time. Evidently, they were using them to satisfy their needs for information and entertainment.
Research implications: This study contributes to the academic literature by generating new knowledge about the individuals´ perceptions, motivations, and intentions to use online streaming technologies to watch recorded movies, series, and live broadcasts.
Practical implications: The findings imply that there is scope for the providers of online streaming services to improve their customer-centric marketing by refining the quality and content of their recorded programs, and through regular interactions with subscribers and personalized recommender systems.
Originality/Value: This study integrates the TAM and UGT frameworks to better understand the effects of the users’ perceptions, ritualized and instrumental motivations on their intentions to continue watching movies, series and broadcasts through online streaming technologies, during COVID-19.
Research Interests:
European Union (EU) institutions and agencies are increasingly raising awareness on the circular economy agenda. They are encouraging marketplace stakeholders to engage in sustainable production and consumption behaviors by reducing,... more
European Union (EU) institutions and agencies are increasingly raising awareness on the circular economy agenda. They are encouraging marketplace stakeholders to engage in sustainable production and consumption behaviors by reducing, reusing, restoring, refurbishing and recycling resources in all stages of their value chain. Therefore, this research evaluates the latest European environmental policies including its 'new circular economy plans for a cleaner and more competitive Europe'. Afterwards, it presents a systematic literature review that is focused on the circular economy in the EU context. The findings suggest that there are a number of opportunities as well as challenges for the successful planning, organization, implementation and measurement of circular economy practices for sustainable supply chains in Europe. This contribution identifies key implications and provides reasonable recommendations to policy makers and industry practitioners.
Research Interests:
Tourism businesses engage in strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR) when they integrate responsible behaviours in their operational practices (Camilleri, 2015, 2019a; Carroll & Shabana, 2010; Porter & Kramer, 2006, 2011; Van... more
Tourism businesses engage in strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR) when they integrate responsible behaviours in their operational practices (Camilleri, 2015, 2019a; Carroll & Shabana, 2010; Porter & Kramer, 2006, 2011; Van Marrewijk, 2003; Vogel, 2005). Strategic CSR activities may usually improve their bottom line, whilst taking into account their legitimate stakeholders' interests (Garay & Font, 2012; Kang, Lee, & Huh, 2010). For instance, various hotels and restaurants are increasingly communicating about their business activities that are having an effect on their stakeholders, including their employees, patrons, guests, suppliers, local communities, the environment, regulatory authorities and the community at large. Their non-financial reports (CSR reports, sustainability reports, or integrated reports) can identify the operational practices that are satisfying their stakeholders' expectations (Inoue & Lee, 2011; Lantos, 2001). The hospitality businesses' strategic CSR behaviours can improve their employees' working conditions, as they provide: decent employment to locals and migrant workers, health and safety in their workplace environments, adequate compensation and recognition of all employees, ongoing training and development opportunities, work-life balance, and the like (Camilleri, 2016). Moreover, they may address the environmental issues by: offering local, fresh, and sustainable food to their patrons; engaging in circular economy behaviours, reducing food waste; decreasing energy consumption, reducing the carbon footprint, and greenhouse emissions; using ecoresponsible products, et cetera (Camilleri, 2019a, 2019b). Various hotel chains are stepping in their commitment for sustainability issues as they set their own policies to implement strategic CSR practices (Falck & Heblich, 2007; Garay & Font, 2012). Very often, they rely on the nongovernmental organisations' regulatory instruments and tools like the Global Reporting Initiative's process and performance-oriented standards, or they align their practices with the Integrated Reporting <IR> framework (Camilleri, 2018). Many companies are increasingly recognising that there is a business case for CSR (Carroll & Shabana, 2010; Porter & Kramer, 2006). Their motivation behind their engagement in strategic CSR practices is to increase their profits and to create value to society (Camilleri, 2017; Lantos, 2001). However, the extant academic literature has yielded different findings on the relationships between the corporate social performance and their financial performance (Bird, Hall, Momentè, & Reggiani, 2007; Inoue & Lee, 2011; Kang et al., 2010; Kim & Pennington-Gray, 2017; Lee, Kim, & Ham, 2018; Orlitzky, Schmidt, & Rynes, 2003; Wang, 2014; Youn, Hua, & Lee, 2015). Relevant research has shown that companies did well by doing good (Falck & Heblich, 2007; Porter & Kramer, 2011). The businesses' laudable activities can help them build a positive brand image and reputation (Rhou, Singal, & Koh, 2016). Hence, there is scope for the hospitality businesses to communicate their CSR behaviours to their stakeholders. Their financial performance relies on the stakeholders' awareness of their social and environmental responsibility (Camilleri, 2016). Currently, there are still a few contributions, albeit a few exceptions, that have focused on strategic CSR practices within the hospitality industry. Therefore, this special issue will include but is not limited to the following topics:
• Destination branding through sustainability marketing;
• Ethical issues in hospitality;
• Global issues, climate change, and the environmental awareness of hospitality businesses;
• Mobilities and sustainable tourism destinations;
• Policies and regulatory instruments on sustainable and responsible tourism;
• Responsible procurement practices within the hospitality industry;
• Stakeholder engagement within the hospitality industry;
• Strategic practices in agri-/eco- tourism;
• Strategic practices for sustainable tourism;
• Sustainability marketing;
• Sustainability and mass destinations;
• Sustainable and responsible tourism destinations;
• The business case for responsible and sustainable tourism;
• The circular economy and the hospitality industry;
• The communication of responsible and sustainable tourism practices;
• The consumer awareness of responsible and sustainable tourism products;
• The corporate citizenship and sustainable practices of hospitality businesses;
• The environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures of hospitality businesses;
• The marketing of sustainable destinations;
• The planning and organisation of CSR activities of hospitality businesses;
• The promotion of socially/environmentally responsible practices of hospitality businesses;
• The promotion of the eco-tourism and sustainable practices;
• The provision of education and training on responsible and sustainable tourism practices;
• The responsible corporate governance of hospitality businesses;
• The responsible supply chain of hotels and restaurants;
• The sustainability of niche tourism markets;
• The use of eco labels by hospitality businesses;
• The use of technologies to promote responsible and sustainable practices.
• Destination branding through sustainability marketing;
• Ethical issues in hospitality;
• Global issues, climate change, and the environmental awareness of hospitality businesses;
• Mobilities and sustainable tourism destinations;
• Policies and regulatory instruments on sustainable and responsible tourism;
• Responsible procurement practices within the hospitality industry;
• Stakeholder engagement within the hospitality industry;
• Strategic practices in agri-/eco- tourism;
• Strategic practices for sustainable tourism;
• Sustainability marketing;
• Sustainability and mass destinations;
• Sustainable and responsible tourism destinations;
• The business case for responsible and sustainable tourism;
• The circular economy and the hospitality industry;
• The communication of responsible and sustainable tourism practices;
• The consumer awareness of responsible and sustainable tourism products;
• The corporate citizenship and sustainable practices of hospitality businesses;
• The environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures of hospitality businesses;
• The marketing of sustainable destinations;
• The planning and organisation of CSR activities of hospitality businesses;
• The promotion of socially/environmentally responsible practices of hospitality businesses;
• The promotion of the eco-tourism and sustainable practices;
• The provision of education and training on responsible and sustainable tourism practices;
• The responsible corporate governance of hospitality businesses;
• The responsible supply chain of hotels and restaurants;
• The sustainability of niche tourism markets;
• The use of eco labels by hospitality businesses;
• The use of technologies to promote responsible and sustainable practices.
Research Interests: Business, Business Administration, Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Communication, Sustainable Development, and 9 moreStrategic Management, Corporate Sustainability, Corporate Citizenship, Environmental Sustainability, Strategy (Business), Corporate Communications, Strategy, Strategic CSR, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
This paper presents a critical review of the relevant literature on managerialism and performance management in higher education. Afterwards, it features an inductive research that involved semi-structured interview sessions with academic... more
This paper presents a critical review of the relevant literature on managerialism and performance management in higher education. Afterwards, it features an inductive research that involved semi-structured interview sessions with academic members of staff. The interpretative study relied on the balanced scorecard's (BSC) approach as it appraised the participants' opinions and perceptions on their higher education institution's (HEI) customer, internal, organizational capacity and financial perspectives. The findings have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of using the BSC's financial and non-financial measures to assess the institutional performance and the productivity of individual employees. In sum, this research reported that ongoing performance conversations with academic employees will help HEI leaders to identify their institutions' value creating activities. This contribution implies that HEI leaders can utilize the BSC's comprehensive framework as a plausible, performance management tool to regularly evaluate whether their institution is: (i) delivering inclusive, student-centered, quality education; (ii) publishing high impact research; (iii) engaging with internal and external stakeholders; and (iv) improving its financial results, among other positive outcomes.
Research Interests:
Purpose: This contribution explains how socially responsible investing (SRI) has evolved in the last few decades and sheds light on its latest developments. It describes different forms of SRI in the financial markets; and deliberates on... more
Purpose: This contribution explains how socially responsible investing (SRI) has evolved in the last few decades and sheds light on its latest developments. It describes different forms of SRI in the financial markets; and deliberates on the rationale for the utilization of positive and negative screenings of listed businesses and public organizations. Design/methodology/approach: A comprehensive literature review suggests that the providers of financial capital are increasingly allocating funds toward positive impact and sustainable investments. Therefore, this descriptive paper provides a factual summary of the proliferation of SRI products in financial markets. Afterwards it presents the opportunities and challenges facing the stakeholders of SRI. Findings: This research presents a historic overview on the growth of SRI products in the financial services industry. It clarifies that the market for responsible investing has recently led to an increase in a number of stakeholders, including contractors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and research firms who are involved in the scrutinization of the businesses' environmental, social and governance (ESG) behaviors. Originality/value: This discursive contribution raises awareness on the screenings of positive impact and sustainable investments. The researcher contends that today's socially responsible investors are increasingly analyzing the businesses' non-financial performance, including their ESG credentials. In conclusion this paper puts forward future research avenues in this promising field of study.
Research Interests: Business, Finance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Finance, Banking & Financial Services, and 10 moreSocially-responsible Investing, Investing, Impact Investing, Investment, Financial Services, ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance issues), Social Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing, Socially Responsible Investing, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Societies can benefit from the delivery of inclusive education, lifelong learning as well as from active labour market policies. Therefore, this paper reviews the relevant literature on the provision of quality education for social... more
Societies can benefit from the delivery of inclusive education, lifelong learning as well as from active labour market policies. Therefore, this paper reviews the relevant literature on the provision of quality education for social cohesion. Afterwards, it analyses the latest socioeconomic policies that are being implemented in the smallest European island state of Malta. The findings suggest that the Maltese Government's labour market policies are increasingly targeting vulnerable individuals who are not in employment, education or training, including women and migrant workers, among others. At the same time, the policy makers are striving in their endeavours to attract more students in higher and vocational education to reduce the number of early school leavers. In conclusion, this contribution implies that the pursuit towards continuous improvements in quality education and in social cohesion can create a virtuous cycle of productivity outcomes, including job creation and societal well-being.
Research Interests:
The ‘smart city’ concept has been wrought from distinctive theoretical underpinnings. Initially, this term was used to describe those cities that utilized advanced computerized systems to provide a safe, secure, green, and efficient... more
The ‘smart city’ concept has been wrought from distinctive theoretical underpinnings. Initially, this term was used to describe those cities that utilized advanced computerized systems to provide a safe, secure, green, and efficient transportation services and utilities to meet the demands of their citizens (Caragliu, Del Bo & Nijkamp, 2011; Hall, Bowerman and Braverman, Taylor, Todosow and Von Wimmersperg, 2000). A thorough literature review suggests that several cities are already using disruptive technologies, including advanced, integrated materials, sensors, electronics, and networks, among others, which are interfaced with computerized systems to improve their economic, social and environmental sustainability (Camilleri, 2015, 2017; Deakin and Al Waer, 2011; Hall et al., 2000). These cities are increasingly relying on data-driven technologies, as they gather and analyze data from urban services including transportation and utilities (Ramaswami, Russell, Culligan, Sharma and Kumar, 2016; Gretzel, Sigala, Xiang and Koo, 2015). Their underlying objective is to improve the quality of life of their citizens (Ratten, 2017; Buhalis and Amaranggana, 2015). Hence, ‘smart cities’ have introduced technological innovations to address contingent issues like traffic congestion; air pollution; waste management; loss of biodiversity and natural habitat; energy generation, conservation and consumption; water leakages and security, among other matters (Camilleri, 2019; 2014; Ahvenniemi, Huovila, Pinto-Seppä and Airaksinen, 2017; Ratten and Dana, 2017; Ratten, 2017).
Ecologically-advanced local governments and municipalities are formulating long-term sustainable policies and strategies. Some of them are already capturing data through multisensor technologies via wireless communication networks in real time (Bibri, 2018; Bibri and Krogstie, 2017). Very often, they use the Internet’s infrastructure and a wide range of smart data-sensing devices, including radio frquency identification (RFID), near-field communication (NFC), global positioning systems (GPS), infrared sensors, accelerometers, and laser scanners (Bibri, 2018). A few cities have already started to benefit from the Internet of Things (IoT) technology and its sophisticated network that consists of sensor devices and physical objects including infrastructure and natural resources (Zanella, Bui, Castellani, Vangelista and Zorzi, 2014).
Several cities are crunching big data to better understand how to make their cities smarter, more efficient, and responsive to today’s realities (Mohanty, Choppali and Kougianos, 2016; Ramaswami et al., 2016). They gather and analyze a vast amount of data and intelligence on urban aspects, including transportation issues, citizen mobility, traffic management, accessibility and protection of cultural heritage and/or environmental domains, among other areas (Angelidou, Psaltoglou, Komninos, Kakderi, Tsarchopoulos and Panori, 2018; Ahvenniemi et al., 2017). The latest advances in technologies like big data analytics and decision-making algorithms can support local governments and muncipalities to implement the circular economy in smart cities (Camilleri, 2019). The data-driven technologies enable them them to reduce their externalities. They can monitor and control the negative emissions, waste, habitat destruction, extinction of wildlife, etc. Therefore, the digital innovations ought to be used to inform the relevant stakeholders in their strategic planning and development of urban environments (Camilleri, 2019; Allam & Newman, 2018; Yigitcanlar and Kamruzzaman, 2018; Angelidou et al. ,2018; Caragliu et al., 2011).
In this light, we are calling for theoretical and empirical contributions that are focused on the creation, diffusion, as well as on the utilization of technological innovations and information within the context of smart, sustainable cities. This Special Issue will include but is not limited to the following topics:
• Advancing the circular economy agenda in smart cities;
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in smart cities;
• Blockchain technologies in smart cities;
• Green economy of smart cities;
• Green infrastructure in smart cities;
• Green living environments in smart cities;
• Smart cities and the sustainable environment;
• Smart cities and the use of data-driven technologies;
• Smart cities and the use of the Internet of Things (IoT);
• Sustainable energy of smart cities;
• Sustainable financing for infrastructural development in smart cities;
• Sustainable housing in smart cities;
• Sustainable transportation in smart cities;
• Sustainable tourism in smart cities;
• Technological innovation and climate change for smart cities;
• Technological innovation and the green economy of smart cities;
• Technological innovation and the renewable energy in smart cities;
• Technological innovation and urban resilience of smart cities;
• Technological innovation for the infrastructural development of smart cities;
• The accessibility and protection of the cultural heritage in smart cities;
• The planning and design of smart cities;
• The quality of life of the citizens and communities living in smart cities;
• Urban innovation in smart cities;
• Urban planning that integrates the smart city development with the greening of the environment;
• Urban planning and data driven technologies of smart cities.
Prof. Dr. Mark Anthony Camilleri
Prof. Dr. Vanessa Ratten
Guest Editors
Ecologically-advanced local governments and municipalities are formulating long-term sustainable policies and strategies. Some of them are already capturing data through multisensor technologies via wireless communication networks in real time (Bibri, 2018; Bibri and Krogstie, 2017). Very often, they use the Internet’s infrastructure and a wide range of smart data-sensing devices, including radio frquency identification (RFID), near-field communication (NFC), global positioning systems (GPS), infrared sensors, accelerometers, and laser scanners (Bibri, 2018). A few cities have already started to benefit from the Internet of Things (IoT) technology and its sophisticated network that consists of sensor devices and physical objects including infrastructure and natural resources (Zanella, Bui, Castellani, Vangelista and Zorzi, 2014).
Several cities are crunching big data to better understand how to make their cities smarter, more efficient, and responsive to today’s realities (Mohanty, Choppali and Kougianos, 2016; Ramaswami et al., 2016). They gather and analyze a vast amount of data and intelligence on urban aspects, including transportation issues, citizen mobility, traffic management, accessibility and protection of cultural heritage and/or environmental domains, among other areas (Angelidou, Psaltoglou, Komninos, Kakderi, Tsarchopoulos and Panori, 2018; Ahvenniemi et al., 2017). The latest advances in technologies like big data analytics and decision-making algorithms can support local governments and muncipalities to implement the circular economy in smart cities (Camilleri, 2019). The data-driven technologies enable them them to reduce their externalities. They can monitor and control the negative emissions, waste, habitat destruction, extinction of wildlife, etc. Therefore, the digital innovations ought to be used to inform the relevant stakeholders in their strategic planning and development of urban environments (Camilleri, 2019; Allam & Newman, 2018; Yigitcanlar and Kamruzzaman, 2018; Angelidou et al. ,2018; Caragliu et al., 2011).
In this light, we are calling for theoretical and empirical contributions that are focused on the creation, diffusion, as well as on the utilization of technological innovations and information within the context of smart, sustainable cities. This Special Issue will include but is not limited to the following topics:
• Advancing the circular economy agenda in smart cities;
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in smart cities;
• Blockchain technologies in smart cities;
• Green economy of smart cities;
• Green infrastructure in smart cities;
• Green living environments in smart cities;
• Smart cities and the sustainable environment;
• Smart cities and the use of data-driven technologies;
• Smart cities and the use of the Internet of Things (IoT);
• Sustainable energy of smart cities;
• Sustainable financing for infrastructural development in smart cities;
• Sustainable housing in smart cities;
• Sustainable transportation in smart cities;
• Sustainable tourism in smart cities;
• Technological innovation and climate change for smart cities;
• Technological innovation and the green economy of smart cities;
• Technological innovation and the renewable energy in smart cities;
• Technological innovation and urban resilience of smart cities;
• Technological innovation for the infrastructural development of smart cities;
• The accessibility and protection of the cultural heritage in smart cities;
• The planning and design of smart cities;
• The quality of life of the citizens and communities living in smart cities;
• Urban innovation in smart cities;
• Urban planning that integrates the smart city development with the greening of the environment;
• Urban planning and data driven technologies of smart cities.
Prof. Dr. Mark Anthony Camilleri
Prof. Dr. Vanessa Ratten
Guest Editors
Research Interests:
The higher educational institutions (HEIs), including universities and colleges are increasingly seeking new resources, competences and capabilities to improve their corporate reputation. Therefore, this paper has relied on a generic... more
The higher educational institutions (HEIs), including universities and colleges are increasingly seeking new resources, competences and capabilities to improve their corporate reputation. Therefore, this paper has relied on a generic approach to critically analyze the marketing environment of HEIs. A SWOT analysis was used to examine the micro and the macro environmental factors that can have an effect on their delivery of student-centered education and on their capacity to produce high-impact and influential research publications that will ultimately add value to society. The findings of this research suggest that several HEIs are diversifying their portfolios as they are increasingly recruiting domestic and international students. Hence, this contribution deliberates on traditional and contemporary marketing communications that are being used in different contexts to attract students and prolific faculty employees to HEIs. Moreover, it explains that successful HEIs are capable of forging fruitful and collaborative relationships with different stakeholders, including business, industry, as well as with research institutions in order to improve their academic branding. These issues imply that tomorrow's HEIs ought to leverage themselves through effective marketing communications amid intensifying competition.
Research Interests:
This chapter delineates the conditions, challenges and opportunities for the sustainability of small entrepreneurial firms involved in local food tourism. It raises awareness on how these businesses can enhance their competitiveness in... more
This chapter delineates the conditions, challenges and opportunities for the sustainability of small entrepreneurial firms involved in local food tourism. It raises awareness on how these businesses can enhance their competitiveness in this market. It puts forward an analytical framework that is based on the economic, social, environmental and cultural sustainability of small local food tourism entrepreneurs in Swedish, Italian and Spanish contexts. This research implies that the financial sustainability of these small enterprises is contributing to local economic growth and employment in their country. From the social sustainability aspect these tourism businesses are intrinsically linked to local communities. Their responsible practices are meant to safeguard the environmental sustainability as well as the preservation of their local culture and heritage. At the same time, they enable them to add value to their destination's cultural sustainability.
Research Interests:
An unexpected Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively affected the tourism and the hospitality industry, including luxury accommodation service providers. While this was not the first virus outbreak to impact the tourism sectors,... more
An unexpected Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively affected the tourism and the hospitality industry, including luxury accommodation service providers. While this was not the first virus outbreak to impact the tourism sectors, in this case, its consequences were devastating. In this light, this contribution analyzes the case of an Italian luxury hotel, a winner of numerous awards during the last few years, including the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Award. The researchers compare its pre-and the post-COVID situation. They clarify that the outbreak has resulted in reduced reservations and explain how the upscale hotel responded to the unprecedented crisis by implementing different approaches. The luxury hospitality business decided to defend its brand differentiation and positioning strategy by continue offering improved service quality and by introducing enhanced hygiene and sanitation facilities, in order to deliver customer-centric experiences to their valued guests.
Research Interests:
Art hotels are increasingly providing an opportunity for creative artists to exhibit their artworks and collections within their premises. This research investigates how some hotels are transforming themselves into important cultural... more
Art hotels are increasingly providing an opportunity for creative artists to exhibit their artworks and collections within their premises. This research investigates how some hotels are transforming themselves into important cultural tourism centers. Specifically, its objectives are: (i) to better understand the extent to which travelers are aware about the existence of art hotels and to evaluate their level of interest in art-oriented initiatives; (ii) to determine which attributes and features of art hotels are appreciated by travelers; and (iii) to identify the type of travelers who are willing to stay in art hotels. The findings from a descriptive survey suggest that the incorporation of art into the hospitality industry can attract a diverse customer base and could result in a sustainable competitive advantage for hotels. This study identifies four types of travelers including: Art
Research Interests:
The tourism industry may result in positive as well as in negative effects for local communities. Although it is generating economic growth and job creation in different parts of the world, it can impact on socio-cultural and ecological... more
The tourism industry may result in positive as well as in negative effects for local communities. Although it is generating economic growth and job creation in different parts of the world, it can impact on socio-cultural and ecological dimensions of destinations. It may result in a high influx of tourists that could disrupt the residents' attitudes, behaviors and their quality of life. As a result, it might lead to the degradation of natural environments, including land, air, water, plants and animals. In this light, this research raises awareness about the importance of managing tourism in a sustainable and responsible manner. The researchers deliberate about the opportunities and challenges of tourism. Afterwards, they focus on the implementation of sustainable tourism development activities in the South African context. In conclusion, they put forward their recommendations for policy makers.
Research Interests:
This authoritative book is a valuable resource for industry practitioners like consultants, senior executives and managers who work for destination management organizations, hotels, restaurants, inbound / outbound tour operators or travel... more
This authoritative book is a valuable resource for industry practitioners like consultants, senior executives and managers who work for destination management organizations, hotels, restaurants, inbound / outbound tour operators or travel agents, as well as for academic researchers and students who are aspiring to pursue a career in tourism and hospitality.
This title features case studies from real-life businesses and a thorough review of the relevant academic literature. It describes different tourism marketing strategies that are related to cultural tourism, events tourism, food tourism, religious tourism as well as spa and wellness tourism, among others, as they may be utilized by destination managers. At the same time, it comprises discursive contributions that elaborate about critical matters that affect the tourism industry, including consumer (or tourist) behavior; the planning, organization and implementation of responsible tourism practices in different contexts; crisis management; marketing environment issues affecting the long term sustainability of destinations like seasonality factors; as well as the utilization of smart tourism technologies and digital marketing channels, among other topics.
This title features case studies from real-life businesses and a thorough review of the relevant academic literature. It describes different tourism marketing strategies that are related to cultural tourism, events tourism, food tourism, religious tourism as well as spa and wellness tourism, among others, as they may be utilized by destination managers. At the same time, it comprises discursive contributions that elaborate about critical matters that affect the tourism industry, including consumer (or tourist) behavior; the planning, organization and implementation of responsible tourism practices in different contexts; crisis management; marketing environment issues affecting the long term sustainability of destinations like seasonality factors; as well as the utilization of smart tourism technologies and digital marketing channels, among other topics.
Research Interests: Information Technology, Tourism Studies, Tourism Marketing, Hospitality Management, Destination Management, and 9 moreCultural Tourism, Events management, Social Media Marketing, Tourism, Destination Marketing, Food and Gastronomy Tourism, Religious Tourism, Tourism Planning & Development, and Smart Tourism Destinations
I congratulate my colleagues, Adina Letiția Negrușa and Monica Maria Coroș for planning, organizing and leading their International Conference – Modern Trends in Business, Hospitality, and Tourism that was recently held at the Faculty of... more
I congratulate my colleagues, Adina Letiția Negrușa and Monica Maria Coroș for planning, organizing and leading their International Conference – Modern Trends in Business, Hospitality, and Tourism that was recently held at the Faculty of Business in Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania. I am honored to prepare my Foreword for the 3rd Edition of their book, entitled; “Sustainable Approaches and Business Challenges in Times of Crisis”.
I am very pleased to announce that this title features seventeen (17) contributions that were accepted for publication in Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics series. It covers a broad range of topics focused on business, tourism and/or hospitality, including tourism strategy, tourism planning, tourism policy, airline economics, crisis management, sustainable tourism, fund raising of non-governmental organizations, branding, tourism marketing, destination marketing, small town destination marketing, smart destinations, agri-tourism, mountain tourism, spa tourism, as well as on the adoption of disruptive tourism technologies (including Blockchain, innovative mobile applications, et cetera), among others.
This publication is a useful guide for practitioners including those who are actively engaged in the tourism and hospitality sectors. However, it is a valuable resource for consultants, senior executives and managers who work in other service-based industries.
The contributing authors utilize various methodological approaches including theoretical, empirical and real-life case studies to shed light on the latest technological developments as well as on the most modern trends that appeal to business researchers and scholars. They critically analyze the global marketing environments, and discuss on a wide array of economic, socio-cultural, technological and environmental realities in the aftermath of the unexpected Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
I am very pleased to announce that this title features seventeen (17) contributions that were accepted for publication in Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics series. It covers a broad range of topics focused on business, tourism and/or hospitality, including tourism strategy, tourism planning, tourism policy, airline economics, crisis management, sustainable tourism, fund raising of non-governmental organizations, branding, tourism marketing, destination marketing, small town destination marketing, smart destinations, agri-tourism, mountain tourism, spa tourism, as well as on the adoption of disruptive tourism technologies (including Blockchain, innovative mobile applications, et cetera), among others.
This publication is a useful guide for practitioners including those who are actively engaged in the tourism and hospitality sectors. However, it is a valuable resource for consultants, senior executives and managers who work in other service-based industries.
The contributing authors utilize various methodological approaches including theoretical, empirical and real-life case studies to shed light on the latest technological developments as well as on the most modern trends that appeal to business researchers and scholars. They critically analyze the global marketing environments, and discuss on a wide array of economic, socio-cultural, technological and environmental realities in the aftermath of the unexpected Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Research Interests:
This contribution features the submission of one of the most important sustainability keywords to Springer's Encyclopedia of Sustainable Management. It provides a definition and an introduction to the circular economy (CE). It describes... more
This contribution features the submission of one of the most important sustainability keywords to Springer's Encyclopedia of Sustainable Management. It provides a definition and an introduction to the circular economy (CE). It describes key policies and regulatory interventions that are meant to promote the CE agenda. In conclusion it identifies implications to practitioners and other stakeholders. Definition A circular economy is a clean production system designed to minimise the use of resources in production systems and to reduce unwanted externalities from manufacturing processes including waste, emissions, and energy leakages. Such a sustainable approach differentiates itself from linear economic approaches that are built on the premise of "take-make-consume and dispose" actions (Camilleri, 2019; EU, 2014), that presume that resources are abundant, available, and cheap to dispose of. The circular economy can be achieved by repairing, reusing, remanufacturing, refurbishing, and recycling resources that were already use during production, whilst safeguarding the natural environment through long-lasting closed loop and product service systems (EMF, 2013). This system balances the economic development with environmental and resource protection. It leads to higher operational efficiencies through responsible production and consumption behaviours (UNEP, 2006).
Research Interests:
The Corporate Social Responsibility 'CSR' notion is increasingly drawing the attention of a number of academic authors. Very often, they are using CSR as well as Corporate Sustainability, without clearly distinguishing the differences in... more
The Corporate Social Responsibility 'CSR' notion is increasingly drawing the attention of a number of academic authors. Very often, they are using CSR as well as Corporate Sustainability, without clearly distinguishing the differences in their meanings. This contribution defines the meaning of corporate sustainability and responsibility.
Research Interests:
The term corporate citizenship is typically used to describe corporations in their socio-political role. It recognizes that corporations are involved in social activity beyond mere financial activities and carry obligations to contribute... more
The term corporate citizenship is typically used to describe corporations in their socio-political role. It recognizes that corporations are involved in social activity beyond mere financial activities and carry obligations to contribute to the social well-being of a society. As the term ‘citizen’ indicates, the notion is rooted in politics, indicating a recognition of the corporation as a social actor and as responding to non-market pressures. Research of the concept includes both institutionalist and business social scientific methods.
