Browsing by Author "Biscaia, Rui"
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- An examination of intentions of recommending fitness centers by user membersPublication . Gonçalves, Celina; Biscaia, Rui; Correia, Abel; Diniz, AnaThe goal of this study was to examine what experiences members have with fitness centers that influence their intentions for recommendation. After item generation and content validity, as well as a pilot test, a survey was conducted among members of five different clubs (n=1750). The questionnaire included measures of service quality attributes, accessibility, well-being in life, well-being in a club, and intentions to recommend a fitness center. Results using a structural equation model provide evidence that only service quality attributes and well-being in a club have positive effect on intentions of users to recommend it. Well-being in life has a negative effect on the intentions for re- commendation, while accessibility shows no predictive effect. These findings suggest implications for the management of a club, such as the need to create a pleasant environment and to provide a personalized service directed towards the members’ goals in order to improve well-being in a club and contribute to increase the intentions to recommend the fitness centers to others.
- An examination of members’ intentions to recommend fitness centresPublication . Gonçalves, Celina; Biscaia, Rui; Correia, Abel; Diniz, AnaIn the sports industry, service recommendation is pivotal due to its impact on the organizations’ profitability (Alexandris et al., 2004). Recommendation is a way of expressing positive behavioral intentions towards the organization, and several studies have focused on understanding its antecedents (Ferrand et al., 2010). For example, perceptions of service attributes and accessibilities (Chelladurai & Chang, 2000) have been highlighted as vital aspects guiding behavioral intentions, including service recommendations. Additionally, recent studies suggest that well-being in life is related to consumption levels in a variety of settings, while well-being in the fitness club tends to contribute to positive behavioral intentions towards the club (Barros & Gonçalves, 2009). While previous studies have focused on measuring each of these variables separately, little is known about the simultaneous effects of these variables. This is a vital aspect to provide a global understanding of how to improve members’ recommendations in fitness consumption environments. Drawing on previous literature, the purpose of this study is to examine the antecedents of service recommendations in an integrated model, including the attributes of the service, accessibilities, well-being in life and well-being in the fitness club. The study sample consisted of paid members from one the biggest Portuguese fitness networks. Based on the conceptual dimensions proposed in the literature, a survey with 18 items was created with the cooperation of a panel of specialists including two Portuguese club managers and two professors of sport management from a mid-sized Portuguese University. Service attributes were measured using 5 items (e.g. innovative equipment), while accessibilities were assessed using 2 items (e.g. good location). These items were designed by the experts. Well-being in life (5 items) and well-being in the club (5 items) were based on Diener et al. (1997). Service recommendation was measured using a single item based on Alexandris et al. (2004). The use of a single item is consistent with previous studies (Ferrand et al., 2010). All items were measured with a 5-point Likert-type scale (1=strongly disagree, to 5=strongly agree). The surveys were distributed by an experienced interviewer in seven clubs located in four different cities. Members were asked to participate in a study when arriving the club, and the surveys were self-administered in a room near the reception desk. A total of 2,500 surveys were collected and, after data screening, 1,750 were deemed usable for data analysis. Data were submitted to a two-step maximum likelihood structural equation model (AMOS 20.0). The results of the measurement model indicated an acceptable fit to the data [χ²(113)=493.99 (p<.001), CFI=.98, GFI=.97, RMSEA=.04]. The composite reliability values of the constructs were above the cut-off point of .70, while AVE values were greater than .50 providing evidence of convergent validity. Discriminant validity was accepted given that the AVE value for each construct was greater than the squared correlations between that construct and any other. Additionally, the overall assessment of the structural model indicated an acceptable fit to the data [χ²(126)=547.92 (p<.001), CFI=.98, GFI=.97, RMSEA=.04]. The results indicate that service attributes (β=.22, p<.01) and well-being in club (β=.54, p<.01) have a significant positive effect on recommendations. Accessibilities did not show a significant relationship with recommendation (p>.05), while well-being in life showed a significant negative effect on recommendation (β=-.09, p<.01). The ability of the hypothesized model to explain variation in the outcome variable was assessed through the R2 value (R2recommendation=48%). The findings are consistent with previous studies suggesting that the perceptions of service attributes are vital to increase recommendations (Ferrand et al., 2010). Additionally, well-being in club was the strongest predictor of recommendations highlighting the role of delivering the service in pleasant environments. Based on the items of this study, fitness managers should keep innovating in terms of the facilities and equipment, showing interest in solving member’s needs in order to ensure they feel good in the club, and thus, increasing their intentions to recommend the club. In turn, the findings did not show a significant role of the accessibilities dimension, which may be due to the good accessibilities of the clubs tested in the study. All clubs of this fitness network are located in central areas of the cities, and thus, a good accessibility may be seen as pre-requisite of the service provided by the club. On the other hand, well-being in life showed a negative effect on recommendations. These findings should be considered by fitness managers when designing marketing strategies for increasing the number of members, and provide opportunities to continue advancing our knowledge of how to manage fitness clubs.
