Social Norms in Outdoor Recreation: Searching for the Behavior-Condition Link

Social norms for encounters and setting conditions have been an important area of outdoor recreation research for the past 30 years. An important research assumption, based on Jackson's Return Potential Model, has been that norms for a given behavior and norms for conditions resulting from that behavior are linked. Empirical verification of a link is needed to validate this assumption. This research combines measures of behavioral obligations and sanctions with measures of normative preferences for resulting conditions using a visual approach to study the behavior-condition link for littering and litter in urban parks. The argument is that a behavioral obligation against littering should be directly linked to no tolerance for a littered environment. The results suggest that littering and litter represent two dimensions of the normative situation. Littering was found to be a clear example of a highly crystallized and intense behavioral norm while littered conditions were clearly defined by a highly crystallized and intense condition norm. The findings generally support a link between behavioral obligations not to litter and condition preferences to see no litter.     

Effects of social and personal norms,and connectedness to nature,on pro-environmental behavior: A study of Western Australian protected area visitors

Pro-environmental behaviors play a key role in the management and sustainability of parks and protected areas. An understanding of the antecedents of visitors' pro-environmental behaviors is vitally important in advancing knowledge, encouraging sustainability, and bettering management practice. This study developed and tested a behavioral model which integrated personal norms and social norms as normative influences, with connectedness to nature as a personality trait, as antecedents of pro-environmental behaviors. Data were collected through a visitor survey across three protected areas in Western Australia and analyzed via structural equation modelling. Results indicated that personal norms and connectedness to nature had a positive effect on pro-environmental behaviors, whereas social norms did not. The results highlight to protected area managers the need to consider moral obligations and personal identification with nature to foster on-site pro-environmental behaviors and encourage a positive spill-over effect off-site.     

Exploring the interaction between perceived ethical obligation and subjective norms,and their influence on CSR-related choices

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between perceived ethical obligation and subjective norms as well as their simultaneous influence on CSR related choices. A scenario based experimental approach was employed. Our results indicated that subjective norms strengthen the explanatory power of the model. Subjective norms are additionally found to have a mediating effect on perceived ethical obligation.     

Institutional Norms and Evaluative Standards for Parks and Recreation Resources Research,Planning, and Management

Researchers claim that the structural and evaluative standards approaches to determining acceptability of social and resource conditions in recreation settings are measures of social norms. This paper argues that structural and evaluative standards approaches do not constitute social norms. Social and resource conditions are not directly concerned with behavior and have not been shown to have sanctioning and self-correcting consequences. This paper proposes that social and resource conditions be recognized as institutional norms, that is, rules or standards formulated and implemented by administrative authorities and enforced by them through formal external sanctions. This definition recognizes the institutional utility of social and resource condition standards, while distinguishing them from social norms, which deal with social interactions and individuals’ behaviors.     

Social Values versus Interpersonal Conflict among Hikers and Mountain Bikers

Conflict has traditionally been defined in terms of goal interference (interpersonal conflict) where the physical presence of one individual or group interferes with the goals of another individual or group. Recent research has identified social values differences as an alternative explanation for conflict. Social values conflict can occur between users with different beliefs and values, even if there is no contact between them. This article builds on this conceptual distinction by examining social values and interpersonal conflict reported by hikers (n = 210), mountain bikers (n = 163), and those who participate in both activities (n = 400). Data for this article were obtained from onsite surveys. Respondents evaluated unacceptable behaviors associated with hiking and mountain biking. Across all three groups, less conflict was reported for hiking than for mountain biking. To the extent that conflict did exist for hiking, mountain bikers and dual-sport participants were more likely than hikers to report unacceptable behaviors. For evaluations of mountain biking behavior, hikers were more likely than mountain bikers to experience conflict, whereas dual-sport participants fell in between these two extremes. All three groups reported more interpersonal than social values conflict.     

Energy conservation in large-sized hotels: Insights from a developing country

Tourism can drive positive, transformative changes in modern societies, but also becomes a source of significant environmental externalities. This is often the case for developing economies where the problem is exacerbated by immature national sustainability agendas. Targeted research, accounting for the local context, is necessary to enable transition of developing countries towards more sustainable patterns of tourism development. This study targets the hotel sector in Iran, one of the most energy inefficient hotel sectors around the world, to explore its pathway towards environmental sustainability. The dominance of domestic ownership and control and the prevalence of international economic sanctions are the distinctive features of the Iranian hotel sector. The study pinpoints reconfigurations in technology, knowledge, legislation and behavioural norms as the determinants of the sector’s environmental sustainability quest. Domestic hospitality companies should champion transformative pro-environmental changes in the Iranian hotel sector until international economic sanctions are lifted.     

