PurposeThe aim of the present study is to examine the impact of human resource (HR) practices (human resource empowerment, organizational culture and transformational leadership) on innovation activities as well as the effect of innovation activities on perceived financial performance within sport services firms.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed relationships were examined using empirical data from 172 managers of Greek sport services firms. Seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) analysis was used to investigate the role of human resource management (HRM) practices on innovation activities and whether innovation activities affected the perceived financial performance.FindingsThe results of the study indicated that HRM practices, such as human resource empowerment, organizational culture and transformational leadership, significantly impact innovation activities and subsequently innovation activities have a significant and positive effect on perceived financial performance as measured by satisfaction levels in relation to specific key performance indicators (KPIs) such as profit, ROI, sales volume and market share.Practical implicationsThis study presents useful theoretical and managerial implications that can be used by sport service firms to assess the effects of HRM practices on innovation activities and perceived financial performance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on several merits. Firstly, the authors jointly estimate the impact of HRM practices on innovation and its concurrent effect on perceived financial performance, which is not methodologically considered before. Secondly, the authors incorporate a more thorough measure of perceived financial performance including four dimensions of performance, and finally the authors analyze a larger sample of sport services firms relative to previous studies, leading into more concrete conclusion on the research hypotheses.

Recognising changes in land use over time, particularly in light of tourism and urban development, plays an important role in exploring the evolution of the landscape. Human activity in various land uses cannot be observed directly; only the remaining evidence, such as human interventions and construction or the appearance of the landscape itself, can. The aim of this analysis, through the case study of Achaia Prefecture, is to highlight all of the economic effects that these changes in land use have on income, employment, property values and other matters, as well as on the main microeconomic aggregates of the regions.

The natural world is becoming digital. According to Rifkin (2014), we are in the midst of the third revolution of the industrial sector and are moving into the 'Internet of Things' time frame, whilst we are already familiar with the Internet of Communication. As one of the primary targets for tourism is to find the proper ways to connect with culture, in order to develop tourism entrepreneurship, reduce the phenomenon of seasonality and ensure sources for conservation and maintenance of the monuments, a holistic scheme is needed that will change completely the existing perceptions and diversify the tourist experience. Advanced technology, provides new techniques on every tourism process. This is why innovation is equally important for the tourism industry, as in addition to consumer habits, technologies available, the legal framework and everchanging environmental criteria, there is also increased competition that makes the practice of innovation necessary. The aim of this paper is to highlight the ways in which tourism entrepreneurship can benefit and grow through the use of high technology in culture, certified information and fast access to it.

Tourism development in a destination may be achieved under specific conditions and circumstances which include sufficient destination accessibility and connectivity. This paper aims to highlight the contribution of funding and investments for tourism development related to the destination’s transport infrastructure focusing on air services. Paros Island is the study case since it presents high interest due to recent funding and investments actions towards air transport sector. More specifically, Public Service Obligation (PSO) route Athens-Paros and local airport expansion, partially funded by the private sector investment action, are of high interest. Research methodology includes a secondary research of passenger traffic and hotel beds. Moreover, a primary research has been undertaken with personal interviews of tourism stakeholders of Paros Island regarding funding and investments on air services and destination’s tourism development. Findings indicate that indeed air traffic flows have been significantly increased and so does tourism figures of the island.

Air transport and tourism development are considered to be two closely related concepts. According to international literature, one of the most important modes of passenger transport around the world is air transport, thus affecting the economic development of many areas, especially those isolated geographically and touristically, as well as local tourism businesses. Understanding the scale of these impacts is important not only for the development of tourism businesses and the local economy, but also for policy makers who make strategic decisions. Most studies focus on the impact of large airports on the national and regional economy, while much less attention has been given to the impact of airports on regional destinations. This study, exploring the potential of the Tripoli military airport in Greece as a civilian airport, seeks to analyse the functional relationship between small regional airports and local tourism businesses, the results of which can contribute to the financial planning and organization of a destination.