Other resources

The Use of Networking in Developing and Marketing the Irish Ecclesiastical Product

Kevin Griffin et al. — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 05:10:32 PDT

This project seeks to explore the development potential of trails and networks, focusing on ecclesiastical sites in the Republic of Ireland.

Two concurrent strands were undertaken:

Investigation of visitor markets and their requirements
The ecclesiastical / tourist resource and the experience it has to offer to the visitor.

The following considerations were taken into account;

Richness and range of the ecclesiastical product inIreland
Issues of access, structure, interpretation and management
Advocation of a market oriented approach using factors and requirements as parameters to segment the markets

The approach to the project included the following:

Development of a series of geographical clusters.
Development of a number of national themed clusters.
Identification of the key constructs to ensure effective networking within a cluster.
Development of a series of maps to illustrate clusters.
Identification of a suggested process through which local communities / destinations can advance should they wish to develop a cluster or destination

A key output of this project is this document which could act as a resource for local players to employ as a catalyst for discussion around the development of a tourism cluster, focused on ecclesiastical sites.

Implementing the DIT-ACHIEV Model: A Carlingford Case Study

Kevin Griffin et al. — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 06:45:24 PDT

Development of a Process Modelling System for Simulation

John Ryan — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:03:00 PDT

This thesis details the development of a process modelling technique to aid a simulation model developer during the requirements gathering and conceptual modelling phases of a simulation project.

There are a number of process modelling techniques available that are capable of being used during such phases of a simulation project, however there is currently a lack of process modelling techniques developed specifically to aid a simulation model developer in capturing, representing and communicating information and systems issues to persons involved in the operation of discrete systems under investigation.

A detailed review of the literature related to techniques capable of supporting the pre-simulation phases of a simulation project is presented. The main conclusion of this review is that there is a specific lack of support available to aid a simulation model developer in the pre-coding phases of a simulation project. Currently there are no process modelling techniques available that specifically support the pre-simulation phases of a discrete event simulation project.

To attempt to overcome this shortfall the thesis discusses the development of a process modelling technique specifically developed to support the pre-simulation phases of a simulation project. Objectives in the development of this technique were to develop a technique that:

1. Is capable of capturing a detailed description of a Discrete Event System;

2. Has a low modelling burden and therefore is capable of being used by non specialists;

3. Presents modelling information at a high semantic level so that manufacturing personnel can rationalise with it;

4. Has good visualisation capabilities.

The technique developed is called Simulation Activity Diagrams (SADs). To demonstrate the ability of the SAD technique to model discrete event information a prototype process modelling tool, Process Modelling for Simulation (PMS) was developed. An evaluation of the SAD technique is then presented through of a number of real and conceptual discrete event systems used to examine the techniques ability to accurately model information along with its ease of use and modelling accuracy. The thesis concludes that more research is required in validating and developing SADs and in developing other techniques in the pre-simulation area.

An Exploratory Study Of How Decisions Are Made In The Yield Management Environment Of Four Star Dublin Hotels

Tony Kiely — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:02:58 PDT

Yield management in the hotel industry has been described as a method of profitably managing fixed capacity. A critical element of yield management is the decision strategy employed as this determines the degree to which optimum solutions are generated. Recent research has indicated that the use of technology assisted decision optimising models (the management science model) would greatly improve the optimisation of decisions by minimising the need to employ guesswork in achieving optimum solutions. Despite this assurance, yield management remains couched in uncertainty through being inextricably associated with forecasting future demand for a perishable product in an increasingly competitive environment. The consequential pressures on the decision maker have afforded the opportunity for human idiosyncrasies to play a significant role in the decision making process. The primary objective of this study, therefore, is to gain an insight into how decisions are made in the yield management environment of the hospitality industry. The study reviews current literature on decision strategies, exploring in particular models of decision making, heuristics, biases and psychodynamic forces associated with unconscious decision making, and their respective influences on decision outcomes. The methodology chosen to elicit the data involved the use of a non-positivistic paradigm, incorporating an interpretative approach. The strategy employed within this methodology utilised phenomenological approaches to interviewing respondents and analysing data. Specific attention was also given to developing a methodology to assist the author in accessing the unconscious. The findings of this research reveal that the management science model of decision making has been disregarded in favour of decision strategies, wherein, according to the respondents, human intervention plays a more significant role. The findings also suggest that this human intervention has actively facilitated, and has simultaneously been facilitated by the potential for decision makers to fall into psychological traps, and make systematically biased errors. The research also concludes that the unconscious forces impacting on decision makers forces them to rationalise the irrational, thus suggesting that conscious and unconscious practices, with regard to decision making strategies, are inextricably linked.

