Noureddine Selmi | Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (original) (raw)

Papers by Noureddine Selmi

Research paper thumbnail of Capturing customer delight in hotels: key drivers and consequences

Capturing customer delight in hotels: key drivers and consequences, 2024

The current work seeks to unveil the essential drivers and consequences of customer delight in th... more The current work seeks to unveil the essential drivers and consequences of customer delight in the hotel sector. A qualitative approach was employed by conducting an interview to gather data from guests staying in luxurious hotels in Agadir, Morocco, who originated from different countries. Employing thematic analysis, the findings indicated that there are two main drivers of customer delight which are interpersonal factors (i.e. friendliness, problem resolution, employee empathy, professionalism, needs fulfilment, and efficiency) and non-interpersonal factors (i.e. destination attributes and cleanliness). The results also indicated that customer delight leads to behavioural and affective loyalty. This research holds various contributions to both academic and professional. Limitations and avenues for further research are also outlined.

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of festivalscape components on festivalgoers’ behavioral intentions: The case of the International Festival of Carthage

Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, Feb 22, 2021

Abstract This study aims to determine how festivalscape components (i.e., the festival program, s... more Abstract This study aims to determine how festivalscape components (i.e., the festival program, staff, information, and atmosphere) affect the positive and negative emotions of festivalgoers. It also examines the impact of visitors’ emotions on their satisfaction. Moreover, it explores the influence of participants’ satisfaction on their behavioral intention. To test the research hypotheses, a quantitative approach, with a sample of 300 Tunisian who have attended the International Festival of Carthage, was conducted. The analytical packages (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses) confirmed most of the research hypotheses. The empirical results indicated that the festival information, program, atmosphere and staff are crucial predictors of festivalgoers’ emotions. Furthermore, positive and negative emotions seem to predict satisfaction, which in turn is a determinant of tourists’ behavior and also influences their intention to revisit and recommend the festival to others. Theoretical and managerial contributions, limitations, and further research directions are given.

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of festivalscape components on festivalgoers’ behavioral intentions: The case of the International Festival of Carthage

Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, 2021

Abstract This study aims to determine how festivalscape components (i.e., the festival program, s... more Abstract This study aims to determine how festivalscape components (i.e., the festival program, staff, information, and atmosphere) affect the positive and negative emotions of festivalgoers. It also examines the impact of visitors’ emotions on their satisfaction. Moreover, it explores the influence of participants’ satisfaction on their behavioral intention. To test the research hypotheses, a quantitative approach, with a sample of 300 Tunisian who have attended the International Festival of Carthage, was conducted. The analytical packages (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses) confirmed most of the research hypotheses. The empirical results indicated that the festival information, program, atmosphere and staff are crucial predictors of festivalgoers’ emotions. Furthermore, positive and negative emotions seem to predict satisfaction, which in turn is a determinant of tourists’ behavior and also influences their intention to revisit and recommend the festival to others. Theoretical and managerial contributions, limitations, and further research directions are given.

Research paper thumbnail of A measure of revenue management orientation and its mediating role in the relationship between market orientation and performance

Journal of Business Research, 2018

This research conceptualizes revenue management as a specific strategic orientation-that is, the ... more This research conceptualizes revenue management as a specific strategic orientation-that is, the belief, and the processes that guide this belief, that revenue management leads to greater performance. As a first step, we propose REMANOR, a two-dimensional measure of revenue management orientation (RMO). Then, we investigate the impact of RMO on firm performance in the French hotel industry. The results show that RMO plays a mediating role in the relationship between market orientation and performance. The article also highlights the moderating role of customers' acceptance of revenue management practices on the RMO-performance relationship. The article concludes with the theoretical and managerial implications of the research.