Research Interests:
Distribution is the most critical marketing function for tourism as it determines competitiveness and profitability (Buhalis & Laws, 2001). This term is defined as the mechanism that optimises the physical transportation of commodities... more
Distribution is the most critical marketing function for tourism as it determines competitiveness and profitability (Buhalis & Laws, 2001). This term is defined as the mechanism that optimises the physical transportation of commodities and brings supply to demand. It effectively determines the visibility and accessibility of products and services to the marketplace. Effective channel management investigates consumer requirements, establishes supply chains and facilitates access to products and services. In tourism, logistics are reversed as consumers go to destinations to consumer products and experiences. Communication and distribution channels need to be established between potential tourists and principals, in order for a trip to be realised. Tourism distribution channels determine the visibility of tourism organisations and whether they are included in the customer's decision set. Tourism principals, including transportation and accommodation service providers, can either distribute their products directly to consumers or may rely on different intermediaries, including online and offline tour operators and/or travel agents, to reach consumers. Tour operators and travel agents support travel, hospitality and tourism businesses in their marketing and promotions, as they enable them to reach more customers in different markets (Camilleri, 2018). Figure 1 illustrates how travel distribution’s value chain has evolved to become more flexible, dynamic, and customer centric as well as to progress direct distribution.
Research Interests:
The European Union (EU) institutions are increasingly raising awareness on the circular economy (CE) agenda. They are encouraging marketplace stakeholders to engage in sustainable production and consumption behaviours by urging them to... more
The European Union (EU) institutions are increasingly raising awareness on the circular economy (CE) agenda. They are encouraging marketplace stakeholders to engage in sustainable production and consumption behaviours by urging them to reduce, reuse, restore, refurbish, remanufacture, and recycle resources in all stages of their value chain. Therefore, this chapter presents a cost-benefit analysis of the circular economy strategy. Afterwards it features a critical review of some of the latest European regulatory guidelines, instruments and principles appertaining to the CE agenda. It sheds light on EU's (2020) new circular economy plan for a cleaner and more competitive Europe. Therefore, this research examines the EU's key propositions on the value chains of different products. The findings suggest that the circular economy's sustainable development model and its regenerative systems are increasingly minimising industrial waste, emissions, and energy leakages through the creation of long-lasting designs that can improve resource efficiencies. This contribution implies that successful CE practices are sustainable in the long run as they will ultimately add value to the business as well as to our natural environment. In conclusion, the researcher puts forward his recommendations to policy makers and practitioners.
Research Interests:
The latest advances in digital technologies have changed the way companies communicate with their stakeholders. This chapter explores the businesses' usage of digital communication channels. It focuses on their utilization of social media... more
The latest advances in digital technologies have changed the way companies communicate with their stakeholders. This chapter explores the businesses' usage of digital communication channels. It focuses on their utilization of social media for marketing and promotion of products, corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and stakeholder engagement with financial stakeholders. An exploratory study was carried out on a sample of 167 Italian businesses. It investigated the companies' websites and their social media accounts. The findings suggest that the Italian businesses are using various social media networks for corporate communication purposes. This descriptive research shows that they are utilizing Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube, among others, to communicate commercial information and to promote their business. Moreover, they are using Instagram and Twitter to raise awareness about their CSR initiatives. In conclusion, this chapter implies that marketers need to carefully coordinate the use of different digital tools to ensure that they reach their target audiences in an effective manner.
Research Interests:
There is a relationship between the organizations' strategic objectives and their corporate communications. The latter is an important feature of organizational performance. Organizational leaders are continuously facing the challenge of... more
There is a relationship between the organizations' strategic objectives and their corporate communications. The latter is an important feature of organizational performance. Organizational leaders are continuously facing the challenge of communicating their strategic goals to their stakeholders. Very often, they are adopting performance management tools to meet this challenge. Consequently, this chapter explains that the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) can be used to evaluate and measure the firms' corporate communications and their organizational performance. This tool has been widely recognized by academics and managers as it is capable of aligning organizational strategies (including their missions and visions), strategic indicators (leading and lagging indicators) and stakeholder management. A review of the relevant literature review suggests that many practitioners are becoming strategic in their corporate communications. In this light, this chapter clarifies that the BSC approach can be used to support them in their stakeholder engagement. This contribution is useful for both academics and practitioners as it aligns the corporate communication practices with organizational strategy and performance management in the digital era.
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Several brands are striving in their endeavors to find new ways to improve their consumer engagement through social media. They are using different tools including influencer marketing through social networking sites (SNSs). Therefore,... more
Several brands are striving in their endeavors to find new ways to improve their consumer engagement through social media. They are using different tools including influencer marketing through social networking sites (SNSs). Therefore, this chapter addresses a gap in the academic literature as it distinguishes between two types of online influencers. The researchers investigate the effects of celebrity endorsers' and of micro influencers' posts on a brand's page on Instagram. They examine the number of followers, clicks, comments and likes that are generated following their influencer marketing. The results suggest that both influencers have generated varying levels and types of interactions. In sum, this exploratory study revealed that the chosen celebrity's posts attracted more followers to the brand's Instagram page, when compared to the micro influencer's publications. However, the latter has garnered more clicks, comments and likes, thereby increasing the consumer-brand engagement through social media. In conclusion, this contribution identifies future research avenues relating to influencer marketing.
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This chapter presents a thorough review on the mobile learning concept. It also explores how businesses are using mobile learning (m-learning) technologies for the training and development of their human resources. The research involved... more
This chapter presents a thorough review on the mobile learning concept. It also explores how businesses are using mobile learning (m-learning) technologies for the training and development of their human resources. The research involved semi-structured interviews and an online survey. The research participants were expected to share their opinions about the costs and benefits of using m-learning applications (apps). The findings reported that the younger course participants were more likely to embrace the m-learning technologies than their older counterparts. They were using different mobile devices, including laptops, hybrids as well as smartphones and tablets to engage with m-learning applications at work, at home and when they are out and about. This contribution has identified the contextual factors like the usefulness and the ease of use of m-learning applications (apps), individual learning styles and their motivations, time, spatial issues, integration with other learning approaches, as well as the cost and accessibility of the m-learning technology. In conclusion, this contribution identifies future research avenues relating to the use of m-learning technologies among businesses and training organisations.
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This chapter presents a systematic review of over thirty (30) types of online marketing methods. It describes different methods like email marketing, social network marketing, in-game marketing and augmented reality marketing, among other... more
This chapter presents a systematic review of over thirty (30) types of online marketing methods. It describes different methods like email marketing, social network marketing, in-game marketing and augmented reality marketing, among other approaches. The researchers discuss that the rationale for using these online marketing strategies is to increase brand awareness, customer centric marketing and consumer loyalty. They shed light on various personalization methods including recommendation systems and user generated content in their taxonomy of online marketing terms. Hence, they explain how these online marketing methods are related to each other. The researchers contend that the boundaries between online marketing methods have not been clarified enough within the academic literature. Therefore, this chapter provides a better understanding of different online marketing methods. A review of the literature suggests that the 'oldest' online marketing methods including the email and the websites are still very relevant for today's corporate communication. In conclusion, the researchers put forward their recommendations for future research about contemporary online marketing methods.
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Businesses are increasingly using corporate communication technologies to interact with prospective customers. Therefore, this study explores the corporate executives' readiness to use interactive media for engagement with online users.... more
Businesses are increasingly using corporate communication technologies to interact with prospective customers. Therefore, this study explores the corporate executives' readiness to use interactive media for engagement with online users. The methodology relied on valid and reliable measures to explore the participants' pace of technological innovation, perceived usefulness, ease of use and social influences, as these factors can have an effect on their engagement with interactive technologies. The findings supported the scales' content validity as the structural equations modeling approach has reported a satisfactory fit for this study's research model. The results indicated that the pace of technological innovation, perceived usefulness, ease of use of online technologies as well as social influences were significant antecedents for the marketing executives' engagement with online users through digital media. This contribution implies that corporate communications executives ought to continuously monitor conversations in social media and review sites, and should respond to their online followers in a timely manner. In conclusion, it identifies its limitations and suggests possible research avenues to academia.
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Creating Shared Value (CSV) is a concept that brings business and society together so that entrepreneurial activity is profitable and increases the well-being of citizens in the local community. CSV is a concept that brings business and... more
Creating Shared Value (CSV) is a concept that brings business and society together so that entrepreneurial activity is profitable and increases the well-being of citizens in the local community. CSV is a concept that brings business and society together so that entrepreneurial activity is profitable and increases the well-being of citizens in the local community. It is about enhancing the competitiveness of a company while simultaneously enhancing the social circumstances of the communities in which it operates. Enabling strong local ecosystems for business is a concrete way to create shared value. Strong ecosystems have a positive impact on productivity and innovation. They foster efficiency and ease of collaboration. Value can be created, for example, by relocating production back to its home markets. This is a special feature of CSV that cannot be found explicitly in related responsibility concepts. Implementation of CSV is based on five principles. First, ethics are integrated into the business strategy. Then shared values are identified by combining societal problems and the purpose of the business activities. After that the business activities are ready to be started. Progress is tracked during the process and insights will be utilized to upgrade business activities.
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Web 2.0 and the social networks have changed how organizations interact with their publics. They enable organizations to engage in symmetric dialogic communications with individuals. Various organizations are increasingly using different... more
Web 2.0 and the social networks have changed how organizations interact with their publics. They enable organizations to engage in symmetric dialogic communications with individuals. Various organizations are increasingly using different social media to enhance their visibility and relationships with their publics. They allow them to disseminate information, to participate, listen and actively engage in online conversations with different stakeholders. Some social networks have become a key instrument for corporate communication. Therefore, this chapter presents a critical review on the organizations' dialogic communications with the publics via social networks. It puts forward a conceptual framework that comprises five key dimensions including 'active presence', 'interactive attitude', 'interactive resources', 'responsiveness' and 'conversation'. This contribution examines each dimension and explains their effect on the organizations' dialogic communication with the publics. Hence, this contribution has resulted in important implications for corporate communication practitioners as well as for academia. Moreover, it opens future research avenues to academia.
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Institutions and organizations are increasingly using the digital media to communicate with stakeholders on a day-today basis and during crises situations. Therefore, this chapter presents a bibliographic analysis on digital corporate... more
Institutions and organizations are increasingly using the digital media to communicate with stakeholders on a day-today basis and during crises situations. Therefore, this chapter presents a bibliographic analysis on digital corporate communication technologies. The grounded theory's inductive approach was used to capture and interpret the findings from Scopus-indexed publications. The articles were scrutinized in their entirety, including their research questions, methodologies and interpretation of the findings. Afterwards, this contribution identifies the opportunities and challenges that emerged during an unprecedented Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In conclusion, it implies that there is scope for institutions and organizations to incorporate digital and social media in their crises' communications and risk management plans. This will enable them to be in a better position to engage in credible and transparent dialogic communications with different stakeholders.
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This chapter explains how socially responsible investing (SRI) has evolved in the last few decades and sheds light on its latest developments. It describes different forms of SRI in the financial markets; and deliberates on the rationale... more
This chapter explains how socially responsible investing (SRI) has evolved in the last few decades and sheds light on its latest developments. It describes different forms of SRI in the financial markets; and deliberates on the rationale for the utilisation of positive and negative screenings of listed businesses and public organisations. It also presents key theoretical underpinnings on the subject, and reports that the market for the responsible investments has recently led to an increase in contractors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and research firms who are involved in the scrutinisation of the enterprises’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials. This contribution raises awareness on the screenings of positive impact and sustainable investments. It puts forward future research avenues in this promising field of study.
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This chapter examines the global marketing environment of today's higher education institutions (HEIs). (Semi) Autonomous HEIs and business schools are increasingly behaving like for-profit organisations as they seek new opportunities and... more
This chapter examines the global marketing environment of today's higher education institutions (HEIs). (Semi) Autonomous HEIs and business schools are increasingly behaving like for-profit organisations as they seek new opportunities and resources to prioritise revenue creation. Therefore, they are diversifying the portfolio of their student populations by recruiting domestic and international students. In this light, this contribution deliberates on contemporary integrated marketing communications that are intended to support HEIs to promote their quality, student-centred education as well as their high-impact and meaningful research in global markets. Moreover, it reports on how HEIs' marketing endeavours will be able to forge fruitful and collaborative relationships with industry stakeholders; foster student mobility and engagement in exchange programmes, as they can create partnership agreements with other institutions, among other strategic avenues. These issues imply that tomorrow's educational institutions will have to keep investing in adequate resources, competences and capabilities to leverage themselves amid intensifying competition in challenging socioeconomic environments.
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This research explains the rationale behind the utilization of mobile learning technologies. It involves a qualitative study among children to better understand their opinions and perceptions toward the use of educational applications... more
This research explains the rationale behind the utilization of mobile learning technologies. It involves a qualitative study among children to better understand their opinions and perceptions toward the use of educational applications (apps) that are available on their mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets. The researchers organized semi-structured, face-to-face interview sessions with primary school students who were using mobile technologies at their primary school. The students reported that their engagement with the educational apps has improved their competencies. They acquired relational and communicative skills as they collaborated in teams. On the other hand, there were a few students who were not perceiving the usefulness and the ease of use of the educational apps on their mobile device. This study indicates that the research participants had different skillsets as they exhibited different learning abilities. In conclusion, this contribution opens-up avenues for future research in this promising field of study.
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The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are widely regarded as a powerful political vision that address the social, economic and environmental pillars. In this light, this chapter focuses on the fourth SDG on quality... more
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are widely regarded as a powerful political vision that address the social, economic and environmental pillars. In this light, this chapter focuses on the fourth SDG on quality education and draws comparisons with Europe’s 2020 strategy that is aimed to create the conditions for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth within the European Union (EU) context. A literature review suggests that there is a unifying thread in these action plans for sustainable development. There is an indispensable requirement for an inclusive and equitable quality education that could eradicate poverty in all of its forms and dimensions. Therefore, this research presents a case study on the latest educational policies in Malta. The smallest EU state is pursuing its reforms to reduce early school leaving and promote lifelong learning. At the same time, it is striving to address skills gaps (and mismatches) in its domestic labour market. The findings indicate that with quality education, there may be implications for job creation, competitiveness as well as more social cohesion. Family-friendly measures including better access to childcare, more flexible working schemes and employer incentives can help individuals to return to work. In conclusion, this contribution implies that the pursuit towards continuous improvements in quality education and social inclusion could create a virtuous cycle of productivity outcomes, economic growth and prosperity.
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Businesses are capable of implementing responsible behaviours as they pursue their profit-making activities. The subject of corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR 2.0) is a promising theoretical concept in social science and... more
Businesses are capable of implementing responsible behaviours as they pursue their profit-making activities. The subject of corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR 2.0) is a promising theoretical concept in social science and humanities. Its roots within the academic literature can be traced back to Bowen's book entitled, 'Social responsibility of the businessman' (Bowen, 1953). There have been numerous reviews of the business case for corporate social responsibility (CSR) as there were also some distinguished authors who criticised the notion altogether. Many academic articles have dedicated their energies on organising and evaluating the evidence to establish a link (usually through regression analysis) between corporate social performance and corporate financial performance. Other authors referred to similar concepts as corporate citizenship which evolved following the concept of stakeholder engagement. In the light of the past empirical work and theoretical underpinning throughout the last years, this conceptual paper sheds light on many constructs of the corporate sustainability and responsibility agenda. This paper shows how CSR practices can differentiate firms from their competitors. In conclusion, it maintains that strategic approaches to CSR may lead towards a competitive advantage for the business in the long run.
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The ongoing advances in technology have brought significant improvements in the processing speed and storage of large volumes of data. Tech-savvy organisations have already started using big data with a goal to improve their decision... more
The ongoing advances in technology have brought significant improvements in the processing speed and storage of large volumes of data. Tech-savvy organisations have already started using big data with a goal to improve their decision making, agility and customer-centric approaches. Today, many tourism marketers are hyper-targeting consumers with real-time mobile ad campaigns to drive conversions. They use analytics to identify how exogenous variables, including the broader economy, competitive offerings and even the weather can affect their organisational performance. Similarly, the smaller enterprises are economically gathering and storing data from each and every customer transaction. They use analytics to customise their offerings and improve their customer engagement. Therefore, this chapter builds on the previous theoretical underpinnings on smart tourism . It clarifies how smart, disruptive technologies have led to endless opportunities for tourism and hospitality marketers to gain a competitive advantage. It explains how they are leveraging themselves by utilising contemporary marketing strategies and tactics that are customer-focused. The researcher examines the use of big data, analytics, programmatic advertising and blockchain technologies in the realms of tourism and hospitality.
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The International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 26000 on social responsibility supports organizations of all types and sizes in their responsibilities toward society and the environment. The standard's core subjects respect the... more
The International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 26000 on social responsibility supports organizations of all types and sizes in their responsibilities toward society and the environment. The standard's core subjects respect the rule of law as well as international norms on human rights and non-discrimination. ISO 26000 recommends that organizations ought to follow its principles on accountability, transparency, ethical behaviors and fair operating practices that safeguard organizations and their stakeholders' interests. Hence, this chapter presents a critical analysis on ISO 26000. This is followed by a discussion on the trade-offs between the costs and benefits for those organizations who intend following this social responsibility standard’s principles. Afterwards, this contribution posits that the stated purpose of ISO’s non-certified standard on social responsibility is to provide ‘guidance’ to its users as it is not an enforceable instrument. In conclusion, the author has put forward his implications for practitioners and policy makers. This chapter also suggested some future research avenues to academia.
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Organisations are increasingly disclosing financial and non-financial performance as they are becoming more accountable and transparent to the providers of capital and other interested parties. Most of them are clearly specifying their... more
Organisations are increasingly disclosing financial and non-financial performance as they are becoming more accountable and transparent to the providers of capital and other interested parties. Most of them are clearly specifying their environmental, social and governance (ESG) content, materiality and assurance mechanisms in their corporate disclosures. Very often, the organisations integrate financial, social and sustainability reporting. In this light, this chapter provides a critical review of key theoretical underpinnings that have anticipated the development of the corporations’ integrated disclosures. Afterwards, it describes the International Integrated Reporting Council’s <IR> Framework and its guiding principles. This contribution posits that there are potential tensions and challenges for those organisations who intend using the <IR> Framework. In conclusion, this chapter outlines future avenues as it identifies knowledge gaps in the realms of integrated reporting.
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The airlines’ marketing policies are influenced by costs and expenses which could influence their levels of service and their ability to be profitable. Their direct and indirect operating costs are affected by sector length; utilisation... more
The airlines’ marketing policies are influenced by costs and expenses which could influence their levels of service and their ability to be profitable. Their direct and indirect operating costs are affected by sector length; utilisation of aircraft, fleet size and labour costs, among other issues. Moreover, the aircraft design characteristics, such as aircraft size, aircraft speed, age of the aircraft, crew complement could also affect the airlines’ cost structure. Furthermore, the airlines may have overheads, including; sales costs, administration, accounts, general management and employment costs, among others. Therefore, this chapter provides a detailed overview of airline operating costs and explains how to analyse their profitability. Initially, it introduces its readers to the airlines direct and indirect costs, as well as overheads. Afterwards, it deals with cost comparison parameters and metrics.
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The airline’s scheduling process is intended to provide a plan on the operating patterns of the companies’ aircraft and their resources, to meet the anticipated demand. The schedules’ plans are usually based on one season only. However,... more
The airline’s scheduling process is intended to provide a plan on the operating patterns of the companies’ aircraft and their resources, to meet the anticipated demand. The schedules’ plans are usually based on one season only. However, they should be integrated into long-term corporate plans, as the latter plan specify the fleets’ and other operational requirements. The main reason behind the short-term nature of the schedules plan is the unpredictable economic environment in which airlines operate. For this reason, this chapter provides an introduction to the schedules planning process, as it describes its conflicting objectives, including; customer satisfaction, productivity of human resources, high aircraft utilisation, high load factors, high frequency, maximisation of connections and consistent timing. It deliberates on scheduling constraints, including: slot problems; night curfews; industry regulations; pool agreements and peak surcharges; maintenance requirements, standby arrangements and general operational requirements; as it specifies about slot allocations, frequencies and resources, among other issues. Afterwards, this contribution also deals with the major routing patterns which are often considered during the scheduling process.
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The airline product consists of tangible and intangible elements. It is important to remember that passengers are purchasing more than the airline product, they are also acquiring the benefits (for example, a customer experience) which... more
The airline product consists of tangible and intangible elements. It is important to remember that passengers are purchasing more than the airline product, they are also acquiring the benefits (for example, a customer experience) which they associate with it. Hence, the process of product development and market research should be ongoing if an airline is to keep itself up-to-date with the latest developments in the market place. The airline marketers should know what constitutes a high standard of customer service, particularly toward profitable customers. Nonetheless, there are different kinds of customers, including short-haul, long-haul, leisure and business passengers, who may hold different expectations from their airline. They may have certain needs and wants which could be higher on their list of priorities. In conclusion, this chapter suggests that customer centric airlines could follow a total quality mantra where every process is continuously improved for the benefit of customers. Such a total quality management approach implies that all members of staff are responsible to improve their airlines’ service quality.
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Modern revenue managers understand, anticipate, and react to market demand to maximise their businesses’ revenues. They often do so by analysing, forecasting, and optimising their fixed, perishable inventory, and time-variable supply,... more
Modern revenue managers understand, anticipate, and react to market demand to maximise their businesses’ revenues. They often do so by analysing, forecasting, and optimising their fixed, perishable inventory, and time-variable supply, through dynamic prices. Hence, the objective of pricing and revenue management is to stimulate demand from different customers to earn the maximum revenue from them. The essence of this discipline is to understand the customers' perceptions of value and to accurately align the right products to each customer segment. Therefore, this chapter suggests that revenue management systems combine data mining and operational research with strategy. Essentially, this involves maximising revenue from a combination of high-yield and price-sensitive customers; as these systems are intended to reduce seat spoilage and to increase load factors; thereby filling excess capacity. Moreover, these systems also manage overbookings, and are intended to minimise denied boarding.
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The demand for tourism products may be affected by the marketing mix elements, including the nature of the product or service, its distribution, its promotional strategies and its price. Price is the only element in the marketing mix... more
The demand for tourism products may be affected by the marketing mix elements, including the nature of the product or service, its distribution, its promotional strategies and its price. Price is the only element in the marketing mix which actually produces revenue. However, the setting of a price is not an easy task, as there are a number of pricing strategies which any travel business may apply, including; prestige pricing, penetration pricing; cost-based pricing; differential pricing and uniform pricing. Moreover, there are a number of factors which will influence what type of pricing strategy could be employed. Such factors include; corporate objectives; the marketing objectives, and the organisations’ cost levels, among other matters. This chapter explains the various approaches which may be utilised when setting prices. Ultimately, the customers themselves will decide whether the product that is being supplied to them will meet or exceed their expectations.
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The central role of marketing stems from identifying processes which create value to customers. Therefore, the marketing strategies and plans should be based on relevant frameworks which create and capture value to customers and to the... more
The central role of marketing stems from identifying processes which create value to customers. Therefore, the marketing strategies and plans should be based on relevant frameworks which create and capture value to customers and to the businesses, themselves. The strategic planning involves a thorough analysis of the businesses’ internal strengths and weaknesses, and an evaluation of opportunities and threats in the market place. The scanning of the marketing environment leads management to choose particular customers and product strategies. Therefore, strategic planners have to assess their resources, competences and capabilities, as they should determine where their company stands relative to other competitors. They are expected to evaluate strategic options and to consider alternative courses of action, including market penetration, market development, product development and diversification. This chapter outlines the different stages of strategic planning. In conclusion, it underlines the importance of conducting ongoing effectiveness audits that should analyse marketing and operational aspects.
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The distribution channels link the customers with the businesses. For many years, the tourism businesses may have distributed their products and services through intermediaries. However, the latest advances in technology have brought... more
The distribution channels link the customers with the businesses. For many years, the tourism businesses may have distributed their products and services through intermediaries. However, the latest advances in technology have brought significant changes in this regard. More individuals and corporate customers are increasingly benefiting of ubiquitous technologies, including digital media. The development of mobile devices and their applications, are offering a wide range of possibilities to the travel industry. Consumers are using smart phones and tablets to purchase tourism products. These issues have inevitably changed the structure of the tourism industry; in terms of control and value for money to consumers. In this light, this chapter describes the traditional and contemporary travel distribution channels as it raises awareness of the potential of new distribution technologies. Afterwards, there is a discussion on the role of digital media in the distribution chain as tourism businesses are increasingly selling directly to customers through the internet via websites and travel search engines. In conclusion, this chapter anticipates what the future holds for the distribution of travel and tourism products.
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Promotion is one of the four major elements of the marketing mix. Therefore, an integrated marketing communications (IMC) strategy consisting of a combination of promotional tools could be an essential element of the businesses’ overall... more
Promotion is one of the four major elements of the marketing mix. Therefore, an integrated marketing communications (IMC) strategy consisting of a combination of promotional tools could be an essential element of the businesses’ overall marketing strategy. Different promotional tools could foster an increased awareness of a company’s products or services, inform people about features and benefits, and move them to make a purchase. In this light, this chapter examines these promotional tools, individually. It suggests that effective IMC plans promote the companies’ products and services, by sending clear, consistent and complementary messages that are ultimately intended to turn prospects into customers. In conclusion, it posits that the marketing managers must consider the 6Ms (including the market, the mission, the message, the media, money and measurement) when they are preparing an IMC plan.
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Businesses may not be in a position to satisfy all of their customers, every time. It may prove difficult to meet the exact requirements of each individual customer. People do not have identical preferences, so rarely does one product... more
Businesses may not be in a position to satisfy all of their customers, every time. It may prove difficult to meet the exact requirements of each individual customer. People do not have identical preferences, so rarely does one product completely satisfy everyone. Many companies may usually adopt a strategy that is known as target marketing. This strategy involves dividing the market into segments and developing products or services to these segments. A target marketing strategy is focused on the customers’ needs and wants. Hence, a prerequisite for the development of this customer-centric strategy is the specification of the target markets that the companies will attempt to serve. The marketing managers who may consider using target marketing will usually break the market down into groups and to target the most profitable segments. They may adapt their marketing mix elements, including; products, prices, channels, and promotional tactics to suit the requirements of individual consumers. In sum, this chapter explains the three stages of target marketing, including; market segmentation (ii) market targeting and (iii) market positioning.
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To be successful, companies must adapt to ongoing trends and developments in their macro and micro environments. Therefore, it is in the interest of organisations to scan their marketing environment to deal with any possible threats from... more
To be successful, companies must adapt to ongoing trends and developments in their macro and micro environments. Therefore, it is in the interest of organisations to scan their marketing environment to deal with any possible threats from the market and to capitalise on any available opportunities. This chapter explains the external environmental factors, including; political, economic, social and technological influences. It also considers the internal environmental factors, including; capital structures, resources, capabilities and marketing intermediaries; as it identifies competitive forces from differentiated or low-cost service providers.
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Business ought to understand their customers’ needs and wants, if they want to remain successful in a competitive market place. Therefore, this chapter introduces its readers to market research as tourism businesses continuously require... more
Business ought to understand their customers’ needs and wants, if they want to remain successful in a competitive market place. Therefore, this chapter introduces its readers to market research as tourism businesses continuously require information on their customers. In this light, a well laid-out plan will help them sharpen their research objectives. Once a research problem has been defined, an appropriate methodology could be chosen to gather exploratory or descriptive data. Very often, the tourism businesses may outsource the market research function to specialised agencies. The successful research organisation which has been entrusted with the market research will collect the data, analyse it and interpret its findings. Afterwards, the research agency will be in a position to report its conclusions, research limitations and implications of study. The research report will only add value to the commissioning business if the marketing managers would take heed of its key recommendations.
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This chapter introduces its readers to the concept of tourism. It sheds light on the rationale for tourism, as it explains the tourists’ inherent motivations to travel. It also describes different aspects that together make up the tourism... more
This chapter introduces its readers to the concept of tourism. It sheds light on the rationale for tourism, as it explains the tourists’ inherent motivations to travel. It also describes different aspects that together make up the tourism industry. Tourists travel to destinations that are accessible to them. They require accommodation if they are visiting a place for more than twenty-four hours. Leisure and business travellers may also visit attractions, and engage themselves in recreational activities. Hence, the tourist destinations should have the right amenities and facilities. In this light, this chapter clarifies how destinations may offer different products to satisfy a wide array of tourists. Tourism products can include; urban (or city) tourism, seaside tourism, rural tourism, ecotourism, wine tourism, culinary tourism, health tourism, medical tourism, religious tourism, cultural (or heritage) tourism, sports tourism, educational tourism, business tourism (including meetings, incentives, conferences and events), among others. In conclusion, this chapter lists major points of interest in North America to clarify how diverse destinations may be appealing to different tourists, for many reasons.