Encouraging and Evaluating the First Year Experience

Kevin Griffin — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:05:39 PDT

Bord Failte’s Heritage Towns

Kevin Griffin — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:53:29 PST

Untying the Accountancy Knot II

Tony Kiely et al. — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 06:44:44 PST

From Action Accounting to Beyond The Basics

Tony Kiely et al. — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 06:44:42 PST

Challenging the Revenue Management Model in City Hotels

Tony Kiely — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 06:44:41 PST

Whistle Past the Church No More

Tony Kiely — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 06:44:39 PST

Beyond the Basics

Tony Kiely et al. — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 06:44:37 PST

Untying the Accountancy Knot

Tony Kiely et al. — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 06:11:02 PST

Developing an Efectiveness Evaluation Framework for Destination Management Systems

Patrick Horan — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 07:33:26 PST

The ever-increasing use of the Web as a channel of distribution within the tourism industry naturally leads to a situation where its effectiveness needs to be examined and justified. While there is a growing realisation of the need to assess the effectiveness of a Destination Management Systems (DMS) based websites, research into this area in the tourism domain has been quite limited and narrow in focus. This situation is further compounded by the fact that currently there is little in the way of appropriate models and techniques in place to manage a DMS based websites effectively and that there is a general lack of consensus when it comes to defining and understanding its standards and concepts. This thesis describes a methodology for the development and evaluation of a comprehensive set of weighted dimensions and criteria for measuring the effectiveness of DMS based websites. Ultimately, from a DMS perspective, website effectiveness depends on how well a website performs with respect to the related business goals. The scope of the research was limited to assessing the impact of DMS effectiveness on the accommodation sector. This research began by employing a Delphi study to generate, validate and prioritise a comprehensive set of dimensions and criteria for measuring the effectiveness of a DMS. The Delphi study successfully identified a total of 12 dimensions and 105 criteria required to assess DMS based websites effectiveness. These components were incorporated into a comprehensive evaluation framework applied specifically to evaluate the effectiveness of a DMS based websites using a diverse range of approaches and perspectives. The evaluation phase of the research took place over an eight month period and concentrated on testing this framework using VisitScotland.com as a test bed. The outcomes from the evaluation phase successfully demonstrated that the framework provides DMS management with a comprehensive method to measure and manage the effectiveness of their Web presence by not only identifying areas of the website and website strategy that needed attention but also by providing advice and suggestions on how to improve these areas.

Pilgrimage and The Perspective of the Irish ‘Traveller Community’

Kevin Griffin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 05:33:29 PST

Some thoughts and reflections on pilgrimage and its potential - particularly when focusing on the potential of niche groups such as the Irish Travelling Community which are examined in this presentation.

Why do students abandon programs prior to completion? Case study investigation of dropout students from the Diploma in Hotel and Catering Management DIT