Research paper thumbnail of Yield management et orientation marché: facteurs de performance dans les services (application à l'hôtellerie)

La presente recherche tente de contribuer a deux debats theoriques d’actualite, elle s’interesse ... more La presente recherche tente de contribuer a deux debats theoriques d’actualite, elle s’interesse d’une part aux implications strategiques de la pratique du yield management et de l’autre a la relation entre l’orientation marche et la performance de l’entreprise de services. Elle s’inscrit dans le courant de recherche montrant la superiorite du choix d’une orientation marche pour developper et adopter plus d’innovations et accroitre la performance de l’entreprise. Le yield management, considere comme l’une des principales innovations dans les services est etudie en tant que mediateur dans la relation « orientation marche-performance ». Dans cette recherche, nous avons effectue une etude qualitative et deux quantitatives. La principale collecte quantitative porte sur un echantillon de 132 cadres, principalement des directeurs d’hotels. Les resultats montrent l’importance de l’orientation marche des entreprises du secteur hotelier francais dans l’explication de leurs performances et le role mediateur joue par le yield management. Ainsi, elle met en œuvre les roles moderateurs joues par trois variables sur la relation entre « pratique du yield management » et performance de l’hotel, il s’agit de l ‘experience du personnel, de l’acceptation des clients et de la taille. La mise a disposition d’un instrument de mesure de la pratique du yield management presente une contribution methodologique interessante.

Research paper thumbnail of Hôtellerie traditionnelle et location saisonnière 2.0 : une étude exploratoire comparative des commentaires déposés sur Tripadvisor et Airbnb

Research paper thumbnail of Dark tourism : can sites of death and disaster be tourist destinations ?

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Sep 2, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of 1French versus Canadian Tourism Response to the Disabled

Both France and Canada rank as highly developed tourist destinations. This study compares the und... more Both France and Canada rank as highly developed tourist destinations. This study compares the underexplored area of the needs of tourists who are disabled in France (n = 25) and Canada (n = 24). The authors examine Canada’s and France’s accommodation to both domestic and international tourists who have disabilities, giving the study a unique perspective in comparing and contrasting results to the same questions across similar populations in two countries. The results indicate that neither country’s tourism industry has developed an effective policy to accommodate tourists who have disabilities indicated by significant barriers existing that exclude segments of the disabled population. This article takes the words of those with disabilities to recommend steps necessary to improve the tourism opportunities with this population.

Research paper thumbnail of Peer-to-peer accommodation and sustainability in Mountain areas

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to formulate assumptions on home sharing users’ sensitivity toward sustain... more PurposeThis paper aims to formulate assumptions on home sharing users’ sensitivity toward sustainability in mountain areas and define the sustainability indicators that may be used to search for home-based accommodation in mountain areas.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a literature review of key terms: mountain tourism, peer-to-peer accommodation and sustainability indicators.FindingsTourists in mountain areas are more likely to be sensitive toward sustainability than in urban areas, so they are likely to expect home sharing websites to provide sustainability criteria for selecting their accommodation.Practical implicationsHome sharing platforms should offer to mountain tourists the possibility to search for and assess home-based accommodation using sustainability criteria.Originality/valueMost studies on peer-to-peer accommodation were designed in urban areas. The authors state that in mountain areas, tourists are more sensitive toward sustainability and would ther...

Research paper thumbnail of Perspectives on the destination image of Tunisia

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 2017

Purpose The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to discuss the current situation of tourism in Tun... more Purpose The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to discuss the current situation of tourism in Tunisia after the revolution and to explore new ways to improve its image. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a literature review of tourism crisis and the current trends in Tunisian tourism. Findings The paper observes that a crisis can be a source of opportunity for a destination and that a carefully developed communication plan can improve its image. Practical implications The sharp decrease in international tourism flows in Tunisia makes it necessary for the destination to set a new tourism strategy aimed at improving its image among European tour operators and tourists. Originality/value This paper considers the extent to which a crisis in destination image affords an opportunity to reconsider its tourism strategy and improve its competitive positioning.

Research paper thumbnail of Développement durable et choix des indicateurs : le cas de l’hébergement type Airbnb

Management & Avenir, 2016

Peu de travaux se sont interesses au caractere durable des locations saisonnieres entre particuli... more Peu de travaux se sont interesses au caractere durable des locations saisonnieres entre particuliers. En nous basant sur une methodologie qualitative, nous avons identifie 15 criteres destines a evaluer l’engagement durable des entreprises de ce secteur. Des elements de reflexion sont aussi apportes quant aux freins et motivations des acteurs de ce secteur a formaliser leur engagement durable et a l’implication des parties-prenantes.

