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Academic Tourism and Transport Services: Student Perceptions from a Social Responsibility Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Cláudia Miranda Veloso

    (GOVCOPP, ESTGA, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Cícero Eduardo Walter

    (Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Piauí, Teresina 64000-040, Brazil
    GOVCOPP, Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Bruno Sousa

    (CiTUR, UNIAG, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave—IPCA, 4750-810 Barcelos, Portugal)

  • Manuel Au-Yong-Oliveira

    (GOVCOPP, Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
    INESC TEC (Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Vasco Santos

    (ISLA Santarém, Santarém, Portugal and CiTUR, 2000-241 Leiria, Portugal)

  • Marco Valeri

    (Faculty of Economics, Niccolò Cusano University, 00166 Rome, Italy
    Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, Taylor’s University, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia)

Abstract

Firms aim at achieving their economic interests without neglecting the needs of local and regional communities and the environment itself. The process involves defining and implementing Social Responsibility strategies that leverage organizational competitiveness and sustainability. In this context, the current study purposes to demonstrate how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and a sustainable orientation influence the satisfaction and loyalty of academic tourists to the Metro of Porto (in Portugal). More specifically, our study aims to assess the satisfaction of academic tourists with the Metro of Porto and, additionally, to analyze the variables that determine the satisfaction and loyalty of these tourists to this specific transport company, which has never been achieved before. Our proposed research model seeks to determine how CSR and a sustainable orientation influence academic tourists’ loyalty to the Metro of Porto transport services as well as their link to Service Quality, Perceived Value, Corporate Image and Tourist Satisfaction. From a sample of 256 academic tourists, customers of the Metro of Porto, a quantitative analysis was carried out using the structural equation model (SEM-PLS). The results obtained allow us to conclude that CSR and Service Quality have an impact on academic tourists’ satisfaction and loyalty to the Metro of Porto. The development of a region is intrinsically linked to transport networks that promote the integration and growth of productive systems. Our results demonstrate the relationship between regional development and business sustainability strategies that integrate Social Responsibility practices. We show the importance that Social Responsibility policies have for companies as a precursor to customer satisfaction and loyalty to a company. Hence, as a guarantee of obtaining economic results, firms must simultaneously contribute to the sustainable development of territories.

Suggested Citation

  • Cláudia Miranda Veloso & Cícero Eduardo Walter & Bruno Sousa & Manuel Au-Yong-Oliveira & Vasco Santos & Marco Valeri, 2021. "Academic Tourism and Transport Services: Student Perceptions from a Social Responsibility Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:8794-:d:609559
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Juliana Pires Pinto & Cláudia Miranda Veloso & Bruno Barbosa Sousa & Marco Valeri & Cicero Eduardo Walter & Eunice Lopes, 2022. "Managerial Practices and (Post) Pandemic Consumption of Private Labels: Online and Offline Retail Perspective in a Portuguese Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Hua Jiang & Yang Cheng & Keonyoung Park & Wei Zhu, 2022. "Linking CSR Communication to Corporate Reputation: Understanding Hypocrisy, Employees’ Social Media Engagement and CSR-Related Work Engagement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-24, February.
    3. Raquel Fernandes & Bruno Barbosa Sousa & Manuel Fonseca & José Oliveira, 2023. "Assessing the Impacts of Internal Communication: Employer Branding and Human Resources," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-13, June.
    4. Darko B. Vuković & Moinak Maiti & Marko D. Petrović, 2023. "Tourism Employment and Economic Growth: Dynamic Panel Threshold Analysis," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-14, February.
    5. Büşra Buran & Mehmet Erçek, 2021. "Convergence or Divergence among Business Models of Public Bus Transport Authorities across the Globe: A Fuzzy Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-21, September.

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