Al Rayyan International University College

Employees' behavior and corporate social responsibility (CSR) can affect firms’ profitability and increase the corporate economic burden. This current research endeavors to explore how business firms navigate employees' technology-driven behavior and CSR sustainable practices for tax avoidance to affect firms’ performance. This study examines how CSR sustainable practices moderate the relationship between employees' behavior and tax avoidance to achieve sustainable business performance. The study incorporated the Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE) for the purpose of data analysis using the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique that is suitable for this sample size. The study’s target population is employees of small and medium enterprises located in Pakistan. The study has drawn a sample of employees and applied a convenience sampling technique. The findings show that tax avoidance, employee behavior, and corporate social responsibility positively affect business firms’ performance. The results further indicate that sustainable CSR practices significantly moderate tax avoidance’s effect on business firms’ performance. However, there is no condition to identify the relationship between employee behavior and firm performance. In theory, this research contributes to the corporate strategy literature by answering how corporate social responsibility sustainable practices mediate the relationship between tax avoidance, employees' behavior, and sustainable business performance. It shows that socially responsible organizations will engage less in tax avoidance behaviors. The results exhibit that the study provides a systematic, holistic framework to attain sustainable firms’ performance. The findings' generalizability offers future direction with helpful insights for business managers and policymakers.

Food security in a just energy transition is a growing debate about designing sustainable food secure networks worldwide. Energy transition, land-use change, and food security are crucial factors for food security and provision. The increased demand for food products and customer preferences regarding food safety provide various issues for the current agriculture food supply chain (AFSC). Along with rising sustainability concerns, strict government regulation, food security, and traceability concerns compel managers, business houses, and practitioners working in AFSC to adopt new tools, techniques, and methodologies to model current food supply chain problems. Thus, in turn, design the food logistics network for food security. Hence, this study investigates the core determinants of food security and supply in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Lebanon over the period of 2010–2019. In order to estimate the objectives of the study, we employ the fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares estimators (DOLS) to draw the study findings. However, the estimated results show a negative association of land use with food security and supply. Likewise, energy transition, gross domestic product, and agricultural value added (AVA) contribute to the food security supply. In contrast, urbanization's negative but insignificant contribution to the food supply in selected economies exists. Besides, another core objective of the study is to investigate the moderate role of the energy transition on the gross domestic product, agriculture sector, and land use and find the significant contribution to the food supply. However, the current study also tries forecasting for the next 10 years and employs the impulse response function (IRF) and variance decomposition analysis (VDA). Congruently, this study uses the pairwise panel causality test and finds exciting outcomes. The COVID-19 crisis has posed challenges such as energy consumption and food security issues. On behalf of the results, the current study proposes imperative policies to investigate the desired level of food supply. The findings provide valuable insights for experts, policymakers, and officials to take practical measures for energy use and food security challenges.

Abstract The tourism industry will be shaped by the growth and development of the metaverse in the coming decades. Virtual reality (VR) will enable the creation of virtual worlds, avatars, digital twins, and new social networks. These technologies can be utilized in tourism to enable travelers to preview real-world experiences, to enhance experiences while on-site, to relive experiences after travel, or in some cases to even substitute for travel. Given the metaverse’s transformative potential, empirical investigation of VR is clearly warranted. Studies of VR tourism typically choose a single specific VR application and investigate its impact on adoption or user satisfaction. This application-level focus is a significant limitation. We therefore evaluate multiple heritage tourism applications as well as VR hardware in a comprehensive and structured analysis from the user experience (UX) perspective. Our content analysis of user interviews reveals 13 factors that shape users’ overall perceptions about VR. These factors are grouped into categories related to presentation of the VR content, the content itself, and the functionality of the hardware and software. Our analysis also reveals three design dilemmas for creators of VR heritage tourism content for the metaverse. Implications and an agenda for future research are included.

