Measuring Specialization among Birders: Utility of a Self-Classification Measure

This study examined recreationists' preferences for the development of value-added recreation products and services using the theory of recreation specialization. A choice modeling method was employed to evaluate the value-added products and services in the for-hire fishing boat industry. Data were collected through a mail survey using Florida saltwater fishing license holders as a study population. Study results indicated that anglers were interested in experiencing new attributes of boat fishing trips besides traditionally fishing-oriented aspects. Further, the results also provided evidence that heterogeneous preferences existed by level of recreation specialization. Study findings generally supported the proposition that as anglers become more involved in fishing activity, their focus expands from activity-specific to activity-general fishing experiences; thus, high specialization anglers likely attach high importance to nonfishing attributes. Managerial implications pertaining to the development of effective recreation products and services are discussed.

Section: Measurement Of Recreation Specializationmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Recreation Specializationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applying the Theory of Recreation Specialization to Better Understand Recreationists’ Preferences for Value-Added Service Development

Kim

2013

“…For example, while recent research on the utility of a self-classification measure of specialization was promising (Scott, Ditton, Stoll, & Eubanks, 2005;Sorice, Oh, & Ditton, 2009), there still was a Downloaded by [Newcastle University] at 09:05 04 November 2014 significant amount of error. It is easy to imagine, for example, that a retired scuba instructor may continue to report high levels of skill and knowledge, and even commitment, despite a drastic decrease in diving behavior.…”

Section: Meaning Of Progressionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Exploring Progression along the Recreation Specialization Continuum Using a Latent Growth Approach

Sorice

Ditton

2010

Self Cite

In recreation specialization the idea of progression largely has been relegated to an assumption. Fundamental questions about how leisure participants enter and progress through social subworlds remain. We examined panel data over a six-year period to look for evidence of progression among Texas anglers. Similar to previous studies, we were unable to detect forward movement along the specialization continuum. Results revealed strong individual differences in each subdimension of the developmental process. Our study adds to this literature by treating specialization in terms of its underlying subdimensions and by demonstrating latent growth modeling as a viable alternative to repeated measure analyses.

“…Much debate in the specialization literature has focused on the best procedure for arriving at an appropriate index (e.g., Saltz, Loomis, & Finn, 2001;Scott et al, 2005). Because the current study focused on comparing activities, an additive specialization index was utilized with minimal manipulation of specialization component variables.…”

Section: Specializationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The skill measure utilized a self-rating of expertise (novice, intermediate, intermediate-advanced, advanced, advanced-expert, expert) (Scott, Ditton, Stoll, & Eubanks, 2005). The participation measure included the percentage of lifetime participation (e.g., Needham, Vaske, Donnelly, & Manfredo, 2007), the number of rivers visited in the respondent's lifetime, and the amount of participation per month.…”

Section: Specializationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recreation Specialization Among New Zealand River Recreation Users: A Multiactivity Study of Motivation and Site Preference

Galloway

2012

This study explored the influence of specialization and activity on motivation to participate and site preference among three activities: whitewater kayaking, multisport racing, and fishing. Subjects consisted of 270 river-based recreationists in New Zealand. MANOVA results indicate a moderate effect for activity on motives to participate and site preference and a weak effect for specialization. Inter-activity motivation and site preference differences reveal similarity between whitewater kayaking and multisport and distinct differences between these and fishing. In these data, the distinctive nature of the activity provides greater explanatory power for motivation to participate and site preference than does the specialization construct.Most recreation specialization research analyses participation within single recreation activities and setting. However, specialization research thus far has not compared patterns of specialization across activities. Do participants, for example, in similar activities share motivations and site preferences significantly different from those of participants in distinctly different activities? How do kayakers and anglers relate to one another in their motivations for participation and site preferences? Does specialization account for individual differences in motivation and site preference, or is the activity itself a sufficient explanation? Greater empirical understanding of the influence of activity participation versus activity specialization on selected variables in a single environmental context may yield new insight for resource management and decision making in multiple-use settings. This study explores how activity and specialization may influence motivation to participate and site preferences among participants in different activities at river settings.Riverine environments are multiple-use resources in New Zealand, as in many other places, and feature competing interests such as boating, fishing, hydroelectric power generation, and irrigation. The multiple-use nature of New Zealand rivers provides a variety of recreation opportunities to both residents and tourists, but managing these resources for each use presents a challenge to resource management. For example, a given river