Research paper thumbnail of French versus Canadian Tourism: Response to the Disabled

Journal of Travel Research, 2009

Both France and Canada rank as highly developed tourist destinations. This study compares the und... more Both France and Canada rank as highly developed tourist destinations. This study compares the underexplored area of the needs of tourists who are disabled in France ( n = 25) and Canada ( n = 24). The authors examine Canada’s and France’s accommodation to both domestic and international tourists who have disabilities, giving the study a unique perspective in comparing and contrasting results to the same questions across similar populations in two countries. The results indicate that neither country’s tourism industry has developed an effective policy to accommodate tourists who have disabilities indicated by significant barriers existing that exclude segments of the disabled population. This article takes the words of those with disabilities to recommend steps necessary to improve the tourism opportunities with this population.

Research paper thumbnail of Perceived Performance in the French Tour Operating Industry

International Business Research, 2011

How to define firm performance? The question is of importance since no extensional definition in ... more How to define firm performance? The question is of importance since no extensional definition in the field of management is identified. The concept of performance thus appears all at the same time complex and multiform, whose measurement is always imperfect. Moreover, far from being comprehended only in a rational way by completely informed actors acting on a market, the performance appreciation by the public is a social one, resulting mainly from mimetic behaviours (Messonnet, 1999). In the field of services, the difficulties related to performance measurement are even more significant. Taking roots on a cognitive approach to strategy and competitive analysis, the objective of our study is thus to describe how top managers working in the tour-operating field perceive performance. Our results show that perceived performance is greatly heterogeneous, top managers using many different criteria to describe tour operators performance.

Research paper thumbnail of Yield Management in the French hotel business: An assessment of the importance of the human factor

International Business Research, 2011

Based on a qualitative study of the practice of Yield Management in the hotel industry, and semi-... more Based on a qualitative study of the practice of Yield Management in the hotel industry, and semi-direct exploratory interviews with 27 Paris hotel managers, this study highlights the strong connection between Yield Management and information systems, and stresses the great importance of the role played by the human factor in the establishment and development of an effective Yield Management system.

Research paper thumbnail of Strategic Groups Structure, Positioning of the Firm and Performance: A Review of Literature

International Business Research, 2012

A central theme of the literature on strategic groups is that group membership affects performanc... more A central theme of the literature on strategic groups is that group membership affects performance. The basic premise of strategic groups and their main interest is in fact that performance can be attributed to strategic groups and not only to the idiosyncratic character of the individual firm. The aim of this paper is therefore to characterize and synthesize studies that examined the relationship between strategic groups, considered from the economic or cognitive perspectives, and performance. We notice that these studies have often yielded conflicting results. We will focus specifically on the relationship between the positioning of the firm, the strategic group and performance, a link that has hitherto been little studied in the literature. In other words, is there for the firm an optimal positioning in relation to strategic groups in its industry? The few empirical studies focusing on this relationship, emphasizing a cognitive approach, were able to show that firms moderately differentiated with respect to their belonging strategic group are more successful.

Research paper thumbnail of Cognitions on Competition: The Newcomers Impact

International Business Research, 2011

A growing stream of research in the strategy field explores in a social constructionist approach ... more A growing stream of research in the strategy field explores in a social constructionist approach the competitive structures of industries from the perspective of industry participants. This work has indeed demonstrated that managers tend to develop strategic group representations based on categorization processes in order to simplify and make sense of their competitive environment. However, in most cases these studies focused on mature industries facing few environmental upheavals or protected from external threats. The aim of this paper is to extend this line of research by examining, in an increasingly dynamic industry, how top managers consider, regarding their own historic strategic group knowledge structures, new types of firms entering their traditional domestic competitive space. The main result, consistent with the cognitive inertia hypothesis, is that top managers tend to rely on cognitive maps that reflect obsolete industry boundaries rather than on configurations taking into account new competitive threats.