The COVID-19 pandemic developed new challenges for global consumers. In response to this disaster, digital technology users have faced the necessity to adopt and use specific technology apps for online shopping. This article examines how contingencies disrupt existing theoretical models and their implications for the post-COVID-19 era for online purchases. Customers prefer apps to use on the websites for search and purchase amid the COVID-19 crisis. The websites offer competitive advantages to apps for branding and CRM prospects. This motive keeps customers happy and satisfied with the website offers. This study focuses on consumer electronics and observes the comparative influence of fundamental elements (i.e., hedonic motivation, habits, perceived risk, technological trust, and technological awareness) on purchasing customer satisfaction. The study further examines the impact of customer satisfaction with online purchases with website continuance intention (WCI). Notably, this study explores the moderating effect of word-of-mouth (WOM) on the relationship between customer satisfaction with online purchases and website continuance intention. This study designed a web-based survey and recruited frequent visitors including international and citizens of Qatar for data collection. The study employed a purposive sampling technique and used three standardized psychological tools to obtain the data set needed to measure customer satisfaction with online purchases. The survey used a web link, distributed 600 questionnaires via email and social media, and received only 468 responses. After screening, only 455 were valid responses. The study showed a response rate of 75.83%. The study results showed that hedonic motivation, habits, perceived risk, and technological awareness were positively related to customer satisfaction with online purchasing. Besides, customer satisfaction with subsequent online purchases is also positively associated with website continuance intention (WCI). The results revealed that this relationship remained stronger when word-of-mouth (WOM) was higher. Hence, this shows that online shopping is seen as a vital and interesting activity in the Qatari context. The findings provide useful insights for future studies to explore the effects of COVID-19 on online purchase intentions.

Virtual Reality (VR) is becoming an increasingly important technology in a host of industries, including tourism. VR can provide virtual experiences before, during, or in lieu of real-world visits to tourism sites. Hence, providing authentic experiences is essential to satisfy guests with the site and technology. This study analyzes survey data using PLS to identify the determinants of satisfaction with non-immersive VR experiences of heritage and non-heritage tourism sites. Results from 193 subjects reveal the linkages between system quality, object-related authenticity, activity-related authenticity, and presence, as well their relationship with satisfaction.

Abstract Virtual reality (VR) is a topic of growing interest. While many researchers have identified factors that influence satisfaction with VR, additional important factors remain uninvestigated. In our research model, system quality, presence, and authenticity influence two mediating variables of enjoyment and usefulness of information. Enjoyment (a hedonic aspect of the VR experience) and usefulness of information (a utilitarian aspect), in turn, influence satisfaction, with familiarity moderating both of these relationships. PLS analysis of survey data collected in a heritage tourism context finds relationships that have not been previously identified. While system quality and authenticity are associated with enjoyment and usefulness of information, presence is positively associated only with enjoyment. Familiarity negatively moderates the relationship between enjoyment and satisfaction with VR. This study thus extends prior research on a key metaverse technology, VR, by identifying and explicating the roles of authenticity and familiarity—and also extends prior research by focusing on the hedonic and utilitarian dimensions of the VR experience.