Ann Conway — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:49:24 PST

Not only are demographic changes taking place within the Irish population but in addition, significant challenges are being imposed on higher education providers to retain as many students as possible within the higher education system. Yorke (1999) noted that many students leave higher education prematurely and about 50% of these students do so during, or at the end of their first year in college (DIT, 2003). Some non-completion of courses is unavoidable and should not be viewed as failure by the student, tutor or college, but acknowledged that dropping out is likely (Oliver, 2001). However, a lot of non-completion is preventable and it is the responsibility of the college to help retain their students (Yorke, 1999). Retention rates in Universities, DIT and other institutes have been the subject of a number of recent studies (Flanagan et al, 2000; Morgan et al, 2001; Finnegan and Russell, 2000; Morgan and Kelleghan, 2002), and numerous studies by Costello et al. Morgan and Kelleghan (2002) raised the issue of the lack of motivation and lack of preparedness of some students. This survey also highlighted the poor attendance record for some, and that other students were working during term time (McDonagh and Patterson, 2002). With less time on study, little time for reading for pleasure, and more time spent working and watching television, students’ decreased involvement in learning is well established by the time they reach third level (Lindsay and Bolger, 2002). This paper is a case study on the Diploma in Hotel and Catering Management program in the School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, Dublin Institute of Technology.

The Contribution of Irish Higher Education Institutions in meeting the Recessional Needs of Tourism and Hospitality Students through Entrepreneurship

Ann Conway — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:49:23 PST

This paper will be in two parts; the first section will examine the current tertiary education situation in Ireland amid the global economic crisis and will review what should education’s contribution be to help alleviate the crisis. Through doing this both the state and the market, who have interests in the academy and their graduates produced, will become part of the review, as building stronger links with the academy and the economy to help raise skills, efficiency and productivity is becoming more important in ensuring global competitiveness and retaining equality and accessibility in the academy (see Gaffikin and Morrissey, 2003: 98 [20]). The second and final section will look at the merge of entrepreneurship and education. As the lifelong learning society is conceptualised largely in terms of maintaining a flexible and competitive economy in the knowledge society, the concept of an entrepreneurial society will be proposed to fill the gap which has emerged since the exit of many international companies for cheaper labour elsewhere. Within all levels of education entrepreneurship should be encouraged and embedded in the curricula from the earliest stages as a prevention rather than cure to the current economic crisis in Ireland.

Strategy Development for Irish Tourism:Elements of the Irish Tourism Product in Attracting the German Tourist Market: Creating and Managing Growth in Travel and Tourism

Ann Conway et al. — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:49:22 PST

This paper outlines a range of strategic issues that the Irish tourism industry is facing in the 2000's. The paper analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the Irish tourism industry. Drawing on research into the German market the paper explores the core strategies, which can be pursued in order to achieve potential of the tourism in this one sector of the market. The findings of this research can be used as a framework for other core markets in Irish tourism.

Consumer Behaviour, Motives and Perceptions when Selecting a Destination: A Study of German Tourists in Ireland.

Ann Conway et al. — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:49:19 PST

This paper reviews tourists' beaviour and deals with the motives and perceptions of tourists towards a holiday destination selection. It was based on a research study conducted over a two year period on over 1,000 German tourists in Ireland in 1997, for pleasure and leisure activities. The results obtained from this research relate to the attributes perceived important to an individual when selecting a destination. Advertisements and other promotions should focus on those attributes, which are important to the targeted market and should be incorporated into a brand for Ireland. Conclusions were drawn from the study and recommendations were made for furture tourism in Ireland.

Students’ perspective of Irish Higher Education Institutions’ role in meeting the economy’s recessional needs.

Noelle O'Connor et al. — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:16:17 PST

This paper will be in two parts; the first section will examine the current tertiary education situation in Ireland amid the global economic crisis and will review what should education’s contribution be to help alleviate the crisis. Through doing this both the state and the market, who have interests in the academy and their graduates produced, will become part of the review, as building stronger links with the academy and the economy to help raise skills, efficiency and productivity is becoming more important in ensuring global competitiveness and retaining equality and accessibility in the academy (see Gaffikin and Morrissey, 2003: 98). The second and final section will look at the merge of entrepreneurship and education. As the lifelong learning society is conceptualised largely in terms of maintaining a flexible and competitive economy in the knowledge society, the concept of an entrepreneurial society will be proposed to fill the gap which has emerged since the exit of many international companies for cheaper labour elsewhere. Within all levels of education entrepreneurship should be encouraged and embedded in the curricula from the earliest stages as a prevention rather than cure to the current economic crisis in Ireland.

Motives, Perceptions, Business Students, Entrepreneurs

Ann Conway — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:16:16 PST