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The purpose of this empirical study is to identify the underlying dimensions of exhibition attendance motivations from the perspective of exhibition attendees. Using delineated motivational factors, this study then compares attendees' perceptions of motivational factors in two major market segments: trade and public shows. A total of 302 attendee responses were collected at various exhibitions held in Hong Kong. The results of this empirical research indicate that there are five motivational factors in exhibition attendance, of which information search and market investigation are the two most important motivators. A market segment comparison shows that trade show attendees' motivations are significantly greater than those of public show attendees across all five factors. The managerial implications for exhibition organizers and exhibitors are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Casino hotels have traditionally been viewed as commodities competing over price and complimentary rooms. Researchers appeal for brand experience as differentiation strategy and state that unique experiences translate in the success of hotels. Based on previous studies in other industries on experiential values, this study aims to explore experiential values applicable to casino hotels that can be used to market hotels in terms that go beyond the traditional mix of price and complimentary rooms. Dimensions of experiential values are tested for their applicability in Macao's casino hotels against consumers' hotel preference, patronage intent, and willingness to pay higher price and recommend to others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expatriate managers are regularly used to start up and manage international hotels in China. This paper looks at the cross cultural training (CCT) given to expatriate hotel managers in China to help adjust to living and working in a foreign environment. The findings show that even though there is a substantial amount spent on expatriate managers' compensation, the amount of CCT that is actually occurring is limited because CCT is undervalued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Hong Kong most restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill and tipping is at the discretion of customers. This voluntary aspect of tipping over and above a service charge raises questions about why people tip and the factors that affect its size. This paper reports upon a study of 342 restaurant customers. Results indicate that Hong Kong diners tipped 3.57% in addition to the service charge. The tip size and percentage were positively related to the bill size and the frequency of visits, and negatively related to party size, confirming past studies. Hong Kong customers increased their tip when they received value for money. Cash paying customers left 33% more tips than did customers paying by credit card. However, no relationship was found between perceived service quality and the amount of the tip. This could be attributed to the fact that a service charge was already included in the bill. The findings are compared to the literature with an emphasis on the USA environment, where the majority of tipping studies have been conducted and service charges are not customary. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper reports on a research project investigating the current and potential existence, implementation and levels of training in empowerment management styles in five international hotel groups in Asia. Initial findings suggest that empowerment is not going to be used as a management style in China for a long time. Reasons for this seem to be authoritarian management styles, culture, higher than average staff/customer ratios, employees who are not trusted, and an environment which discourages risk taking. However, in the East meets West culture of Hong Kong empowerment is starting to be introduced to a selection of staff in several international hotel chains. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Although the crucial importance of sediments in aquatic systems is well-known, sediments are often neglected as a factor in the evaluation of water quality assessment. To support and extend previous work in that field, this study was conducted to assess the impact of surface water and sediment on fish embryos in the case of a highly anthropogenically influenced river catchment in Central Hesse, Germany.Results: The results of 96 h post fertilisation fish embryo toxicity test with Danio rerio (according to OECD Guideline 236) revealed that river samples comprising both water and sediment exert pivotal effects in embryos, whereas surface water alone did not. The most prominent reactions were developmental delays and, to some extent, malformations of embryos. Developmental delays occurred at rates up to 100% in single runs. Malformation rates ranged mainly below 10% and never exceeded 25%.Conclusion: A clear relationship between anthropogenic point sources and detected effects could not be established. However, the study illustrates the critical condition of the entire river system with respect to embryotoxic potentials present even at the most upstream test sites. In addition, the study stresses the necessity to take into account sediments for the evaluation of ecosystem health in industrialised areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]