Purpose Mega-infrastructure development plans pave the way for policies to upgrade the infrastructure, environmental management and different aspects of locals’ well-being. These developmental dynamics can positively affect rural tourism including heritage sites destinations. The quality of life of local people can be linked to this positive developmental change through long-term and sustainable economic revitalization projects. In terms of this process, developing large-scale infrastructure and incorporating tourism sustainability can improve the quality of life-related to different dimensions that are critical to the community's well-being. Therefore, researchers have attempted to address this issue. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected between September and October 2020. The study sample size was the residents of Zhabagly village, including Zhabagaly, Abaiyl and 115 Railway settlements. Moreover, the residents were older than 18 years. A systematic random sampling technique was utilised to reach the targeted sample size and the researchers received 243 responses from the locals. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used for analysis. Findings The findings from the structural equation modelling suggest that sustainable tourism increases due to the positive effect of mega-infrastructure development and positively impacts the locals' quality of life. Notably, no direct effect of mega-infrastructure development on quality of life reveals the pivotal role of sustainable tourism. Therefore, during the COVID-19 period, the dimensions of sustainable tourism – economic, market, socio-cultural and environmental – played a role in securing the positive impact of mega-infrastructure development on the locals’ quality of life. Research limitations/implications This research highlighted the fact that when infrastructure projects are implemented to their full potential, they will generate sustainable tourism activities, provide eco-adventure activities, relax, treat signatories and boost the economy of all stakeholders. The study used AMOS to test the hypotheses. Qualitative research methods, including interviews with citizens, government officials and tourism managers, require further study. Practical implications The infrastructural development on a mega-scale means building an upscaling tourism ecosystem. This ecosystem is marked by the availability of drinking water, waste and energy management facilities that support the elevation of living material, community, health, safety and emotional well-being. It reflects the policy-level implications for future Belt and Road initiatives (BRIs). The tourism industry's resilience during COVID-19 has practical lessons for other industries. Originality/value Large-scale infrastructure construction must create favourable conditions for the rapid development of tourism. The availability of clean water, waste and energy management facilities contributes to the food production, social cohesion, physical and mental health and general well-being of the ecosystem. This is one of the few studies that used sustainable tourism as a mediator between the impact of large infrastructure projects and their impact on the quality of life of locals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aksu-Zhabagly, a World Heritage Site in Kazakhstan, was the site of this field study.

Digitalization management, sports education, tourism and smart urban technologies are crucial for urban energy systems and environmental sustainability. Environmental sustainability is a critical global challenge, and countries emphasize combating the rising environmental issues. Undoubtedly, the globe has proposed several initiatives to address rising ecological matters, but the problem remains intact. This study shows a new pattern, including problems and vital solutions with fresh insights. Despite countries launching initiatives to combat environmental degradation (ED), ecological concerns continue to persist. Empirical research has considered income, urbanization, digitization, sports employment, tourism, and green energy as core sustainability determinants in selected European economies (2010–2021). Applying a series of estimators, we determined that income, urbanization, sports, and tourism are the leading causes of ED, while digitization and green energy contribute significantly to sustainable development. Additionally, digitization plays a significant mediating role in sustaining urban energy systems. The study offers helpful implications for achieving desired sustainability levels.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of online pharmacies in Qatar using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology-2 (UTAUT-2) framework. Specifically, this study examines the impact of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, habit, technology trust, perceived risk and users’ level of awareness of behavioral intention, which in turn affects the adoption of online pharmacies. Furthermore, this study explores the moderating role of word-of-mouth (WOM) recommendations on the relationship between behavioral intention and online pharmacy adaptation. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a descriptive, quantitative approach to investigate the UTAUT-2 model in the context of consumers’ adoption of e-pharmacy in Qatar. Through convenience sampling, 455 responses were collected from regular customers accessing online pharmacy services. The data were analyzed using Smart-PLS 3.2 software to examine the hypothesized relationships. Findings The results showed that WOM recommendations significantly enhanced the relationship between behavioral intention and adopting online pharmacies in Qatar. This study identified the factors that may hinder or enable the adoption of online pharmacies, including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, habit, technology trust, perceived risk and users’ level of awareness. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to the existing literature on technology acceptance by extending the UTAUT-2 model and recognizing three additional variables (perceived risk, technology trust and technology awareness). These need to be investigated against UTAUT-2 variables to detect the significance of their impact on adapting the e-health concept in Qatar. The potential for cultural change to accelerate the adoption of online pharmacies is highlighted. Future research should explore the role of moral and cultural factors in technology adoption. Practical implications The results underscore the economic and social significance of e-pharmacy adoption, particularly within the context of a developing country. Considering the positive intentions expressed by individuals toward e-pharmacy, it becomes crucial for managers and decision-makers to make strategic choices to address any challenges that may arise. Policymakers are encouraged to enhance their services and implement various development initiatives to expand e-pharmacy accessibility and availability. Originality/value This study builds upon previous research on e-commerce in the pharmaceutical industry and provides a comprehensive understanding of customers in developing countries. Extending the UTAUT-2 model and identifying additional variables contributes to the knowledge of e-health concepts in Qatar. The findings have practical implications for developing strategies to promote online pharmacy adoption in Qatar and other countries.

