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Corporate social responsibility in tourism: The case of Zoomarine Algarve
Publication . Contreiras, Joaquim; Machado, Virgílio; Duarte, Ana Patrícia
This study had a threefold purpose. First, it sought to examine the opinion of three important stakeholders - employees, visitors and members of the local community - about the corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices of the theme park, Zoomarine Algarve. Second, this study evaluated the perceptions of the public regarding the impact of the company?s activities on regional development and environmental awareness. Last, the study sought to understand if stakeholders? opinions regarding this company?s engagement in CSR practices are related to the impacts attributed to Zoomarine Algarve?s regular functions. The methodology comprised quantitative research based on a survey administered to convenience samples of the target groups (n = 405). The results reveal that stakeholders have an extremely positive view of the theme park?s engagement in CSR practices and feel that it contributes significantly to regional development, as well as to raising the environmental awareness of visitors and local communities. The findings also show that perceptions of CSR engagement are positively related with perceived impacts.
Planning tourism in protected natural areas: safety, soft law and conflict management between beach users. the case of surf in Aljezur, Portugal
Publication . Machado, Virgílio; Contreiras, Joaquim Pinto; Duarte, Ana Patrícia
The intensification of tourism in coastal areas can increase planning problems, with potential conflicts amongst beach users affecting their safety perceptions and, ultimately, their tourist experience. Therefore, this constitutes an important concern for local authorities. The present study was conducted on an environmentally sensitive tourism destination located in a protected natural area in the Algarve, Portugal, with a quite significant level of surf tourism activities-the Aljezur municipality. In total, 245 surfers and 282 bathers were surveyed as these beach user groups have been observed to have a potential for intergroup conflict. Data were collected regarding their perceptions of personal safety, conflicts between beach users, and conflict management strategies. The respondents were also surveyed regarding how local authorities can provide strategies of soft law for a more sustainable management of surfing tourism. The findings revealed a consensus about the safety of Aljezur beaches and existence of perceived low conflict levels amongst beach users.
The strategies more valued by respondents to promote surfing tourism development in the territory include the preservation of the natural resources and the developed of local regulation. Overall, these findings can be useful to the sustainable management of the surfing tourism in the territory.
Comparing trade-off adjustments in credit risk analysis of mortgage loans using AHP, Delphi and MACBETH
Publication . Ferreira, Fernando A. F.; Santos, Sérgio Pereira dos
Due to the severe restrictions on access to credit resulting from the current economic climate, credit risk analysis of mortgage loans has been considered paramount for banking institutions and is currently accompanied by higher credit underwriting standards. In this paper, we present an empirical comparison of three decision support tools (i.e. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Delphi, and Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique (MACBETH)) in the specific context of trade-off readjustments in credit risk analysis of mortgage loans. We conducted a panel study with credit analysts and focused on five lines of comparison: ease of use; time-consumption; ease of applicability; accuracy; and overall evaluation. Results indicate that Delphi surpasses AHP and MACBETH in terms of ease of use, time-consumption and ease of applicability. As for accuracy, the differences obtained between AHP and MACBETH are not significant, and both methods perform better than Delphi. Most of the decision makers considered AHP the "overall best" approach.
Corporate social responsibility in tourism: The case of Zoomarine Algarve
Publication . Contreiras, Joaquim; Machado, Virgílio; Duarte, Ana Patrícia
This study had a threefold purpose. First, it sought to examine the
opinion of three important stakeholders – employees, visitors and
members of the local community – about the corporate social
responsibility (CSR) practices of the theme park, Zoomarine Algarve.
Second, this study evaluated the perceptions of the public regarding
the impact of the company’s activities on regional development and
environmental awareness. Last, the study sought to understand if
stakeholders’ opinions regarding this company’s engagement in CSR
practices are related to the impacts attributed to Zoomarine Algarve’s
regular functions. The methodology comprised quantitative research
based on a survey administered to convenience samples of the target
groups (n = 405). The results reveal that stakeholders have an
extremely positive view of the theme park’s engagement in CSR
practices and feel that it contributes significantly to regional
development, as well as to raising the environmental awareness of
visitors and local communities. The findings also show that
perceptions of CSR engagement are positively related with perceived
impacts.
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Funding agency
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Funding programme
5876
Funding Award Number
UID/GES/00315/2013