Research paper thumbnail of To what extent may sites of death be tourism destinations? The cases of Hiroshima in Japan and Struthof in France

Asian Business & Management, 2012

Among the different categories of tourism, one remains mysterious and controversial: visiting sit... more Among the different categories of tourism, one remains mysterious and controversial: visiting sites related to death, atrocity and disaster, known as 'dark tourism'. This phenomenon has been in existence for a long time, but seems to be more fashionable nowadays. But why is it so successful? What attracts people to a contemplation of such depressing places? Can we now consider and visit all sites related to death or disaster as tourist sites? Currently, a great deal of leisure opportunities are available to people and it seems that few activities are really prohibited or limited. Nevertheless, even if this form of tourism is now widely accepted, it is not as simple a form of tourism as it seems. Theories developed in this area will be 'tested' through two empirical cases studies conducted on visitors to a former WWII concentration camp situated in France (the Struthof camp) and to the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima in Japan. This research shows that things are not always what they seem.

Research paper thumbnail of Effets de la motivation et la qualité de vie sur le bien-être subjectif et les intentions comportementales des écotouristes en Tunisie

Maghreb - Machrek, 2019

Le secteur de l’ecotourisme connait le plus fort taux de developpement dans le monde. Il inclut d... more Le secteur de l’ecotourisme connait le plus fort taux de developpement dans le monde. Il inclut differentes activites comme la randonnee, le cyclisme, l’escalade et notamment d’autres activites de survie (Santarem, Silva et Santos, 2015). Le tourisme ecologique fait l’objet de divers projets et visions en Tunisie dans le but de renforcer l’attractivite du pays et de preserver les ressources et le bien-etre des tunisiens. Le but de cette etude est de comprendre le comportement du randonneur en explorant sa motivation, sa qualite de vie, son bien-etre subjectif, et ses intentions comportementales apres une randonnee. Des etudes qualitative et quantitative ont ete entreprises conjointement pour demontrer la preuve theorique et empirique des relations entre ces quatre parametres et participer a l’evolution et la promotion de l’activite en Tunisie.

Research paper thumbnail of Capturing customer delight in hotels: key drivers and consequences

Capturing customer delight in hotels: key drivers and consequences, 2024

The current work seeks to unveil the essential drivers and consequences of customer delight in th... more The current work seeks to unveil the essential drivers and consequences of customer delight in the hotel sector. A qualitative approach was employed by conducting an interview to gather data from guests staying in luxurious hotels in Agadir, Morocco, who originated from different countries. Employing thematic analysis, the findings indicated that there are two main drivers of customer delight which are interpersonal factors (i.e. friendliness, problem resolution, employee empathy, professionalism, needs fulfilment, and efficiency) and non-interpersonal factors (i.e. destination attributes and cleanliness). The results also indicated that customer delight leads to behavioural and affective loyalty. This research holds various contributions to both academic and professional. Limitations and avenues for further research are also outlined.

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of festivalscape components on festivalgoers’ behavioral intentions: The case of the International Festival of Carthage

Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, Feb 22, 2021

Abstract This study aims to determine how festivalscape components (i.e., the festival program, s... more Abstract This study aims to determine how festivalscape components (i.e., the festival program, staff, information, and atmosphere) affect the positive and negative emotions of festivalgoers. It also examines the impact of visitors’ emotions on their satisfaction. Moreover, it explores the influence of participants’ satisfaction on their behavioral intention. To test the research hypotheses, a quantitative approach, with a sample of 300 Tunisian who have attended the International Festival of Carthage, was conducted. The analytical packages (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses) confirmed most of the research hypotheses. The empirical results indicated that the festival information, program, atmosphere and staff are crucial predictors of festivalgoers’ emotions. Furthermore, positive and negative emotions seem to predict satisfaction, which in turn is a determinant of tourists’ behavior and also influences their intention to revisit and recommend the festival to others. Theoretical and managerial contributions, limitations, and further research directions are given.