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Businesses are increasingly embracing the dynamics of new digital technologies, as they communicate their policies and responsible initiatives through corporate websites, social media platforms and other interactive channels. The Web2.0... more
Businesses are increasingly embracing the dynamics of new digital technologies, as they communicate their policies and responsible initiatives through corporate websites, social media platforms and other interactive channels. The Web2.0 is also considered as a vehicle for the marketing communications of laudable practices, including non-financial reporting. In this light, the methodology integrates measures from technological innovation and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to understand the rationale for using digital media to communicate about environmental, social and governance issues. A quantitative study amongst 202 owner-managers in the retail industry indicated that there is a positive and significant relationship between the perceived the ease of use and perceived usefulness of online media (for CSR disclosures) and stakeholder engagement. In addition, the findings revealed that the younger respondents were increasingly engaging in ubiquitous technologies. In conclusion, this contribution suggests that CSR communication is more effective when it is readily available online. It implies that there are opportunities for businesses to enhance their reputation and image as they engage with different stakeholders through digital media.
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This contribution evaluates the United States (U.S.) government’s policies on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmentally-sustainable behaviors. It looks at the establishment of particular corporate citizenship procedures... more
This contribution evaluates the United States (U.S.) government’s policies on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmentally-sustainable behaviors. It looks at the establishment of particular corporate citizenship procedures and expectations. US entities, including bureaus, agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have often interpreted their own view on business ethics and stakeholder engagement, within their own regulatory context. This conceptual paper suggests that relevant policies, guidelines and communication on corporate citizenship and their disclosures can change the companies’ attitudes toward CSR, sustainability and corporate governance reporting. It has presented numerous opportunities for businesses to engage in CSR practices in order to create value for themselves and for others. In conclusion, as corporate citizenship and social responsibility policies are widely-understood, accepted and implemented by stakeholders, there will be greater convergence of laudable behaviors. This will ultimately bring positive implications for a sustainable and fair future for all.
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The latest European Union’s (EU) reporting requirements are pushing big businesses and state-owned organisations to provide a fair and truthful view of their respective entities’ non-financial performance. At present, European companies... more
The latest European Union’s (EU) reporting requirements are pushing big businesses and state-owned organisations to provide a fair and truthful view of their respective entities’ non-financial performance. At present, European companies are transposing the EU’s directive on non-financial reporting. Its “comply or explain” approach to corporate governance has presented a significant step forward toward the corporations’ active engagement on corporate responsibility issues. Hence, this paper makes specific reference to some of the corporations’ best practices in corporate governance disclosure and transparency. It explains how three major European banks have reviewed the roles and responsibilities of corporate boards and management. In many cases, they have anticipated any regulatory, legal, contractual, social and market-driven obligations as they helped stakeholders to exercise their rights. This contribution contends that there are significant implications for financial services corporations who intend following the right path toward responsible and ethical behaviours.
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This chapter sheds light on the European Union’s (EU) latest strategies, guidelines and principles for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), corporate governance and sustainability reporting. It reports on several EU governments’... more
This chapter sheds light on the European Union’s (EU) latest strategies, guidelines and principles for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), corporate governance and sustainability reporting. It reports on several EU governments’ regulatory roles as their societal governance is based on interdependent relationships with stakeholders. As a matter of fact, there are some of the EU countries who have already introduced intelligent substantive and reflexive regulations for their environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting. OF course, there are different actors and drivers who are shaping CSR communications and policies in relational frameworks with the civil society and corporate businesses. This chapter reports on national CSR policies that are related to the disclosures of non-financial performance of organisations. It transpires that very often, governments, NGOs and corporate businesses resort to non-governmental organisations’ regulatory instruments such as process and performance-oriented tools that help them to structure their ESG reports. These instruments usually focus on issues such as labour standards, human rights, health and safety, environmental protection, corporate governance and the like. Therefore, this contribution makes reference to some of the most relevant EU recommendations for the disclosure of integrated reporting. It posits that the way forward is to have more proactive EU governments that raise the profile of CSR. This chapter indicates that any compulsory reinforcement of the regulatory measures may possibly result in efficiencies and operational cost savings for businesses, in the long term. In this light, more effective communication and dialogue between stakeholder groups will help to raise awareness of the public policy case as well as the business case for CSR. Notwithstanding, it is in the businesses’ self-interest to anticipate regulatory pressures for ESG initiatives. Ultimately, when businesses implement corporate sustainability and responsibility they forge fruitful relationships with key stakeholders, including the regulatory ones. In doing so, they will also address societal, environmental, governance and economic deficits.
Research Interests: Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainable Development, CSR Reporting in Banking Sector, Environmental Sustainability, and 7 moreSustainability Reporting, ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance issues), ESG reporting, CSR Reporting, European CSR, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and EU CSR Agenda
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Research Interests: Business, Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility, Stakeholders, Corporate Sustainability, and 8 moreCorporate Citizenship, Environmental Sustainability, Social Responsibility, Stakeholder Theory, Stakeholder Engagement, CSR and philanthropy, CSR Business and Society, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
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Research Interests:
There are numerous assumptions on research evaluation in terms of quality and relevance of academic contributions. Researchers are becoming increasingly acquainted with bibliometric indicators, including; citation analysis, impact factor,... more
There are numerous assumptions on research evaluation in terms of quality and relevance of academic contributions. Researchers are becoming increasingly acquainted with bibliometric indicators, including; citation analysis, impact factor, h-index, webometrics and academic social networking sites. In this light, this chapter presents a review of these concepts as it considers relevant theoretical underpinnings that are related to the content marketing of scholars. Therefore, this contribution critically evaluates previous papers that revolve on the subject of academic reputation as it deliberates on the individual researchers’ personal branding. It also explains how metrics are currently being used to rank the academic standing of journals as well as higher educational institutions. In a nutshell, this chapter implies that the scholarly impact depends on a number of factors including accessibility of publications, peer review of academic work as well as social networking among scholars.
Research Interests:
In the past few years, educators started using synchronous video conferencing software like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams or Zoom, among others, in addition to traditional teaching methodologies. Therefore, this contribution examines the... more
In the past few years, educators started using synchronous video conferencing software like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams or Zoom, among others, in addition to traditional teaching methodologies. Therefore, this contribution examines the students' perceptions about the functionality and interactivity features of these technologies, as well as the facilitating conditions of a higher education institution (HEI) in a Southern European context. A survey questionnaire integrated valid measures that were drawn from the relevant literature on technology adoption. The analysis was carried out through SmartPLS to shed light on the causal paths affecting the students' intentions to continue using synchronous technologies in higher education. The results suggest that the students feel that the functionality of the conferencing software in terms of their ease-to-use and efficient designs, as well as their HEI's facilitating conditions, including the technical support they are given, and their accessibility to adequate resources, are affecting their intentions to continue using these interactive technologies, to achieve their learning outcomes.
Research Interests:
The outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had an impact on the educational programs of students around the globe. At the same time, it also opened a window of opportunity for them and for their educators. It encouraged instructors as... more
The outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had an impact on the educational programs of students around the globe. At the same time, it also opened a window of opportunity for them and for their educators. It encouraged instructors as well as course participants to embrace asynchronous as well as synchronous technologies to continue delivering their educational services, in real time. This research sheds light on the findings from a systematic review that evaluated academic publications on remote learning technologies. The authors relied on PRISMA's methodical protocol to capture and analyze high-impact articles through Scopus. This contribution identifies the costs and benefits of using digital media including learning management systems (LMS) and video conferencing software for educational purposes. It implies that the use of remote learning technologies will probably continue in the future as they may be utilized in blended learning approaches, in a post COVID-19 era.
Research Interests:
Students are increasingly utilizing mobile learning applications (m-learning apps) in various contexts. They can access their content from anywhere, anytime. This research explores the students' perceptions about learning technologies in... more
Students are increasingly utilizing mobile learning applications (m-learning apps) in various contexts. They can access their content from anywhere, anytime. This research explores the students' perceptions about learning technologies in a higher educational context. It integrates the Technology Acceptance Model's (TAM) constructs with "perceived enjoyment" to better understand their dispositions to engage with educational apps. The data was gathered through an online survey questionnaire among 317 research participants who were following full time university courses in a Southern European country. The findings suggest that the students were motivated to use learning apps. Their perceived usefulness, ease-of-use and enjoyment were having a significant effect on their intentions to continue using them in the future. This contribution implies that "perceived enjoyment" construct can be combined with TAM to shed more light on the users' intrinsic motivations to use mobile apps for educational purposes.
Research Interests:
The proliferation of digital and mobile devices, including; smart phones and tablets has led policy makers and practitioners to include these ubiquitous technologies in the realms of education. A thorough review of the relevant literature... more
The proliferation of digital and mobile devices, including; smart phones and tablets has led policy makers and practitioners to include these ubiquitous technologies in the realms of education. A thorough review of the relevant literature suggests that both students as well as their course instructors are becoming increasingly acquainted with the adoption of education technologies in the higher educational context. Hence, this study explores the university students' readiness to engage with the virtual learning environment (VLE). The methodology has integrated measuring items that were drawn from the educational technology literature, including the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, to better understand the students' perceptions towards VLE. It investigated whether they were influenced by their instructors or by fellow students to use VLE. The results suggest that most of the research participants were using this technology as they believed that it supported them in their learning outcomes. The findings also revealed that the students were not coerced by their course instructors or by other individuals to engage with VLE. Moreover, the university's facilitating conditions had a significant effect on the participants' usage of VLE. In conclusion, this contribution puts forward key implications to practitioners. It also clarifies the limitations of this study and proposes future research directions.
Research Interests:
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies can be re-conceived strategically to confer competitive advantage. This is also implied by the proponents of the ‘shared value’ notion. This study investigates the ethos for CSR policy and... more
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies can be re-conceived strategically to confer competitive advantage. This is also implied by the proponents of the ‘shared value’ notion. This study investigates the ethos for CSR policy and practice. A qualitative research involved in-depth, semi structured interview questions that explored eco-certified accommodation establishments’ responsible behaviors. The findings have indicated that discretionary spending in socially and environmentally-sound initiatives have led to improved stakeholder relationships, effective human resources management, better market standing, operational efficiencies and cost savings, along with other benefits.
Research Interests:
Businesses are increasingly embracing the dynamics of digital technologies, as they communicate with interested parties about their responsible initiatives through corporate websites, social media platforms and other interactive channels.... more
Businesses are increasingly embracing the dynamics of digital technologies, as they communicate with interested parties about their responsible initiatives through corporate websites, social media platforms and other interactive channels. Therefore, a quantitative study involving 202 owner-managers investigates their attitudes toward stakeholder engagement through digital media. The research methodology involved the integration of previously tried and tested measurement tools from the technological acceptance model, the pace of technological innovation and corporate social responsibility (CSR) items, to better understand the rationale for using digital media to communicate with stakeholders on the organization's responsible behaviors. The results have indicated that there was a positive and significant relationship between the perceived " ease of use " and " usefulness " of online media. The results also revealed that the younger owner-managers were increasingly using ubiquitous technologies as opposed to their older counterparts. This contribution implies that all businesses, particularly the smaller ones, could improve their relationships with stakeholders if they use digital media to communicate about their responsible behaviors.
Research Interests:
The latest European Union’s (EU) guiding policies are encouraging big businesses and state-owned organisations to disclose their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Many European member states have transposed the EU’s... more
The latest European Union’s (EU) guiding policies are encouraging big businesses and state-owned organisations to disclose their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Many European member states have transposed the EU’s directive 2014/95/EU on non-financial reporting. This directive has presented a significant step forward toward the as its “comply or explain” approach has encouraged organisations to disclose a true and fair view on their organisations’ financial and ESG capitals. Hence, this paper makes specific reference to some of the corporations’ best practices as it identifies areas for improvement in corporate governance issues. It explains how three major European banks are following the recommendations of their national regulatory institution, as they have reviewed the roles and responsibilities of the corporate boards and management. In many cases, they have anticipated the regulatory, legal, contractual, social and market-driven obligations. This contribution contends that there are significant implications for financial services corporations who intend following the right path toward responsible corporate governance and ethical behaviours.
Research Interests:
The performance appraisal (PA) is one of the performance management tools that is widely used to measure the productivity of academic employees in different contexts. Therefore, this paper has two main objectives. Firstly, it critically... more
The performance appraisal (PA) is one of the performance management tools that is widely used to measure the productivity of academic employees in different contexts. Therefore, this paper has two main objectives. Firstly, it critically reviews the extant literature on performance management, including; Kaplan and Norton’s Balanced Scorecard Approach, among others. Secondly, it presents a qualitative research that explores the performance appraisal system in a higher education institution. The researcher has conducted semi-structured interview sessions with academic employees to analyse their opinions and perceptions toward their annual PA. The research participants revealed the costs and benefits of their PA exercise. They were aware that their educational leaders could pragmatically employ the PA’s metrics to improve their performance outcomes, in terms of stakeholder engagement, internal processes, organisational capacity and innovation, among other areas. This research implies that the PA instrument could lead to significant benefits for both the institution as well as for the personal development of individual academics.
Research Interests: Education, Educational Leadership, Higher Education, Performance Management, Performance Management and Appraisal, and 7 moreBalanced Scorecard, Human Resources, Performance Appraisals, Educational management and leadership, Academic Performance, Educational Leadership and Management, and Human Resources Management
Many individuals are increasingly using ubiquitous technologies, including interactive applications (apps) that are widely available on our mobile devices, including the smart phones and tablets. Therefore, in the last few years,... more
Many individuals are increasingly using ubiquitous technologies, including interactive applications (apps) that are widely available on our mobile devices, including the smart phones and tablets. Therefore, in the last few years, educators and policy makers have introduced mobile learning (m-learning) technologies in order to support their students during their learning journey. A thorough literature review suggests that there are several contributions in academia that have investigated the students' acceptance and use of technology, in different contexts. In this light, this research has integrated valid and reliable measures from the Technology Acceptance Model and the Theory of Planned Behavior to better understand the university students' readiness to engage with mobile technologies for educational purposes. Specifically, this study explores the perceived usefulness and ease of use of m-learning technologies. Moreover, it investigated whether the research participants were influenced by their friends, acquaintances and educators to engage with these technologies and / or by the facilitating conditions at their university. The findings revealed that students held positive attitudes toward the m-learning technologies as they perceived them as useful and easy to use. Moreover, the university's facilitating conditions had a significant effect on the students' usage of these technologies. This study also reported that the students' social influences did not have an effect on their intention to use these devices.
Research Interests:
The hospitality businesses are increasingly using the interactive technologies to promote their services and to engage with online prospects. Therefore, this study explores the hospitality executives' stance toward the acceptance and use... more
The hospitality businesses are increasingly using the interactive technologies to promote their services and to engage with online prospects. Therefore, this study explores the hospitality executives' stance toward the acceptance and use of social media for marketing purposes. The methodology relied on valid and reliable measures, including; the Technology Acceptance Model's 'perceived usefulness' and 'ease of use' of technology, as well as the Theory of Planned Behavior's 'social influences' and 'behavioral intention'. Moreover, it adapted other constructs that were previously used to measure 'interactive engagement' and 'pace of technological innovation'. The research model investigated whether these constructs had a significant effect on the participants' intention to use social media for interactive engagement. The results have supported the scales' content validity and the structural equations modeling approach has reported a satisfactory fit for this study's research model. The findings indicated that there were highly significant, direct and indirect effects from the exogenous variables, particularly from the perceived usefulness and social influences that were predicting the hospitality owner-managers' behavioral intentions to use social media. The individuals' utilitarian motives to use the social media were clearly evidenced as they perceived the usefulness of the social media. They also indicated that they were influenced by their colleagues or competitors. Notwithstanding, there were significant influences from the demographic variables, including age, gender and experiences that moderated these relationships. This research model has integrated previously tried and tested measures relating to the acceptance and use of technology. In sum, this study reported that the younger, female respondents were more likely to use the social media to engage with online prospects, when compared with their older counterparts. In conclusion, this contribution identifies its limitations and suggests possible research avenues to academia.
Research Interests:
A relevant literature review suggests that today’s children are increasingly immersing themselves in ubiquitous technologies, including interactive media and digital games. Therefore, this research uses valid measures to investigate the... more
A relevant literature review suggests that today’s children are
increasingly immersing themselves in ubiquitous technologies,
including interactive media and digital games. Therefore, this
research uses valid measures to investigate the primary school
students’ motivations toward playing educational games, at home
and at school. The study was carried out amongst year-3 students
in a small European state. The findings reported that there were
strong correlations between the students’ perceived usefulness of
the educational games and their behavioral intention to use them
for their learning. The results also indicated that there was no
significant relationship between the perceived ease of gameplay
and the children’s enjoyment in engaging with the school’s digital
games. To the best of our knowledge, there is no other study in
academia that has explored the children’s technology acceptance,
normative pressures and their intrinsic motivations to use digital
learning games in the context of primary education. Therefore, this
contribution opens future research avenues, as this study can be
replicated in other contexts.
increasingly immersing themselves in ubiquitous technologies,
including interactive media and digital games. Therefore, this
research uses valid measures to investigate the primary school
students’ motivations toward playing educational games, at home
and at school. The study was carried out amongst year-3 students
in a small European state. The findings reported that there were
strong correlations between the students’ perceived usefulness of
the educational games and their behavioral intention to use them
for their learning. The results also indicated that there was no
significant relationship between the perceived ease of gameplay
and the children’s enjoyment in engaging with the school’s digital
games. To the best of our knowledge, there is no other study in
academia that has explored the children’s technology acceptance,
normative pressures and their intrinsic motivations to use digital
learning games in the context of primary education. Therefore, this
contribution opens future research avenues, as this study can be
replicated in other contexts.
Research Interests:
This research explains the rationale behind the utilisation of mobile learning technologies. It involves a qualitative study among children to better understand their opinions and perceptions toward the use of educational applications... more
This research explains the rationale behind the utilisation of mobile learning technologies. It involves a qualitative study among children to better understand their opinions and perceptions toward the use of educational applications (apps) that are available on their mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets. The researchers organised semi-structured, face-to-face interview sessions with primary school students who were using mobile technologies at their institution. The students reported that their engagement with the educational apps has improved their competencies. They acquired relational and communicative skills as they collaborated together in teams. On the other hand, there were a few students who were not perceiving the usefulness and the ease of use of the educational apps on their mobile device. This study indicates that the research participants had different skill-sets as they exhibited different learning abilities. In conclusion, this contribution opens-up avenues for future research in this promising field of study.
Research Interests:
This research explores the rationale behind the utilisation of electronic games in education. A qualitative research sheds light on the students’ opinions and perceptions toward the use of serious games in-class. Semi-structured,... more
This research explores the rationale behind the utilisation of electronic games in education. A qualitative research sheds light on the students’ opinions and perceptions toward the use of serious games in-class. Semi-structured, face-to-face interview sessions among secondary school students suggest that they are acquiring relevant academic knowledge and competences, as the reap motivational and emotional benefits from these learning games. The students reported that their engagement with these games has improved their critical thinking and helped them make evaluative decisions to solve problems. Generally, students were capable of developing their interpersonal skills as they have actively collaborated in teams. On the other hand, there were a few students who were not perceiving the usefulness and the ease of use of playing serious games at school. This study postulates that the research participants possessed different skill-sets as they exhibited different learning abilities. In conclusion, this paper opens-up some avenues for future research in this field of study.
Research Interests:
Relevant literature suggests that today’s children possess digital skills and competences that set them apart from the previous generations. This may be due to their continuous exposure to ubiquitous media and digital games. Therefore,... more
Relevant literature suggests that today’s children possess digital skills and competences that set them apart from the previous generations. This may be due to their continuous exposure to ubiquitous media and digital games. Therefore, this research uses valid measures from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Theory of Planned Behavior, and from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to investigate the primary school students’ attitudes and normative pressures toward playing educational games, at home and at school. The study was carried out amongst year-3 students in a small European state. The findings reported that there were strong correlations between the students’ attitudes and their intention to play the school's games. The respondents indicated that they considered the educational games as useful and relevant for their learning. However, the results have shown that there was no significant relationship between the perceived ease of gameplay and the children’s enjoyment in engaging with the school’s digital games. These findings are consistent with the extant academic literature on the digital natives. To the best of our knowledge, there is no other study in academia that has explored the technology acceptance of digital games in primary education. Therefore, this contribution opens future research avenues as this study can be replicated in other contexts.
Research Interests: Technology, Educational Technology, Technology Acceptance, Theory of Planned Behavior, Technology acceptance model(TAM), and 6 moreEnjoyment, Perceived Usefulness, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, Technology Acceptance Model, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology, and Perceived Ease of Use
This study explores the relationships between the consumer-brand identification (CBI) construct and the customers’ satisfaction, commitment, trust and loyalty toward hospitality brands. The methodology included a confirmatory factor... more
This study explores the relationships between the consumer-brand identification (CBI) construct and the customers’ satisfaction, commitment, trust and loyalty toward hospitality brands. The methodology included a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) that assessed the reliability and validity of previous tried and tested measures in marketing sciences. This study has supported the scales' content validity. A two-step structural equation modelling approach was used to analyze the relationships among the latent and observed constructs. The findings have reported a satisfactory fit for this study's research model. The empirical results shed light on the direct and indirect effects on brand loyalty. This contribution implies that brand trust had the highest effect on brand loyalty, and this was followed my other determinants, including; consumer-brand identification, consumer satisfaction and commitment. In conclusion, this paper identifies its research limitations and puts forward possible research avenues.
Research Interests:
This study explores the online users’ behavioral intention to utilize the governments’ websites and their electronic services. The research methodology validates the measuring items from the unified theory of acceptance and use of... more
This study explores the online users’ behavioral intention to utilize the governments’ websites and their electronic services. The research methodology validates the measuring items from the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to better understand the participants’ attitudes toward their performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social norms, facilitating condition and behavioral intention to use the electronic government (e-gov) services. The findings from the structural equations modeling approach reported a satisfactory fit for this study’s research model. The results suggest that there were highly significant, direct effects from the UTAUT constructs, where the utilitarian motives predicted the online users’ behavioral intentions to use e-gov. Moreover, there were significant moderating influences from the demographic variables, including age, gender and experiences that effected the individuals’ usage of the governments’ online services. In conclusion, this contribution identifies its limitations and suggests possible research avenues to academia.
Research Interests: Information Technology, Government, Local Government, Local Government and Local Development, Theory of Planned Behavior, and 10 moreE-Government, eGovernment, Technology acceptance model(TAM), Behavioral Intention, E-Government Services, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, Facilitating Conditions, Social Influences, performance expectancy, and effort expectancy
This research explored the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owner-managers' attitudes toward digital media and stakeholder engagement. Its research methodology integrated measures from the technological acceptance model, the pace... more
This research explored the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owner-managers' attitudes toward digital media and stakeholder engagement. Its research methodology integrated measures from the technological acceptance model, the pace of technological innovation and corporate social responsibility (CSR), to better understand their rationale for using technology to communicate about commercial, ethical and social responsibility issues. A factor analysis indicated that the respondents were perceiving the usefulness of digital media to engage with marketplace stakeholders. Whilst, a stepwise regression analysis reported positive and significant relationships between the pace of technological innovation and the owner-managers' perceived usefulness of digital media for communication purposes. The results also revealed that young owner-managers from the larger enterprises were more likely to utilize digital media than their smaller counterparts. This contribution implies that small and micro businesses are increasingly using digital media to improve their stakeholder engagement. This study indicates that the pace of technological innovation, the SMEs' perceived ease of use of digital media, as well as their commercial responsibility were significant antecedents for the SMEs' online communication.
Research Interests:
This paper provides a critical analysis on the rationale behind the utilisation of educational technologies, including; digital learning resources. A qualitative research sheds light on the students' discernment and preconceptions toward... more
This paper provides a critical analysis on the rationale behind the utilisation of educational technologies, including; digital learning resources. A qualitative research sheds light on the students' discernment and preconceptions toward the use of digital games, stories and simulations, in-class. Semi-structured, face-to-face interview sessions among secondary school students suggest that students are increasingly acquiring skills and competences from blended learning. Their engagement with educational applications (apps) is improving their critical thinking as it helps them make evaluative decisions to solve problems. At the same time, the results reveal that most of these students are developing their interpersonal skills as they collaborate in teams and work in tandem with their peers, during their formative activities. However, there are also a few students who are not perceiving the usefulness and the ease of use of playing digital games at school. This study postulates that students seem to possess dissimilar skills as they exhibit different learning abilities. The students' gender, age as well as their position in the social strata could possibly influence their disposition to engage with others. These findings imply that practitioners in education ought to consider taking an iterative approach as they identify what, where, when and how digital games are (or are not) consistent with the courses' learning outcomes and curriculum programmes. In conclusion, this paper opens-up some avenues for future research in the promising field of digital game-based learning.
Research Interests:
This research explores the educators' attitudes and behavioural intention toward mobile applications. The methodology integrates measures from 'the pace of technological innovativeness' and the 'technology acceptance model' to understand... more
This research explores the educators' attitudes and behavioural intention toward mobile applications. The methodology integrates measures from 'the pace of technological innovativeness' and the 'technology acceptance model' to understand the rationale for further investment in mobile learning (m-learning). A quantitative study was carried out amongst two hundred forty-one educators in small EU state. It has investigated the costs and benefits of using ubiquitous resources, including tablets for m-learning in schools. A principal component analysis has indicated that the educators were committed to using mobile technologies. In addition, a stepwise regression analysis has shown that the younger teachers were increasingly engaging in m-learning resources. In conclusion, this contribution puts forward key implications for both academia and practitioners.
Research Interests:
Corporate social responsibility policies can be reconceived strategically to confer competitive advantage as implied by the proponents of the “shared value” notion. A qualitative research involved in-depth, semi structured interview... more
Corporate social responsibility policies can be reconceived strategically to confer competitive advantage as implied by the proponents of the “shared value” notion. A qualitative research involved in-depth, semi structured interview questions that explored eco-certified accommodation establishments’ ethos for responsible behaviors. The findings have indicated that dis-
cretionary spending in socially and environmentally-sound initiatives have led to improved stakeholder relationships, effective human resources management, better market standing, operational efficiencies and cost savings, along with other benefits.
cretionary spending in socially and environmentally-sound initiatives have led to improved stakeholder relationships, effective human resources management, better market standing, operational efficiencies and cost savings, along with other benefits.
Research Interests:
This empirical paper suggests that there are organizational benefits to be gained from social marketing. The methodology integrates insights from the ‘stakeholder theory’, the ‘resource-based view theory’ and ‘shared value’ to sharpen the... more
This empirical paper suggests that there are organizational benefits to be gained from social marketing. The methodology integrates insights from the ‘stakeholder theory’, the ‘resource-based view theory’ and ‘shared value’ to sharpen the strategic base for CSR investment. Quantitative research techniques included principal component analysis and regression Analysis which tested the relationship between Strategic CSR outcomes against the firms’ organizational behavior and slack resources. The results indicated that social marketing led to improvements in the firms’ reputation among stakeholders. Strategic CSR also translated in operational efficiencies and cost savings. Following the empirical findings a ‘synergistic value model’ has been put forward.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The literature review about corporate social responsibility (CSR) suggests that there are organizational benefits to be gained from unintentional discretionary expenditure in laudable behavior. With this in mind, the methodology... more
The literature review about corporate social responsibility (CSR) suggests that there are organizational benefits to be gained from unintentional discretionary expenditure in laudable behavior. With this in mind, the methodology integrates insights from the stakeholder’s theory and the resource-based views to sharpen the strategic base for CSR investment. Quantitative research techniques have been used to discover how the hospitality business organizations are creating shared value for themselves and for society. Correlation and Regression analysis tested the relationship between Strategic
CSR (in terms of the organizational benefits) against the firms’ commitment, behavior and resources devoted to CSR. From the findings a research a model is derived to determine the synergistic value creation for businesses and society.
CSR (in terms of the organizational benefits) against the firms’ commitment, behavior and resources devoted to CSR. From the findings a research a model is derived to determine the synergistic value creation for businesses and society.
