Digitalization has been identified as a core growth driver for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in this digital era. This study investigates the drivers and barriers aligned with the tendency of owner-managers of SMEs to adopt digitalization. A conceptual framework is developed that extends the unified theory of acceptance and technology (UTAUT) with an anxiety-digitalized environment as a moderating factor of SME owner-managers' intention to adopt digitalization. A quantitative methodology is used to gauge responses from 89 respondents (owner-managers). Additionally, the variance-based structural equation modelling approach (PLS-SEM) is used to analyse and validate the proposed model. Results show that attitude positively mediates the relationship between performance expectancy and intention to adopt digitalization. However, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions were found to negatively influence attitude and intention to adopt digitalization. On the contrary, the results obtained did not confirm the significance of an anxiety-digitalized environment in moderation analyses. Consequently, the overall structural model accounted for 51.1% of the variance in the intention to adopt digitalization among SMEs. This study has theoretically and practically contributed to understanding owner-managers' intent to adopt digitalization of SMEs in the Czech Republic.
PurposeAn extant literature review of hospitality manpower performance reveals the scarcity of green skills among young graduates of hospitality management in the Asian context. Studies signal the discrepancy between knowledge imbibed and skills acquired. The current study is a call to action to identify the barriers to green training at the academic level.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a qualitative investigation by senior academics from Asian countries. Thematic analysis is the primary method deployed.FindingsFour major themes emerged from the analytical exercise. They include lack of resources, policies and regulations, an overburdened curriculum and awareness. Interestingly, the themes are in tandem with the Tourism Education Futures Institute (TEFI) value framework for nurturing sustainability practices in the hospitality industry through systematic programming of hotel management education.Practical implicationsIn order to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2030 (Goal 4) of ensuring lifelong strategic education to foster sustainability, the green skill–knowledge gap must be bridged at the academic level. The current paper sheds light on how the synergy between industry and academia can address this knowledge–skill gap and develop sustainable capacities in the long run.Originality/valueThis study used a qualitative dataset, and the findings contribute to the sustainability literature. Further studies can be undertaken using big data in varied settings.
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