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This study examines how the Emiratization program designed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government affected the hotel and hospitality sector. A qualitative research approach was adopted, in which in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data from HR managers at four- and five-star hotels in Dubai, UAE. The results showed different sub-variables associated with the role of HR management, motivational strategies, and the Emiratization of labor force. While Emiratization of the workplace poses several challenges, it can capitalize on benefits in brand building, such as using natives as brand ambassadors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.01.058 Byline: Constantinos-Vasilios Priporas (a), Nikolaos Stylos (b), Anestis K. Fotiadis (c) Abstract: Retailing is witnessing a transformation due to rapid technological developments. Retailers are using smart technologies to improve consumer shopping experiences and to stay competitive. The biggest future challenge for marketing and consequently for retailing seems to be generation Z, since members of this generation seem to behave differently as consumers and are more focused on innovation. The aim of this paper is to explore Generation Z consumers' current perceptions, expectations and recommendations in terms of their future interactions in smart retailing contexts. To do so, we used a qualitative approach by conducting a series of semi-structured in depth interviews with 38 university students-consumers in the UK market. The findings showed that smart technologies have a significant influence on generation Z consumers' experiences. Moreover, this particular group of consumers expects various new devices and electronic processes to be widely available, thus offering consumers more autonomy and faster transactions. In addition, they expect the technology to enable them to make more informed shopping decisions. Interviewees also stressed the importance of training consumers how to use new smart retailing applications. In addition, some of the participants were sceptical about the effects of further advancing smart retailing on part of the job market. Relevant theoretical and practical implications are also provided. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Marketing, Branding & Tourism, Middlesex University Business School, London, UK (b) Department of Marketing, Innovation, Leisure and Enterprise, University of Wolverhampton Business School, MN Building, Nursery Street, City Campus Molineux (North), Wolverhampton, WV1 1AD, UK (c) College of Communication and Media Science, Zayed University, P.O. Box 144534, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Article History: Received 25 November 2016; Revised 23 January 2017; Accepted 29 January 2017

Given the need for qualitative research on human resource (HR) practices, this study explores and demonstrates the interrelated HR practices around motivating, engaging, and retaining employees. It employs in-depth interviews to explore such practices adopted by 4- and 5- star hotels in Dubai. The findings reveal that HR practices are classified within employer branding and internal branding and directed toward hotel and destination brand image enhancement. This study offers destination managers with HR practices that contribute to enhancing the hotel and the destination brand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main scope of this paper examines the relationship among perceived trust, membership and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) intention. A structured questionnaire based on a nonprobability purposive sample resulted in 413 responses, from which a structural equation model was developed. The results demonstrate that perceived trust significantly influences membership among a virtual group, and membership subsequently affects eWOM. From a sample drawn among international participants of a sporting event in Taiwan, results demonstrate the positive relationship and importance of perceived trust in creating a sense of membership among athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the author talks about the articles published in the issue including "Events sponsorship as a business partnership: Suggesting the critical success factors", "Profiling residents based on their perceptions and attitude toward sport event: Insights from the FIA World Rally Championship", and "The influence of media implemented into the Event-tourist career model: TriYas triathlon Abu Dhabi."

Different research studies argue that external circumstances or events can have an effect on people, but this effect is mediated by the individual's perceptions, capacities, and understanding. While in behavioural and social studies stress research is a well-known traditional research topic, in marketing and tourism studies consumer stress research has been ignored by marketing and consumer researchers. This preliminary research paper examines the result of a consumer stress measurement combination study that includes the use of Social Readjustment Rating Scale and the use of a "trend to buy" research study. Our research question is based on the statement "unique stress events can affect the buying behaviour of different consumer tourist groups". The study is based on three "focus group" organised studies with 26 students, i.e., 9 with graduated, 9 with postgraduated and 8 with post-graduated executives. The results of the study give useful suggestions for the construction of an alternative consumer measurement tool. Finally the paper concludes that the "Death of a relative" is the most important and unique stress life events for the three student groups. When such event occurs, then all the student groups trend not to buy products and services related with their animation and outgoing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigation fills a gap in the literature by examining social interaction in rural tourism management from a host perspective. Furthermore it is aimed at identifying the main factors influencing social interactions in rural tourism in Greece. A structured questionnaire related to social interactions was distributed to 174 hosts in a variety of rural areas throughout Greece. Four factors related to rural tourism social interactions were identified: Local government and community cooperation, Leadership, Coordination and collaboration among tourism entrepreneurs and Cooperation with NGO's. Results indicated that the "Local government and community cooperation" factor had the highest variance level (27.61) amongst the explanatory factors on a social interactions scale for rural tourism hosts in Greece while "Cooperation with NGO's factor" had the highest average score (5.68). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]