The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe damage to the global tourism industry. However, there is hope that the industry will recover in the near future. This study investigates how the pandemic has affected the peoples’ traveling intention and provide implications for accelerating the recovery of the industry. A PLS-SEM analysis of 382 samples confirms the significant effect of COVID-19 risk perception on travel intention while also highlighting the mediating role of perceived effectiveness of COVID-19 protective measures. The study also concludes that there is a significant difference in the perceived protective measure effectiveness-travel intention relation based on accommodation preference.

PurposeDigital stickers are being used frequently due to a rapid increase in the usage of mobile messenger services. Moreover, characters featured on digital stickers are being used as spokes-characters for brand marketing and advertisements. These characters create positive consumer attitude toward the brand and the brand's product or service.Design/methodology/approachBased on 307 surveys collected in Korea, this paper examines the relationship between the dimensions of the characters and the usage intention of an Internet-only banking service.FindingsResults indicate that unlike conventional spokes-characters, the expertise of sticker characters does not have an influence on usage intention. However, all three dimensions of characters are effective in forming a positive brand equity, and this has a mediating role in enhancing usage intention.Originality/valueCurrent research has brought academic attention to characters featured on digital stickers and have verified their significant role. Moreover, in an Internet-only banking context, branding strategy is an effective way to encourage customers to use services. Theoretical implications are addressed, as are implications for managers who are looking for a character that will execute effective marketing campaigns.

The use of virtual reality as a safety training technology is gaining attention in the construction industry. While current studies focus mainly on the development of VR-based safety training programs, studies focusing on improving its effectiveness is still lacking. Thus, this study aims to understand the psychological process of training transfer and determine the factors that affect VR safety training effectiveness. The study analysed survey data from 248 construction workers who finished construction safety training using VR using PLS-SEM. The results show that the telepresence experienced through the VR and the risk perception of the trainees regarding occupational accidents significantly affect their satisfaction with VR safety training, which affected its effectiveness. Considering that the use of VR in the construction safety training context is still in its early stages, the results of our study, which comprehensively analyses both the technological and psychological aspects of VR safety training, could provide meaningful implications to VR training content developers. Furthermore, the theoretical approach of our study could be implemented in future studies focusing on the topic of training effectiveness.

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