BACKGROUND:The literature paid diminutive attention to quantifying the relationship between tourism, industry 4.0, technology adoption, and managers’ personality traits. This study represents recruitment managers’ reactions to adopting social media recruiting technology in securitizing an appropria te candidate amongst a pool of applicants and how technology affects financial crisis. OBJECTIVE:We explored the understanding of how managers’ personality influence adoption and acceptance of social media networking websites. It caters to technology outcomes for organizations adopting faster technologies and designing their working environment under the protocols of industry 4.0. Such innovative organizations need to develop managers’ personality traits to produce smart employees, clients, and other users who can help bridge this gap between intelligent people and smart products offered by advanced applications of IT for tourism. METHODS:We processed 406 managers’ data for analysis. RESULTS:Managers’ personality traits, except agreeableness, significantly impact the intention to adopt the technology. Technology acceptance fulfills technology outcomes, adding to the theoretical and practical body of knowledge. CONCLUSION:Dependency on technology adoption and utilization in the tourism sector is based on the willingness and innovativeness of the recruiters. The outcomes of technology acceptance in the recruitment processes; are minimized cost, reduced time, and quality recruits.

Abstract Whilst numerous studies have explored residents' perceptions of tourism, there are three significant gaps with Social Exchange Theory (SET). First, the appropriateness and generalisability; second, the heterogeneity of host population perceptions; third, perceptions in non‐Western empirical contexts. A mixed methods study was conducted, using 36 face‐to‐face interviews with expatriates and nationals in Dubai to develop a survey instrument which returned over 400 responses. Results show that whilst SET is appropriate and partially generalisable, substantial adjustments are required to account for external factors such as culture and the political environment. We propose a new theory of Tourism Returns and Moderators to show a more holistic outcome, weighted perceptions, varying moderators, and greater individualised focus. In this study, participants had a preference to support tourism, did not refer to a cost‐benefit trade‐off, and generally favoured economic benefits over others.

This study intended to examine the relationships between empowerment leadership, psychological empowerment, and affective commitment on work engagement. Importantly, this study aimed to examine the moderating role of self-efficacy on the relationship between psychological empowerment and affective commitment on work engagement. The data were collected in a two-waves week time lag, data was gained from 375 full-time front-line employees working in five-star hotels in Erbil. The structural equation modelling (SEM) using partial least squares (PLS) was used to analyze the research model. Thus, our results indicated that empowerment leadership is positively related to psychological empowerment, and affective commitment as well as psychological empowerment, and affective commitment were found to be significantly related to work engagement. Self-efficacy was a vital moderator in the relation of psychological empowerment, and affective commitment toward work engagement such as the relationship is stronger when self-efficacy is high than low. This study provides theoretical and managerial implications such as having to empower leadership in the workplace because it provides a sustainable competitive advantage to organizations as well as limitations and future research directions. This study, like every study, has limitations. To begin with, the responses were confined to front-line employees working in five-star hotels, thus the findings cannot be applied to employees working in other types of hotels in the hotel industry. The managerial implication is this study has shown the importance of having empowering leadership in the workplace because it provides a sustainable competitive advantage to organizations. In suggestions to initiate empowerment leadership, hotels should hire and train leaders who are willing to empower their subordinates how to empower their subordinates.

The study analyzed the relationship between four independent latent factors (emotion, communication, attitude and satisfaction) in the dependent factor (rebuying) in the presence of a moderating variable (consumers’ experience) by using a structural equation model based on the partial least squares (PLS) method. The study has applied to retail trade customers in malls. The study collected the needed data through a survey designed for this purpose. The study collected data from 300 mall shoppers. The study employs SmartPLS to analyze the data collected. The study has found that each of the independent factors significantly and positively affects the rebuying decision (a positive relationship), with the exception of the emotions factor, which had a negative impact on the rebuying decision. Also, the modified variable had a positive role in the relationship between the independent factors and the dependent factor, with the exception of the emotions factor. The effect of the modified variable caused a decline in the intensity of the relationship between these two factors.