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of festivalscape components on festivalgoers’ behavioral intentions: The case of the International Festival of Carthage

Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, 2021

Abstract This study aims to determine how festivalscape components (i.e., the festival program, s... more Abstract This study aims to determine how festivalscape components (i.e., the festival program, staff, information, and atmosphere) affect the positive and negative emotions of festivalgoers. It also examines the impact of visitors’ emotions on their satisfaction. Moreover, it explores the influence of participants’ satisfaction on their behavioral intention. To test the research hypotheses, a quantitative approach, with a sample of 300 Tunisian who have attended the International Festival of Carthage, was conducted. The analytical packages (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses) confirmed most of the research hypotheses. The empirical results indicated that the festival information, program, atmosphere and staff are crucial predictors of festivalgoers’ emotions. Furthermore, positive and negative emotions seem to predict satisfaction, which in turn is a determinant of tourists’ behavior and also influences their intention to revisit and recommend the festival to others. Theoretical and managerial contributions, limitations, and further research directions are given.

Research paper thumbnail of A measure of revenue management orientation and its mediating role in the relationship between market orientation and performance

Journal of Business Research, 2018

This research conceptualizes revenue management as a specific strategic orientation-that is, the ... more This research conceptualizes revenue management as a specific strategic orientation-that is, the belief, and the processes that guide this belief, that revenue management leads to greater performance. As a first step, we propose REMANOR, a two-dimensional measure of revenue management orientation (RMO). Then, we investigate the impact of RMO on firm performance in the French hotel industry. The results show that RMO plays a mediating role in the relationship between market orientation and performance. The article also highlights the moderating role of customers' acceptance of revenue management practices on the RMO-performance relationship. The article concludes with the theoretical and managerial implications of the research.

Research paper thumbnail of Yield management et orientation marché: facteurs de performance dans les services (application à l'hôtellerie)

La presente recherche tente de contribuer a deux debats theoriques d’actualite, elle s’interesse ... more La presente recherche tente de contribuer a deux debats theoriques d’actualite, elle s’interesse d’une part aux implications strategiques de la pratique du yield management et de l’autre a la relation entre l’orientation marche et la performance de l’entreprise de services. Elle s’inscrit dans le courant de recherche montrant la superiorite du choix d’une orientation marche pour developper et adopter plus d’innovations et accroitre la performance de l’entreprise. Le yield management, considere comme l’une des principales innovations dans les services est etudie en tant que mediateur dans la relation « orientation marche-performance ». Dans cette recherche, nous avons effectue une etude qualitative et deux quantitatives. La principale collecte quantitative porte sur un echantillon de 132 cadres, principalement des directeurs d’hotels. Les resultats montrent l’importance de l’orientation marche des entreprises du secteur hotelier francais dans l’explication de leurs performances et le role mediateur joue par le yield management. Ainsi, elle met en œuvre les roles moderateurs joues par trois variables sur la relation entre « pratique du yield management » et performance de l’hotel, il s’agit de l ‘experience du personnel, de l’acceptation des clients et de la taille. La mise a disposition d’un instrument de mesure de la pratique du yield management presente une contribution methodologique interessante.

Research paper thumbnail of Hôtellerie traditionnelle et location saisonnière 2.0 : une étude exploratoire comparative des commentaires déposés sur Tripadvisor et Airbnb

Research paper thumbnail of Dark tourism : can sites of death and disaster be tourist destinations ?

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Sep 2, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of 1French versus Canadian Tourism Response to the Disabled

Both France and Canada rank as highly developed tourist destinations. This study compares the und... more Both France and Canada rank as highly developed tourist destinations. This study compares the underexplored area of the needs of tourists who are disabled in France (n = 25) and Canada (n = 24). The authors examine Canada’s and France’s accommodation to both domestic and international tourists who have disabilities, giving the study a unique perspective in comparing and contrasting results to the same questions across similar populations in two countries. The results indicate that neither country’s tourism industry has developed an effective policy to accommodate tourists who have disabilities indicated by significant barriers existing that exclude segments of the disabled population. This article takes the words of those with disabilities to recommend steps necessary to improve the tourism opportunities with this population.