Research Interests:
This authoritative book features a broad spectrum of theoretical and empirical contributions on topics relating to corporate communications in the digital age. It is a premier reference source and a valuable teaching resource for course... more
This authoritative book features a broad spectrum of theoretical and empirical contributions on topics relating to corporate communications in the digital age. It is a premier reference source and a valuable teaching resource for course instructors of advanced, undergraduate and post graduate courses in marketing and communications. It comprises fourteen engaging and timely chapters that appeal to today’s academic researchers including doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, early career academics, as well as seasoned researchers. All chapters include an abstract, an introduction, the main body with headings and subheadings, conclusions and research implications. They were written in a critical and discursive manner to entice the curiosity of their readers. Chapter 1 provides a descriptive overview of different online technologies and presents the findings from a systematic review on corporate communication and digital media. Camilleri (2020a) implies that institutions and organizations ought to be credible and trustworthy in their interactive, dialogic communications during day-to day operations as well as in crisis situations, if they want to reinforce their legitimacy in society. Chapter 2 clarifies the importance of trust and belonging in individual and organizational relationships. Allen, Sven, Marwan and Arslan (2020) suggest that trust nurtures social interactions that can ultimately lead to significant improvements in corporate communication and other benefits for organizations. Chapter 3 identifies key dimensions for dialogic communication through social media. Capriotti, Zeler and Camilleri (2020) put forward a conceptual framework that clarifies how organizations can enhance their dialogic communications through interactive technologies. Chapter 4 explores the marketing communications managers’ interactive engagement with the digital media. Camilleri and Isaias (2020) suggest that the pace of technological innovation, perceived usefulness, ease of use of online technologies as well as social influences are significant antecedents for the businesses’ engagement with the digital media. Chapter 5 explains that the Balanced Scorecard’s (BSC) performance management tools can be used to support corporate communications practitioners in their stakeholder engagement. Oliveira, Martins, Camilleri and Jayantilal (2020) imply that practitioners can use BSC’s metrics to align their communication technologies, including big data analytics, with organizational strategy and performance management, in the digital era. Chapter 6 focuses on UK universities’ corporate communications through Twitter. Mogaji, Watat, Olaleye and Ukpabi (2020) find that British universities are increasingly using this medium to attract new students, to retain academic employees and to promote their activities and events. Chapter 7 investigates the use of mobile learning (m learning) technologies for corporate training. Butler, Camilleri, Creed and Zutshi (2020) shed light on key contextual factors that can have an effect on the successful delivery of continuous professional development of employees through mobile technologies. Chapter 8 evaluates the effects of influencer marketing on consumer-brand engagement on Instagram. Rios Marques, Casais and Camilleri (2020) identify two types of social media influencers. Chapter 9 explores in store communications of large-scale retailers. Riboldazzi and Capriello (2020) use an omni-channel approach as they integrate traditional and digital media in their theoretical model for informative, in-store communications. Chapter 10 indicates that various corporations are utilizing different social media channels for different purposes. Troise and Camilleri (2020) contend that they are using them to promote their products or services and/or to convey commercial information to their stakeholders. Chapter 11 appraises the materiality of the corporations’ integrated disclosures of financial and non-financial performance. Rodríguez-Gutiérrez (2020) identifies the key determinants for the materiality of integrated reports. Chapter 12 describes various electronic marketing (emarketing) practices of micro, small and medium sized enterprises in India. Singh, Kumar and Kalia (2020) conclude that Indian owner-managers are not always engaging with their social media followers in a professional manner. Chapter 13 suggests that there is scope for small enterprises to use Web 2.0 technologies and associated social media applications for branding, advertising and corporate communication. Oni (2020) maintains that social media may be used as a marketing communications tool to attract customers and for internal communications with employees. Chapter 14 shed light on the online marketing tactics that are being used for corporate communication purposes. Hajarian, Camilleri, Diaz and Aedo (2020) outline different online channels including one-way and two-way communication technologies.
Research Interests: Business, Communication, Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Communication, Digital Media, and 10 moreSocial Media, Interactive and Digital Media, Interactive Media, Online Media, Dialogical Communication, Integrated Reporting, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Interactive Engagement, Coronavirus COVID-19, and COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The customer engagement concept has received lots of attention in different academic disciplines including: organisational behaviour (and employee engagement), psychology (and task engagement), sociology (and civic engagement) as well as... more
The customer engagement concept has received lots of attention in different academic disciplines including: organisational behaviour (and employee engagement), psychology (and task engagement), sociology (and civic engagement) as well as in marketing (and branding) (Brodie, Hollebeek, Jurić, & Ilić, 2011; Chu & Kim, 2011; Taheri, Jafari, & O’Gorman, 2014). In a similar vein, the tourism industry practitioners are also recognising the importance of customer engagement as they are increasingly delivering enjoyable, transformative activities that improve the customers’ experiences (Walls, Okumus, Wang, & Kwun, 2011; So, King & Sparks, 2014; Ali, Ryu & Hussain, 2016; Harrigan, Evers, Miles & Daly, 2017; Camilleri, 2019a, 2019b). The latest trends comprise the adaptation of new technologies, interactive service delivery and offerings, and service personalisation (e.g. Hollebeek, Shrivastava, & Chen, 2019; Rather & Camilleri, 2019; Rather, Hollebeek, Islam, 2019; Hollebeek & Rather, 2019). In tourism research, there are different drivers, antecedents, and/or determinants of customer engagement (So et al., 2014). These may comprise: the customers’ perceptions of authenticity, prior knowledge, mood regulation, brand sincerity, cultural capital, perceived intimacy, and desire for social interaction, among others (Taheri et al., 2014; Ram, Björk & Weidenfeld, 2016; Camilleri, 2018; Liang, Choi & Joppe, 2018; Rather et al., 2019). Existing research has also indicated that there are positive consequences if tourism service providers or destination management organisations engage with their customers, including; loyalty, satisfaction, self-brand connection, co-creation, commitment, positive word-of-mouth and online reviews, as well as purchase intentions (Litvin, Goldsmith & Pan, 2008; Bilgihan, Okumus & Cobanoglu, 2013; Harrigan et al., 2017; Rasoolimanesh, Noor, Schuberth & Jaafar, 2019; Buhalis & Sinarta, 2019). In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the topics of customer engagement and customer experience, as academics started to investigate how customer interact with the businesses through different marketing channels and touch-points (Walls et al., 2011; Lemon & Verhoef, 2016). These stimuli can have an effect on the customers’ purchase decision (Fang, Ye,
Kucukusta & Law, 2016). Similarly, the tourism practitioners are using the digital media and mobile technologies to engage with customers to improve their experience (Sigala, Christou & Gretzel, 2012; Camilleri, 2018). For example, tourism service providers are increasingly using high-fidelity, interactive channels (e.g. virtual reality, social media, online and mobile booking systems) in an attempt to enhance their customers’ experience (Sigala et al., 2012). However, despite the concepts of customer engagement and customer experience have received significant attention from the industry practitioners, there are gaps in academic knowledge, as there are still limited theoretical and empirical studies that have explored these topics in the tourism context, including; tourist destinations, airlines, cruises, tour operators, travel agencies, accommodation service providers, like hotels, Airbnb operators, timeshare, etc. Moreover, there are even fewer contributions that have explored the effect of the 2019-2020 corona virus pandemic COVID19) on these sectors. The closure of the international borders as well as the latest travel ban and lock down conditions have inevitably led to grounded air planes, docked cruise ships, idle tour buses, shuttered tourism businesses and tourist attractions. This dramatic situation has resulted in a sudden downward spiral in international tourism arrivals and receipts. In this light, this timely publication will feature high impact research on consumer engagement within the tourism and hospitality: pre, during and post COVID-19. This prospective title shall offer a thorough understanding about why there is scope for the tourism service providers and destination management organisations to successfully create, manage, and market tourism experiences. It will also provide theoretical and practical evidence of how, where and when they can seize the opportunities and address the challenges for effective consumer engagement in the tourism arena. Therefore, this book will include conceptual and empirical chapters covering the themes of Tourism Customer Engagement: Dimensions, Theories, and Frameworks; Tourism Customer Engagement: Key Antecedents and Consequences; Tourism Customer Experience: Theories, Structure and Frameworks; Customer Engagement in Evolving Technological Environments; Open innovation Technologies, Co-creation Experiences and Customer Engagement Approaches; and Emerging Issues. It is very likely that the tourism and hospitality businesses will be operating in the context of a “new normal” in a post COVID19 era. The editors are committed to enrich the existing body of academic literature on “Customer Engagement and Experience in Tourism: pre, during and post COVID-19” by consolidating the marketing topics in the form of a comprehensive volume.
Kucukusta & Law, 2016). Similarly, the tourism practitioners are using the digital media and mobile technologies to engage with customers to improve their experience (Sigala, Christou & Gretzel, 2012; Camilleri, 2018). For example, tourism service providers are increasingly using high-fidelity, interactive channels (e.g. virtual reality, social media, online and mobile booking systems) in an attempt to enhance their customers’ experience (Sigala et al., 2012). However, despite the concepts of customer engagement and customer experience have received significant attention from the industry practitioners, there are gaps in academic knowledge, as there are still limited theoretical and empirical studies that have explored these topics in the tourism context, including; tourist destinations, airlines, cruises, tour operators, travel agencies, accommodation service providers, like hotels, Airbnb operators, timeshare, etc. Moreover, there are even fewer contributions that have explored the effect of the 2019-2020 corona virus pandemic COVID19) on these sectors. The closure of the international borders as well as the latest travel ban and lock down conditions have inevitably led to grounded air planes, docked cruise ships, idle tour buses, shuttered tourism businesses and tourist attractions. This dramatic situation has resulted in a sudden downward spiral in international tourism arrivals and receipts. In this light, this timely publication will feature high impact research on consumer engagement within the tourism and hospitality: pre, during and post COVID-19. This prospective title shall offer a thorough understanding about why there is scope for the tourism service providers and destination management organisations to successfully create, manage, and market tourism experiences. It will also provide theoretical and practical evidence of how, where and when they can seize the opportunities and address the challenges for effective consumer engagement in the tourism arena. Therefore, this book will include conceptual and empirical chapters covering the themes of Tourism Customer Engagement: Dimensions, Theories, and Frameworks; Tourism Customer Engagement: Key Antecedents and Consequences; Tourism Customer Experience: Theories, Structure and Frameworks; Customer Engagement in Evolving Technological Environments; Open innovation Technologies, Co-creation Experiences and Customer Engagement Approaches; and Emerging Issues. It is very likely that the tourism and hospitality businesses will be operating in the context of a “new normal” in a post COVID19 era. The editors are committed to enrich the existing body of academic literature on “Customer Engagement and Experience in Tourism: pre, during and post COVID-19” by consolidating the marketing topics in the form of a comprehensive volume.
Research Interests:
The Brundtland Report (WCED, 1987) defined sustainable development as; “development that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (p. 43). Its underlying assumption is... more
The Brundtland Report (WCED, 1987) defined sustainable development as; “development that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (p. 43). Its underlying assumption is that the world's physical resources are not finite; therefore, they have to be managed responsibly to sustain future generations (Camilleri, 2018a; Camilleri, 2014). Subsequently, the United Nations (UN) Conference on Environment and Development has put forward Agenda 21 that dedicated a chapter that was focused on unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. This document recommended that the UN's member states ought to intensify their efforts to reduce the use of scarce resources during production processes, whilst minimizing the environmental impacts from the generation of waste and pollution (Camilleri, 2018a; Camilleri, 2014; Agenda 21, 1992).
In 2002, the UN Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development also made reference to unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. The UN's member states were urged to manage their natural resources in a sustainable manner and with lower negative environmental impacts; by promoting the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems, whilst reducing waste (WSSD, 2002, p. 13). Moreover, in another resolution, entitled; “The future we want,” the General Assembly at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing green economy policies in the context of sustainable development. The heads of state and government or their representatives have agreed to continue promoting the integrated and sustainable management of ecosystems, whilst facilitating their conservation, regeneration, and restoration of resources (UNCSD, 2012). Furthermore, during the UN's General Assembly Resolution of September 25 2015 entitled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” the world leaders have agreed to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals that replaced the previous millennium development goals that were established in the year 2000. Specifically, the Sustainable Development Goal 12 of the 2030 agenda, namely, “Sustainable Consumption and Production” explained that there is an opportunity for business and industry to reap economic gains through resource and energy efficiencies. It also raised awareness on the use of sustainable infrastructures and urged the UN member states to address air, water, and soil pollution to minimize their environmental impact (UNDP, 2015). Moreover, the Paris Climate Agreement (COP 21) and Resolutions 1/5 and 2/7 on chemicals and waste, and 2/8 on sustainable production and consumption, as adopted by the first and second sessions of the United Nations Environment Assembly (that was held in Nairobi, Kenya, on the June 27, 2014 and the May 27, 2016), are also considered as important policy instruments for many stakeholders, as they have paved the way for the transition towards the CE strategy.
These intergovernmental policy recommendations on sustainable consumption and production have led to increased regulatory pressures on business and industry towards controlled operations management and environmentally responsible practices.
Relevant theoretical underpinnings reported that the circular economy reduces the reliance on resource extraction and raw materials (Camilleri, 2018b; Camilleri, 2017; Cooper, 1999). Therefore, it restores any damage in resource acquisition by ensuring that little waste is generated throughout the production process and during the products' life. Liu, Li, Zuo, Zhang, and Wang (2009) explained that the circular economy aims at minimizing the generation of waste, as it involves environmental conservation. Similarly, Su, Heshmati, Geng, and Yu (2013) contended that the circular economy strategy involves efficiency‐oriented control systems at all stages of production, distribution, and consumption of materials. They made reference to energy efficiency and water conservation, land management, and soil protection, among other issues. Hence, the circular economy model can lead to resource and energy efficiencies as well as economic development.
In this light, the publisher is calling for theoretical and empirical contributions that are focused on the sustainable production and consumption of resources, materials and products. Therefore, the readers of this publication will be in a better position to understand the operations and strategies in manufacturing industries as well as in closed loop and product-service systems (Camilleri, 2018a). This special issue will include but is not limited to the following topics:
In 2002, the UN Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development also made reference to unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. The UN's member states were urged to manage their natural resources in a sustainable manner and with lower negative environmental impacts; by promoting the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems, whilst reducing waste (WSSD, 2002, p. 13). Moreover, in another resolution, entitled; “The future we want,” the General Assembly at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing green economy policies in the context of sustainable development. The heads of state and government or their representatives have agreed to continue promoting the integrated and sustainable management of ecosystems, whilst facilitating their conservation, regeneration, and restoration of resources (UNCSD, 2012). Furthermore, during the UN's General Assembly Resolution of September 25 2015 entitled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” the world leaders have agreed to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals that replaced the previous millennium development goals that were established in the year 2000. Specifically, the Sustainable Development Goal 12 of the 2030 agenda, namely, “Sustainable Consumption and Production” explained that there is an opportunity for business and industry to reap economic gains through resource and energy efficiencies. It also raised awareness on the use of sustainable infrastructures and urged the UN member states to address air, water, and soil pollution to minimize their environmental impact (UNDP, 2015). Moreover, the Paris Climate Agreement (COP 21) and Resolutions 1/5 and 2/7 on chemicals and waste, and 2/8 on sustainable production and consumption, as adopted by the first and second sessions of the United Nations Environment Assembly (that was held in Nairobi, Kenya, on the June 27, 2014 and the May 27, 2016), are also considered as important policy instruments for many stakeholders, as they have paved the way for the transition towards the CE strategy.
These intergovernmental policy recommendations on sustainable consumption and production have led to increased regulatory pressures on business and industry towards controlled operations management and environmentally responsible practices.
Relevant theoretical underpinnings reported that the circular economy reduces the reliance on resource extraction and raw materials (Camilleri, 2018b; Camilleri, 2017; Cooper, 1999). Therefore, it restores any damage in resource acquisition by ensuring that little waste is generated throughout the production process and during the products' life. Liu, Li, Zuo, Zhang, and Wang (2009) explained that the circular economy aims at minimizing the generation of waste, as it involves environmental conservation. Similarly, Su, Heshmati, Geng, and Yu (2013) contended that the circular economy strategy involves efficiency‐oriented control systems at all stages of production, distribution, and consumption of materials. They made reference to energy efficiency and water conservation, land management, and soil protection, among other issues. Hence, the circular economy model can lead to resource and energy efficiencies as well as economic development.
In this light, the publisher is calling for theoretical and empirical contributions that are focused on the sustainable production and consumption of resources, materials and products. Therefore, the readers of this publication will be in a better position to understand the operations and strategies in manufacturing industries as well as in closed loop and product-service systems (Camilleri, 2018a). This special issue will include but is not limited to the following topics:
Research Interests:
Background The latest advances in technologies and networks have been central to the expansion of electronic content across different contexts. Contemporary communication approaches are crossing boundaries as new media are offering both... more
Background
The latest advances in technologies and networks have been central to the expansion of electronic content across different contexts. Contemporary communication approaches are crossing boundaries as new media are offering both challenges and opportunities. The democratisation of the production and dissemination of information via the online technologies has inevitably led individuals and organisations to share content (including images, photos, news items, videos and podcasts) via the digital and social media. Interactive technologies are allowing individuals and organisations to co-create and manipulate electronic content. At the same time, they enable them to engage in free-flowing conversations with other online users, groups or virtual communities (Camilleri, 2017). Innovative technologies have empowered the organisations’ stakeholders, including; employees, investors, customers, local communities, government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as the news media, among others. Both internal and external stakeholders are in a better position to scrutinise the organisations’ decisions and actions. For this reason, there is scope for the practitioners to align their corporate communication goals and activities with the societal expectations (Camilleri, 2015; Gardberg & Fombrun, 2006). Therefore, organisations are encouraged to listen to their stakeholders. Several public interest organisations, including listed businesses, banks and insurance companies are already sharing information about their financial and non-financial performance in an accountable and transparent manner. The rationale behind their corporate disclosures is to develop and maintain strong and favourable reputations among stakeholders (Camilleri, 2018; Cornelissen, 2008). The corporate reputation is “a perceptual representation of a company’s past actions and future prospects that describe the firm’s overall appeal to all of its key constituents when compared to other leading rivals” (Fombrun, 1996).
Business and media practitioners ought to be cognisant about the strategic role of corporate communication in leveraging the organisations’ image and reputation among stakeholders (Van Riel & Fombrun, 2007). They are expected to possess corporation communication skills as they need to forge relationships with different stakeholder groups (including employees, customers, suppliers, investors, media, regulatory authorities and the community at large). They have to be proficient in specialist areas, including; issues management, crises communication as well as in corporate social responsibility reporting, among other topics. At the same time, they should be aware about the possible uses of different technologies, including; artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, big data analytics, blockchain and internet of things, among others; as these innovative tools are disrupting today’s corporate communication processes.
Objective
This title shall explain how strategic communication and media management can affect various political, economic, societal and technological realities. Theoretical and empirical contributions can shed more light on the existing structures, institutions and cultures that are firmly founded on the communication technologies, infrastructures and practices. The rapid proliferation of the digital media has led both academics and practitioners to increase their interactive engagement with a multitude of stakeholders. Very often, they are influencing regulators, industries, civil society organisations and activist groups, among other interested parties. Therefore, this book’s valued contributions may include, but are not restricted to, the following topics:
Artificial Intelligence and Corporate Communication
Augmented and Virtual Reality in Corporate Communication
Blockchain and Corporate Communication
Big Data and Analytics in Corporate Communication
Branding and Corporate Reputation
Corporate Communication via Social Media
Corporate Communication Policy
Corporate Culture
Corporate Identity
Corporate Social Responsibility Communications
Crisis, Risk and Change Management
Digital Media and Corporate Communication
Employee Communications
Fake News and Corporate Communication
Government Relationships
Integrated Communication
Integrated Reporting of Financial and Non-Financial Performance
Internet Technologies and Corporate Communication
Internet of Things and Corporate Communication
Investor Relationships
Issues Management and Public Relations
Leadership and Change Communication
Marketing Communications
Measuring the Effectiveness of Corporate Communications
Metrics for Corporate Communication Practice
Press and Media Relationships
Stakeholder Management and Communication
Strategic Planning and Communication Management
This publication shall present the academics’ conceptual discussions that cover the contemporary topic of corporate communication in a concise yet accessible way. Covering both theory and practice, this publication shall introduce its readers to the key issues of strategic corporate communication as well as stakeholder management in the digital age. This will allow prospective practitioners to critically analyse future, real-life situations. All chapters will provide a background to specific topics as the academic contributors should feature their critical perspectives on issues, controversies and problems relating to corporate communication.
This authoritative book will provide relevant knowledge and skills in corporate communication that is unsurpassed in readability, depth and breadth. At the start of each chapter, the authors will prepare a short abstract that summarises the content of their contribution. They are encouraged to include descriptive case studies to illustrate real situations, conceptual, theoretical or empirical contributions that are meant to help aspiring managers and executives in their future employment. In conclusion, each chapter shall also contain a succinct summary that should outline key implications (of the findings) to academia and / or practitioners, in a condensed form. This will enable the readers to retain key information.
Target Audience
This textbook introduces aspiring practitioners as well as under-graduate and post-graduate students to the subject of corporate communication - in a structured manner. More importantly, it will also be relevant to those course instructors who are teaching media, marketing communications and business-related subjects in higher education institutions, including; universities and colleges. It is hoped that course conveners will use this edited textbook as a basis for class discussions.
Submission Procedure
Senior and junior academic researchers are invited to submit a 300-word abstract on or before the 30th June 2019. Submissions should be sent to Mark.A.Camilleri@um.edu.mt. Authors will be notified about the editorial decision during July 2019. The length of the chapters should be between 6,000- 8,000 words (including references, figures and tables). These contributions will be accepted on or before the 31st December 2019. The references should be presented in APA style (Version 6). All submitted chapters will be critically reviewed on a double-blind review basis. The authors' and the reviewers' identities will remain anonymous. All authors will be requested to serve as reviewers for this book. They will receive a notification of acceptance, rejection or suggested modifications - on or before the 15th February 2020.
Note: There are no submission or acceptance fees for the publication of this book. All abstracts / proposals should be submitted via the editor’s email.
Editor
Mark Anthony Camilleri (Ph.D. Edinburgh)
Department of Corporate Communication,
Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences,
University of Malta, MALTA.
Email: mark.a.camilleri@um.edu.mt
Publisher
Following the double-blind peer review process, the full chapters will be submitted to Springer Nature for final review. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit https://www.springer.com/gp. This prospective publication will be released in 2020.
Important Dates
Abstract Submission Deadline: 30th June 2019
Notification of Acceptance: 31st July 2019
Full Chapters Due: 31st December 2019
Notification of Review Results: 15th February 2020
Final Chapter Submission: 31st March 2020
Final Acceptance Notification: 30th April, 2020
References
Camilleri, M.A. (2015). Valuing Stakeholder Engagement and Sustainability Reporting. Corporate Reputation Review, 18(3), 210-222. https://link-springer-com.ejournals.um.edu.mt/article/10.1057/crr.2015.9
Camilleri, M.A. (2017). Corporate Sustainability, Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319468488
Camilleri, M.A. (2018). Theoretical Insights on Integrated Reporting: The Inclusion of Non-Financial Capitals in Corporate Disclosures. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 23(4), 567-581. https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/CCIJ-01-2018-0016
Cornelissen, J.P. (2008). Corporate Communication. The International Encyclopedia of Communication. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781405186407.wbiecc143.pub2
Fombrun, C.J. (1995). Reputation: Realizing Value from the Corporate Image. Cambridge, MA, USA: Harvard Business School Press.
Gardberg, N.A., & Fombrun, C. J. (2006). Corporate Citizenship: Creating Intangible Assets across Institutional Environments. Academy of Management Review, 31(2), 329-346. https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/AMR.2006.20208684
Van Riel, C.B., & Fombrun, C.J. (2007). Essentials of Corporate Communication: Implementing Practices for effective reputation management. Oxford, UK: Routledge. http://repository.umpwr.ac.id:8080/bitstream/handle/123456789/511/Essentials%20of%20Corporate%20Communication.pdf?sequence=1
The latest advances in technologies and networks have been central to the expansion of electronic content across different contexts. Contemporary communication approaches are crossing boundaries as new media are offering both challenges and opportunities. The democratisation of the production and dissemination of information via the online technologies has inevitably led individuals and organisations to share content (including images, photos, news items, videos and podcasts) via the digital and social media. Interactive technologies are allowing individuals and organisations to co-create and manipulate electronic content. At the same time, they enable them to engage in free-flowing conversations with other online users, groups or virtual communities (Camilleri, 2017). Innovative technologies have empowered the organisations’ stakeholders, including; employees, investors, customers, local communities, government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as the news media, among others. Both internal and external stakeholders are in a better position to scrutinise the organisations’ decisions and actions. For this reason, there is scope for the practitioners to align their corporate communication goals and activities with the societal expectations (Camilleri, 2015; Gardberg & Fombrun, 2006). Therefore, organisations are encouraged to listen to their stakeholders. Several public interest organisations, including listed businesses, banks and insurance companies are already sharing information about their financial and non-financial performance in an accountable and transparent manner. The rationale behind their corporate disclosures is to develop and maintain strong and favourable reputations among stakeholders (Camilleri, 2018; Cornelissen, 2008). The corporate reputation is “a perceptual representation of a company’s past actions and future prospects that describe the firm’s overall appeal to all of its key constituents when compared to other leading rivals” (Fombrun, 1996).
Business and media practitioners ought to be cognisant about the strategic role of corporate communication in leveraging the organisations’ image and reputation among stakeholders (Van Riel & Fombrun, 2007). They are expected to possess corporation communication skills as they need to forge relationships with different stakeholder groups (including employees, customers, suppliers, investors, media, regulatory authorities and the community at large). They have to be proficient in specialist areas, including; issues management, crises communication as well as in corporate social responsibility reporting, among other topics. At the same time, they should be aware about the possible uses of different technologies, including; artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, big data analytics, blockchain and internet of things, among others; as these innovative tools are disrupting today’s corporate communication processes.
Objective
This title shall explain how strategic communication and media management can affect various political, economic, societal and technological realities. Theoretical and empirical contributions can shed more light on the existing structures, institutions and cultures that are firmly founded on the communication technologies, infrastructures and practices. The rapid proliferation of the digital media has led both academics and practitioners to increase their interactive engagement with a multitude of stakeholders. Very often, they are influencing regulators, industries, civil society organisations and activist groups, among other interested parties. Therefore, this book’s valued contributions may include, but are not restricted to, the following topics:
Artificial Intelligence and Corporate Communication
Augmented and Virtual Reality in Corporate Communication
Blockchain and Corporate Communication
Big Data and Analytics in Corporate Communication
Branding and Corporate Reputation
Corporate Communication via Social Media
Corporate Communication Policy
Corporate Culture
Corporate Identity
Corporate Social Responsibility Communications
Crisis, Risk and Change Management
Digital Media and Corporate Communication
Employee Communications
Fake News and Corporate Communication
Government Relationships
Integrated Communication
Integrated Reporting of Financial and Non-Financial Performance
Internet Technologies and Corporate Communication
Internet of Things and Corporate Communication
Investor Relationships
Issues Management and Public Relations
Leadership and Change Communication
Marketing Communications
Measuring the Effectiveness of Corporate Communications
Metrics for Corporate Communication Practice
Press and Media Relationships
Stakeholder Management and Communication
Strategic Planning and Communication Management
This publication shall present the academics’ conceptual discussions that cover the contemporary topic of corporate communication in a concise yet accessible way. Covering both theory and practice, this publication shall introduce its readers to the key issues of strategic corporate communication as well as stakeholder management in the digital age. This will allow prospective practitioners to critically analyse future, real-life situations. All chapters will provide a background to specific topics as the academic contributors should feature their critical perspectives on issues, controversies and problems relating to corporate communication.
This authoritative book will provide relevant knowledge and skills in corporate communication that is unsurpassed in readability, depth and breadth. At the start of each chapter, the authors will prepare a short abstract that summarises the content of their contribution. They are encouraged to include descriptive case studies to illustrate real situations, conceptual, theoretical or empirical contributions that are meant to help aspiring managers and executives in their future employment. In conclusion, each chapter shall also contain a succinct summary that should outline key implications (of the findings) to academia and / or practitioners, in a condensed form. This will enable the readers to retain key information.
Target Audience
This textbook introduces aspiring practitioners as well as under-graduate and post-graduate students to the subject of corporate communication - in a structured manner. More importantly, it will also be relevant to those course instructors who are teaching media, marketing communications and business-related subjects in higher education institutions, including; universities and colleges. It is hoped that course conveners will use this edited textbook as a basis for class discussions.
Submission Procedure
Senior and junior academic researchers are invited to submit a 300-word abstract on or before the 30th June 2019. Submissions should be sent to Mark.A.Camilleri@um.edu.mt. Authors will be notified about the editorial decision during July 2019. The length of the chapters should be between 6,000- 8,000 words (including references, figures and tables). These contributions will be accepted on or before the 31st December 2019. The references should be presented in APA style (Version 6). All submitted chapters will be critically reviewed on a double-blind review basis. The authors' and the reviewers' identities will remain anonymous. All authors will be requested to serve as reviewers for this book. They will receive a notification of acceptance, rejection or suggested modifications - on or before the 15th February 2020.
Note: There are no submission or acceptance fees for the publication of this book. All abstracts / proposals should be submitted via the editor’s email.
Editor
Mark Anthony Camilleri (Ph.D. Edinburgh)
Department of Corporate Communication,
Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences,
University of Malta, MALTA.
Email: mark.a.camilleri@um.edu.mt
Publisher
Following the double-blind peer review process, the full chapters will be submitted to Springer Nature for final review. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit https://www.springer.com/gp. This prospective publication will be released in 2020.
Important Dates
Abstract Submission Deadline: 30th June 2019
Notification of Acceptance: 31st July 2019
Full Chapters Due: 31st December 2019
Notification of Review Results: 15th February 2020
Final Chapter Submission: 31st March 2020
Final Acceptance Notification: 30th April, 2020
References
Camilleri, M.A. (2015). Valuing Stakeholder Engagement and Sustainability Reporting. Corporate Reputation Review, 18(3), 210-222. https://link-springer-com.ejournals.um.edu.mt/article/10.1057/crr.2015.9
Camilleri, M.A. (2017). Corporate Sustainability, Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319468488
Camilleri, M.A. (2018). Theoretical Insights on Integrated Reporting: The Inclusion of Non-Financial Capitals in Corporate Disclosures. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 23(4), 567-581. https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/CCIJ-01-2018-0016
Cornelissen, J.P. (2008). Corporate Communication. The International Encyclopedia of Communication. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781405186407.wbiecc143.pub2
Fombrun, C.J. (1995). Reputation: Realizing Value from the Corporate Image. Cambridge, MA, USA: Harvard Business School Press.