College youth travelers’ eco-purchase behavior and recycling activity while traveling: an examination of gender difference

ABSTRACT

With the limited research about youth tourists’ pro-environmental behaviors, this study was designed to examine the formation of college youth tourists’ eco-friendly purchase and recycling behaviors while traveling to tourist destinations. A quantitative approach with a structural analysis was used. Our results revealed that the proposed theoretical framework satisfactorily accounted for the variance in eco-purchase and recycling behaviors. The hypothesized associations among eco-concern, attitude, social norm, anticipated affects, and sense of obligation were in general supported, and such relationships contributed to triggering pro-environmental behaviors. Findings also indicated the mediating impact of moral obligation, attitude, and negative affect, and identified the salient role of moral obligation in determining eco-purchase and recycling activities. A test of metric invariance further explored the gender difference that exists in the relationships between eco-concern and anticipated affects and between attitude and moral obligation. This research provides meaningful insights into understanding college youth tourists’ sustainable tourism behaviors.     

Attitudinal compliance with ecotourism guidelines

This study has developed and tested a conceptual framework to explain compliance attitudes of ecotour operators with industry guidelines. The results suggest that compliance with ecotourism principles is a function of a multitude of intrinsic and extrinsic factors concerning ecotour operators, including the type of social and economic sanctions, gender of the respondents, perceived moral obligations, and revenue obtained from ecotourism. The key strategies for increasing compliance seem to lie in educating the tour operators and placing a call to their conscience. Some strategies for increasing compliance are suggested.     

Cross‐cultural tourist behavior: An analysis of tourist attitudes towards the environment

In a cross‐cultural tourist behavioral study, skiers from three different countries were surveyed in order to understand their environmental awareness and knowledge. The contingent valuation method (CVM) was also used to discover their willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for environmentally‐friendly skiing products. The results point to a general lack of knowledge and even confusion amongst skiers about environmental issues pertaining to skiing. However, skiers say they will be more likely to visit a resort that is environmentally‐responsible. Use of the CVM indicated a strong correlation between WTP and the cost of the holiday, level of income and level of environmental conscience. The majority of skiers would pay more for a “greener” ski resort, but significant differences in responses were found between the three cultures. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Youth travelers and waste reduction behaviors while traveling to tourist destinations

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to develop a robust conceptual framework incorporating volitional and non-volitional dimensions within the theory of planned behavior and cognitive (green image and environmental awareness) and affective (anticipated pride and guilt) dimensions to explicate youth tourists’ waste reduction behaviors while traveling to destinations. A quantitative approach was used. Structural equation modeling was utilized for data analysis. This study proved the usefulness and sufficiency of the proposed framework. Volitional factors were significant determinants of intentions. Our findings also showed that the inclusion of green image, environmental awareness, and anticipated feelings increased the prediction power of the theory. Results also supported the significant role of these integrated variables in increasing waste reduction intentions. Attitude had a mediating role and included the relative importance in determining intentions. This study extended destination researchers’ and practitioners’ knowledge and understanding of visitors’ waste reduction behaviors in the youth tourism context.     

Skill Level and Recreation Conflict among Skiers and Snowboarders

This paper examines out-group and in-group normative beliefs about unacceptable behaviors (conflict) reported by skiers and snowboarders with varying skill levels. Individuals with greater skills in skiing and snowboarding were predicted to experience more conflict than those with less ability in the activity. Across all skill levels, skiers and snowboarders were hypothesized to report more out-group than in-group conflict. Data were obtained from surveys (n = 595) distributed at five ski resorts in Colorado. Skiers and snowboarders rated their skill level on a four-point scale (beginner, intermediate, advanced, or expert). Multiple item indices were created to measure observed unacceptable behaviors between skiers and snowboarders. Analyses supported both hypotheses. As perceived skill level increased, out-group and in-group conflict increased for both skiers and snowboarders. Within each skill level, skiers reported more unacceptable behaviors by snowboarders than with fellow skiers, and snowboarders also identified more out-group than in-group conflict.     

The value–belief–emotion–norm model: investigating customers’ eco-friendly behavior

Building on a Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) theory, this study set out to develop a value–belief–emotion–norm model as a comprehensive theoretical framework for explicating customers’ pro-environmental decision-making process in a cruise context. Results of the structural analysis revealed that our model satisfactorily fit the data and the proposed relationships were generally supported. Our sequential framework involving the emotional process was superior to the original VBN model and alternative mediator and moderator models, and explained more effectively the decision formation. Moreover, results showed that the integrated emotional process played a vital role in generating moral norms and intentions. Findings further identified the important mediating nature of belief constructs, anticipated emotion, and personal norms.     

The effects of emotional intelligence on counterproductive work behaviors and organizational citizen behaviors among food and beverage employees in a deluxe hotel

The purpose of this study is to understand the interrelationships among the emotional intelligence of employees in a deluxe hotel, their counterproductive work behaviors, and organizational citizen behaviors. The sample of this study consists of 319 food and beverage (F&B) employees of a five-star hotel in Korea. The results showed that as elements of emotional intelligence, others’ emotion appraisal, use of emotion, and self-emotion appraisal significantly affected counterproductive work behaviors, whereas self-emotion appraisal and use of emotion affected organizational citizen behaviors. In addition, moderating effects were evident related to job positions in the causal relationships among emotional intelligence, counterproductive work behaviors, and organizational citizen behaviors. Limitations of this study and future research directions are also discussed.     