Research paper thumbnail of Peer-to-peer accommodation and sustainability in Mountain areas

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to formulate assumptions on home sharing users’ sensitivity toward sustain... more PurposeThis paper aims to formulate assumptions on home sharing users’ sensitivity toward sustainability in mountain areas and define the sustainability indicators that may be used to search for home-based accommodation in mountain areas.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a literature review of key terms: mountain tourism, peer-to-peer accommodation and sustainability indicators.FindingsTourists in mountain areas are more likely to be sensitive toward sustainability than in urban areas, so they are likely to expect home sharing websites to provide sustainability criteria for selecting their accommodation.Practical implicationsHome sharing platforms should offer to mountain tourists the possibility to search for and assess home-based accommodation using sustainability criteria.Originality/valueMost studies on peer-to-peer accommodation were designed in urban areas. The authors state that in mountain areas, tourists are more sensitive toward sustainability and would ther...

Research paper thumbnail of Perspectives on the destination image of Tunisia

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 2017

Purpose The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to discuss the current situation of tourism in Tun... more Purpose The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to discuss the current situation of tourism in Tunisia after the revolution and to explore new ways to improve its image. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a literature review of tourism crisis and the current trends in Tunisian tourism. Findings The paper observes that a crisis can be a source of opportunity for a destination and that a carefully developed communication plan can improve its image. Practical implications The sharp decrease in international tourism flows in Tunisia makes it necessary for the destination to set a new tourism strategy aimed at improving its image among European tour operators and tourists. Originality/value This paper considers the extent to which a crisis in destination image affords an opportunity to reconsider its tourism strategy and improve its competitive positioning.

Research paper thumbnail of Développement durable et choix des indicateurs : le cas de l’hébergement type Airbnb

Management & Avenir, 2016

Peu de travaux se sont interesses au caractere durable des locations saisonnieres entre particuli... more Peu de travaux se sont interesses au caractere durable des locations saisonnieres entre particuliers. En nous basant sur une methodologie qualitative, nous avons identifie 15 criteres destines a evaluer l’engagement durable des entreprises de ce secteur. Des elements de reflexion sont aussi apportes quant aux freins et motivations des acteurs de ce secteur a formaliser leur engagement durable et a l’implication des parties-prenantes.

Research paper thumbnail of French versus Canadian Tourism: Response to the Disabled

Journal of Travel Research, 2009

Both France and Canada rank as highly developed tourist destinations. This study compares the und... more Both France and Canada rank as highly developed tourist destinations. This study compares the underexplored area of the needs of tourists who are disabled in France ( n = 25) and Canada ( n = 24). The authors examine Canada’s and France’s accommodation to both domestic and international tourists who have disabilities, giving the study a unique perspective in comparing and contrasting results to the same questions across similar populations in two countries. The results indicate that neither country’s tourism industry has developed an effective policy to accommodate tourists who have disabilities indicated by significant barriers existing that exclude segments of the disabled population. This article takes the words of those with disabilities to recommend steps necessary to improve the tourism opportunities with this population.

Research paper thumbnail of Perceived Performance in the French Tour Operating Industry

International Business Research, 2011

How to define firm performance? The question is of importance since no extensional definition in ... more How to define firm performance? The question is of importance since no extensional definition in the field of management is identified. The concept of performance thus appears all at the same time complex and multiform, whose measurement is always imperfect. Moreover, far from being comprehended only in a rational way by completely informed actors acting on a market, the performance appreciation by the public is a social one, resulting mainly from mimetic behaviours (Messonnet, 1999). In the field of services, the difficulties related to performance measurement are even more significant. Taking roots on a cognitive approach to strategy and competitive analysis, the objective of our study is thus to describe how top managers working in the tour-operating field perceive performance. Our results show that perceived performance is greatly heterogeneous, top managers using many different criteria to describe tour operators performance.

Research paper thumbnail of Yield Management in the French hotel business: An assessment of the importance of the human factor

International Business Research, 2011

Based on a qualitative study of the practice of Yield Management in the hotel industry, and semi-... more Based on a qualitative study of the practice of Yield Management in the hotel industry, and semi-direct exploratory interviews with 27 Paris hotel managers, this study highlights the strong connection between Yield Management and information systems, and stresses the great importance of the role played by the human factor in the establishment and development of an effective Yield Management system.