Gardberg, N.A., & Fombrun, C. J. (2006). Corporate Citizenship: Creating Intangible Assets across Institutional Environments. Academy of Management Review, 31(2), 329-346. https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/AMR.2006.20208684
Van Riel, C.B., & Fombrun, C.J. (2007). Essentials of Corporate Communication: Implementing Practices for effective reputation management. Oxford, UK: Routledge. http://repository.umpwr.ac.id:8080/bitstream/handle/123456789/511/Essentials%20of%20Corporate%20Communication.pdf?sequence=1
Research Interests:
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to travel marketing, tourism economics and the airline product. At the same time, it provides an overview on the political, socio-economic, environmental and technological impacts of tourism... more
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to travel marketing, tourism economics and the airline product. At the same time, it provides an overview on the political, socio-economic, environmental and technological impacts of tourism and its related sectors.This publication covers both theory and practice in an engaging style, that will spark the readers’ curiosity. Yet, it presents tourism and airline issues in a concise, yet accessible manner. This will allow prospective tourism practitioners to critically analyze future situations, and to make appropriate decisions in their workplace environments. Moreover, the book prepares undergraduate students and aspiring managers alike with a thorough exposure to the latest industry developments.
“Dr. Camilleri provides tourism students and practitioners with a clear and comprehensive picture of the main institutions, operations and activities of the travel industry.”
Philip Kotler, S.C. Johnson & Son Distinguished Professor of International Marketing, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston/Chicago, IL, USA.
“This book is the first of its kind to provide an insightful and well-structured application of travel and tourism marketing and economics to the airline industry. Student readers will find this systematic approach invaluable when placing aviation within the wider tourism context, drawing upon the disciplines of economics and marketing.”
Brian King, Professor of Tourism and Associate Dean, School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
“The remarkable growth in international tourism over the last century has been directly influenced by technological, and operational innovations in the airline sector which continue to define the nature, scale and direction of tourist flows and consequential tourism development. Key factors in this relationship between tourism and the airline sector are marketing and economics, both of which are fundamental to the success of tourism in general and airlines in particular, not least given the increasing significance of low-cost airline operations. Hence, uniquely drawing together these three themes, this book provides a valuable introduction to the marketing and economics of tourism with a specific focus on airline operations, and should be considered essential reading for future managers in the tourism sector.”
Richard Sharpley, Professor of Tourism, School of Management, University of Central Lancashire, UK.
“The book's unique positioning in terms of the importance of and the relationships between tourism marketing, tourism economics and airline product will create a distinct niche for the book in the travel literature.”C. Michael Hall, Professor of Tourism, Department of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
"A very unique textbook that offers integrated lessons on marketing, economics, and airline services. College students of travel and tourism in many parts of the world will benefit from the author's thoughtful writing style of simplicity and clarity.”
Liping A. Cai, Professor and Director, Purdue Tourism & Hospitality Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
“An interesting volume that provides a good coverage of airline transportation matters not always well considered in tourism books. Traditional strategic and operational issues, as well as the most recent developments and emerging trends are dealt with in a concise yet clear and rational way. Summaries, questions and topics for discussion in each chapter make it a useful basis for both taught courses or self-education.”
Rodolfo Baggio, Professor of Tourism and Social Dynamics, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy.
“This is a very useful introductory book that summarises a wealth of knowledge in an accessible format. It explains the relation between marketing and economics, and applies it to the business of airline management as well as the tourism industry overall. ”
Xavier Font, Professor of Sustainability Marketing, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Surrey, UK and Visiting Professor, Hospitality Academy, NHTV Breda, Netherlands.
“This book addresses the key principles of tourism marketing, economics and the airline industry. It covers a wide range of theory at the same time as offering real-life case studies, and offers readers a comprehensive understanding of how these important industries work, and the underpinning challenges that will shape their future. It is suitable for undergraduate students as well as travel professionals, and I would highly recommend it.”
Clare Weeden, Principal Lecturer in Tourism and Marketing at the School of Sport and Service Management, University of Brighton, UK.
“In the current environment a grasp of the basics of marketing to diverse consumers is very important. Customers are possessed of sophisticated knowledge driven by innovations in business as well from highly developed technological advances. This text will inform and update students and those planning a career in travel and tourism. Mark Camilleri has produced an accessible book, which identifies ways to accumulate and use new knowledge to be at the vanguard of marketing, which is both essential and timely.”
Peter Wiltshier, Senior Lecturer & Programme Leader for Travel & Tourism, College of Business, Law and Social Sciences, University of Derby, UK.
“This contemporary text provides an authoritative read on the dynamics, interactions and complexities of the modern travel and tourism industries with a necessary, and much welcomed, mixture of theory and practice suitable for undergraduate, graduate and professional markets.” Alan Fyall, Orange County Endowed Professor of Tourism Marketing, University of Central Florida, FL, USA.
“Dr. Camilleri provides tourism students and practitioners with a clear and comprehensive picture of the main institutions, operations and activities of the travel industry.”
Philip Kotler, S.C. Johnson & Son Distinguished Professor of International Marketing, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston/Chicago, IL, USA.
“This book is the first of its kind to provide an insightful and well-structured application of travel and tourism marketing and economics to the airline industry. Student readers will find this systematic approach invaluable when placing aviation within the wider tourism context, drawing upon the disciplines of economics and marketing.”
Brian King, Professor of Tourism and Associate Dean, School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
“The remarkable growth in international tourism over the last century has been directly influenced by technological, and operational innovations in the airline sector which continue to define the nature, scale and direction of tourist flows and consequential tourism development. Key factors in this relationship between tourism and the airline sector are marketing and economics, both of which are fundamental to the success of tourism in general and airlines in particular, not least given the increasing significance of low-cost airline operations. Hence, uniquely drawing together these three themes, this book provides a valuable introduction to the marketing and economics of tourism with a specific focus on airline operations, and should be considered essential reading for future managers in the tourism sector.”
Richard Sharpley, Professor of Tourism, School of Management, University of Central Lancashire, UK.
“The book's unique positioning in terms of the importance of and the relationships between tourism marketing, tourism economics and airline product will create a distinct niche for the book in the travel literature.”C. Michael Hall, Professor of Tourism, Department of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
"A very unique textbook that offers integrated lessons on marketing, economics, and airline services. College students of travel and tourism in many parts of the world will benefit from the author's thoughtful writing style of simplicity and clarity.”
Liping A. Cai, Professor and Director, Purdue Tourism & Hospitality Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
“An interesting volume that provides a good coverage of airline transportation matters not always well considered in tourism books. Traditional strategic and operational issues, as well as the most recent developments and emerging trends are dealt with in a concise yet clear and rational way. Summaries, questions and topics for discussion in each chapter make it a useful basis for both taught courses or self-education.”
Rodolfo Baggio, Professor of Tourism and Social Dynamics, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy.
“This is a very useful introductory book that summarises a wealth of knowledge in an accessible format. It explains the relation between marketing and economics, and applies it to the business of airline management as well as the tourism industry overall. ”
Xavier Font, Professor of Sustainability Marketing, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Surrey, UK and Visiting Professor, Hospitality Academy, NHTV Breda, Netherlands.
“This book addresses the key principles of tourism marketing, economics and the airline industry. It covers a wide range of theory at the same time as offering real-life case studies, and offers readers a comprehensive understanding of how these important industries work, and the underpinning challenges that will shape their future. It is suitable for undergraduate students as well as travel professionals, and I would highly recommend it.”
Clare Weeden, Principal Lecturer in Tourism and Marketing at the School of Sport and Service Management, University of Brighton, UK.
“In the current environment a grasp of the basics of marketing to diverse consumers is very important. Customers are possessed of sophisticated knowledge driven by innovations in business as well from highly developed technological advances. This text will inform and update students and those planning a career in travel and tourism. Mark Camilleri has produced an accessible book, which identifies ways to accumulate and use new knowledge to be at the vanguard of marketing, which is both essential and timely.”
Peter Wiltshier, Senior Lecturer & Programme Leader for Travel & Tourism, College of Business, Law and Social Sciences, University of Derby, UK.
“This contemporary text provides an authoritative read on the dynamics, interactions and complexities of the modern travel and tourism industries with a necessary, and much welcomed, mixture of theory and practice suitable for undergraduate, graduate and professional markets.” Alan Fyall, Orange County Endowed Professor of Tourism Marketing, University of Central Florida, FL, USA.
Research Interests:
The marketing of a destination necessitates effective strategic planning, decision making and organization. Notwithstanding, the destination managers should possess relevant knowledge and understanding on traditional and contemporary... more
The marketing of a destination necessitates effective strategic planning, decision making and organization. Notwithstanding, the destination managers should possess relevant knowledge and understanding on traditional and contemporary marketing channels to better engage with prospective visitors.
Strategic Perspectives in Destination Marketing is a collection of innovative research on the methods and applications of branding in the tourism, travel, and hospitality industry sectors. This book provides students and practitioners with a good understanding of the tourism marketing environment, destination branding, pricing of tourism products, tourism distribution channels, e-tourism, as well as on sustainable and responsible tourism practices, among other topics. It explores the socio-economic, environmental, and technological impacts of tourism through various regional-focused empirical studies and contemporary discussions. This book is ideally designed for managers, travel agents, tourism professionals, executives, marketing agencies, academicians, researchers, and graduate-level students seeking current research on the applications of branding strategies in the tourism sector.
Strategic Perspectives in Destination Marketing is a collection of innovative research on the methods and applications of branding in the tourism, travel, and hospitality industry sectors. This book provides students and practitioners with a good understanding of the tourism marketing environment, destination branding, pricing of tourism products, tourism distribution channels, e-tourism, as well as on sustainable and responsible tourism practices, among other topics. It explores the socio-economic, environmental, and technological impacts of tourism through various regional-focused empirical studies and contemporary discussions. This book is ideally designed for managers, travel agents, tourism professionals, executives, marketing agencies, academicians, researchers, and graduate-level students seeking current research on the applications of branding strategies in the tourism sector.
Research Interests:
Destination marketing relies on planning, organisation, and successful strategies and tactics. Tourism Planning and Destination Marketing provides an in-depth understanding of the tourism marketing environment, including destination... more
Destination marketing relies on planning, organisation, and successful strategies and tactics. Tourism Planning and Destination Marketing provides an in-depth understanding of the tourism marketing environment, including destination branding, distribution channels, etourism, digital media, and sustainable and responsible tourism practices. It is a useful guide for tourism marketers, including destination management organisations (DMOs), who are increasingly using innovative tools and evolving technologies to engage with prospective visitors. Moreover, this title sheds light on the latest developments in travel, hospitality, festivals and events, as the contributing authors have critically analysed the global tourism marketing environments that comprise a wide array of economic, socio-cultural, technological and environmental realities.
This book explores advances in tourism planning and destination marketing theory for the interest of both researchers and scholars. Furthermore, it is an invaluable resource for a wide range of industry practitioners, including consultants, senior executives and managers who work for destination management organisations, tourism offices, hotels, inbound/outbound tour operators and travel agents.
Hardback ISBN: 978-1-78756-292-9
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-78756-294-3
E-ISBN: 978-1-78756-291-2
EPUB ISBN: 978-1-78756-293-6
This book explores advances in tourism planning and destination marketing theory for the interest of both researchers and scholars. Furthermore, it is an invaluable resource for a wide range of industry practitioners, including consultants, senior executives and managers who work for destination management organisations, tourism offices, hotels, inbound/outbound tour operators and travel agents.
Hardback ISBN: 978-1-78756-292-9
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-78756-294-3
E-ISBN: 978-1-78756-291-2
EPUB ISBN: 978-1-78756-293-6
Research Interests:
Responsible behaviours are increasingly being embedded into new business models and strategies that are designed to meet environmental, societal and governance deficits. Therefore, the notions of Corporate Sustainability, Social... more
Responsible behaviours are increasingly being embedded into new business models and strategies that are designed to meet environmental, societal and governance deficits. Therefore, the notions of Corporate Sustainability, Social Responsibility and Environmental Management have become very popular among academia as corporations are moving beyond transparency, business ethics and stakeholder engagement.
This book provides business students and scholars with a broad analysis on the subject of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It builds on the previous theoretical underpinnings of the CSR agenda, including Corporate Citizenship (Carroll, 1998; Waddock, 2004; Matten and Crane, 2004), Creating Shared Value (Porter and Kramer, 2011; 2006), Stakeholder Engagement (Freeman, 1984) and Business Ethics (Crane and Matten, 2004) as it features the latest Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (CSR2.0) perspective (Visser, 2010). These recent developments imply that the organisations’ commitment to responsible behaviours may represent a transformation of the corporation into a truly sustainable business that is adding value to the business itself, whilst also adding value to society and the environment.
This ‘new’ proposition is an easy term that may appeal to business practitioners. CSR2.0 is linked to improvements in economic performance, operational efficiency, higher quality, innovation and competitiveness. At the same time, it raises awareness on responsible behaviours. Therefore, this promising concept can be considered as strategic in its intent and purposes, as businesses are capable of being socially and environmentally responsible ‘citizens’ whilst pursuing their profit-making activities. Carroll (1979) affirmed that the businesses have economic responsibilities as providing a decent return on investment to owners and shareholders; creating jobs and fair pay for workers; discovering new resources; promoting technological advancement, innovation, and the creation of new products and services along with other objectives.
Lately, there is similar discourse in many international fora, conferences, seminars and colloquia about corporate sustainability and responsible behaviours. However, the discussions are usually characterised by the presentation of theories that define the concepts, rather than being practical workshops (which involve the businesses themselves). In this light, this book clearly identifies the business case for CSR. It attempts to trigger active participation in corporate suites. Inevitably, it contends that there are still some challenging opportunities facing businesses, which will have to be addressed in the foreseeable future; including Stakeholder Relations and Collaborations, Government Regulation for CSR Compliance and the role of Strategic CSR in Education and Training.
This publication combines theory and practice with case studies. Part I introduces the readers to the CSR Agenda. Chapter 1 provides a broad overview of the CSR terminology and its emerging constructs. It presents the business case for CSR. Chapter 2 reports on several international policies and regulatory instruments on the subject of environmental, social and governance disclosures of large organisations. Chapter 3 suggests that there is a rationale to maintain ongoing communications with stakeholders through integrated marketing communications including digital media and traditional channels. Chapter 4 sheds light on socially reponsible and sustainable investments that are being offered in the financial services market. Chapter 5 discusses about the importance of stakeholder engagement with responsible suppliers in the value chain. In Part II; this book contains five detailed case studies on a wide array of corporate sustainable and responsible initiatives that have been taken on board by global corporations in different contexts.
This book provides business students and scholars with a broad analysis on the subject of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It builds on the previous theoretical underpinnings of the CSR agenda, including Corporate Citizenship (Carroll, 1998; Waddock, 2004; Matten and Crane, 2004), Creating Shared Value (Porter and Kramer, 2011; 2006), Stakeholder Engagement (Freeman, 1984) and Business Ethics (Crane and Matten, 2004) as it features the latest Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (CSR2.0) perspective (Visser, 2010). These recent developments imply that the organisations’ commitment to responsible behaviours may represent a transformation of the corporation into a truly sustainable business that is adding value to the business itself, whilst also adding value to society and the environment.
This ‘new’ proposition is an easy term that may appeal to business practitioners. CSR2.0 is linked to improvements in economic performance, operational efficiency, higher quality, innovation and competitiveness. At the same time, it raises awareness on responsible behaviours. Therefore, this promising concept can be considered as strategic in its intent and purposes, as businesses are capable of being socially and environmentally responsible ‘citizens’ whilst pursuing their profit-making activities. Carroll (1979) affirmed that the businesses have economic responsibilities as providing a decent return on investment to owners and shareholders; creating jobs and fair pay for workers; discovering new resources; promoting technological advancement, innovation, and the creation of new products and services along with other objectives.
Lately, there is similar discourse in many international fora, conferences, seminars and colloquia about corporate sustainability and responsible behaviours. However, the discussions are usually characterised by the presentation of theories that define the concepts, rather than being practical workshops (which involve the businesses themselves). In this light, this book clearly identifies the business case for CSR. It attempts to trigger active participation in corporate suites. Inevitably, it contends that there are still some challenging opportunities facing businesses, which will have to be addressed in the foreseeable future; including Stakeholder Relations and Collaborations, Government Regulation for CSR Compliance and the role of Strategic CSR in Education and Training.
This publication combines theory and practice with case studies. Part I introduces the readers to the CSR Agenda. Chapter 1 provides a broad overview of the CSR terminology and its emerging constructs. It presents the business case for CSR. Chapter 2 reports on several international policies and regulatory instruments on the subject of environmental, social and governance disclosures of large organisations. Chapter 3 suggests that there is a rationale to maintain ongoing communications with stakeholders through integrated marketing communications including digital media and traditional channels. Chapter 4 sheds light on socially reponsible and sustainable investments that are being offered in the financial services market. Chapter 5 discusses about the importance of stakeholder engagement with responsible suppliers in the value chain. In Part II; this book contains five detailed case studies on a wide array of corporate sustainable and responsible initiatives that have been taken on board by global corporations in different contexts.
Research Interests: Business, Business Administration, Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility, Strategic Management, and 10 moreSustainability (Organisational Strategy), Corporate Sustainability, Corporate Citizenship, Human Resources, Environmental Sustainability, Strategy, Stakeholder Engagement, Creating Shared Value, Human Resources Management, and Public Policy
This book’s theoretical underpinnings and empirical studies suggest that businesses can do well by doing good. It builds on the previous theoretical underpinnings of the CSR agenda, including Business Ethics (Crane and Matten, 2004);... more
This book’s theoretical underpinnings and empirical studies suggest that businesses can do well by doing good. It builds on the previous theoretical underpinnings of the CSR agenda, including Business Ethics (Crane and Matten, 2004); Stakeholder Engagement (Freeman, 1984); Corporate Citizenship (Carroll, 1998; Waddock, 2004; Matten and Crane, 2004), Creating Shared Value (Porter and Kramer, 2011; 2006), as it presents the latest Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (CSR2.0) perspective (Visser, 2011,2014; Camilleri, 2015). This promising notion is being recognized as a concept that offers new ways of thinking and behaving. It has potential to deliver significant benefits to both business and society as it is an easy term that may appeal to business practitioners. CSR2.0 is linked to improvements in economic performance, operational efficiency, higher quality, innovation and competitiveness. At the same time, it raises awareness on responsible behaviors. Therefore, CSR2.0 can be considered as strategic in its intent and purposes, as businesses are capable of being socially and environmentally responsible ‘citizens’ whilst pursuing their profit-making activities. This latter perspective suggests that responsible behavioral practices may be re-conceived to confer competitive advantage over rival firms. Therefore, this contribution makes reference to laudable investments that could unleash value business and society. It implies that CSR2.0 demands business to build adaptive approaches with stakeholders for the benefit of the firm and for societal advancement.
Chapter 1 provides a thorough literature review on the CSR strategy. It presents relevant theoretical underpinnings and empirical studies that may have used other related constructs, including corporate citizenship, stakeholder engagement and business ethics. Hence this chapter reported on how CSR has evolved to reflect the societal realities. At the same time, it raises awareness of the key notions representing CSR. In conclusion, it implies that CSR2.0 demands business to build adaptive approaches with stakeholders for the benefit of the firm and for societal advancement. Chapter 2 reviews the different definitions of the corporate responsibility paradigms and draws comparisons between related concepts. It also explains the evolution of corporate responsibility as it provides a brief overview of how corporate responsibility has changed in the past 30 years. The author contends that organization studies; economic, institutional, cultural and cognitive perspectives are shaping the corporate responsibility agenda. She cleverly presents the benefits of integrating multiple perspectives and discusses about the possible research avenues in the realms of corporate responsibility.
Chapter 3 suggests that the field of CSR is ushering a new era in the relationship between business and society: the CSR 2.0 era. The author puts forward a Total Responsibility Management (TRM) approach that may be useful for business practitioners who intend adopting CSR behaviors. This chapter posits that CSR strategies including managing relationship with stakeholders will contribute to the companies´ success and will also bring community welfare. Chapter 4 focuses on the national governments’ regulatory role of raising awareness on CSR behaviors among businesses. The author suggests that there is scope for the state agencies to promote CSR as a business case for companies. She provides an outline of the current state of “supranational regulative policies on public procurement” within the European Union context. Chapter 5 uses a stakeholder perspective to encapsulate the CSR concept. The authors investigated social value cocreation (SVCC) through a qualitative study among different stakeholders (customers, employees, and managers). They implied that businesses ought to clarify their motives, by opening channels of communication with stakeholders. This way, there will be a higher level of SVCC with increased (stakeholder) loyalty toward the firms.
Chapter 6 sheds light on Porter and Kramer’s (2011) shared value proposition. The author explains how collaborative stakeholder interactions could lead to significant improvements in the supply chain. Chapter 7 involved a longitudinal study that investigated how four different State Owned Enterprises communicated with Māori communities between 2008 to 2013. This study contributes to the extant literature research on the legitimacy theory and CSR communication with ethnic minorities in the Aotearoa (New Zealand) context. Chapter8 links the CSR paradigm with risk management. The author suggests that Serbian businesses ought to adopt corporate sustainable and responsible approaches in terms of their disaster risk reduction in case of environmental emergencies. Chapter 9 involved a quantitative analysis that explored the CSR practices within the hospitality industry. The authors suggested that there were distinct social and environmentally responsible behaviors in different geographical areas. They argued that institutions can take their results into account when drawing up policies that are aimed at fostering responsible tourism practices. Chapter 10 examined how CSR communication of self-serving motives can lead to more credibility and corporate reputation. The authors implied that the marketers should be aware of how the public perceive CSR behaviors. Chapter 11 suggests that corporate or organizational storytelling, is being used as a promotional tool to communicate CSR information to stakeholders. The authors present four companies that have used storytelling with the aims of transmitting values, fostering collaboration, leading change and sharing knowledge:
Chapter 12 relates corporate sustainability to emotional capital. The authors maintain that emotional capital enables businesses to attract and retain talent. This results in significant improvements to the firms’ bottom lines. Chapter13 suggests that the transition from the CSR to CSR 2.0 requires the adoption of five new principles - creativity, scalability, responsiveness, glocality and circularity. The authors posit that these principles ought to be embedded within the organizations management values and culture. The authors propose a new framework that can be used to manage the processes of socially responsible organization. Chapter 14 investigated the banks’ behavior during the economic crisis in Turkey. The author reported on the bank’s CSR strategies as they supported small and medium sized enterprises, as well as local communities during the financial turmoil. Chapter 15 offers insights on sustainable tourism as the authors investigated the constraints that explain why an attitude–behavior gap exists as they analyzed the responsible tourists’ behavior. Chapter 16 examines three leading networks that are intended to promote corporate sustainability and responsibility. The author explores their growing influence as he reviews their objectives, organizational structures, types of activities, practices and impacts
Why should you choose this book?
This publication is primarily intended to academia, including post graduate students pursuing research degrees. It explores the core aspects of contemporary corporate strategies, public policies and practices that create value. This publication is a concise and authoritative guide on the business case for corporate social responsibility (CSR). It provides a thorough understanding on the theoretical underpinnings of corporate social responsibility, business ethics, corporate citizenship and creating shared value, among other notions. Moreover, its empirical studies show how stakeholder engagement and sustainability strategies can create synergistic value for both business and society in a global context. It suggests that both academia and business practitioners can employ corporate sustainability and responsibility practices as a guiding principle for their business success.
Mark Anthony Camilleri, PhD (Edinburgh)
Chapter 1 provides a thorough literature review on the CSR strategy. It presents relevant theoretical underpinnings and empirical studies that may have used other related constructs, including corporate citizenship, stakeholder engagement and business ethics. Hence this chapter reported on how CSR has evolved to reflect the societal realities. At the same time, it raises awareness of the key notions representing CSR. In conclusion, it implies that CSR2.0 demands business to build adaptive approaches with stakeholders for the benefit of the firm and for societal advancement. Chapter 2 reviews the different definitions of the corporate responsibility paradigms and draws comparisons between related concepts. It also explains the evolution of corporate responsibility as it provides a brief overview of how corporate responsibility has changed in the past 30 years. The author contends that organization studies; economic, institutional, cultural and cognitive perspectives are shaping the corporate responsibility agenda. She cleverly presents the benefits of integrating multiple perspectives and discusses about the possible research avenues in the realms of corporate responsibility.
Chapter 3 suggests that the field of CSR is ushering a new era in the relationship between business and society: the CSR 2.0 era. The author puts forward a Total Responsibility Management (TRM) approach that may be useful for business practitioners who intend adopting CSR behaviors. This chapter posits that CSR strategies including managing relationship with stakeholders will contribute to the companies´ success and will also bring community welfare. Chapter 4 focuses on the national governments’ regulatory role of raising awareness on CSR behaviors among businesses. The author suggests that there is scope for the state agencies to promote CSR as a business case for companies. She provides an outline of the current state of “supranational regulative policies on public procurement” within the European Union context. Chapter 5 uses a stakeholder perspective to encapsulate the CSR concept. The authors investigated social value cocreation (SVCC) through a qualitative study among different stakeholders (customers, employees, and managers). They implied that businesses ought to clarify their motives, by opening channels of communication with stakeholders. This way, there will be a higher level of SVCC with increased (stakeholder) loyalty toward the firms.
Chapter 6 sheds light on Porter and Kramer’s (2011) shared value proposition. The author explains how collaborative stakeholder interactions could lead to significant improvements in the supply chain. Chapter 7 involved a longitudinal study that investigated how four different State Owned Enterprises communicated with Māori communities between 2008 to 2013. This study contributes to the extant literature research on the legitimacy theory and CSR communication with ethnic minorities in the Aotearoa (New Zealand) context. Chapter8 links the CSR paradigm with risk management. The author suggests that Serbian businesses ought to adopt corporate sustainable and responsible approaches in terms of their disaster risk reduction in case of environmental emergencies. Chapter 9 involved a quantitative analysis that explored the CSR practices within the hospitality industry. The authors suggested that there were distinct social and environmentally responsible behaviors in different geographical areas. They argued that institutions can take their results into account when drawing up policies that are aimed at fostering responsible tourism practices. Chapter 10 examined how CSR communication of self-serving motives can lead to more credibility and corporate reputation. The authors implied that the marketers should be aware of how the public perceive CSR behaviors. Chapter 11 suggests that corporate or organizational storytelling, is being used as a promotional tool to communicate CSR information to stakeholders. The authors present four companies that have used storytelling with the aims of transmitting values, fostering collaboration, leading change and sharing knowledge:
Chapter 12 relates corporate sustainability to emotional capital. The authors maintain that emotional capital enables businesses to attract and retain talent. This results in significant improvements to the firms’ bottom lines. Chapter13 suggests that the transition from the CSR to CSR 2.0 requires the adoption of five new principles - creativity, scalability, responsiveness, glocality and circularity. The authors posit that these principles ought to be embedded within the organizations management values and culture. The authors propose a new framework that can be used to manage the processes of socially responsible organization. Chapter 14 investigated the banks’ behavior during the economic crisis in Turkey. The author reported on the bank’s CSR strategies as they supported small and medium sized enterprises, as well as local communities during the financial turmoil. Chapter 15 offers insights on sustainable tourism as the authors investigated the constraints that explain why an attitude–behavior gap exists as they analyzed the responsible tourists’ behavior. Chapter 16 examines three leading networks that are intended to promote corporate sustainability and responsibility. The author explores their growing influence as he reviews their objectives, organizational structures, types of activities, practices and impacts
Why should you choose this book?
This publication is primarily intended to academia, including post graduate students pursuing research degrees. It explores the core aspects of contemporary corporate strategies, public policies and practices that create value. This publication is a concise and authoritative guide on the business case for corporate social responsibility (CSR). It provides a thorough understanding on the theoretical underpinnings of corporate social responsibility, business ethics, corporate citizenship and creating shared value, among other notions. Moreover, its empirical studies show how stakeholder engagement and sustainability strategies can create synergistic value for both business and society in a global context. It suggests that both academia and business practitioners can employ corporate sustainability and responsibility practices as a guiding principle for their business success.
Mark Anthony Camilleri, PhD (Edinburgh)
Research Interests: Business, Management, Marketing, Business Administration, Business Ethics, and 11 moreCorporate Social Responsibility, Operations Management, Strategic Management, Corporate Citizenship, Sustainable Tourism, Tourism, Strategy, Stakeholder Engagement, Creating Shared Value, Sustainable/Responsible Tourism, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
This book gives a good insight of the mainstream responsible initiatives of hotel enterprises. This work contributes to knowledge by adding a hospitality perspective in the existing literature review surrounding the business case for... more
This book gives a good insight of the mainstream responsible initiatives of hotel enterprises. This work contributes to knowledge by adding a hospitality perspective in the existing literature review surrounding the business case for Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (CSR). The empirical study features a synergistic value model which is grounded in quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Finally, this book puts forward key recommendations for moving the CSR agenda forward. Without doubt, it was the intention of this publication to emphasise the importance of the tourism industry in a European context. For instance, the tourism industry contributes to 12% of Malta’s GDP (EU Commission, 2010). This study presents relevant examples of sustainable practices across different hotel enterprises in Malta. Arguably, the wider political initiatives to increase economic growth, to create jobs, to regenerate tourism destinations may not be realised without the contribution of all stakeholders, including the smaller hotel enterprises.
