Exploring usage, expected benefits and perceived usefulness of social media in travel agencies: an empirical investigation in Italy

Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to investigate travel agencies' social media usage and its perceived effectiveness by small- and micro-Italian travel agencies;the pre-pandemic period is compared to the forecasts for the post-Covid-19 period and different characteristics of firms and entrepreneurs are considered. Furthermore, the study analyses the expected benefits in terms of marketing objectives, such as improving brand image and/or personalizing the offer. Design/methodology/approach: The research was developed through a questionnaire administered electronically to travel agents (282 respondents). The resulting data was analyzed by applying the McNemar test, a pairwise t-test and the multivariate analysis of variance. Findings: The results show that social media are strategically significant for travel agents, even though their adoption is influenced by different agency aims;the perceived effectiveness results are diversified according to varying agency typologies. Research limitations/implications: The two main limitations of the study are its focus on the Italian context only and the missing consideration of the consumer's point of view. The latter prevents an exhaustive assessment of future trends regarding the use of social media in the client–agency relationship. Originality/value: The study, which focuses on a little debated topic concerning the relationship between social media and SMEs, organically explores various dimensions related to the adoption of social media by small agencies, also considering the impact of the Covid-19 on the perception of travel agents. As a further element of originality, the research takes into consideration the main social platforms separately rather than the set of tools as a whole. © 2023, Simone Splendiani, Mauro Dini, Francesca Rivetti and Tonino Pencarelli.

In-store technologies to improve customer experience and interaction: an exploratory investigation in Italian travel agencies

Purpose This paper aims to deepen understanding of the role played by new technological tools used in customer-travel agency (TA) interactions by analysing the TA owner/managers' perceptions, pre- and post-Covid-19, regarding the effectiveness of in-store traditional and innovative tools. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory study is based on a questionnaire-based survey conducted among Italian TAs and distributed via email from September 2020 to January 2021. Findings The study highlights how, even among TAs, the role of in-store technology is gradually taking on greater importance, and it delves into the specific business and socio-demographic factors that seem to cause differences among agencies. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on the Italian context, which does not allow for any generalisations. Furthermore, it is only the travel agent perspective that is observed and not the consumer's. Originality/value In addition to helping to bridge the literature gap, this study on in-store technologies focuses on the TAs sector, where human resources and human relationships play a decisive role in customer experience and interaction. The paper investigates the travel agents' point of view regarding the introduction of new in-store technologies;it also highlights their growing adoption and use, overall, despite the travel catalogue still remaining the main tool for interacting with customers. The study also shows how the advent of Covid-19 has increased travel agents' propensity to use digital technologies.

The Link Between Supervisor-Subordinate Computer-Mediated Immediate Behaviors and Organizational Identification in U.S., English, and Australian Organizations

More than 5.89 million people have died from COVID-19. Due to COVID-19, there is a need for organizations to reconsider their structures and systems in response to increased remote working and decreased face-to-face (FTF) interactions. This study analyzes organizational relationships, specifically the supervisor-subordinate relationship. This study examines the link between supervisor-subordinate immediacy and organizational identification in mediated communication. Participants from three nations (n = 1776) were explored to test the assumption that supervisor-subordinate immediacy explains organizational identification. The United States, Australia, and England were chosen as focal nations due to the differing government responses to the COVID-19 outbreak. Results revealed supervisors? perceived computer-mediated immediate behaviors and subordinates? perceived immediacy with their supervisors were positive predictors of organizational identity. U.S. supervisors were perceived to use higher levels of computer-mediated immediacy behaviors and have more perceived immediacy than Australian and English supervisors. Australian supervisors had higher levels of perceived immediacy than English supervisors.

Long-lasting Cognitive impairment after COVID-19

Background and aims: SARS-CoV-2 involves the Central Nervous System (CNS) and causes neurological symptoms. In this study, we aimed to evaluate cognitive functioning in the months following hospital discharge. Methods: We recruited 38 (aged 22-74 years;27 males) patients hospitalized for complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection in non-intensive COVID-19 units. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing about five months (18.98±5.17 weeks) after hospital discharge. Results: 42.1% of patients showed processing speed deficits (Symbol-Digit Modalities Test), while 26.3% showed delayed verbal recall deficits (Serial Recall Test Delayed recall [SRT-D]). 21.0% presented with deficits in both processing speed and verbal memory. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during hospitalization was associated with worse verbal long-term memory performance (ARDS vs. no ARDS: SRT-D mean score= 5.95±2.56 vs. 8.10±2.62, p=0.029). Conclusion: We found that cognitive abnormalities can be frequently observed in COVID-19 patients, even months following hospital discharge. Deficits of concentration, memory, and overall decreased cognitive speed can interfere with work and daily activities, and therefore deserve attention, especially in younger subjects.

Will a green color and nature images make consumers pay more for a green product?

PurposeWould a green color label increase the dollar amount consumers are willing to pay for a green product? Would nature images (such as a leaf or flower) on the label have the same effect? This paper aims to examine the role of these labeling strategies in influencing consumer willing to pay.Design/methodology/approachUsing a 2 × 3 experiment, the authors empirically test the research questions across two studies: in the controlled-lab setting with 160 students (Study 1) and in a field-setting with 268 consumers shopping at a grocery store (Study 2).FindingsResults are consistent across both studies. Surprisingly, participants are willing to pay more for the product when it has a white-toned label rather than a green-toned one. Follow-up path analysis, with Study 2 data, reveals that a white-toned label has both an indirect (through more favorable evaluations of the product’s environmental friendliness), as well as a direct impact on willingness to pay. In providing a post hoc explanation, it is argued that a white-toned label better directs attention towards the claim signaling the product’s eco-friendliness, while providing a “clean”, “high-quality” look. In both studies however, nature images on the label did not have a significant effect.Practical implicationsInsights are particularly interesting for practitioners seeking to better label/package green products.Originality/valueThis investigation is the first to empirically examine how color and images on the label influence the dollar amount consumers are willing to pay for a green product. Findings reveal that counter to common belief, the heavy use of the color green on eco-friendly product labels might not be appropriate;a predominantly white-toned label works better.

Physical Activity during COVID-19 Lockdown: Data from An Italian Survey

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments to impose quarantines and lockdowns as containment strategy, raising concerns about mental health and low level of physical activity performed by quarantined populations. In this study, we assess the level of physical activity and psychological wellbeing in a sample of the Italian population during lockdown through an online format of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Psychological General Well-Being index-Short version (PGWB-S) . Of 317 adult responders considered, most were female (61.2%), young adults (52.4%), living in little-to-medium size cities (80.1%) and with high-level education (62.8%). Most of our sample performed physical activity mostly during leisure time and domestic activities, and 60.9% were highly active. No interactions were found between physical activity and the demographic characteristics considered. Subjects performing high level of physical activity felt more energetic and vital than those with moderate (p < 0.0001) and low levels (p < 0.0001) of physical activity. Our participants performed enough activity to satisfy the WHO Guidelines, mainly due to domestic activity and activity performed during leisure time, with an overall moderately positive psychological reaction to lockdown.