Research paper thumbnail of Strategic Groups Structure, Positioning of the Firm and Performance: A Review of Literature

International Business Research, 2012

A central theme of the literature on strategic groups is that group membership affects performanc... more A central theme of the literature on strategic groups is that group membership affects performance. The basic premise of strategic groups and their main interest is in fact that performance can be attributed to strategic groups and not only to the idiosyncratic character of the individual firm. The aim of this paper is therefore to characterize and synthesize studies that examined the relationship between strategic groups, considered from the economic or cognitive perspectives, and performance. We notice that these studies have often yielded conflicting results. We will focus specifically on the relationship between the positioning of the firm, the strategic group and performance, a link that has hitherto been little studied in the literature. In other words, is there for the firm an optimal positioning in relation to strategic groups in its industry? The few empirical studies focusing on this relationship, emphasizing a cognitive approach, were able to show that firms moderately differentiated with respect to their belonging strategic group are more successful.

Research paper thumbnail of Cognitions on Competition: The Newcomers Impact

International Business Research, 2011

A growing stream of research in the strategy field explores in a social constructionist approach ... more A growing stream of research in the strategy field explores in a social constructionist approach the competitive structures of industries from the perspective of industry participants. This work has indeed demonstrated that managers tend to develop strategic group representations based on categorization processes in order to simplify and make sense of their competitive environment. However, in most cases these studies focused on mature industries facing few environmental upheavals or protected from external threats. The aim of this paper is to extend this line of research by examining, in an increasingly dynamic industry, how top managers consider, regarding their own historic strategic group knowledge structures, new types of firms entering their traditional domestic competitive space. The main result, consistent with the cognitive inertia hypothesis, is that top managers tend to rely on cognitive maps that reflect obsolete industry boundaries rather than on configurations taking into account new competitive threats.

Research paper thumbnail of To what extent may sites of death be tourism destinations? The cases of Hiroshima in Japan and Struthof in France

Asian Business & Management, 2012

Among the different categories of tourism, one remains mysterious and controversial: visiting sit... more Among the different categories of tourism, one remains mysterious and controversial: visiting sites related to death, atrocity and disaster, known as 'dark tourism'. This phenomenon has been in existence for a long time, but seems to be more fashionable nowadays. But why is it so successful? What attracts people to a contemplation of such depressing places? Can we now consider and visit all sites related to death or disaster as tourist sites? Currently, a great deal of leisure opportunities are available to people and it seems that few activities are really prohibited or limited. Nevertheless, even if this form of tourism is now widely accepted, it is not as simple a form of tourism as it seems. Theories developed in this area will be 'tested' through two empirical cases studies conducted on visitors to a former WWII concentration camp situated in France (the Struthof camp) and to the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima in Japan. This research shows that things are not always what they seem.

Research paper thumbnail of Effets de la motivation et la qualité de vie sur le bien-être subjectif et les intentions comportementales des écotouristes en Tunisie

Maghreb - Machrek, 2019

Le secteur de l’ecotourisme connait le plus fort taux de developpement dans le monde. Il inclut d... more Le secteur de l’ecotourisme connait le plus fort taux de developpement dans le monde. Il inclut differentes activites comme la randonnee, le cyclisme, l’escalade et notamment d’autres activites de survie (Santarem, Silva et Santos, 2015). Le tourisme ecologique fait l’objet de divers projets et visions en Tunisie dans le but de renforcer l’attractivite du pays et de preserver les ressources et le bien-etre des tunisiens. Le but de cette etude est de comprendre le comportement du randonneur en explorant sa motivation, sa qualite de vie, son bien-etre subjectif, et ses intentions comportementales apres une randonnee. Des etudes qualitative et quantitative ont ete entreprises conjointement pour demontrer la preuve theorique et empirique des relations entre ces quatre parametres et participer a l’evolution et la promotion de l’activite en Tunisie.