- Management of child camps: a structured literature review and new directionsPublication . Sousa, Marisa; Gonçalves, Celina; Biscaia, Rui; Carvalho, Maria JoséThe study of child camps has grown over the last years. Still, the common use of different terminology and the dispersion of the information in literature regarding camps management, makes it difficult to clarify research and hinder the improvement of managerial practices. This study aims to synthetise existent knowledge in child camps’ management, identify inconsistencies and gaps in the literature, and set directions for future research and practice on child camps. A structured review of peer-reviewed articles published between 1950-2021 was conducted. Results indicate that half of the studies used the term “summer camp”; but other ten different terms were also used. Five different management areas were identified: safety, consumer behaviour, human resources, event planning and camp research. Gaps were also identified in the literature. These findings are important to set new research avenues and to improve practice.
- Perceção de segurança, satisfação e intenções futuras em campos de férias desportivosPublication . Sousa, Marisa; Gonçalves, Celina; Biscaia, Rui; Carvalho, Maria JoséO impacto global da pandemia COVID-19 ilustra ainda mais a importância oportuna da investigação na segurança de eventos desportivos como os CFD para crianças. Os resultados demonstram que a segurança contribui para aumentar a satisfação dos participantes e dos seus pais nestes eventos. Participantes e pais mais satisfeitos são mais propensos a voltar aos CFD futuramente, pelo que, os gestores devem manter o foco nestas questões de segurança, nomeadamente as relativas à COVID19.
- Service quality, satisfaction and behavioural intentions in sport child camps: participants and parents' perspectivesPublication . Sousa, Marisa; Gonçalves, Celina; Biscaia, Rui; Carvalho, Maria JoséPurposeThis study aims to assess service quality in sport child camps among both participants and parents and its effects on satisfaction and behavioural intentions.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from participants (n = 258) and parents (n = 226) of a sport child camp. A confirmatory factor analysis analysed the psychometric properties of the constructs, and a subsequent structural equation model examined the effects of service quality on satisfaction and behavioural intentions.FindingsThe results indicate a multi-dimensional construct of service quality that influences satisfaction and behavioural intentions differently among parents and participants. For participants, Service Failures and Recovery, Safety and Food influenced satisfaction, while Service Failures and Recovery and Fun influenced Behavioural Intentions. For parents, Management Commitment to Service Quality, Staff, Food and Contact with Physical Environmental influenced satisfaction, while Management Commitment to Service Quality and Staff influenced Behavioural intentions.Research limitations/implicationsBoth parents and participants' perceptions of service quality in sport child camps were captured and its effects on satisfaction and behavioural intentions. The study provides sport child camp managers with critical information about service delivery and its outcomes among the two key consumers (participants and parents).Originality/valueThis study offers new ideas to advance knowledge on sport child camps by capturing the perceptions of two key stakeholders and providing useful insights into how different attributes of service quality influence the levels of satisfaction and behavioural intentions among parents and participants.
- Service quality, satisfaction and behavioural intentions in sport child camps: participants and parents' perspectivesPublication . Sousa, Marisa; Gonçalves, Celina; Biscaia, Rui; Carvalho, Maria JoséPurpose – This study aims to assess service quality in sport child camps among both participants and parents and its effects on satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from participants (n5258) and parents (n5226) of a sport child camp. A confirmatory factor analysis analysed the psychometric properties of the constructs, and a subsequent structural equation model examined the effects of service quality on satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Findings – The results indicate a multi-dimensional construct of service quality that influences satisfaction and behavioural intentions differently among parents and participants. For participants, Service Failures and Recovery, Safety and Food influenced satisfaction, while Service Failures and Recovery and Fun influenced Behavioural Intentions. For parents, Management Commitment to Service Quality, Staff, Food and Contact with Physical Environmental influenced satisfaction, while Management Commitment to Service Quality and Staff influenced Behavioural intentions. Research limitations/implications – Both parents and participants’ perceptions of service quality in sport child camps were captured and its effects on satisfaction and behavioural intentions. The study provides sport child camp managers with critical information about service delivery and its outcomes among the two key consumers (participants and parents).Originality/value – This study offers new ideas to advance knowledge on sport child camps by capturing the perceptions of two key stakeholders and providing useful insights into how different attributes of service quality influence the levels of satisfaction and behavioural intentions among parents and participants.