Research Outputs (Applied Management)
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Item Local Community Satisfaction toward Tourism Development in Pushkar Region of Rajasthan, India(MDPI, 2021-12-06) Swart, Magdalena Petronella (Nellie)Satisfaction of local residents is one of the key factors in responsible and sustainable tourism development. It helps tourism planners and policymakers in effective and strategic utilization of tourism resources. The present study investigates local residents’ satisfaction level toward sustainable tourism development through economic, socio-cultural, and environmental development. In order to achieve the goal of the study, one-sample t-test, regression analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were performed. The findings of the study have suggested that local residents have a different level of satisfaction towards overall sustainable development and economic, socio-cultural, and environmental development in the study area. It was also observed that there is a high positive correlation among economic, socio-cultural, and environmental developments, and these developments significantly impact sustainable tourism development.Item Market segmentation variables as moderators in the prediction of Business Tourist Retention(Springer Link, 2014-04-08) Swart, Magdalena Petronella (Nellie)This study explores whether five market segmentation variables moderate the relationship between the business tourist service quality scorecard (SQSC) and business tourist satisfaction (Satisfaction); or the relationship between the SQSC and business tourist retention (Retention). A cross-sectional field survey of South African business tourists yielded a sample of 498 respondents. Moderated multiple regression (MMR) analyses were used to investigate possible moderating effects. Findings suggest there are full moderation effects for gender in both the relationships between SQSC and Retention as well as Satisfaction and Retention. Partial moderation effects were evident for age and province. This study provides insights to enable business tourist managers to improve the service quality needs of each of the identified market segments, such as gender and age.Item An Assessment of Geosites and Geomorphosites in the Lut Desert of Shahdad Region for Potential Geotourism Development.(MDPI, 2022-05-13) Swart, Magdalena Petronella (Nellie)In the fields of geology, economics, history, cultural studies, and ecology, tourism can be the basis for proper planning, for sustainable tourism management, and for economic development. The Dasht-e Lut is one of the most significant desert areas in Iran due to its exemplary desert patterns and world-famous landscapes, such as the kaluts and nebkhas landforms. Furthermore, it is the hottest spot in the world and can attract adventurous tourists, amongst others, from around the globe. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the most suitable geomorphosites for better sustainable tourism planning using three methods of evaluating geotourism as proposed by Pereira et al., Pralong, and Reynard et al. The results show that the geomorphosites of kaluts, nebkhas, and Gandom Beryan had the greatest potential for different reasons. In addition to geosites and geomorphosites, the night sky was also demonstrated to have a high potential to attract tourists. Using the economic criteria of the Reynard method, all geomorphosites had similar scores. The familiarity of officials and tourism planners with the tourist capabilities of this region can lead to economic and cultural capacity building for the Indigenous people and the tourism industry.Item Drawbacks of the Partial Implementation of Procurement Policies for a Sustainable Commuter Bus Industry: Case of South Africa(International Business Conference, 2023) Ngcamphalala, ThobekaFor democratic countries like South Africa, public policies and regulations are critical, in addressing public problems. In such countries, policies are meant to create a favourable atmosphere for the provision of efficient public administration and development, whilst creating peace within the society. The commuter bus industry is no exception, and the implementation of its policies aims to provide transport services to the poor, plus socioeconomic objectives with the use of procurement. This is to open the industry to new entrants to the industry’s mainstream. According to the procurement policies these bus services should be procured through competitive tendering and negotiation. However, the key guiding procurement policies and regulations are partially implemented and that greatly affects the performance of the industry. This paper then seeks to highlight these policies and their impact to the stakeholders and the industry at large in South Africa. This paper adopted a qualitative single case study, using semi-structured interviews to explore the study objective. Twenty-three interviews were held with the participants in the industry to solicit their views on the issue of study. The findings revealed that to a great extent the partial implementation of the key procurement policies and regulations has contributed to the challenges faced within the industry, including limitations in the rollout of bus subsidies, lack of flexibility on subsidised routes, interim contracts made permanent and poorly bus services, to mention a few. The paper concludes with recommendation that the government can employ to address the identified challenges in the industry.Item Procurement hurdles: unveiling challenges in the subsidized commuter bus sector of Gauteng, South Africa(SSBFNET, 2024) Ngcamphalala, Thobeka; Ambe, Intaher MarcusIn South Africa, like many developing countries, procurement is seen and used as a strategic tool to promote socioeconomic development, including the promotion of competition, among other objectives. The South African commuter bus industry is structured to procure – through competitive tendering – SMMEs within the industry’s mainstream. These contracts are subsidized by the government – their origins date back to the 1940s – to ease the financial burden on black African communities. However, since its establishment, some challenges are hindering the effective procurement of these services, thus affecting the provision of these services. This paper highlights the challenges faced by Gauteng Province in the procurement of subsidised commuter services. The paper employs a mixed-methods research approach, and the research instrument was a face-to-face semi-structured interview questionnaire. Based on the findings of the study, Gauteng commuter bus industry operations are challenged with poor policy implementation, a lack of funds to support the industry’s operational needs, and a deficiency in administrative skills, among other challenges. The paper recommends that the Gauteng government revisit the guiding policies for the establishment of the industry and employ the best procurement practice(s) for this industry, considering the complex nature of South Africa (being influenced by the apartheid era and the government is faced with maintaining a balance between the blacks and the whites among citizens).