Guests’ pro-environmental decision-making process: Broadening the norm activation framework in a lodging context

This study sought to provide a clear understanding of hotel guests’ post-purchase decision-making process, and whether it occurred in an environmentally responsible manner. Volitional, emotional, experiential, and habitual processes imperative in pro-social/pro-environmental consumer behavior were successfully integrated into the Norm Activation Model (NAM). Results of the structural model and metric-invariance test with 316 samples gathered via an online survey indicated that the extended norm activation framework comprising such important processes and interpretation of the NAM as a sequential model was more effective in predicting guests’ pro-environmental intention than the original NAM and the rival model, which offered an alternative interpretation of the NAM (moderator model). Additionally, the prominent role of moral norm was evident; this personal obligation served to mediate the proposed theoretical framework. Our results also generally supported hypothesized associations among study constructs. Our theoretical model provided a sufficient level of prediction power for guests’ pro-environmental intentions.     

Physical Activity of Remote Indigenous Australian Women: A Postcolonial Analysis of Lifestyle

In the context of rising chronic diseases amongst Indigenous peoples, there are calls for the adoption of more healthy “lifestyles.” In this context, this paper explores thoughts about physical activity from 21 Indigenous families through the voices of women and girls living in remote rural communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area, Australia. Speaking back to physical activity as a lifestyle “choice,” three consistent themes emerged: shame, gendered positioning, and welfarism. In conclusion, the perspectives of Torres Strait islanders and Northern Peninsula Area communities suggest that there are deeply embedded ways of thinking about the body, familial obligations, and the provision of and access to being active that are not consistent with Western health policies predicated upon individuals shouldering responsibility for “taking exercise.”     

The effect of internal information generation and dissemination on casino employee work related behaviors

In this study, we investigate the effect of internal information generation and dissemination on employee work related behaviors. Information generation and dissemination practices are of particular importance in the gaming industry because they are critical to service performance. However, the extant literature lacks research in addressing how such practices affect employee work related behaviors including work attitude, compliance, and retention. Referring to existing literature on internal marketing, knowledge management, and social exchange theory, we hypothesize a number of relationships between forms of internal information generation and dissemination, employee work attitude, compliance, and retention. Results of a survey carried out in a world-class gaming metropolis indicate that both informal and formal information generation significantly influence information dissemination. And, information dissemination and informal information generation are associated with employee work related behaviors. We discuss the implications for casino management and research as concluding remarks.     

Coopetitive behaviours in an informal tourism economy

In the business literature, coopetition is defined as simultaneous cooperative and competitive activities among actors. In the informal economy, norms and trust take the place of formal contracts among actors and may allow these actors to move from engaging in competition to cooperation easily suggesting that patterns of coopetition in this context might be different to that in the formal economy. This research explores coopetition among informal tourism economy actors using the Institutional Analysis and Development Framework and the concept of shared resources. The results of qualitative case studies of pedicab drivers and street vendors in Yogyakarta indicate that simultaneous coopetition occurs when the actors share multiple resources while sequential coopetition occurs in the context of a single shared resource.     

Methodological issues in examining sanctions: Reflections on conducting research in Russia

The effect of sanctions on tourism and hospitality has gained increased scholarly attention. However, there is a very limited explicit examination of the effect of sanctions on practical aspects of arranging and conducting qualitative research and fieldwork in this context. Drawing upon reflections on multiple fieldworks conducted in Russia during a sensitive political environment emanated from imposed sanctions, this study sought to examine how sanctions as a ubiquitous state tool of coercive diplomacy and foreign policy can influence a qualitative data collection process, This paper reflects on two key methodological issues resulting from sanctions that were faced during fieldworks: difficulty in gaining access to data and government control of shared information and knowledge. Overall, this study highlights serious implications for undertaking qualitative research on sensitive topics in politically unstable environments and provides a novel understanding of the effect of sanctions on conducting fieldwork.     

Anticipated guilt and pleasure in a healthy food consumption context

Recognizing the increasing importance of healthiness in food-related businesses, this study attempted to investigate the role of consumers’ affective responses in a healthy food consumption context. To achieve its objectives, this study incorporated anticipated emotional constructs in a decision-making model and investigated the relationships among perceived healthiness, anticipated guilt and pleasure, and behavioral intentions (e.g., purchase, spreading positive word-of-mouth, and recommending the food) in a quick service restaurant setting. The results of this study suggest that anticipated pleasure positively influenced behavioral intentions and mediated the relationship between perceived healthiness and behavioral intentions, whereas anticipated guilt did not influence behavioral intentions. Additionally, this study investigated the moderating role of dietary concerns in consumers’ decision-making processes and found that the low dietary concerns group was more susceptible to anticipated pleasure compared to the high dietary concerns group. Further findings and implications are provided in the main body of the paper.