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Purpose This study aims to examine the role of eco-label hotel engagement as a pathway to sustainable practices via scouting entrepreneurial resilience and orientation at highly ranked hotels in Oman. The authors developed and tested a novel model built on resilience theory, the theory of entrepreneurial orientation and the theory of reasoned action (TRA). Design/methodology/approach Data from 167 human resources directors, hotel managers and other employees were analyzed by partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Findings Results indicate a strong positive relationship between entrepreneurial resilience and entrepreneurial orientation. Entrepreneurial orientation significantly increased all eco-label strategies, but not all strategies enhanced sustainable tourism practices. High adoption of sustainability practices depended on core strategies related to awareness, benefits, reputation and necessity, but the cost was also an issue. Managers adopted sustainability practices if they were not perceived as costly, or when perceived as costly if they believed they would help them reduce operating costs. Practical implications Policymakers should assist hotel managers when the sector is hit by political events, natural disasters or health crises such as the current pandemic can bounce back and develop their resilience. Likewise, training and workshops can be organized to improve managers’ entrepreneurial mindset, which was found to be a precursor to favorable attitudes toward sustainability. Originality/value This study tests a novel model built on three theories: resilience theory, the theory of entrepreneurial orientation and the TRA by using PLS-SEM and fsQCA.

The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of disability management practices (DMPs) and the level of implementation from the viewpoint of food and beverage (F & B) managers, F & B entry-level employees, working in F & B departments, and human resources (HRs) managers in five-star hotels in Egypt. It also analyzed the moderating role of team orientation (TO) between the importance and the implementation of DMPs. Data were collected from 400 respondents. The association between the importance and the implementation of DMPs is significant, moderate, and positive. The results also exhibited that the correlation between the importance and the implementation is significantly more positive under the condition of a high encouragement of TO. The study provides significant implications for both theory and practice

PurposeConventional motion mechanisms in adaptive skins require rigid kinematic mechanical systems that require sensors and actuation devices, hence impeding the adoption of zero-energy buildings. This paper aims to exploit wooden responsive actuators as a passive approach for adaptive facades with dynamic shading configurations. Wooden passive actuators are introduced as a passive responsive mechanism with zero-energy consumption.Design/methodology/approachThe study encodes the embedded hygroscopic parameters of wood through 4D printing of wooden composites as a responsive wooden actuator. Several physical experiments focus on controlling the printed hygroscopic parameters based on the effect of 3D printing grain patterns and infill height on the wooden angle of curvature when exposed to variation in humidity. The printed hygroscopic parameters are applied on two types of wooden actuators with difference in the saturation percentage of wood in the wooden filaments specifically 20% and 40% for more control on the angle of curvature and response behavior.FindingsThe study presents the ability to print wooden grain patterns that result in single and double curved surfaces. Also, printing actuators with variation in infill height control each part of wooden actuator to response separately in a controlled passive behavior. The results show a passive programmed self-actuated mechanism that can enhance responsive façade design with zero-energy consumption through utilizing both material science and additive manufacturing mechanisms.Originality/valueThe study presents a set of controlled printed hygroscopic parameters that stretch the limits in controlling the response of printed wood to humidity instead of the typical natural properties of wood.

Secondary phase carbides in term of type and morphology are considered as the most challenge facing the applications of hot work tool steel. AISI H13 tool steel is one of the most applicable hot work tool steel grades. M23C6, M6C and MC are the common secondary carbides that are forming throughout the martensite matrix of H13 tool steel. In this research, nanoinoculant silicon nitride was added to the molten H13 tool steel to act as an inoculant for the secondary carbide categories through ladle treatment process. By using OM and SEM, it was observed that nanoinoculant has the great impact in the nucleation of secondary carbides into fine shape, in particular M23C6type. In addition, mechanical tests proved that the nucleation of secondary carbides promotes the mechanical properties of hot work H13 tool steel to its ultimate. Impact toughness of the inoculated H13 tool steel was observed with higher value than that was done at the ordinary H13 tool steel. At the meantime, wear resistance of inoculated H13 tool steel was multiplied two times higher than as delivered H13 tool steel.

Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) were used to uncover the determinants of customers’ overall positive image of green hotels, which can affect behavioral intentions. A sample of 323 customers of 54 four- and five-star “green” hotels in the Sultanate of Oman were surveyed. The findings can explain the complex process shaping customers’ perceived image. The fsQCA analysis shows that the overall positive image of green hotels was driven by the interaction of two core conditions, environmental values and cognitive image, and one peripheral condition, low-carbon knowledge. Together, these factors are sufficient to form a favorable image of eco-hotels and could make a favorable affective image unnecessary. The PLS-SEM approach clarifies that this process takes place through an indirect mechanism wherein environmental values and low-carbon knowledge shape customers’ cognitive image, which then boosts the overall positive image of eco-hotels. Such comprehensive insights address the gap in the body of literature vis à vis the influence of customers’ psychological factors through cognitive and affective images. Theoretical and practical implications are examined.

This work is aiming at attaining the highest wear abrasion resistance of Hadfield steel, through using ceramic metal matrix approach. The metal matrix composite structure was attained through using honey comb method. Then, microstructure observations, wear abrasion resistance of the metal matrix composite structure were well tracked by using optical microscope, SEM, XRD, and wear test. Comparing with the reference Hadfield steel, it was found that wear abrasion resistance has been multiplied through using ceramic metal matrix composite structure, adding to the great enhancement of strain hardening property. These results refer to the possibility of using this new technique for producing the crusher components to be applied under severe mining conditions.

Due to the significance of transformational leadership in the hospitality industry, and the imperative need of managers to communicate effectively with all employees in the work environment, this study aims to (1) shed light on the importance of transformational leadership in the hospitality industry; (2) study the implementation of transformational leadership for guest and non-guest contact employees in five-star hotels in Egypt, and (3) scrutinize the perception of transformational leadership and its effect on job stress and burnout. To our knowledge, this is the only study that has investigated this topic both in guest and non-guest contact departments in five-star hotels (113 hotels). A total of 327 valid questionnaires from 500 questionnaire distributed were used to conduct the data analysis (155 questionnaire represented guest contact department and 172 questionnaire represented non-guest contact department), giving a response rate of 65.4%. The findings revealed the perception of transformational leadership does not have significant variance, whether in guest contact department or in non-guest contact department. Although employees in guest contact department showed that their direct managers “often” implement transformational leadership, in non-guest contact department, they showed that their direct managers “sometimes” implement transformational leadership. The findings also revealed a significant and negative correlation between transformational leadership and job stress in five-star hotels. However, this negative relationship between transformational leadership and job stress is higher among guest contact employees than non-guest contact employees. Likewise, the statistical test revealed a significant and negative correlation between transformational leadership and job burnout in five-star hotels. But this negative relationship between transformational leadership and job stress is higher among guest contact employees than non-guest contact employees. The outcomes of this study raised major critical recommendations that have to be directed to top managerial level in the hospitality industry.

Alexandria is an international tourist destination. Due to its limited natural attractions and growing regional competition, Alexandrian hotels? operators need to adopt and implement creative marketing tools. This study explores the current and future adoption and role of electronic marketing (E-marketing) strategies and e-distribution channels in Alexandrian hotels. Despite the exponential growth of E-marketing, little is still known about its application and effectiveness in Alexandrian hotels. This exploratory study aims to fill in this gap. Field study revealed that most e-marketing procedures have not been applied, application of Awareness/General-Policy-related procedures helps better apply procedures in other phases, and that 5-star hotels apply E-marketing partially better than 4-star hotels. Further managers? opinions and thoughts have been sought, concerning the overall context and perceived barriers of applying E-marketing, both current and future aspects. Finally, best E-marketing practices are identified, and a simplified strategy for developing an effective E-marketing mix is proposed