Poster Session
Asynchronous Session
Institutional Forces and the Retention of Chefs View Digital Media
Poster Session Kevin Ward
The retention of chefs in the hospitality industry is fundamental to the success of the Hospitality and tourism industry, however, certain universal trends including the quest for legitimacy guide the institutions of the industry towards convergence, a phenomenon encapsulated in intuitional theory as institutional isomorphism. Applying isomorphism to gastronomy, there is a palpable tension. How can chefs remain innovative and creative in an industry which, through coercive regulatory frameworks, mimetic emulation of perceived models of success, or normative societal expectations, subtly encourage homogeneity? The retention of chefs within the hospitality industry remains a perineal and pernicious issue. In recent times it has been catalysed and amplified by the coercive forces brought about due to the COVID -19 pandemic. This push to conform, driven by isomorphic pressures, may if unconsciously followed, stifle creativity and encourage toxic practices, thus perpetuating the exodus of talent which threatens to severely damage the industry if unreversed. This poster seeks disseminate preliminary qualitative data collected from industry chefs in order to understand how institutional isomorphism might be resisted or accepted and how this impacts the intrinsic creativity that drive chefs. It looks at suspected conflict between conformity and individuality, and how this can impact their long-term commitment to the profession.
Rural Cycling for Sustainable Development in the Post-pandemic Era View Digital Media
Poster Session Damian Rivers
This study advocates for increased information infrastructure in the promotion of sustainable cycling in the rural context of Hakodate Hokkaido, Japan as it relates to the challenges of the post-pandemic era. Governmental efforts to promote sustainable cycling for leisure and tourism are ongoing. For example, the Second Hokkaido Bicycle Utilization Promotion Plan of 2023 outlines that “it is important to promote bicycle utilization as an initiative that contributes to achieving the goals of the SDGs while taking into account the objectives of the SDGs and the benefits of bicycles, such as ‘reducing environmental impact’ and ‘improving health’ (Hokkaido Prefectural Government, 2023, author translation from Japanese). In addition, the Hokkaido Cycling Tourism Promotion Policy (2023) declares that it is important to “provide cyclists with information on route attractions, rest facilities, etc., and establish a communication site where cyclists can post their evaluations and opinions of each route” (author translation from Japanese). Drawing from personal experience as a cyclist and scholar in context, the current poster adopts an information infrastructure design perspective to generating greater interest in the Hakodate region of Hokkaido by drawing out the existent possibilities for cycling to function as a leisure and tourism activity through which the aforementioned SDGs can be pursued. As part of regional revitalization in a post-pandemic society, it is suggested that the development of information infrastructure, including data collection, analysis, and dissemination can play an important role in promoting sustainable cycling related to tourism, leisure, and the aforementioned SDGs within the local environment.
Adaptive Performance in the Tourism Industry: The Role of Inclusive Leadership, Creativity and Work Engagement View Digital Media
Poster Session Kleanthis Katsaros
Based on the optimal distinctiveness theory, the paper proposes a moderated mediation model to evaluate the role of employee creativity and work engagement in the relationship between inclusive leadership and employee adaptive performance. Data were collected from 164 employees in the Greek tourism industry and their supervisors in three sequential phases. Firstly, we hypothesize that employee creativity mediates the relationship between inclusive leadership and employee adaptive performance. Secondly, we hypothesize that work engagement moderates the relationship between employee creativity and adaptive performance, as well as, that the indirect relationship between inclusive leadership and employee adaptive performance through employee creativity is moderated by work engagement, such that the relationships are stronger under high work engagement. The findings reveal that employee creativity mediates the relationship between inclusive leadership and employee adaptive performance. Further, they suggest that work engagement moderates the relationship between employee creativity and adaptive performance, as well as, the indirect relationship between inclusive leadership and employee adaptive performance through employee creativity. The originality of this study lies in the finding that employee creativity mediates the relationship between inclusive leadership and employee adaptive performance. In addition, the findings illustrate the moderating role of work engagement. The research also refers to the rapidly changing tourism industry which plays a critical role to the Greek economy. The results disclose that should managers achieve to positively influence employees’ creativity by employing inclusive procedures; they will enhance their adaptive performance. Further, they note that employees’ creativity may serve as a facilitating factor during change.
The Impact of Tourism on Local Public Resources: A Case Study on Tourists Use of Emergency Services in Newport, RI View Digital Media
Poster Session Melissa Varao
This research investigates the intricate relationship between tourism and public resources, with a particular focus on emergency services in Newport, RI. The study examines how surges in tourism activity influence the use of emergency services, employing multiple regression analysis to analyze monthly hotel occupancy data obtained from Discover Newport, the Newport and Bristol County Destination Marketing Organization, with emergency call data from the City of Newport Police Department, over the same three-year time period. Through this analysis, the researchers discern the impact of increased tourism, particularly during peak tourist seasons, through the use of these public resources. By weighing the economic benefits of tourism, such as increased tax revenue, tourist spending, and job creation with the strain on public resources, we can provide further insight into the discussion around sustainable tourism and how to better balance the resources used with its benefits to local communities. The authors recognize limitations of the study potentially attributing changes in emergency service usage solely to tourism, considering concurrent factors such as heightened resident activity and the influx of part-time/seasonal residents. By providing a deeper understanding of the connection between tourism and public resources, policymakers can make more informed decisions to ensure the sustainable management of tourism destinations. Our goal is to illuminate the need to strike a better balance between the benefits of tourism and the resources it consumes, recognizing the multifaceted relationship between tourism and public resources, thereby advancing understanding of sustainable tourism practices and their implications.
