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Identifying constraints on Gen Z’s path toward ethical tourism consumption and practices
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2025-01-03) Seyfi S; Hall CM; Saarinen J; Zaman M; Vo-Thanh T
Gen Z’s interest in ethical consumption, including tourism, is growing in response to pressing global challenges. However, there is limited research on the constraints tied to the ethical travel decisions of this young cohort of travelers. This qualitative study, grounded in the theory of constraints and ethical consumerism literature, addresses this gap. The findings reveal multi-layered and interrelated constraints categorized as intrapersonal (cognitive dissonance, risk aversion, consumption inertia), interpersonal (green stigma, family dynamics, social comparison), and structural (limited accessibility, financial restrictions). This study extends the theory of constraints by showing that these constraints do not act in isolation but interact dynamically, with intrapersonal constraints often triggering interpersonal and structural ones, while certain barriers reinforce others. Unlike previous research that treats these constraints as independent, our findings reveal their sequential and context-dependent nature, offering new insights into how these constraints interrelate in shaping ethical travel decisions and practices. By highlighting the complexity of ethical decision-making—including conflicting principles, ambiguity, and social influences—this study offers a novel, theoretically-grounded perspective on the constraints faced by Gen Z, often labelled the “greenest” generation. Practically, these findings inform targeted interventions and policy initiatives to enable ethical tourism.
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Investigating the mediating role of visitor satisfaction in the relationship between memorable tourism experiences and behavioral intentions in heritage tourism context
(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2022-03-04) Rasoolimanesh SM; Seyfi S; Rather RA; Hall CM
Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the interplay of memorable tourism experiences (MTE) dimensions in driving behavioral intentions of heritage tourists through the mediating role of satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach: Empirical data were collected from tourists in the heritage city of Kashan, Iran. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) were applied to analyze the data.
Findings: The results of PLS-SEM showed that three dimensions of MTE as follows: local culture, involvement and knowledge, significantly directly or indirectly influence tourists’ behavioral intention toward a destination. However, the results of fsQCA identified greater heterogeneity among the respondents by highlighting the positive effects of hedonism and novelty on satisfaction and revisit and word-of-mouth intentions.
Originality/value: This study enriches the empirical evidence on MTE by constructing a composite picture of the memorability of tourists’ experiences within a heritage tourism context. This study is one of the first to investigate the effects of dimensions of MTE on behavioral intentions using both symmetric (PLS-SEM) and asymmetric approaches to identify the more significant dimensions of MTE, as well as sufficient combinations of dimensions to predict behavioral intentions.
基于遗产旅游情境下的游客满意度 对难忘旅游体验和行为意向之间关系的中介效应的研究
研究目的
本文旨在研究难忘旅游体验 (MTE) 各维度通过满意度这个中介变量来驱动遗产旅游游客行为意图的机制
研究设计/方法论/研究方法
实证数据是从伊朗遗产城市卡尚的游客那里收集的。本研究采用偏最小二乘结构方程模型（PLS-SEM）和模糊集定性比较分析（fsQCA）对数据进行分析
研究发现
偏最小二乘结构方程模型的研究结果表明，难忘旅游体验（MTE）的三个维度：当地文化、参与度和熟悉程度，显著地直接或间接地影响游客对目的地的行为意向。然而，模糊集定性比较分析的研究结果表明受访者间存在更大的异质性，其结果凸显了享乐主义和新鲜感对满意度、重游意向和口碑(WOM)意向的正效应
独创性/价值
本研究通过构建遗产旅游背景下游客体验难忘性的相互影响机制，丰富了关于难忘旅游体验（MTE）的实证研究证据。本研究是第一个同时使用对称方法（PLS-SEM）和非对称方法（fsQCA）来探究MTE各维度对行为意向的影响的研究之一，通过这种方式可以识别出MTE各维度中更为重要的维度以及维度组合，以此来预测行为意向
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Ecosystem services provided by North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx Mantelli) in two horticulture settings : vineyards and kiwifruit orchards : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Conservation Biology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2025) Gong, Wei
Ecosystem services provide essential benefits to humans from natural ecosystems. Recognising and valuing these services is crucial. By implementing sustainable management practices that balance human needs with biodiversity preservation, we can ensure the long-term health of both ecosystems and people. North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), an endemic New Zealand bird are nocturnal ground insectivores whose numbers are increasing following conservation management practices. They are now being reported more frequently from human-modified landscapes. This study explores the possible role of the brown kiwi as pest controllers in vineyards and kiwifruit orchards, focusing on its foraging behaviour and habitat use. I collected data using acoustic recorders only in one study site, and camera traps, pitfall traps, and kiwi faeces analysis across four study sites. These methods aimed to investigate their activity pattern, habitat use, diet composition, and the invertebrates’ composition in this specific area. Acoustic recorders provide kiwi vocal behaviour, estimate population density, and at the same time, camera traps monitor their movement and habitat preference between orchard and bush areas. Pitfall traps and faecal analysis help to identify available and consumed invertebrate prey for them. I used capture rate calculations, Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS), and Spatial Capture-Recapture (SCR) modelling for statistical analyses. That is to assess kiwi activity, diet overlap between seasons and study sites and estimate population density. I found that they were more active in bush areas, but also used orchards, especially those with dense canopy cover, like Puriri Park. Seasonal