Research Interests: Marketing, Business Ethics, Tourism Management, Brand Management, Strategic Brand Management, and 20 moreCorporate Social Responsibility, Social Marketing, International Business, Green Marketing, Marketing Research, Sustainable Tourism, Strategic communications, Resource-based view, Responsible Tourism, Strategic Marketing, Corporate Reputation, Tourism, Marketing, Advertising, Brand Management, Stakeholder Theory, Services Marketing, Creating Shared Value, Strategic CSR, Advertising and Branding, CSR & Strategic Marketing, and Marketing mangement
Literature review about corporate social responsibility (CSR) suggests that there are organisational benefits to be gained from unintentional discretionary expenditure in laudable behaviour. With this in mind, the methodology integrates... more
Literature review about corporate social responsibility (CSR) suggests that there are organisational benefits to be gained from unintentional discretionary expenditure in laudable behaviour. With this in mind, the methodology integrates insights from the ‘stakeholder theory’ and the ‘resource-based view theory of the firm’ to sharpen the strategic base for CSR investment. Quantitative and qualitative research techniques have been used to discover how business organisations are creating shared value for themselves and for society. The main study was carried out amongst hotel enterprises in Malta. The quantitative analysis tested the relationship between Strategic CSR (in terms of the organisational benefits) against the firms’ commitment, behaviour and resources devoted to CSR. Secondly the qualitative phase of this study involved an analysis of interviews with owner-managers across the Maltese hospitality industry and with experts who are responsible for setting policies in the tourism regulatory context. The results have indicated that responsible behaviour led to the firms’ financial performance and market standing, effective human resources management and operational efficiencies. Following the empirical findings a model representing the ‘creation of shared value’ for business and society has been put forward.
Research Interests:
This contribution suggests that there is scope in using resources more efficiently; as better eco-designs, waste prevention and reuse of materials can possibly bring net savings for businesses, while also reducing emissions. In fact, WEF... more
This contribution suggests that there is scope in using resources more efficiently; as better eco-designs, waste prevention and reuse of materials can possibly bring net savings for businesses, while also reducing emissions. In fact, WEF (2014) indicated that a shift towards CE can generate over US$ 500 million in material cost savings, 100,000 new jobs and prevent 100 million tons of waste globally, within five years. This means that there is a business case for CE as significant resource efficiencies could bring a new wave of smart, sustainable growth and competitiveness.
Research Interests:
The use of data and its analyses are becoming ubiquitous practices. As a result, there has been a dramatic surge in the use of business intelligence and analytics. These developments have inevitably led to endless opportunities for... more
The use of data and its analyses are becoming ubiquitous practices. As a result, there has been a dramatic surge in the use of business intelligence and analytics. These developments have inevitably led to endless opportunities for marketers to leverage themselves and gain a competitive advantage by untangling big data. Relevant data could help businesses to better serve customers as they would better know what they need, want and desire. This knowledge will lead to customer satisfaction and long lasting relationships.
Businesses are increasingly collecting and analysing data from many sources for many purposes. Much of the value of data is derived from secondary uses that were not intended in the first place. Very often datasets can possess intrinsic, hidden, not-yet-unearthed value. According to a research from IBM and the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford; nearly nine in 10 companies were using transactional data, and three-quarters were collecting log data in 2012. This study suggested that business practitioners also gathered data from events, emails and social data (eMarketer, 2012).
This data is being collected and stored in massive amounts by search engines including Google, Bing and Yahoo as well as by e-commerce conglomerates such as eBay and Amazon. For instance, Security First boosted its productivity and customer satisfaction by using content analytics to bridge social media and the claims process. Similarly, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria has improved its online reputation with analytics that quickly responded to online feedback (IBM, 2015).
In addition, users can easily access mul¬tiple sources of digital data that is readily available through websites, social networks, blogs, as well as from mobile devices, including smart phones and tablets. Big data is being gathered from social media content and video data from Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus among others. These modern digital marketing tools are helping business to engage in social conversations with consumers. Social networks have surely amplified the marketers’ messages as they support promotional efforts. Here are some of the unique pieces of data each social network is collecting:
• “Facebook’s interest/social graph: The world’s largest online community collects more data via its API than any other social network. Facebook’s “like” button is pressed 2.7 billion times every day across the web, revealing what people care about.
• Google+’s relevance graph: The number of “+1s” and other Google+ data are now a top factor in determining how a Web page ranks in Google search results.
• LinkedIn’s talent graph: At least 22% of LinkedIn users have between 500-999 first-degree connections on the social network, and 19% have between 301-499.The rich professional data is helping LinkedIn build a “talent graph.”
• Twitter’s news graph: At its peak late last year the social network was processing 143,199 tweets per second globally. This firehose of tweets provide a real-time window into the news and information that people care about. Fifty-two percent of Twitter users in the U.S. consume news on the site (more than the percent who do so on Facebook), according to Pew.
• Pinterest’s commerce graph: More than 17% of all pinboards are categorized under “Home,” while roughly 12% fall under style or fashion, these are windows into people’s tastes and fashion trends.
• YouTube’s entertainment graph: What music, shows, and celebrities do we like? YouTube reaches more U.S. adults aged 18 to 34 than any single cable network, according to Nielsen. YouTube knows what they like to watch.
• Yelp’s and Foursquare’s location graphs: These apps know where we’ve been and where we’ll go. Foursquare has over 45 million users and 5 billion location check-ins”.
(Business Insider, 2014)
Big data is funda¬mentally shifting how marketers collect, analyse and utilise data to reach out to customers. Business intelligence and analytics are helping companies to get new in¬sights into how consumers behave. It is envisaged that the IT architecture will shortly develop into an information eco-system: a network of internal and external services where information is shared among users. Big data can support business in their decision making. It could be used to communicate meaningful results and to generate insights for an effective organisational performance. New marketing decision-making ought to harness big data for increased targeting and re-targeting of individu¬als and online communities. On-demand, direct marketing through digital platforms has already become more personalised than ever. The chal¬lenge for marketers is to recognise the value of big data as a tool that drives consumer in-sights.
Every customer contact with a brand is a moment of truth, in real-¬time. Businesses who are not responding with seamless externally-facing solutions will inevitably lose their customers to rivals. This contribution posits that a strategic ap¬proach to data management could drive consumer preferences. An evolving analytics ecosystem that is also integrated with web2.0 instruments could lead to better customer service and consumer engagement.
Businesses are increasingly collecting and analysing data from many sources for many purposes. Much of the value of data is derived from secondary uses that were not intended in the first place. Very often datasets can possess intrinsic, hidden, not-yet-unearthed value. According to a research from IBM and the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford; nearly nine in 10 companies were using transactional data, and three-quarters were collecting log data in 2012. This study suggested that business practitioners also gathered data from events, emails and social data (eMarketer, 2012).
This data is being collected and stored in massive amounts by search engines including Google, Bing and Yahoo as well as by e-commerce conglomerates such as eBay and Amazon. For instance, Security First boosted its productivity and customer satisfaction by using content analytics to bridge social media and the claims process. Similarly, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria has improved its online reputation with analytics that quickly responded to online feedback (IBM, 2015).
In addition, users can easily access mul¬tiple sources of digital data that is readily available through websites, social networks, blogs, as well as from mobile devices, including smart phones and tablets. Big data is being gathered from social media content and video data from Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus among others. These modern digital marketing tools are helping business to engage in social conversations with consumers. Social networks have surely amplified the marketers’ messages as they support promotional efforts. Here are some of the unique pieces of data each social network is collecting:
• “Facebook’s interest/social graph: The world’s largest online community collects more data via its API than any other social network. Facebook’s “like” button is pressed 2.7 billion times every day across the web, revealing what people care about.
• Google+’s relevance graph: The number of “+1s” and other Google+ data are now a top factor in determining how a Web page ranks in Google search results.
• LinkedIn’s talent graph: At least 22% of LinkedIn users have between 500-999 first-degree connections on the social network, and 19% have between 301-499.The rich professional data is helping LinkedIn build a “talent graph.”
• Twitter’s news graph: At its peak late last year the social network was processing 143,199 tweets per second globally. This firehose of tweets provide a real-time window into the news and information that people care about. Fifty-two percent of Twitter users in the U.S. consume news on the site (more than the percent who do so on Facebook), according to Pew.
• Pinterest’s commerce graph: More than 17% of all pinboards are categorized under “Home,” while roughly 12% fall under style or fashion, these are windows into people’s tastes and fashion trends.
• YouTube’s entertainment graph: What music, shows, and celebrities do we like? YouTube reaches more U.S. adults aged 18 to 34 than any single cable network, according to Nielsen. YouTube knows what they like to watch.
• Yelp’s and Foursquare’s location graphs: These apps know where we’ve been and where we’ll go. Foursquare has over 45 million users and 5 billion location check-ins”.
(Business Insider, 2014)
Big data is funda¬mentally shifting how marketers collect, analyse and utilise data to reach out to customers. Business intelligence and analytics are helping companies to get new in¬sights into how consumers behave. It is envisaged that the IT architecture will shortly develop into an information eco-system: a network of internal and external services where information is shared among users. Big data can support business in their decision making. It could be used to communicate meaningful results and to generate insights for an effective organisational performance. New marketing decision-making ought to harness big data for increased targeting and re-targeting of individu¬als and online communities. On-demand, direct marketing through digital platforms has already become more personalised than ever. The chal¬lenge for marketers is to recognise the value of big data as a tool that drives consumer in-sights.
Every customer contact with a brand is a moment of truth, in real-¬time. Businesses who are not responding with seamless externally-facing solutions will inevitably lose their customers to rivals. This contribution posits that a strategic ap¬proach to data management could drive consumer preferences. An evolving analytics ecosystem that is also integrated with web2.0 instruments could lead to better customer service and consumer engagement.
Research Interests:
The use of business intelligence and marketing information systems has expanded in recent years. Through advancements in technologies, marketers can extract value from very large data sets. Very often, companies can benefit if they use... more
The use of business intelligence and marketing information systems has expanded in recent years. Through advancements in technologies, marketers can extract value from very large data sets. Very often, companies can benefit if they use and reuse the same data to extract added value from it. Sometimes, it would also make sense for these companies to acquire data that they do not own (or data that was not collected).
All individuals leave a “digital trail” of data as they move about in the virtual and physical worlds. This phenomenon is called, “data exhaust”. Initially, this term was used to describe how Amazon.com used predictive analytics in order to suggest items for its customers. Predictive analytics could quantify the likelihood that a particular person will do something — whether it is defaulting on a loan, upgrading to a higher level of cable service or seeking another job. Such data anticipates human behaviours that have not happened as yet. For instance, Fedex has predicted which customers were most likely to defect to competitors. Even, Hewlett-Packard made a good use of suitable data to identify employees that were on the brink to leave the company. The latter corporation took remedial decisions in anticipation of staff turnover.
Predictive data is usually based on large amounts of cur¬rent and past indicative information that may have been collected from multiple sources. Such data could also provide additional details of customer personas, segments and prospects. Quantitative techniques can be deployed to find valuable patterns in data, enabling companies to predict the likely behaviour of customers, employees and others. First Tennessee Bank had used predictive analytics to increase its marketing response rate by better targeting its offers to high-value customers (IBM, 2015). Through predictive analytics businesses’ could quantify how many consumers will buy their products after receiving electronic mail. They may also measure how effective their personal mailing was.
Nowadays there are fewer inaccuracies in the measurement of big data. In addition, many applications of data can arise far from the purposes for which the data was originally intended. However, big data and predictive analytics could raise a number of concerns. Minor increases in the data accuracy of predictions can often lead substantial savings in the long term. There many companies that have saved significant financial resources by using predictive analytics. For instance, “Chickasaw Nation has used predictive and patron analytics to reduce its month-end close processes by 50%. This way it has also improved customer experience. In a similar vein, predictive tools and smart cards enabled Singapore Land Transit Authority to provide a more convenient transportation system.
Recommended for You
Webcast: Successful Customer Experiences Are Identity-Centric
Although, individuals tend to regularly repeat their habitual behaviours, pre¬dictive analytics cannot determine when and why they may decide to change their future preferences. The possibility of “one off” events must never be discounted. Many customers may be wary of giving their data due to privacy issues. The underlying question is; when does personalisation become an issue of consumer protection? In 2012, consumers learned that Target was using quantitative methods to predict which customers were pregnant. Very often, advances in technology are faster than legislation and its deployment. These issues could advance economic and privacy concerns that regulators will find themselves hard-pressed to ignore. It may appear that digital market manipulation is pushing the limits of consumer protection law.
Evidently, society has built up a body of rules that are aimed to protect personal information. Another contentious issue is figuring out the value of data and its worth in monetary terms. In the past, companies could have struggled to determine the value of their business; including patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property.
Despite its numerous pitfalls, the market is responding to the emerging demands for corporate IT solutions. Extant relational databases are capable of handling a wide variety of big data sources. Statistical analytical packages are similarly evolving and are working in conjunction with these new data platforms, data types and algorithms. Furthermore, big data is also being modified for those clients that may require cloud-based services. Cloud-based service providers offer on-demand pricing with a fast reconfiguration facility.
This short contribution suggests that in the foreseeable future many corporations would require bespoken software that is relevant for their particular line of business. Customised business intelligence software and big data systems allow organisations to load, store and query massive data sets in short time periods. Business could make good use of structured data (such as demographics) and unstructured information (including text and images) to improve their operational performance and customer service levels.
All individuals leave a “digital trail” of data as they move about in the virtual and physical worlds. This phenomenon is called, “data exhaust”. Initially, this term was used to describe how Amazon.com used predictive analytics in order to suggest items for its customers. Predictive analytics could quantify the likelihood that a particular person will do something — whether it is defaulting on a loan, upgrading to a higher level of cable service or seeking another job. Such data anticipates human behaviours that have not happened as yet. For instance, Fedex has predicted which customers were most likely to defect to competitors. Even, Hewlett-Packard made a good use of suitable data to identify employees that were on the brink to leave the company. The latter corporation took remedial decisions in anticipation of staff turnover.
Predictive data is usually based on large amounts of cur¬rent and past indicative information that may have been collected from multiple sources. Such data could also provide additional details of customer personas, segments and prospects. Quantitative techniques can be deployed to find valuable patterns in data, enabling companies to predict the likely behaviour of customers, employees and others. First Tennessee Bank had used predictive analytics to increase its marketing response rate by better targeting its offers to high-value customers (IBM, 2015). Through predictive analytics businesses’ could quantify how many consumers will buy their products after receiving electronic mail. They may also measure how effective their personal mailing was.
Nowadays there are fewer inaccuracies in the measurement of big data. In addition, many applications of data can arise far from the purposes for which the data was originally intended. However, big data and predictive analytics could raise a number of concerns. Minor increases in the data accuracy of predictions can often lead substantial savings in the long term. There many companies that have saved significant financial resources by using predictive analytics. For instance, “Chickasaw Nation has used predictive and patron analytics to reduce its month-end close processes by 50%. This way it has also improved customer experience. In a similar vein, predictive tools and smart cards enabled Singapore Land Transit Authority to provide a more convenient transportation system.
Recommended for You
Webcast: Successful Customer Experiences Are Identity-Centric
Although, individuals tend to regularly repeat their habitual behaviours, pre¬dictive analytics cannot determine when and why they may decide to change their future preferences. The possibility of “one off” events must never be discounted. Many customers may be wary of giving their data due to privacy issues. The underlying question is; when does personalisation become an issue of consumer protection? In 2012, consumers learned that Target was using quantitative methods to predict which customers were pregnant. Very often, advances in technology are faster than legislation and its deployment. These issues could advance economic and privacy concerns that regulators will find themselves hard-pressed to ignore. It may appear that digital market manipulation is pushing the limits of consumer protection law.
Evidently, society has built up a body of rules that are aimed to protect personal information. Another contentious issue is figuring out the value of data and its worth in monetary terms. In the past, companies could have struggled to determine the value of their business; including patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property.
Despite its numerous pitfalls, the market is responding to the emerging demands for corporate IT solutions. Extant relational databases are capable of handling a wide variety of big data sources. Statistical analytical packages are similarly evolving and are working in conjunction with these new data platforms, data types and algorithms. Furthermore, big data is also being modified for those clients that may require cloud-based services. Cloud-based service providers offer on-demand pricing with a fast reconfiguration facility.
This short contribution suggests that in the foreseeable future many corporations would require bespoken software that is relevant for their particular line of business. Customised business intelligence software and big data systems allow organisations to load, store and query massive data sets in short time periods. Business could make good use of structured data (such as demographics) and unstructured information (including text and images) to improve their operational performance and customer service levels.
Research Interests:
Businesses are capable of implementing responsible behaviours as they pursue their profit-making activities. A thorough literature review suggests that many academic articles have dedicated their energies on organising and evaluating the... more
Businesses are capable of implementing responsible behaviours as they pursue their profit-making activities. A thorough literature review suggests that many academic articles have dedicated their energies on organising and evaluating the evidence to establish a link, usually through regression analysis between corporate social responsibility (CSR) or corporate social performance (CSP) and financial performance. Other authors referred to similar concepts as corporate citizenship has evolved following the concepts of stakeholder engagement and business ethics. In the light of these past theoretical underpinnings, this article reports on the many facets of CSR. This contribution puts forward key constructs representing strategic CSR, creating shared value and systematic CSR. It sheds light on the corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR2.0) notion. This latter perspective suggests that responsible behavioural practices may be strategically re-conceived to confer competitive advantage over rival firms. Therefore, article makes reference to specific examples of some the latest laudable investments that create shared value. It explains how CSR2.0 requires a focus on building adaptive approaches and directing resources towards the perceived demands of diverse stakeholders for the long term sustainability of business. In a pragmatic approach, this contribution indicates that societal demands are not viewed as constraints on the organisation, but more as challenging opportunities which can be leveraged for the benefit of the firm and its stakeholders.
The Business Case for Corporate Social Responsibility
CSR can help to build reputational benefits; it enhances the firms’ image among external stakeholders and could lead to a favourable climate of trust and cooperation within the company 1. It may lead to create value for both business and society 2 3 4. Several authors maintained that through strategic CSR engagement businesses may achieve a competitive advantage 5 6. Empirical studies have shown that there is a correlation between CSR and financial performance 1 3 7. Yet, it may appear that to date there is no explicit, quantitative translation of socially responsible practices into specific results that affect the profit and loss account8. Nevertheless, many companies are defending the correlation between social practices and financial results. The working assumption revolving around the CSP research is that corporate social and financial performance are universally related3. Strategic CSR increases the financial performance; minimises costs through better operational efficiencies, boosts the employee morale and job satisfaction and reduces the staff turnover, along with other benefits3.
CSR can bring a competitive advantage only if there are ongoing communications and dialogue between all stakeholder groups9 10 (including the employees, customers, marketplace and societal groups). The stakeholder relationships are needed to bring external knowledge sources, which may in turn enhance organisational skills and performance. Acquiring new knowledge must be accompanied by mechanisms for dissemination. There is scope in sharing best practices, even with rival firms. It is necessary for responsible businesses to realise that they need to work in tandem with other organisations in order to move the CSR agenda forward3 4. A recent study has indicated that businesses were investing in environmental sustainability, as they minimised their waste by reducing, reusing and recycling resources11. Several others were becoming more conscientious about their environmental responsibilities, particularly in the areas that were in situated in close proximity to their business. They were increasingly protecting the environment as they reduced their pollution through carbon offsetting programmes and the like11. The researcher believes that there is still room for improvement. There are many business practitioners who ought to realise the business case for CSR. Their organisational culture and business ethos could become more attuned to embrace responsible behavioural practices.
Corporate sustainability occurs when a company adds a social dimension to its value proposition, making social impact integral to its overall strategy. The rationale behind the corporate responsibility lies in creating value and finding win-win outcomes by seeking out and connecting stakeholders’ varied interests. Creating shared value (CSV) is about embedding sustainability and strategic corporate social responsibility into a brand’s portfolio. As firms reap profits and grow, they can generate virtuous circles of positive multiplier effects11.
Conclusion
This article provides the foundation of the conceptual theory and empirical enquiry of the discourse surrounding the corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR2.0) agenda. A thorough literature review reveals that many authors have often investigated the relationship between corporate social responsibility (corporate social performance or corporate citizenship) and financial performance. This contribution maintains that CSR 2.0 initiatives can be re-conceived strategically to confer competitive advantage in the long term. The business case for CSR 2.0 focuses on building adaptive approaches and directing resources towards the perceived demands of stakeholders (Camilleri, 2015). Stakeholder demands are not viewed as constraints on the organisation, but more as challenging opportunities which can be leveraged for the benefit of the firm. This contribution looks at different aspects of CSR2.0, as it makes specific reference to responsible human resources management, environmental sustainability, forging relationships with marketplace stakeholders and strategic philanthropy towards the community. Engagement in these activities will ultimately create shared value for both the business and the society. CSR2.0 unlocks value, as the business and the community become mutually reinforcing. The value creation arguments focus on exploiting opportunities that reconcile differing stakeholder demands. Businesses ought to realise that laudable investments in CSR2.0 can lead to better organisational performance in the long run. This contribution indicates that there are future avenues for further research in this promising area of strategic management. Empirical studies may focus on how socially responsible behaviour, environmental sustainable practices, stakeholder engagement and regulatory interventions may create value for all.
The Business Case for Corporate Social Responsibility
CSR can help to build reputational benefits; it enhances the firms’ image among external stakeholders and could lead to a favourable climate of trust and cooperation within the company 1. It may lead to create value for both business and society 2 3 4. Several authors maintained that through strategic CSR engagement businesses may achieve a competitive advantage 5 6. Empirical studies have shown that there is a correlation between CSR and financial performance 1 3 7. Yet, it may appear that to date there is no explicit, quantitative translation of socially responsible practices into specific results that affect the profit and loss account8. Nevertheless, many companies are defending the correlation between social practices and financial results. The working assumption revolving around the CSP research is that corporate social and financial performance are universally related3. Strategic CSR increases the financial performance; minimises costs through better operational efficiencies, boosts the employee morale and job satisfaction and reduces the staff turnover, along with other benefits3.
CSR can bring a competitive advantage only if there are ongoing communications and dialogue between all stakeholder groups9 10 (including the employees, customers, marketplace and societal groups). The stakeholder relationships are needed to bring external knowledge sources, which may in turn enhance organisational skills and performance. Acquiring new knowledge must be accompanied by mechanisms for dissemination. There is scope in sharing best practices, even with rival firms. It is necessary for responsible businesses to realise that they need to work in tandem with other organisations in order to move the CSR agenda forward3 4. A recent study has indicated that businesses were investing in environmental sustainability, as they minimised their waste by reducing, reusing and recycling resources11. Several others were becoming more conscientious about their environmental responsibilities, particularly in the areas that were in situated in close proximity to their business. They were increasingly protecting the environment as they reduced their pollution through carbon offsetting programmes and the like11. The researcher believes that there is still room for improvement. There are many business practitioners who ought to realise the business case for CSR. Their organisational culture and business ethos could become more attuned to embrace responsible behavioural practices.
Corporate sustainability occurs when a company adds a social dimension to its value proposition, making social impact integral to its overall strategy. The rationale behind the corporate responsibility lies in creating value and finding win-win outcomes by seeking out and connecting stakeholders’ varied interests. Creating shared value (CSV) is about embedding sustainability and strategic corporate social responsibility into a brand’s portfolio. As firms reap profits and grow, they can generate virtuous circles of positive multiplier effects11.
Conclusion
This article provides the foundation of the conceptual theory and empirical enquiry of the discourse surrounding the corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR2.0) agenda. A thorough literature review reveals that many authors have often investigated the relationship between corporate social responsibility (corporate social performance or corporate citizenship) and financial performance. This contribution maintains that CSR 2.0 initiatives can be re-conceived strategically to confer competitive advantage in the long term. The business case for CSR 2.0 focuses on building adaptive approaches and directing resources towards the perceived demands of stakeholders (Camilleri, 2015). Stakeholder demands are not viewed as constraints on the organisation, but more as challenging opportunities which can be leveraged for the benefit of the firm. This contribution looks at different aspects of CSR2.0, as it makes specific reference to responsible human resources management, environmental sustainability, forging relationships with marketplace stakeholders and strategic philanthropy towards the community. Engagement in these activities will ultimately create shared value for both the business and the society. CSR2.0 unlocks value, as the business and the community become mutually reinforcing. The value creation arguments focus on exploiting opportunities that reconcile differing stakeholder demands. Businesses ought to realise that laudable investments in CSR2.0 can lead to better organisational performance in the long run. This contribution indicates that there are future avenues for further research in this promising area of strategic management. Empirical studies may focus on how socially responsible behaviour, environmental sustainable practices, stakeholder engagement and regulatory interventions may create value for all.
Research Interests:
The web and its online communities are expanding the use of big data. Ecommerce conglomerates including Amazon and eBay have already transformed the market through their innovative, highly scalable digital platforms and product... more
The web and its online communities are expanding the use of big data. Ecommerce conglomerates including Amazon and eBay have already transformed the market through their innovative, highly scalable digital platforms and product recommender systems. Moreover, internet giants like Google and Facebook are leading the development of web analytics, cloud computing and social media networks. The emergence of user-generated content in fora, newsgroups, social media and crowd-sourcing platforms are offering endless opportunities for researchers and practitioners to “listen” to marketplace stakeholders; including customers, employees, suppliers, investors and the media.
Unlike the traditional transactional records that were conspicuous in past legacy systems, e-commerce systems continuously gather insightful data from the web. Much of the value of data is derived from secondary uses that were not intended in the first place. Every dataset can possess some intrinsic, hidden, not-yet-unearthed value. Having said that, many potential applications could skim along the edges of what might be ethical, moral or even legal.
In addition, online review sites and personal blogs often contain opinion-rich information that may be explored through textual and sentiment analysis. Arguably, consumer sentiment analysis may not be designed for automation but could be better adapted for the real-time monitoring of the marketing environment. Successful businesses strive to understand their customers’ personas so that they target them the right content with the relevant tone, imagery and value propositions.
Therefore, advertisers continuously gather consumer data and use it well to personalise every aspect of their users’ experience. They strive to take advantage of their consumers’ cognitive behaviour as they try to uncover and trigger consumer frailty at their individual level. It may appear that companies gather data on their customers in order to manipulate the market. They need to establish processes which determine when specific decisions are required. Firms use big data to delve into enormous volumes of information that they collect, generate or buy. Marketers need to realise that it’s important to analyse, decide and act expeditiously on data and analytics. It’s simply not enough to be able to monitor a continuing stream of information. Businesses should be quick in their decision making and take action.
Companies may use what they know about human psychology and consumer behaviour to set prices. Behavioural targeting is nothing new in digital marketing. When firms hold detailed information about their consumers, they may customise every aspect of their interaction with them. On the other hand, there could be instances when certain marketing practices could lead to unnecessary nuisances. Nowadays, customers are frequently bombarded with marketing endeavours including email promotions that are often picked up as spam. Therefore, one-size-fits-all messages could also have negative implications on prospective customers.
Recommended for You
Webcast: Successful Customer Experiences Are Identity-Centric
Eventually, firms could use this database to deliver promotional content to remind customers on their offerings. Consumer lists whether they are automated or in the cloud should always be used to deliver enhanced customer experiences. Customer-centric marketing is all about satisfying buyers. Customers may in turn become advocates for the business. Hence, technology has become instrumental for marketers in their ongoing interactions with people.
Evidently, without data, businesses could not keep a track record of their marketing effectiveness and performance stats. Engagement metrics; including, email-open rates, click through rates, pay per click and the like enable marketers to continually fine tune their individual customer targeting. Today, many individuals are becoming quite active on review sites, such as Yelp.com or Tripadvisor; and on social media channels; including Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin or Google Plus. These modern digital marketing tools are helping business to engage in social conversations with consumers. Social media networks are often rich in customer opinion and contain relevant behavioural information. Moreover, the social media analytics could capture fast-breaking trends on customer sentiments toward products, brands and companies.
Businesses may be interested in knowing whether there are changes in online sentiment and how these correlate with sales changes over time. Digital media is supporting many businesses to map out how customers receive promotions, messages, newsletters and even advertisements. Relevant data is also helping these businesses to keep a focus on their customer needs and wants.
This contribution suggests that there is scope for businesses to consider realigning (and personalising) their incentives toward individual consumers by using data-driven marketing. Many businesses have become proficient on the use of maintaining databases of prospects and customer lists. They gather this valuable information to communicate and build relationships. This data collection may possibly drive new revenue streams and build long-term loyalty.
Read more at http://www.business2community.com/big-data/untangling-big-data-digital-marketing-01261712#Ee8DS1tCHoj1Db6l.99
Unlike the traditional transactional records that were conspicuous in past legacy systems, e-commerce systems continuously gather insightful data from the web. Much of the value of data is derived from secondary uses that were not intended in the first place. Every dataset can possess some intrinsic, hidden, not-yet-unearthed value. Having said that, many potential applications could skim along the edges of what might be ethical, moral or even legal.
In addition, online review sites and personal blogs often contain opinion-rich information that may be explored through textual and sentiment analysis. Arguably, consumer sentiment analysis may not be designed for automation but could be better adapted for the real-time monitoring of the marketing environment. Successful businesses strive to understand their customers’ personas so that they target them the right content with the relevant tone, imagery and value propositions.
Therefore, advertisers continuously gather consumer data and use it well to personalise every aspect of their users’ experience. They strive to take advantage of their consumers’ cognitive behaviour as they try to uncover and trigger consumer frailty at their individual level. It may appear that companies gather data on their customers in order to manipulate the market. They need to establish processes which determine when specific decisions are required. Firms use big data to delve into enormous volumes of information that they collect, generate or buy. Marketers need to realise that it’s important to analyse, decide and act expeditiously on data and analytics. It’s simply not enough to be able to monitor a continuing stream of information. Businesses should be quick in their decision making and take action.
