Exploring VCR use as a leisure activity

On the basis of a uses‐and‐gratifications perspective, this exploratory study examined the TV viewing and VCR use of a sample of 119 households with VCRs. The instrument developed for use in this study consisted of a TV and VCR diary in which respondents recorded a variety of information related to each viewing (or recording) occasion for 1 week. The results suggest that although the ability to manipulate the broadcast schedule was a valued feature of the VCR, VCR use merely enhanced established patterns of TV viewing rather than significantly altered TV viewing or leisure behavior. The playback function of the VCR represented a primarily solitary activity pursued for entertainment and relaxation. Watching rented movies represented a primarily social activity pursued for entertainment, relaxation, and companionship. An equal number of television programs were viewed alone as were viewed with others.     

Work-leisure relationships from a sociological and social psychological perspective

Some of the major theoretical approaches to the study of the work-leisure relationship are examined. Theoretical conceptualization is confronted with empirical findings and some avenues for further research are suggested. The first section maps some of the major approaches taken in the study of the work-leisure relationship in the social science literature. The second section focuses on the central issue in the debate on the work-leisure relationship, namely, the effects of the structure (content) of work and work-related attitudes on leisure behaviour and leisure-related attitudes. The third section examines empirical evidence collected by social scientists studying the work-leisure relationship. The fourth section attempts to answer the question of why social science research on the work-leisure relationship has produced, thus far, few conclusive and statistically significant findings. The final section summarizes the discussion and suggests certain research strategies for future sociological and socio-psychological studies of the work-leisure relationship.     

Public Reactions to Policy Recommendations from the Banff-Bow Valley Study: A Longitudinal Assessment

The Banff-Bow Valley Study (BBVS), a two-year, $2.4 million project designed to formulate guidelines for the future of a major National Parks region in the Canadian Rockies, provided a comprehensive set of over 500 policy recommendations for enhancing ecological integrity and managing sustainable tourism in this popular, environmentally sensitive destination (Page et al., 1996). For these recommendations to be implemented effectively, support from a broad range of stakeholders in the Canadian citizenry is essential. Surprisingly, the BBVS itself did not explore public attitudes towards its final recommendations. In an attempt to overcome this shortcoming, the present authors undertook to assess the degree of public support for the major recomm endations of the BBVS. The total assessment consisted of a two-phase longitudinal study. Phase 1 was conducted in 1996, following the release of the BBVS recommendations. Phase 2, which sought to verify the stability of the initial results, was conducted in 2000. W hile some shifts in public support were identified, the most significant findings of Phase 1 were verified. The total study identified those recommendations most likely to be accepted or rejected by Canadians.     

A Response to 'Ecotourism on Trial: The Case of Billfish Angling as Ecotourism'

This paper estimates the quantity of pollutant produced by the Hong Kong hotel industry through diesel oil consumption. A survey of 20 hotels was carried out to collect three years' energy consumption data. Regression analysis indicated that gross floor area was a major and statistically accepted factor in explaining diesel oil consumption. Diesel oil consumption had reduced from the early 1990s and stabilised by the late 1990s. The sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide and particulate pollution created by the hotel industry's diesel oil usage from 1990 to 1999 is estimated. The findings indicate that existing green measures and devices are passive and depend on the assimilation of the atmosphere. Environmental costs have stabilised at about HK$54,000 per annum. More proactive approaches to reduce usage and environmental impacts are proposed.     

Curriculum assessment through a capstone course: a case study in hospitality and tourism programs

The purpose of this study was to develop a systematic process that other educational institutions and programs could follow to establish a consistent and accurate evaluation method for a capstone course. Hospitality industry professionals and hospitality management faculty were interviewed through focus-group discussions, and a post-focus-group survey was conducted to determine a weighted percentage for each of the nine determined content domains. A test blueprint for a hospitality management capstone course was developed to measure programmatic student learning outcomes based on the weighted domains determined through this study. The results provide a usable instrument for hospitality and tourism management programs to enhance their current assessment methodology.     

The computation of costs for price decisions

Business should compute costs in a particular way of pricing purposes. The correct cost computation varies with its purpose, though most executives still believe that an item has a true cost regardless of why it is computed.Even cost estimates made for price decisions will differ according to the type of price decision that is at issue. One finds important differences depending on whether one is estimating costs for a one-shot bid, for a promotional price offer that is to last for a short period, or for a decision concerning long-term price. Although the same basic principles would apply in all three cases, their application is different. The appropriate concept is that of “decision cost”, a very simple but powerful idea that leads to different cost conclusions than are reached by prevailing costing methods.