The OECD, UNWTO, and numerous countries national data-gathering organizations report that tourism, as an industry, underperforms in productivity compared to other industries. While not disagreeing with the comparison from having used standard productivity measurement tools, this paper challenges the rhetoric and implication that productivity growth is unlimited, and that the tourism industry has significant productivity gains available to it. In doing so, this conceptual paper seeks to create a debate and develop a deeper understanding of productivity challenges in a service-intensive industry such as tourism. It further presents an argument for refining and potentially re-defining the term ‘productivity’ within the tourism industry, which requires a deeper understanding of what tourism operators presently consider productivity is and appropriate productivity measures.

The tourism industry is considered one of the vital elements of the global economy. The tourism industry supports millions of jobs that are directly and indirectly related to tourism. The tourism industry supports several business disciplines, including sports, education, medical care, and wellness. During the past decade, demand for healthcare and wellness beyond borders has grown exponentially, especially after the stay-at-home era caused by the pandemic. Several studies have discussed the importance of medical and wellness tourism in generating economic and social benefits. One of the growing countries in terms of medical and wellness tourism in Qatar. The country has been heavily investing in state-of-the-art medical and wellness facilities that are recognised on the global level. Therefore, this research is exploring the future of tourism from a medical and wellness perspective in Qatar, and emphasises on how medical and wellness tourism can contribute to the development of the tourism industry specifically.To achieve the aim of this study, this research applied the multi-mixed method research approach, utilising both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Interviews were used as part of the qualitative approach. Data collected from the interviews were analysed using the content analysis method. Four interviews were conducted with key agents representing medical and wellness tourism, such as a life coach for wellness tourism, one doctor for medical tourism, and two tourism agents for the overall health tourism sector. As for the quantitative data, a questionnaire was distributed to around 600 targeted respondents from different members of the society in Qatar. A total of 473 responses were selected based on random sampling. Results revealed that Qatar has what it takes to become a health tourism destination and is preparing to develop such an industry in the next few years. Results suggested that health tourism is becoming the future for destinations during and Covid-19 and preparing for the wellness industry will prove to be rewarding to developing destinations such as Qatar as it leads to economic growth. The research concluded that Qatar must improve its health tourism industry and focus on this industry for the benefit of economic reward, and for the well-being of the destination’s citizens.

COVID-19 caused significant disruption for all industries, including education. Many studies, including tourism, utilise field trips to support student’s learning, which were moved online in response to the pandemic. Understanding students’ perceptions of virtual field trips is necessary to improve their usage. A total of seven focus groups were conducted with undergraduate students in Qatar, the UAE, and the Netherlands to explore students experience with field trips. Students were split into groups based on their familiarity with i) physical; ii) virtual; or iii) physical and virtual field trips. Physical field trips were preferred because of the out-of-class learning, socialisation, and networking opportunities. Virtual field trips had some noteworthy advantages, such as improved flexibility, repeatability, and access to otherwise off-limit sites, but unless improvements could be made to the social and networking opportunities, virtual field trips may always appear inferior. Through comparing students’ experiences with physical and virtual field trips, this research provided notable insights into what can be done to improve the field trip experience. This could include better planning and structuring virtual field trips to provide networking experiences, including AR or recordings of physical field trips to facilitate repeatability, and supplementing a few physical with several virtual field trips.

Qatar has witnessed significant economic growth since 2008 with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increasing by about 10 percent annually on an average, and it is consistently listed among the richest nations in the world since then. A study on the financial behaviour of the Qatari nationals would reveal their role in this achievement. This research tests the hypothesis that the locus of control, income, financial knowledge, financial behaviour and financial position of the citizens are causally related. The research methodology is typical to the empirical studies using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The evidence collected from randomly chosen 204 respondents supported five out of seven hypotheses which indicated that internal locus of control, financial knowledge, financial behaviour and financial position were causally related. For policy implementation, it is imperative that household of a country should be educated in terms of financial knowledge to control the financial behaviour which affects the financial position.