Companies may use what they know about human psychology and consumer behaviour to set prices. Behavioural targeting is nothing new in digital marketing. When firms hold detailed information about their consumers, they may customise every aspect of their interaction with them. On the other hand, there could be instances when certain marketing practices could lead to unnecessary nuisances. Nowadays, customers are frequently bombarded with marketing endeavours including email promotions that are often picked up as spam. Therefore, one-size-fits-all messages could also have negative implications on prospective customers.
Recommended for You
Webcast: Successful Customer Experiences Are Identity-Centric
Eventually, firms could use this database to deliver promotional content to remind customers on their offerings. Consumer lists whether they are automated or in the cloud should always be used to deliver enhanced customer experiences. Customer-centric marketing is all about satisfying buyers. Customers may in turn become advocates for the business. Hence, technology has become instrumental for marketers in their ongoing interactions with people.
Evidently, without data, businesses could not keep a track record of their marketing effectiveness and performance stats. Engagement metrics; including, email-open rates, click through rates, pay per click and the like enable marketers to continually fine tune their individual customer targeting. Today, many individuals are becoming quite active on review sites, such as Yelp.com or Tripadvisor; and on social media channels; including Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin or Google Plus. These modern digital marketing tools are helping business to engage in social conversations with consumers. Social media networks are often rich in customer opinion and contain relevant behavioural information. Moreover, the social media analytics could capture fast-breaking trends on customer sentiments toward products, brands and companies.
Businesses may be interested in knowing whether there are changes in online sentiment and how these correlate with sales changes over time. Digital media is supporting many businesses to map out how customers receive promotions, messages, newsletters and even advertisements. Relevant data is also helping these businesses to keep a focus on their customer needs and wants.
This contribution suggests that there is scope for businesses to consider realigning (and personalising) their incentives toward individual consumers by using data-driven marketing. Many businesses have become proficient on the use of maintaining databases of prospects and customer lists. They gather this valuable information to communicate and build relationships. This data collection may possibly drive new revenue streams and build long-term loyalty.
Read more at http://www.business2community.com/big-data/untangling-big-data-digital-marketing-01261712#Ee8DS1tCHoj1Db6l.99
Research Interests:
A recent IBM technology trends survey indicated that mobile devices could increase the productivities and efficiencies of organisations. This study showed that mobile software was the second most “in demand” area for research and... more
A recent IBM technology trends survey indicated that mobile devices could increase the productivities and efficiencies of organisations. This study showed that mobile software was the second most “in demand” area for research and development. In addition, Gartner BI Hype Cycle (2012) also anticipated that mobile analytics was one of the latest technologies that may potentially disrupt the business intelligence market . At the same time, the market for mobile advertising is escalating at a very fast pace. Interestingly, eMarketer (2012) had predicted that mobile advertising shall experience a surge from an estimated $2.6 billion in 2012 to more than $10.8 billion in 2016. Evidently, there are niche areas for professional growth, particularly in this specialised field; as more and more individuals are increasingly creating new applications for mobile operating systems.
Recent advances in mobile communication and geo-positioning technologies have presented marketers with a new way how to target consumers based on their location. Location-targeted mobile advertising involves the provision of ad messages to cellular subscribers based on their geographic locations. This digital technology allows marketers to deliver ads and coupons that are customised to individual consumers’ tastes, geographic location and time of day. Given the ubiquity of mobile devices, location-targeted mobile advertising seems to offer tremendous marketing benefits.
In addition, many businesses are commonly utilising applications, including browser cookies that track consumers through their mobile devices as they move out and about. Once these users leave these sites, the products or services that they had viewed online will be shown to them again in advertisements, across different websites. Hence, businesses are using browsing session data combined with the consumers’ purchase history to deliver “suitable” items that consumers like. Therefore, savvy brands are becoming increasingly proficient in personalising their offerings as they collect, classify and use large data volumes on their consumers’ behaviours. As more consumers carry smartphones with them, they are (or may be) receiving compelling offers that instantaneously pop up on their mobile devices.
For instance, consumers are continuously using social networks and indicating their geo location as they use mobile apps. This same data can be used to identify where people tend to gather — information that could be useful in predicting real estate prices et cetera. This information is valuable to brands as they seek to improve their consumer engagement and marketing efforts. Businesses are using mobile devices and networks to capture important consumer data. Smart phones and tablets that are wifi-enabled interact with networks and convey information to network providers and ISPs. This year, more brands shall be using mobile devices and networks as a sort of sensor data – to acquire relevant information on their consumers’ digital behaviours and physical movements. These businesses have become increasingly interactive through the proliferation of near-field communication (NFC). Basically, embedded chips in the customers’ mobile phones are exchanging data with retailers’ items possessing the NFC tags. It is envisaged that mobile wallet transactions using NFC technologies are expected to reach $110 billion, by the year 2017. The latest Android and Microsoft smartphones have already include these NFC capabilities. Moreover, a recent patent application by Apple has revealed its plans to include NFC capabilities in their next products. This will inevitably lead to an increase in the use of mobile wallets (GSMA, 2015). Undoubtedly, the growth of such data-driven, digital technologies is adding value to customer-centric marketing. Therefore, analytics can enable businesses to provide a deeper personalisation of content and offers to specific customers.
Apparently, there are promising revenue streams in the mobile app market . Both Apple and Android are offering paid or free ad-supported apps in many categories. There are also companies that have developed apps for business intelligence. For example, enterprise / industry-specific apps, e-commerce apps and social apps. Evidently, the lightweight programming models of the current web services (e.g., HTML, XML, CSS, Ajax, Flash, J2E) as well as the maturing mobile development platforms such as Android and iOS have also contributed to the rapid proliferation of mobile applications (Chen et al., 2012). Moreover, researchers are increasingly exploring mobile sensing apps that are location-aware and activity-sensitive.
Possible future research avenues include mobile social innovation for m-learning; (Sharples, Taylor and Vavoula, 2010; Motiwalla, 2007), mobile social networking and crowd-sourcing (Lane et al., 2010), mobile visualisation (Corchado and Herrero, 2011), personalisation and behavioural modelling for mobile apps in gamification (Ha et al., 2007), mobile advertising and social media marketing (Bart et al., 2014; Yang et al., 2013). Google ’s (2015) current projects include gesture and touch interaction; activity-based and context-aware computing; recommendation of social and activity streams; analytics of social media engagements, and end-user programming (Dai, Rzeszotarski, Paritosh and Chi, 2015; Fowler, Partridge, Chelba, Bi, Ouyang and Zhai, 2015; Zhong, Weber, Burkhardt, Weaver and Bigham, 2015; Brzozowski, Adams and Chi, 2015).
Recent advances in mobile communication and geo-positioning technologies have presented marketers with a new way how to target consumers based on their location. Location-targeted mobile advertising involves the provision of ad messages to cellular subscribers based on their geographic locations. This digital technology allows marketers to deliver ads and coupons that are customised to individual consumers’ tastes, geographic location and time of day. Given the ubiquity of mobile devices, location-targeted mobile advertising seems to offer tremendous marketing benefits.
In addition, many businesses are commonly utilising applications, including browser cookies that track consumers through their mobile devices as they move out and about. Once these users leave these sites, the products or services that they had viewed online will be shown to them again in advertisements, across different websites. Hence, businesses are using browsing session data combined with the consumers’ purchase history to deliver “suitable” items that consumers like. Therefore, savvy brands are becoming increasingly proficient in personalising their offerings as they collect, classify and use large data volumes on their consumers’ behaviours. As more consumers carry smartphones with them, they are (or may be) receiving compelling offers that instantaneously pop up on their mobile devices.
For instance, consumers are continuously using social networks and indicating their geo location as they use mobile apps. This same data can be used to identify where people tend to gather — information that could be useful in predicting real estate prices et cetera. This information is valuable to brands as they seek to improve their consumer engagement and marketing efforts. Businesses are using mobile devices and networks to capture important consumer data. Smart phones and tablets that are wifi-enabled interact with networks and convey information to network providers and ISPs. This year, more brands shall be using mobile devices and networks as a sort of sensor data – to acquire relevant information on their consumers’ digital behaviours and physical movements. These businesses have become increasingly interactive through the proliferation of near-field communication (NFC). Basically, embedded chips in the customers’ mobile phones are exchanging data with retailers’ items possessing the NFC tags. It is envisaged that mobile wallet transactions using NFC technologies are expected to reach $110 billion, by the year 2017. The latest Android and Microsoft smartphones have already include these NFC capabilities. Moreover, a recent patent application by Apple has revealed its plans to include NFC capabilities in their next products. This will inevitably lead to an increase in the use of mobile wallets (GSMA, 2015). Undoubtedly, the growth of such data-driven, digital technologies is adding value to customer-centric marketing. Therefore, analytics can enable businesses to provide a deeper personalisation of content and offers to specific customers.
Apparently, there are promising revenue streams in the mobile app market . Both Apple and Android are offering paid or free ad-supported apps in many categories. There are also companies that have developed apps for business intelligence. For example, enterprise / industry-specific apps, e-commerce apps and social apps. Evidently, the lightweight programming models of the current web services (e.g., HTML, XML, CSS, Ajax, Flash, J2E) as well as the maturing mobile development platforms such as Android and iOS have also contributed to the rapid proliferation of mobile applications (Chen et al., 2012). Moreover, researchers are increasingly exploring mobile sensing apps that are location-aware and activity-sensitive.
Possible future research avenues include mobile social innovation for m-learning; (Sharples, Taylor and Vavoula, 2010; Motiwalla, 2007), mobile social networking and crowd-sourcing (Lane et al., 2010), mobile visualisation (Corchado and Herrero, 2011), personalisation and behavioural modelling for mobile apps in gamification (Ha et al., 2007), mobile advertising and social media marketing (Bart et al., 2014; Yang et al., 2013). Google ’s (2015) current projects include gesture and touch interaction; activity-based and context-aware computing; recommendation of social and activity streams; analytics of social media engagements, and end-user programming (Dai, Rzeszotarski, Paritosh and Chi, 2015; Fowler, Partridge, Chelba, Bi, Ouyang and Zhai, 2015; Zhong, Weber, Burkhardt, Weaver and Bigham, 2015; Brzozowski, Adams and Chi, 2015).
Research Interests:
For decades businesses have been using data in some way or another to improve their operations. For instance, an IT software could support small enterprises in their customer-facing processes. Alternatively, large corporations may possess... more
For decades businesses have been using data in some way or another to improve their operations. For instance, an IT software could support small enterprises in their customer-facing processes. Alternatively, large corporations may possess complex systems that monitor and detect any changes in consumer sentiment towards brands.
Recently, many industry leaders, including McKinsey, IBM and SAS among others have released relevant studies on big data. It transpires that they are using similar terminology to describe big data as a “situation where the volume, velocity and variety of data exceed an organisation’s ability to use that data for accurate and timely decision-making” (SAS). These providers of business intelligence solutions have developed technical approaches to storing and managing enormous volumes of new data.
The handling and untangling of such data requires advanced and unique storage, management, analysis and visualisation technologies. The terms of “big data” and “analytics” are increasingly being used to describe data sets and analytical techniques in applications ranging from sensor to social media. Usually, big data analytics are dependent on extensive storage capacity and quick processing power requiring a flexible grid that can be reconfigured for different needs. For instance, streaming analytics process big data in real time during events to improve their outcome.
Insightful data could easily be retrieved from the Web, social media content and video data among other content. Notwithstanding, such data could be presented in different forms; ranging from recorded vocal content (e.g. call centre voice data) or it can even be genomic and proteomic data that is derived from biological research and medicine.
Big data is often used to describe the latest advances in technologies and architectures. Nowadays, big data and marketing information systems predict customer purchase decisions. This data could indicate which products or services customers buy, where and what they eat, where and when they go on vacation, how much they buy, and the like.
Giant retailers such as Tesco or Sainsbury every single day receive long-range weather forecasts to work 8-10 days ahead. Evidently, the weather affects the shopping behaviour of customers. For example, hot and cold weather can lead to the sales of certain products. It may appear that weather forecasting dictates store placement, ordering and supply (and demand) logistics for supermarket chains. Other retailers like Walmart and Kohl’s also use big data to tailor product selections and determine the timing of price markdowns.
Shipping companies, like U.P.S. are mining data on truck delivery times and traffic patterns in order to fine-tune their routing. This way the business will become more efficient and incur less operational costs. Therefore, big data extracts value by capturing, discovering and analysing very large volumes of data in an economic and expeditious way. This has inevitably led to a significant reduction in the cost of keeping data.
Big data can also be linked with production applications and timely operational processes that enable continuous improvements. Credit card companies are a good illustration of this dynamic as direct marketing groups at credit card companies create models to select the most likely customer prospects from a large data warehouse. Previously, the process of data extraction, preparation and analysis took weeks to prepare and organise. Eventually, these companies realised that there was a quicker way to carry out the same task. In fact, they created a “ready-to-market” database and system that allowed their marketers to analyse, select and issue offers in a single day. Therefore, this case indicates that businesses became much more effective (and efficient) in their processes through iterations and monitoring of websites and call-centre activities. They could also make personalised offers to customers in milliseconds as they kept tracking responses over time.
Organisaitons are increasingly realising the utility of data that could bring value through continuous improvements in their operations. This contribution indicated that relevant data needs to be captured, filtered and analysed. Big data is already swamping traditional networks, storage arrays and relational database platforms. The increased pervasiveness of digital and mobile activity, particularly from e-commerce and social media is leading to the dissemination of meaningful data – that is being created each and every second. Successful, online businesses can gain a competitive advantage if they are capable of gathering and crunching data.
Recently, many industry leaders, including McKinsey, IBM and SAS among others have released relevant studies on big data. It transpires that they are using similar terminology to describe big data as a “situation where the volume, velocity and variety of data exceed an organisation’s ability to use that data for accurate and timely decision-making” (SAS). These providers of business intelligence solutions have developed technical approaches to storing and managing enormous volumes of new data.
The handling and untangling of such data requires advanced and unique storage, management, analysis and visualisation technologies. The terms of “big data” and “analytics” are increasingly being used to describe data sets and analytical techniques in applications ranging from sensor to social media. Usually, big data analytics are dependent on extensive storage capacity and quick processing power requiring a flexible grid that can be reconfigured for different needs. For instance, streaming analytics process big data in real time during events to improve their outcome.
Insightful data could easily be retrieved from the Web, social media content and video data among other content. Notwithstanding, such data could be presented in different forms; ranging from recorded vocal content (e.g. call centre voice data) or it can even be genomic and proteomic data that is derived from biological research and medicine.
Big data is often used to describe the latest advances in technologies and architectures. Nowadays, big data and marketing information systems predict customer purchase decisions. This data could indicate which products or services customers buy, where and what they eat, where and when they go on vacation, how much they buy, and the like.
Giant retailers such as Tesco or Sainsbury every single day receive long-range weather forecasts to work 8-10 days ahead. Evidently, the weather affects the shopping behaviour of customers. For example, hot and cold weather can lead to the sales of certain products. It may appear that weather forecasting dictates store placement, ordering and supply (and demand) logistics for supermarket chains. Other retailers like Walmart and Kohl’s also use big data to tailor product selections and determine the timing of price markdowns.
Shipping companies, like U.P.S. are mining data on truck delivery times and traffic patterns in order to fine-tune their routing. This way the business will become more efficient and incur less operational costs. Therefore, big data extracts value by capturing, discovering and analysing very large volumes of data in an economic and expeditious way. This has inevitably led to a significant reduction in the cost of keeping data.
Big data can also be linked with production applications and timely operational processes that enable continuous improvements. Credit card companies are a good illustration of this dynamic as direct marketing groups at credit card companies create models to select the most likely customer prospects from a large data warehouse. Previously, the process of data extraction, preparation and analysis took weeks to prepare and organise. Eventually, these companies realised that there was a quicker way to carry out the same task. In fact, they created a “ready-to-market” database and system that allowed their marketers to analyse, select and issue offers in a single day. Therefore, this case indicates that businesses became much more effective (and efficient) in their processes through iterations and monitoring of websites and call-centre activities. They could also make personalised offers to customers in milliseconds as they kept tracking responses over time.
Organisaitons are increasingly realising the utility of data that could bring value through continuous improvements in their operations. This contribution indicated that relevant data needs to be captured, filtered and analysed. Big data is already swamping traditional networks, storage arrays and relational database platforms. The increased pervasiveness of digital and mobile activity, particularly from e-commerce and social media is leading to the dissemination of meaningful data – that is being created each and every second. Successful, online businesses can gain a competitive advantage if they are capable of gathering and crunching data.
Research Interests:
The latest advances in information and communications technologies have brought significant improvements for the processing and storage of digital information. Nowadays, users can easily access multiple sources of data readily... more
The latest advances in information and communications technologies have brought significant improvements for the processing and storage of digital information. Nowadays, users can easily access multiple sources of data readily available from websites, social media networks as well as from mobile devices. These developments have inevitably led to endless opportunities for marketers to leverage themselves by using big data analytics.
Big data has expanded in recent years, dwarfing analogue content and growing at an exponential rate. This data is being collected and stored in massive amounts by search engines and ecommerce conglomerates. In addition, more information is being gathered through social media networks.
All individuals leave a digital trail of data as they move about in the virtual and physical worlds. This phenomenon is called data exhaust. Initially, this term was used to describe how Amazon.com used predictive analytics in order to suggest items for customers – anticipating human behaviour. This is based on large amounts of current and past indicative data collected from multiple sources. At the moment, however, such analytics cannot determine when and why individuals may change their preferences for certain brands.
Another new addition to big data is called preventative analytics. This is aimed at reducing the likelihood of contingent situations, risk and uncertainty. It may be particularly relevant in the fields of healthcare, public services and law enforcement.
Data is the new currency for connecting people, ideas and products. Today, digital information is being gathered in innovative ways that have dramatically changed and improved consumers’ experience. For instance, online businesses are commonly utilising browser cookies to track websites visited by internet users. Once individual users leave these sites, some of the products or services they viewed will be shown to them again and again in native advertisements across different websites. Therefore, businesses are using browsing session data, combined with the consumers’ purchase history to deliver ‘suitable’ items for consumers. Many brands are becoming quite proficient in personalising their offerings as they collect, classify and use large data volumes on consumers’ behaviours.
Big data has expanded in recent years, dwarfing analogue content
This year, more brands shall be using mobile devices and networks to acquire sensory data. More customers are increasingly carrying smartphones with them and are (or may be) getting used to receiving compelling offers that pop up on their mobile devices. This type of geo-based marketing message is delivered at the right time and the right place.
Of course, firms will need more than transaction history and loyalty schemes to be effective at this. They will inevitably require socio-demographic and geo-data that other businesses are not capturing. Moreover, anonymous cookieless data-capture methods are connecting consumer data with matching geo-location-based data.
These methods are empowering marketers to hyper-target consumers with real-time mobile ad campaigns before, during and after in-store activity. Geo-location capabilities are not only enabling advertisers to capitalise on leads, in real time, but they can also offer valuable insights on shopping habits and consumer behaviour. This information is valuable to brands as they seek to acquire relevant information on their consumers’ digital behaviours and physical movements.
Notwithstanding, businesses have become even more interactive through the proliferation of near-field communication (NFC). Basically, NFCs are embedded chips situated inside smart devices. These chips exchange data with retailers’ items possessing NFC tags. It is envisaged that mobile wallet transactions using this NFC technology are expected to reach $110 billion by 2017 (CNBC, 2013). The latest Apple, Android and Microsoft smartphones already include these NFC capabilities. Indeed, these technological developments can enable businesses to provide a deeper personalisation of content as well as bespoken offers to individuals.
Consumers also use apps that may involuntarily indicate their geo-location to third parties. As a result, data collection has greatly benefited from geo-data services like satellites, near-field communication and global positioning systems. These systems track users’ movements that measure traffic and other real-time phenomena. Arguably, the emergence of such data-driven, digital technologies is adding value to customer-centric marketing endeavours. Unsurprisingly, sensor analytics, geo-location and social data-capture were some of the big trends that were recently announced during the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show.
Big data is fundamentally shifting how marketers collect, analyse and utilise data to reach out to customers. It is helping companies to get new insights into how consumers behave. The challenge for marketers is not to become dependent on big data and analytics to drive business strategies, but rather to recognise its value as a tool for customer satisfaction. Therefore, big data should inform, not consume marketing efforts.
Perhaps new marketing decision-making ought to harness big data for increased targeting and re-targeting of individuals and online communities. Every customer contact with a brand is a moment of truth, in real-time. Businesses who are not responding with seamless externally-facing solutions will risk losing their loyal customers to rivals.
Big data has expanded in recent years, dwarfing analogue content and growing at an exponential rate. This data is being collected and stored in massive amounts by search engines and ecommerce conglomerates. In addition, more information is being gathered through social media networks.
All individuals leave a digital trail of data as they move about in the virtual and physical worlds. This phenomenon is called data exhaust. Initially, this term was used to describe how Amazon.com used predictive analytics in order to suggest items for customers – anticipating human behaviour. This is based on large amounts of current and past indicative data collected from multiple sources. At the moment, however, such analytics cannot determine when and why individuals may change their preferences for certain brands.
Another new addition to big data is called preventative analytics. This is aimed at reducing the likelihood of contingent situations, risk and uncertainty. It may be particularly relevant in the fields of healthcare, public services and law enforcement.
Data is the new currency for connecting people, ideas and products. Today, digital information is being gathered in innovative ways that have dramatically changed and improved consumers’ experience. For instance, online businesses are commonly utilising browser cookies to track websites visited by internet users. Once individual users leave these sites, some of the products or services they viewed will be shown to them again and again in native advertisements across different websites. Therefore, businesses are using browsing session data, combined with the consumers’ purchase history to deliver ‘suitable’ items for consumers. Many brands are becoming quite proficient in personalising their offerings as they collect, classify and use large data volumes on consumers’ behaviours.
Big data has expanded in recent years, dwarfing analogue content
This year, more brands shall be using mobile devices and networks to acquire sensory data. More customers are increasingly carrying smartphones with them and are (or may be) getting used to receiving compelling offers that pop up on their mobile devices. This type of geo-based marketing message is delivered at the right time and the right place.
Of course, firms will need more than transaction history and loyalty schemes to be effective at this. They will inevitably require socio-demographic and geo-data that other businesses are not capturing. Moreover, anonymous cookieless data-capture methods are connecting consumer data with matching geo-location-based data.
These methods are empowering marketers to hyper-target consumers with real-time mobile ad campaigns before, during and after in-store activity. Geo-location capabilities are not only enabling advertisers to capitalise on leads, in real time, but they can also offer valuable insights on shopping habits and consumer behaviour. This information is valuable to brands as they seek to acquire relevant information on their consumers’ digital behaviours and physical movements.
Notwithstanding, businesses have become even more interactive through the proliferation of near-field communication (NFC). Basically, NFCs are embedded chips situated inside smart devices. These chips exchange data with retailers’ items possessing NFC tags. It is envisaged that mobile wallet transactions using this NFC technology are expected to reach $110 billion by 2017 (CNBC, 2013). The latest Apple, Android and Microsoft smartphones already include these NFC capabilities. Indeed, these technological developments can enable businesses to provide a deeper personalisation of content as well as bespoken offers to individuals.
Consumers also use apps that may involuntarily indicate their geo-location to third parties. As a result, data collection has greatly benefited from geo-data services like satellites, near-field communication and global positioning systems. These systems track users’ movements that measure traffic and other real-time phenomena. Arguably, the emergence of such data-driven, digital technologies is adding value to customer-centric marketing endeavours. Unsurprisingly, sensor analytics, geo-location and social data-capture were some of the big trends that were recently announced during the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show.
Big data is fundamentally shifting how marketers collect, analyse and utilise data to reach out to customers. It is helping companies to get new insights into how consumers behave. The challenge for marketers is not to become dependent on big data and analytics to drive business strategies, but rather to recognise its value as a tool for customer satisfaction. Therefore, big data should inform, not consume marketing efforts.
Perhaps new marketing decision-making ought to harness big data for increased targeting and re-targeting of individuals and online communities. Every customer contact with a brand is a moment of truth, in real-time. Businesses who are not responding with seamless externally-facing solutions will risk losing their loyal customers to rivals.
Research Interests:
Excerpt from: Camilleri, M. (2015). Environmental, social and governance disclosures in Europe. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 6(2) Last year, the European Union (EU) announced its new guidelines on... more
Excerpt from: Camilleri, M. (2015). Environmental, social and governance disclosures in Europe. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 6(2)
Last year, the European Union (EU) announced its new guidelines on non-financial reporting that will only apply to some large entities with more than 500 employees. This includes listed companies as well as some unlisted companies; such as banks, insurance companies and other companies that are so designated by member states; because of their activities, size or number of employees. There are approximately 6,000 large companies and groups within the EU bloc (EU, 2014). These big organisations are increasingly using a wide array of instruments, tools and channels to communicate their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reports to stakeholders.
The most prevalent reporting schemes in the EU were drawn from; the G3 Guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). In addition, several platforms and organisations that promote corporate sustainability reporting have developed partnerships with AccountAbility, OECD, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Carbon Disclosure Project and with many governments and sector organisations.
When one explores the key topics that companies had reported on, it transpired that carbon emission disclosures have become quite a common practice. Moreover, recently there was an increased awareness on the subject of human rights and the conditions of employment. Curiously, online reporting has offered an opportunity for accountability and transparency as information is easily disseminated to different stakeholders. This has inevitably led to increased stakeholder engagement, integrated reporting and enhanced external verification systems. At this point in time, stakeholders are considering reporting schemes as a valuable tool that can improve the quality of their reporting, particularly as it enables them to benchmark themselves with other companies. The GRI is often regarded as ‘a good starting point’ for this purpose. Moreover, the provision of a UNGC communication on progress is a new global trend that has become quite popular among business and non-profit organisations.
Some of the European organisations are gradually disclosing environmental information or certain other key performance indicators that are of a non-financial nature in their reporting. Generally, public policies are often viewed as part of the regular framework for social and employment practices. Therefore, a considerable commitment is made by local governments who act as drivers for stakeholder engagement. One way to establish a CSR-supporting policy framework is to adopt relevant strategies and actions in this regard. Such frameworks may be relevant for those countries that may not have a long CSR tradition or whose institutions lack accountability and transparency credentials. It may appear that EU countries are opting for a mix of voluntary and mandatory measures to improve their ESG disclosure.
While all member states have implemented the EU Modernisation Directive, they have done so in different ways. While the Modernisation Directive ensured a minimum level of disclosure, it was in many cases accompanied by intelligent substantive legislation. National governments ought to give guidance or other instruments that support improvements in sustainability reporting. Lately, there was a trend towards the development of regulations that integrate existing international reporting frameworks such as the GRI or the UNGC Communication on Progress. These frameworks require the engagement of relevant stakeholders in order to foster a constructive environment that brings continuous improvements in ESG disclosures.
Regular stakeholder engagement as well as strategic communications can bring more responsible organisational behaviours. Many corporate businesses use non-governmental organisations’ regulatory tools, processes and performance-oriented standards with a focus on issues such as labour standards, human rights, environmental protection, corporate governance and the like. Nowadays, stakeholders, particularly customers expect greater disclosures, accountability and transparency in corporate reports.
At the moment, we are witnessing regulatory pressures for mandatory changes in CSR reporting. Of course, firms may respond differently to reporting regulations as there are diverse contexts and realities. In a sense, this paper reiterates Adams et al.’s (2014) arguments as it indicated that ESG disclosures are a function of the level of congruence between the government departments’ regulatory environment and the use of voluntary performance measures. Somehow, EU regulatory pressures are responding to energy crises, human rights matters and are addressing the contentious issues such as resource deficiencies including water shortages. Notwithstanding, big entities are also tackling social and economic issues (e.g. anti-corruption and bribery) as they are implementing certain environmental initiatives (e.g. waste reduction, alternative energy generation, energy and water conservation, environmental protection, sustainable transport et cetera).
In this light, there are implications for practitioners and assurance providers of integrated reports, standard setters and regulators. Future engagement research can possibly consider how report content and reporting formats, might impact on organisations’ decision making. This paper indicated that practice and policy issues would benefit from additional empirical evidence which analyse how the European disclosure regulations may positively or adversely affect the corporations’ stakeholders.
Last year, the European Union (EU) announced its new guidelines on non-financial reporting that will only apply to some large entities with more than 500 employees. This includes listed companies as well as some unlisted companies; such as banks, insurance companies and other companies that are so designated by member states; because of their activities, size or number of employees. There are approximately 6,000 large companies and groups within the EU bloc (EU, 2014). These big organisations are increasingly using a wide array of instruments, tools and channels to communicate their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reports to stakeholders.
The most prevalent reporting schemes in the EU were drawn from; the G3 Guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). In addition, several platforms and organisations that promote corporate sustainability reporting have developed partnerships with AccountAbility, OECD, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Carbon Disclosure Project and with many governments and sector organisations.
When one explores the key topics that companies had reported on, it transpired that carbon emission disclosures have become quite a common practice. Moreover, recently there was an increased awareness on the subject of human rights and the conditions of employment. Curiously, online reporting has offered an opportunity for accountability and transparency as information is easily disseminated to different stakeholders. This has inevitably led to increased stakeholder engagement, integrated reporting and enhanced external verification systems. At this point in time, stakeholders are considering reporting schemes as a valuable tool that can improve the quality of their reporting, particularly as it enables them to benchmark themselves with other companies. The GRI is often regarded as ‘a good starting point’ for this purpose. Moreover, the provision of a UNGC communication on progress is a new global trend that has become quite popular among business and non-profit organisations.