changes affected invertebrate availability and their behaviour. Kiwi were most active in summer and less active in winter. Kiwi faeces contained potential orchard pest species, suggesting they may be a potential pest controller. Using predator heat maps made with camera trap data, I found different levels of threat at different locations, with higher numbers of predators closer to the bush area. The spatial capture-recapture model estimated a low kiwi density, which may be due to detection limitations and small sample sizes. It may be necessary to increase the sample size in future studies to reflect the most realistic results. Overall, the findings suggest that habitat characteristics such as canopy cover, soil conditions and surrounding vegetation influence their behaviour and that horticultural landscapes can support kiwi if managed properly. Additionally, my findings show that kiwi use modified landscapes and can inform orchardists on how to make horticultural settings more kiwi-friendly through improved habitat and pest management. Future research should increase the number of orchards used and include more diverse horticultural settings to test the replicability of these findings and their extent. Research could also assess the effectiveness of different orchard management practices on their behaviour. These efforts will support better conservation strategies and promote eco-friendly orchard management in New Zealand.
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An investigation of the faecal microbiome of diarrhoeic and non diarrhoeic kittens : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Animal Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2025) Owen, Rebecca
Kittens change from birth to adulthood in different ways, some of these are anatomical, physiological, cognitive, behavioural, as well as nutritional, and microbial. The microbial adaptations in relation to changes in diet and faecal consistency during the weaning period are the main focus of this study. During the weaning period, it is relatively common for kittens to develop diarrhoea. Unfortunately, diarrhoea in this vulnerable population, particularly before 8 weeks of age, can lead to death due to the secondary dehydration, hypothermia and hypoglycaemia. There are many different causes of diarrhoea, both infectious and non-infectious. In many cases, infectious cases of diarrhoea are ruled out through appropriate testing. This leaves a population of kittens with an unexplained, non-infectious diarrhoea. In recent years, it has increasingly been suggested that small changes in a previously stable microbiome can impact the health and faecal consistency of an individual, causing disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The intestinal microbiome refers to the bacterial communities found within the gastrointestinal tract. When an imbalance in the microbiome predisposes or causes disease, this is referred to as a dysbiosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the microbiome of diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic kittens, during and after the weaning period. It was hypothesised that kittens that developed diarrhoea, had a different microbiome to kittens that did not. Samples from 16 litters (13 diarrhoeic litters and 3 non diarrhoeic litters) underwent 16S rRNA PCR and sequencing to determine the bacterial communities found within the faecal microbiome. Observations from this study found differences between diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic litters, particularly between the pre-weaning, pre-diarrhoea and post-diarrhoea weaned, recovered samples. The pre-weaning, pre-diarrhoea samples had the lowest (but non-significant) Shannon diversity of all samples, indicating the possibility of a dysbiosis preceding diarrhoea. This study also identified differences between the during-weaning and post-weaning microbiome. The two diet groups in this study, although similar, had a significantly different Jaccard distance. The microbiomes of queens and kittens were also significantly different, irrespective of diarrhoeic status, diet, and owner. This study helps to fill the gap in knowledge and provides some new information about diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic kittens during and after the weaning period and identifies a potential dysbiosis that precedes non-infectious diarrhoea. Once this information is established with a bigger study, prevention or treatment methods can be investigated for kittens who are identified to be at risk of diarrhoea or develop non-infectious diarrhoea. This information would be of benefit to veterinarians, cat breeders and animal shelters, with the hope that these at-risk kittens could be better managed or even possibly prevent one of the most common problems kittens face in their early life.
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Conversations with Practitioners: How Technology Can Facilitate Collaboration
(Springer, 2025-08-04) Bakogianni A
Creative responses to the Classics are one of the most powerful engines that fuels the field of Classical Reception. In the new millennium technology has not only helped facilitate a closer dialogue between practitioners working in a variety of artistic mediums and reception scholars, but it has also widened the dissemination possibilities via open-access websites hosted by universities. This paper testifies to this well-established but still growing phenomenon. It is based on the work I carried out at The Open University, UK as an interviewer for Classics Confidential (2013–2016) and Practitioners Voices in Classical Reception Studies (2014–2018), and as project leader of Classical World New Zealand project (2017–present) at Massey University. I reflect on how this work has shaped my understanding of the reception process itself and enabled me to contribute to the dissemination of information about exciting new case studies in the long reception history of the Graeco-Roman Classics.