Purpose Airlines play a significant role in the international tourism system, yet research on airlines, notably air crew, is scant. Given the frequency with which air crew travel to destinations, understanding of their memories and experiences can have significant insights for destination marketing and management. Destination marketers could look at using air crew as marketing mediums or as potential customers. This study aims to understand the memories and experiences of air crew in destinations and the factors that influence them. Design/methodology/approach A mixed methods survey was designed and distributed to 236 air crew of a Middle Eastern airline to explore what they remembered of destinations they visited what helped and hindered their ability to remember. The survey also assessed participants self-reported degree of mindfulness. Findings Results suggested that air crew determined themselves as mindful and had strong memories of the destination. Several notable hindrances were reported relating to their job; fatigue, short layovers and number of flights. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of the study is the relatively limited depth with which participants described their experiences. The results from the study add insight to tourism businesses and governments for considering air crew or leveraging air crew as marketing mediums. The generalisability and applicability of mindfulness in other contexts have been offered. Originality/value Little research has explored the experiences or memories of air crew nor the relation of mindfulness to service providers. This research is among the first to address this gap to add theoretical and practical insight to this area.

The hospitality industry in Qatar is rapidly expanding and heavily reliant on migrant labour to staff its hotels and restaurants, with women migrants forming an increasingly important part of the workforce. Global perceptions of Qatar as a location for female migrant workers are ambiguous: it is a patriarchal and traditional country, which limits women’s career opportunities, yet at the same time offers relatively high wages, low taxes and multiple job options for women in the hospitality industry. This study draws on an ethnographic study of migrant women workers in a five-star hotel in Doha to examine various ways in which they navigate this ambiguity and their perceptions and motivations for working and living in Qatar. Findings illustrate that the women in the study had positive perceptions of Qatar as a safe environment where they could earn money to send to support families back home. For many women from the Global South, Qatar offers a hospitable environment and the hospitality industry provides opportunities to capitalize on the benefits of migrating to work in Qatar, for both the individual worker and her wider family.

Cooper and Shepherd (1999) assessed sustainable tourism and hospitality education decades ago highlighting the raft between the market needs and educational programmes. The tourism and hospitality industry witnessed several transitions, while educational practices remained at a stand-still mode. Even in well-developed tourism markets, educational programmes were not reconsidered to accommodate this change (Mínguez, Martínez-Hernandez, & Yubero, 2021). The tourism and hospitality industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council States (hereinafter mentioned as GCC) provides excellence in service delivery. Therefore, this study aims to assess the future of tourism and hospitality education in the GCC region. The research discusses the tourism and hospitality landscapes and the current market dynamics, in the context of educational programmes relating to tourism and hospitality. To achieve the aim of this study, five interviews were conducted with academic professionals in universities in the GCC region. In addition, a questionnaire was distributed to students in both universities to gain their perception about the subject at hand. A total of 29 responses were collected. Results revealed that current education programmes in the GCC region to a certain extent reflect a sustainable approach, yet more focus should be given to the sustainability factor while maintaining core academic subjects. Furthermore, this study shows that students and industry stakeholders’ engagement is essential to ensure sustainable educational programmes match the expectations of all relevant parties. Also, the results highlighted the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors when it comes to developing sustainable education programmes in tourism and hospitality in the GCC region. Encouraging students’ engagement in developing sustainable tourism and hospitality education programmes will foster creativity and critical thinking amongst students, driving the development of the industry as a whole. Finally, this study revealed that there are six determinants of sustainable tourism and hospitality education in the GCC region namely, (1) changes in technology, (2) socio-economic state of affairs of tourism and hospitality, (3) changes in market dynamics, and (4) customers’ preferences.