Some of the European organisations are gradually disclosing environmental information or certain other key performance indicators that are of a non-financial nature in their reporting. Generally, public policies are often viewed as part of the regular framework for social and employment practices. Therefore, a considerable commitment is made by local governments who act as drivers for stakeholder engagement. One way to establish a CSR-supporting policy framework is to adopt relevant strategies and actions in this regard. Such frameworks may be relevant for those countries that may not have a long CSR tradition or whose institutions lack accountability and transparency credentials. It may appear that EU countries are opting for a mix of voluntary and mandatory measures to improve their ESG disclosure.
While all member states have implemented the EU Modernisation Directive, they have done so in different ways. While the Modernisation Directive ensured a minimum level of disclosure, it was in many cases accompanied by intelligent substantive legislation. National governments ought to give guidance or other instruments that support improvements in sustainability reporting. Lately, there was a trend towards the development of regulations that integrate existing international reporting frameworks such as the GRI or the UNGC Communication on Progress. These frameworks require the engagement of relevant stakeholders in order to foster a constructive environment that brings continuous improvements in ESG disclosures.
Regular stakeholder engagement as well as strategic communications can bring more responsible organisational behaviours. Many corporate businesses use non-governmental organisations’ regulatory tools, processes and performance-oriented standards with a focus on issues such as labour standards, human rights, environmental protection, corporate governance and the like. Nowadays, stakeholders, particularly customers expect greater disclosures, accountability and transparency in corporate reports.
At the moment, we are witnessing regulatory pressures for mandatory changes in CSR reporting. Of course, firms may respond differently to reporting regulations as there are diverse contexts and realities. In a sense, this paper reiterates Adams et al.’s (2014) arguments as it indicated that ESG disclosures are a function of the level of congruence between the government departments’ regulatory environment and the use of voluntary performance measures. Somehow, EU regulatory pressures are responding to energy crises, human rights matters and are addressing the contentious issues such as resource deficiencies including water shortages. Notwithstanding, big entities are also tackling social and economic issues (e.g. anti-corruption and bribery) as they are implementing certain environmental initiatives (e.g. waste reduction, alternative energy generation, energy and water conservation, environmental protection, sustainable transport et cetera).
In this light, there are implications for practitioners and assurance providers of integrated reports, standard setters and regulators. Future engagement research can possibly consider how report content and reporting formats, might impact on organisations’ decision making. This paper indicated that practice and policy issues would benefit from additional empirical evidence which analyse how the European disclosure regulations may positively or adversely affect the corporations’ stakeholders.
Research Interests:
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Research Interests:
The corporate communication is dynamic on digital media as the global diffusion of social software like blogs, RSS feeds, wikis, electronic fora, webinars and social media networks have facilitated the organisations’ content marketing and... more
The corporate communication is dynamic on digital media as the global diffusion of social software like blogs, RSS feeds, wikis, electronic fora, webinars and social media networks have facilitated the organisations’ content marketing and engagement with stakeholders. The digital media has increased direct interactions, dialogues and engagements with various audiences. Such interactive communications are often referred to as “viral” because ideas and opinions spread through the network via word‐of‐mouth and are usually perceived as highly trustworthy sources.
When organisations share information about their stakeholder relationships with online communities, they may find out that their followers (or friends) could also share their passion for laudable causes. Very often, there is a business case for corporate social responsibility as socially-driven enterprises and sustainable businesses could charge higher prices for their products or services, they may influence more people, and get more credibility, attention, customers; you name it. Therefore, they are encouraged to use digital media to stand out from the rest, reach out (to prospects, clients, followers, and experts), and engage (in networking and public relations events).
Online communication has potential to create a ripple effect that grows as it reaches wider audiences. Notwithstanding, social media has potential to empower users to engage with organisations on a myriad of issues. They also enable individual professionals or groups to promote themselves and their CSR, sustainability, responsible management, responsible corporate governance, responsible procurement, philanthropic and stewardship credentials et cetera, in different markets and segments.
Due to their apparent lack of gatekeeping and their symmetric two-way communication, the digital media are suitable for undertaking a corporate-public dialogue. However, open platforms like social media can also increase the complexities of the debates as they decrease the level of institutionalisation of the interactions between organisations and their stakeholders.
The social media has transformed the communicative dynamics within and between corporations and their external environment. These online networks are effective monitoring tools as they could feature early warning signals of trending topics. Therefore, digital media are helping business communicators and marketers to identify and follow the latest sustainability issues. Notwithstanding, CSR influencers are easily identified on particular subject matters or expertise. For example, businesses and customers alike have learned how to use the hashtag (#) to enhance the visibility of their shareable content (Some of the most popular hashtags in this regard, comprise: #CSR #StrategicCSR, #sustainability, #susty, #CSRTalk, #Davos2016, #KyotoProtocol, #SharedValue et cetera). Hashtags could be used to raise awareness on charities, philanthropic institutions as well as green non-governmental organisations. They may also promote fund raising events. Hence, there are numerous opportunities for organisations and businesses to leverage themselves through blogs and social networks as they engage with influencers and media. Modern tools like Scrivener make it easy to write and compile for formats including .mobi (Kindles) and .epub (iBooks). Guest blogging on respected industry websites is a great way to build reputation and authority, but also backlinks are crucial for strong search engine optimisation. Moreover, regular contributions on blogs allow users to connect with others; by sharing ideas and opinions, they spread awareness on their promoted content. Businesses can make use of project management systems like Asana or Trello, or intranet tools like Interact or Podio to track the effectiveness of their outreach campaigns. Their analytics tools could possibly reveal which content had the biggest impact on the audiences.
Hence, social media is an unprecedented channel for connecting and sharing with millions around the planet (with an estimated 2.51 billion social media users worldwide in 2017). The ubiquity of Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Google Plus over the past years has made them familiar channels for many individuals around the globe. These networks have become very popular communication outlets for brands, companies and activists alike. For instance, these networks have become popular tools that are used by millions of people to publish messages and to interact through conversations from their personal computers and mobile phones.
LinkedIn is yet another effective tool, particularly for personal branding. However, this social network helps users identify and engage with influencers. Companies can use this site to create or join their favourite groups.They may also use this channel for CSR communication as they promote key socially responsible initiatives and share sustainability ideas. Therefore, LinkedIn connects individuals and groups as they engage in conversations with academia and CSR practitioners.
In addition, Pinterest and Instagram enable their users to share images, ideas with their networks. These platforms could so be relevant in the context of the sustainability agenda. For instance, businesses could illustrate their CSR communication to stakeholders through visual and graphic content. These networks provide sharable imagery, infographics or videos to groups who may be passionate on certain CSR issues.
Moreover, digital marketers are increasingly uploading short, fun videos which often turn viral on internet. YouTube and Vimeo seem to have positioned themselves as important social media channels for many consumers, particularly among millennials. These sites offer an excellent way to humanise or animate CSR communication through video content. These digital media allow their users to share their video content across multiple networks. For instance, webinars and videos featuring university resources may also comprise lectures, documentaries and case studies that could be created, distributed and shared online through Skillshare or Udemy.
The Internet and social media open platforms are shifting the power dynamics as they are putting forward the debates between business and society. Open platforms provide access to multiple stakeholders and facilitate two-way communication between participants. They increase the speed in communications as there are no gatekeeping mechanisms. Open platforms are therefore unique spaces in the emerging diversity and plurality of the sustainability agenda. Participants in social media can no longer be classified as formal, functional or institutionalised stakeholders (e.g., as customers or NGOs), Yet, they may be categorised in relation to their changing affinities with the specific issues under discussion.
In conclusion, despite the promise that digital media improves the efficiency and effectiveness of corporate communication between organisations and their publics, the businesses’ implementation of online engagement is neither automatic nor easy. The dialogic features that are enabled by web pages, blogs, and other social media may not necessarily result in improved stakeholder relationships. The businesses may inevitably have to deal with legitimacy constraints as they manage online engagements in different contexts. At the same time, there are stakeholders, particularly customers who are increasingly becoming more discerned about content marketing through digital media.
Part of this article has appeared in Camilleri, M.A. (2017) Corporate Sustainability, Social Responsibility and Environmental Management: An Introduction to Theory and Practice with Case Studies. Springer International. http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319468488
When organisations share information about their stakeholder relationships with online communities, they may find out that their followers (or friends) could also share their passion for laudable causes. Very often, there is a business case for corporate social responsibility as socially-driven enterprises and sustainable businesses could charge higher prices for their products or services, they may influence more people, and get more credibility, attention, customers; you name it. Therefore, they are encouraged to use digital media to stand out from the rest, reach out (to prospects, clients, followers, and experts), and engage (in networking and public relations events).
Online communication has potential to create a ripple effect that grows as it reaches wider audiences. Notwithstanding, social media has potential to empower users to engage with organisations on a myriad of issues. They also enable individual professionals or groups to promote themselves and their CSR, sustainability, responsible management, responsible corporate governance, responsible procurement, philanthropic and stewardship credentials et cetera, in different markets and segments.
Due to their apparent lack of gatekeeping and their symmetric two-way communication, the digital media are suitable for undertaking a corporate-public dialogue. However, open platforms like social media can also increase the complexities of the debates as they decrease the level of institutionalisation of the interactions between organisations and their stakeholders.
The social media has transformed the communicative dynamics within and between corporations and their external environment. These online networks are effective monitoring tools as they could feature early warning signals of trending topics. Therefore, digital media are helping business communicators and marketers to identify and follow the latest sustainability issues. Notwithstanding, CSR influencers are easily identified on particular subject matters or expertise. For example, businesses and customers alike have learned how to use the hashtag (#) to enhance the visibility of their shareable content (Some of the most popular hashtags in this regard, comprise: #CSR #StrategicCSR, #sustainability, #susty, #CSRTalk, #Davos2016, #KyotoProtocol, #SharedValue et cetera). Hashtags could be used to raise awareness on charities, philanthropic institutions as well as green non-governmental organisations. They may also promote fund raising events. Hence, there are numerous opportunities for organisations and businesses to leverage themselves through blogs and social networks as they engage with influencers and media. Modern tools like Scrivener make it easy to write and compile for formats including .mobi (Kindles) and .epub (iBooks). Guest blogging on respected industry websites is a great way to build reputation and authority, but also backlinks are crucial for strong search engine optimisation. Moreover, regular contributions on blogs allow users to connect with others; by sharing ideas and opinions, they spread awareness on their promoted content. Businesses can make use of project management systems like Asana or Trello, or intranet tools like Interact or Podio to track the effectiveness of their outreach campaigns. Their analytics tools could possibly reveal which content had the biggest impact on the audiences.
Hence, social media is an unprecedented channel for connecting and sharing with millions around the planet (with an estimated 2.51 billion social media users worldwide in 2017). The ubiquity of Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Google Plus over the past years has made them familiar channels for many individuals around the globe. These networks have become very popular communication outlets for brands, companies and activists alike. For instance, these networks have become popular tools that are used by millions of people to publish messages and to interact through conversations from their personal computers and mobile phones.
LinkedIn is yet another effective tool, particularly for personal branding. However, this social network helps users identify and engage with influencers. Companies can use this site to create or join their favourite groups.They may also use this channel for CSR communication as they promote key socially responsible initiatives and share sustainability ideas. Therefore, LinkedIn connects individuals and groups as they engage in conversations with academia and CSR practitioners.
In addition, Pinterest and Instagram enable their users to share images, ideas with their networks. These platforms could so be relevant in the context of the sustainability agenda. For instance, businesses could illustrate their CSR communication to stakeholders through visual and graphic content. These networks provide sharable imagery, infographics or videos to groups who may be passionate on certain CSR issues.
Moreover, digital marketers are increasingly uploading short, fun videos which often turn viral on internet. YouTube and Vimeo seem to have positioned themselves as important social media channels for many consumers, particularly among millennials. These sites offer an excellent way to humanise or animate CSR communication through video content. These digital media allow their users to share their video content across multiple networks. For instance, webinars and videos featuring university resources may also comprise lectures, documentaries and case studies that could be created, distributed and shared online through Skillshare or Udemy.
The Internet and social media open platforms are shifting the power dynamics as they are putting forward the debates between business and society. Open platforms provide access to multiple stakeholders and facilitate two-way communication between participants. They increase the speed in communications as there are no gatekeeping mechanisms. Open platforms are therefore unique spaces in the emerging diversity and plurality of the sustainability agenda. Participants in social media can no longer be classified as formal, functional or institutionalised stakeholders (e.g., as customers or NGOs), Yet, they may be categorised in relation to their changing affinities with the specific issues under discussion.
In conclusion, despite the promise that digital media improves the efficiency and effectiveness of corporate communication between organisations and their publics, the businesses’ implementation of online engagement is neither automatic nor easy. The dialogic features that are enabled by web pages, blogs, and other social media may not necessarily result in improved stakeholder relationships. The businesses may inevitably have to deal with legitimacy constraints as they manage online engagements in different contexts. At the same time, there are stakeholders, particularly customers who are increasingly becoming more discerned about content marketing through digital media.
Part of this article has appeared in Camilleri, M.A. (2017) Corporate Sustainability, Social Responsibility and Environmental Management: An Introduction to Theory and Practice with Case Studies. Springer International. http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319468488
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The latest advances in information and communications technologies have brought significant improvements for the processing and storage of digital information. Nowadays, users can easily access multiple sources of data readily available... more
The latest advances in information and communications technologies have brought significant improvements for the processing and storage of digital information. Nowadays, users can easily access multiple sources of data readily available from websites, social media networks as well as from mobile devices. These developments have inevitably led to endless opportunities for marketers to leverage themselves by using big data analytics.
Big data has expanded in recent years, dwarfing analogue content and growing at an exponential rate. This data is being collected and stored in massive amounts by search engines and eCommerce conglomerates. In addition, more information is being gathered through social media networks.
All individuals leave a digital trail of data as they move about in the virtual and physical worlds. This phenomenon is called data exhaust. Initially, this term was used to describe how Amazon.com used predictive analytics in order to suggest items for customers – anticipating human behaviour. This is based on large amounts of current and past indicative data collected from multiple sources. At the moment, however, such analytics cannot determine when and why individuals may change their preferences for certain brands.
Another new addition to big data is called preventative analytics. This is aimed at reducing the likelihood of contingent situations, risk and uncertainty. It may be particularly relevant in the fields of healthcare, public services and law enforcement.
Data is the new currency for connecting people, ideas and products. Today, digital information is being gathered in innovative ways that have dramatically changed and improved consumers’ experience. For instance, online businesses are commonly utilising browser cookies to track websites visited by internet users. Once individual users leave these sites, some of the products or services they viewed will be shown to them again and again in native advertisements across different websites. Therefore, businesses are using browsing session data, combined with the consumers’ purchase history to deliver ‘suitable’ items for consumers. Many brands are becoming quite proficient in personalising their offerings as they collect, classify and use large data volumes on consumers’ behaviours.
Big data has expanded in recent years, dwarfing analogue content
This year, more brands shall be using mobile devices and networks to acquire sensory data. More customers are increasingly carrying smartphones with them and are (or may be) getting used to receiving compelling offers that pop up on their mobile devices. This type of geo-based marketing message is delivered at the right time and the right place.
Of course, firms will need more than transaction history and loyalty schemes to be effective at this. They will inevitably require socio-demographic and geo-data that other businesses are not capturing. Moreover, anonymous cookieless data-capture methods are connecting consumer data with matching geo-location-based data.
These methods are empowering marketers to hyper-target consumers with real-time mobile ad campaigns before, during and after in-store activity. Geo-location capabilities are not only enabling advertisers to capitalise on leads, in real time, but they can also offer valuable insights on shopping habits and consumer behaviour. This information is valuable to brands as they seek to acquire relevant information on their consumers’ digital behaviours and physical movements.
Notwithstanding, businesses have become even more interactive through the proliferation of near-field communication (NFC). Basically, NFCs are embedded chips situated inside smart devices. These chips exchange data with retailers’ items possessing NFC tags. It is envisaged that mobile wallet transactions using this NFC technology are expected to reach $110 billion by 2017 (CNBC, 2013). The latest Apple, Android and Microsoft smartphones already include these NFC capabilities. Indeed, these technological developments can enable businesses to provide a deeper personalisation of content as well as bespoken offers to individuals.
Consumers also use apps that may involuntarily indicate their geo-location to third parties. As a result, data collection has greatly benefited from geo-data services like satellites, near-field communication and global positioning systems. These systems track users’ movements that measure traffic and other real-time phenomena. Arguably, the emergence of such data-driven, digital technologies is adding value to customer-centric marketing endeavours. Unsurprisingly, sensor analytics, geo-location and social data-capture were some of the big trends that were recently announced during the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show.
Big data is fundamentally shifting how marketers collect, analyse and utilise data to reach out to customers. It is helping companies to get new insights into how consumers behave. The challenge for marketers is not to become dependent on big data and analytics to drive business strategies, but rather to recognise its value as a tool for customer satisfaction. Therefore, big data should inform, not consume marketing efforts.
Perhaps new marketing decision-making ought to harness big data for increased targeting and re-targeting of individuals and online communities. Every customer contact with a brand is a moment of truth, in real-time. Businesses who are not responding with seamless externally-facing solutions will risk losing their loyal customers to rivals.
Big data has expanded in recent years, dwarfing analogue content and growing at an exponential rate. This data is being collected and stored in massive amounts by search engines and eCommerce conglomerates. In addition, more information is being gathered through social media networks.
All individuals leave a digital trail of data as they move about in the virtual and physical worlds. This phenomenon is called data exhaust. Initially, this term was used to describe how Amazon.com used predictive analytics in order to suggest items for customers – anticipating human behaviour. This is based on large amounts of current and past indicative data collected from multiple sources. At the moment, however, such analytics cannot determine when and why individuals may change their preferences for certain brands.
Another new addition to big data is called preventative analytics. This is aimed at reducing the likelihood of contingent situations, risk and uncertainty. It may be particularly relevant in the fields of healthcare, public services and law enforcement.
Data is the new currency for connecting people, ideas and products. Today, digital information is being gathered in innovative ways that have dramatically changed and improved consumers’ experience. For instance, online businesses are commonly utilising browser cookies to track websites visited by internet users. Once individual users leave these sites, some of the products or services they viewed will be shown to them again and again in native advertisements across different websites. Therefore, businesses are using browsing session data, combined with the consumers’ purchase history to deliver ‘suitable’ items for consumers. Many brands are becoming quite proficient in personalising their offerings as they collect, classify and use large data volumes on consumers’ behaviours.
Big data has expanded in recent years, dwarfing analogue content
This year, more brands shall be using mobile devices and networks to acquire sensory data. More customers are increasingly carrying smartphones with them and are (or may be) getting used to receiving compelling offers that pop up on their mobile devices. This type of geo-based marketing message is delivered at the right time and the right place.
Of course, firms will need more than transaction history and loyalty schemes to be effective at this. They will inevitably require socio-demographic and geo-data that other businesses are not capturing. Moreover, anonymous cookieless data-capture methods are connecting consumer data with matching geo-location-based data.
These methods are empowering marketers to hyper-target consumers with real-time mobile ad campaigns before, during and after in-store activity. Geo-location capabilities are not only enabling advertisers to capitalise on leads, in real time, but they can also offer valuable insights on shopping habits and consumer behaviour. This information is valuable to brands as they seek to acquire relevant information on their consumers’ digital behaviours and physical movements.
Notwithstanding, businesses have become even more interactive through the proliferation of near-field communication (NFC). Basically, NFCs are embedded chips situated inside smart devices. These chips exchange data with retailers’ items possessing NFC tags. It is envisaged that mobile wallet transactions using this NFC technology are expected to reach $110 billion by 2017 (CNBC, 2013). The latest Apple, Android and Microsoft smartphones already include these NFC capabilities. Indeed, these technological developments can enable businesses to provide a deeper personalisation of content as well as bespoken offers to individuals.
Consumers also use apps that may involuntarily indicate their geo-location to third parties. As a result, data collection has greatly benefited from geo-data services like satellites, near-field communication and global positioning systems. These systems track users’ movements that measure traffic and other real-time phenomena. Arguably, the emergence of such data-driven, digital technologies is adding value to customer-centric marketing endeavours. Unsurprisingly, sensor analytics, geo-location and social data-capture were some of the big trends that were recently announced during the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show.
Big data is fundamentally shifting how marketers collect, analyse and utilise data to reach out to customers. It is helping companies to get new insights into how consumers behave. The challenge for marketers is not to become dependent on big data and analytics to drive business strategies, but rather to recognise its value as a tool for customer satisfaction. Therefore, big data should inform, not consume marketing efforts.
Perhaps new marketing decision-making ought to harness big data for increased targeting and re-targeting of individuals and online communities. Every customer contact with a brand is a moment of truth, in real-time. Businesses who are not responding with seamless externally-facing solutions will risk losing their loyal customers to rivals.
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The proliferation of digital and mobile technologies, including; smart phones and tablets has led policy makers to include interactive learning technologies in education. A relevant review of the academic literature suggests both students... more
The proliferation of digital and mobile technologies, including; smart phones and tablets has led policy makers to include interactive learning technologies in education. A relevant review of the academic literature suggests both students and educators are becoming increasingly acquainted with the adoption of mobile applications (apps). Hence, this study explores the students’ readiness to engage with mobile technologies in a higher educational context. The methodology has integrated measuring items from valid and reliable theoretical frameworks from the educational technology literature; to better understand the students’ perceptions on mobile learning. Moreover, it investigated whether they were influenced by educators and by their peers to use these learning technologies. The findings suggest that most of the research participants were using the mobile apps as they believed that they supported them in their learning outcomes. This study also reported that the students were not coerced by their course instructor or by other individuals to engage with these devices. This contribution puts forward key implications to practitioners. It also clarifies the limitations of this study and proposes future research directions.
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This is a teaching resource that features a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis about electronic government services.
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This edited book offers a comprehensive overview on a wide array of topics relating to urban destinations and city tourism. It is uniquely positioned and creates a distinct niche in tourism research. It raises awareness on the marketing... more
This edited book offers a comprehensive overview on a wide array of topics relating to urban destinations and city tourism. It is uniquely positioned and creates a distinct niche in tourism research. It raises awareness on the marketing and development of tourism cities. In the main, this handbook provides an insightful overview of key theoretical underpinnings and case studies that are focused on urban tourism destinations. Its forty chapters provide a useful guide for practitioners, academics and students, who are aspiring to work in the tourism industry. The authors of this title have acquired different backgrounds, qualifications and experiences in academic writing. As a result, this publication presents distinct writing styles and approaches. Some contributing authors distinguish themselves, among others, particularly those who are capable of captivating their audiences’ attention through articulated arguments, that are presented in a clear and understandable manner. “I invite prospective readers to check out this authoritative textbook. I am very pleased to recommend Alastair M. Morrison’s and J. Andres Coca-Stefaniak’s Routledge Handbook of Tourism Cities. This edited book is a rich source of thought for everyone who wants to enhance knowledge and understanding on tourism cities”.
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A special issue will be published through the Journal of Sustainable Tourism. This special issue will shed light on the responsible practices in all stages of food preparation and consumption in the tourism and hospitality industry. It... more
A special issue will be published through the Journal of Sustainable Tourism.
This special issue will shed light on the responsible practices in all stages of food preparation and consumption in the tourism and hospitality industry. It raises awareness on sustainable behaviors that are aimed to reduce the businesses’ externalities including the generation of food waste on the natural environment. It shall put forward relevant knowledge and understanding on good industry practices that curb food loss. It will identify the strengths and weaknesses of extant food supply chains as well as of waste management systems adopted in the sector. It is hoped that prospective contributors identify laudable and strategic initiatives in terms of preventative and mitigating measures in terms of procurement and inventory practices, recycling procedures and waste reduction systems involving circular economy approaches.
Academic researchers are invited to track the progress of the tourism businesses on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal SDG12 - Responsible Consumption and Production. They are expected to investigate in depth and breadth, how tourism businesses are planning, organizing, implementing and measuring the effectiveness of their responsible value chain activities. They may utilize different methodologies to do so. They can feature theoretical and empirical contributions as well as case studies of organizations that are: (i) reusing and recycling of surplus food, (ii) utilizing sharing economy platforms and mobile apps (that are intended to support business practitioners and prospective consumers to reduce the food loss and waste), (iii) contributing to charitable institutions and food banks, through donations of surplus food, and/or (iv) recycling inedible foods to compost, among other options.
The contributing authors could clarify how, where, when and why tourism businesses are measuring their ESG performance on issues relating to the supply chain of food and beverage. They may refer to international regulatory instruments and guidelines (Camilleri, 2022), including the International Standards Organization (ISO) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, among others, to evaluate the practitioners' ESG performance through: a) Environmental Metrics: The businesses’ circularity; Recycling and waste management; and/or Water security; b) Social Metrics: Corporate social responsibility; Product safety; Responsible sourcing; and/or Sustainable supply chain, and; c) Governance: Accounting transparency; Environmental sustainability reporting and disclosures. They could rely on GRI's Standards 2020, as well as on GRI 204: Procurement Practices 2016; GRI 303: Water and Effluents 201; GRI 306: Effluents and Waste 2016; GRI 306: Waste 2020; GRI 308: Supplier Environmental Assessment 2016 and GRI 403: and to Occupational Health and Safety 2018, to assess the businesses' ESG credentials.
Prospective submissions ought to clearly communicate about the positive multiplier effects of their research (Ahn, 2019). They can identify responsible production and consumption behaviors that may result in operational efficiencies and cost savings in their operations (Camilleri, 2019). At the same time, they enable them to improve their corporate image among stakeholders (hence they can increase their financial performance). They can examine specific supply chain management initiatives involving open innovation, stakeholder engagement and circular economy approaches that may ultimately enhance the businesses’ legitimacy in society. More importantly, they are urged to elaborate on the potential pitfalls and to discuss about possible challenges for an effective implementation of a sustainable value chain of food-related products and their packaging, in the tourism and hospitality industry (Galati et al., 2022).It is anticipated that the published articles shall put forward practical implications for a wide array of tourism stakeholders, including for food manufacturers and distributors, airlines, cruise companies, international hotel chains, hospitality enterprises, and for consumers themselves. At the same time, they will draw their attention to the business case for responsible consumption and production of food through strategic behaviors.
Read further about this call for papers here: https://think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issues/journal-sustainable-tourism-food/
This special issue will shed light on the responsible practices in all stages of food preparation and consumption in the tourism and hospitality industry. It raises awareness on sustainable behaviors that are aimed to reduce the businesses’ externalities including the generation of food waste on the natural environment. It shall put forward relevant knowledge and understanding on good industry practices that curb food loss. It will identify the strengths and weaknesses of extant food supply chains as well as of waste management systems adopted in the sector. It is hoped that prospective contributors identify laudable and strategic initiatives in terms of preventative and mitigating measures in terms of procurement and inventory practices, recycling procedures and waste reduction systems involving circular economy approaches.
Academic researchers are invited to track the progress of the tourism businesses on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal SDG12 - Responsible Consumption and Production. They are expected to investigate in depth and breadth, how tourism businesses are planning, organizing, implementing and measuring the effectiveness of their responsible value chain activities. They may utilize different methodologies to do so. They can feature theoretical and empirical contributions as well as case studies of organizations that are: (i) reusing and recycling of surplus food, (ii) utilizing sharing economy platforms and mobile apps (that are intended to support business practitioners and prospective consumers to reduce the food loss and waste), (iii) contributing to charitable institutions and food banks, through donations of surplus food, and/or (iv) recycling inedible foods to compost, among other options.
The contributing authors could clarify how, where, when and why tourism businesses are measuring their ESG performance on issues relating to the supply chain of food and beverage. They may refer to international regulatory instruments and guidelines (Camilleri, 2022), including the International Standards Organization (ISO) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, among others, to evaluate the practitioners' ESG performance through: a) Environmental Metrics: The businesses’ circularity; Recycling and waste management; and/or Water security; b) Social Metrics: Corporate social responsibility; Product safety; Responsible sourcing; and/or Sustainable supply chain, and; c) Governance: Accounting transparency; Environmental sustainability reporting and disclosures. They could rely on GRI's Standards 2020, as well as on GRI 204: Procurement Practices 2016; GRI 303: Water and Effluents 201; GRI 306: Effluents and Waste 2016; GRI 306: Waste 2020; GRI 308: Supplier Environmental Assessment 2016 and GRI 403: and to Occupational Health and Safety 2018, to assess the businesses' ESG credentials.
Prospective submissions ought to clearly communicate about the positive multiplier effects of their research (Ahn, 2019). They can identify responsible production and consumption behaviors that may result in operational efficiencies and cost savings in their operations (Camilleri, 2019). At the same time, they enable them to improve their corporate image among stakeholders (hence they can increase their financial performance). They can examine specific supply chain management initiatives involving open innovation, stakeholder engagement and circular economy approaches that may ultimately enhance the businesses’ legitimacy in society. More importantly, they are urged to elaborate on the potential pitfalls and to discuss about possible challenges for an effective implementation of a sustainable value chain of food-related products and their packaging, in the tourism and hospitality industry (Galati et al., 2022).It is anticipated that the published articles shall put forward practical implications for a wide array of tourism stakeholders, including for food manufacturers and distributors, airlines, cruise companies, international hotel chains, hospitality enterprises, and for consumers themselves. At the same time, they will draw their attention to the business case for responsible consumption and production of food through strategic behaviors.
Read further about this call for papers here: https://think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issues/journal-sustainable-tourism-food/