Medium-sized Tourism Enterprises Research Articles

Maximizing productivity, harnessing the power of portable gadgets for SMTE business communication in Eastern Cape peri-urban areas

This study examines attitudes towards the use of portable devices for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adoption in Small and Medium-sized Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs) in peri-urban areas of the South African Eastern Cape province. A comprehensive examination of portable gadgets in business ICT and their impact on SMTEs in Eastern Cape peri-urban areas was performed using a non-probability purposive sampling technique to select eight SMTEs, with a quantitative methodology approach adopted, using a structured questionnaire for an in-depth interview. Data captured from structured interview sessions were deductively coded with the aid of software (NVivo version 12), with the transcribed interview data divided into different meaningful codes in this process; developed based on the difference, similarities, and meanings that emerged. The findings suggest a positive attitude towards portable digital device and technology use in SMTEs in the tourism sector in Eastern Cape peri-urban areas. Smartphones were found to play a crucial role as essential business tools, particularly favored in rural settings, while laptops were indicated as valued for their portability, serving as indispensable tools for daily business activities, while tablets hold less significance. The results highlight participant reliance on smartphones for business operations as critical, since these devices streamline numerous tasks, improve convenience, and enable seamless connectivity while mobile. The use of tablets in the tourism and hospitality sectors appears to be limited. The finding’s additionally indicated participants are heavily reliant on laptops for routine business activities, due to their portability and convenience. Desktop computers were, furthermore, found to primarily be used as backup systems, indicating a diverse, portable ICT gadget usage pattern among participants.

From shutdown to reopening: unpacking the determinants of tourism business reopening in the face of adversity

ABSTRACT The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its associated lockdowns put many tourism businesses on hold. Although these lockdowns have been lifted, not all tourism entrepreneurs reopened their businesses. While prior research has extensively explored the post-pandemic recovery of tourism businesses, there has been relatively limited attention given to the determinants of tourism entrepreneurs to reopen their businesses post-crisis. Drawing on upper echelons theory, this paper explores the role of tourism entrepreneurs’ age in driving the decision to reopen their businesses in the face of adversity. Empirical evidence from a two-wave multi-informant survey involving 134 entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized tourism enterprises in China reveals that older entrepreneurs were more likely to reopen their businesses after the lockdowns were lifted. This relationship is even more pronounced for entrepreneurs who perceive less uncertainty or exhibit higher optimism. This paper represents one of the pioneering attempts to uncover the individual-level heterogeneity in determinants of tourism business reopening against the backdrop of adversity – a crucial foundation for understanding business recovery processes. It offers valuable insights that can assist small and medium-sized tourism enterprises to enhance their preparedness and responsiveness to probable future crises.

The democratization of tourism distribution: a Horizon 2050 paper

Purpose Emphasizing the critical role of technology-enabled distribution in tourism, this study, a viewpoint, aims to highlight the potential of democratized technologies in readdressing the competitive imbalance between small- and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) and their larger peers in today’s online marketplace. By enhancing competitiveness and performance, democratized technologies can strengthen the resilience, sustainability and competitive position of the SMTEs on which tourism depends, helping to support the Horizon 2050 agenda and UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Design/methodology/approach Examining the development of online and electronic distribution in tourism, the viewpoint identifies the key challenges to the successful use of technology-based distribution systems by SMTEs, as well as highlights the trend toward democratized technologies as a potential solution to help improve technology take-up and performance. Findings With no/low initial capital or operating costs, and little need for technical expertise, democratized technologies have the potential to overcome two of the three key challenges limiting the successful adoption and use of distribution technologies by SMTES. The key blockage remains one of managerial awareness and acceptability. With informal organization structures, little managerial or technical training and an ingrained reluctance to change, SMTE managers remain unfamiliar of the possibilities offered by this developing trend. While this challenge could be addressed by awareness building and training, in the longer run, it is likely that more substantial progress will arise from generational change in SMTE management, with digitally native successors more likely to exploit this development to improve competitiveness and performance. Originality/value Emphasizing the pivotal role that democratized technology can potentially play in redressing the competitive imbalance between SMTEs and their larger peers in the distribution space, this viewpoint serves as a call for action for tourism businesses to re-examine their approach to technology adoption and leverage democratized technologies to address current deficiencies in their distribution approach, helping to improve competitiveness and performance, thus supporting the Horizon 2050 initiative and furthering the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Digital financial inclusion and domestic tourism demand: Through the lens of spatial spillover

Domestic tourism demand has dominated the global tourism market and has been more resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic; yet, it is under-studied compared to international tourism demand. Digital financial inclusion (DFI) enables the provision of formal financial products and services to small and medium-sized tourism enterprises and tourists through cost-effective digital means, potentially boosting domestic tourism demand. Integrating micro- and macro-level data from 335 prefecture-level regions in China, we investigate the impact of DFI on domestic tourism demand using spatial panel models. Our analysis reveals significant and positive effects, both direct and spillover, of DFI on domestic tourism demand within a region and across regions. Notably, among the three dimensions of DFI, the usage depth exhibits the most substantial spillover effects. Furthermore, our findings also highlight the crucial role of DFI in internalizing domestic tourism revenues. Our study provides practical implications for sustainable domestic tourism development in the digital era.

On the Incentive and Sustainability Impact of SDGs on Innovation in Small and Medium-Sized Tourism Enterprises (SMEs)

This paper investigates the influence of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on innovation and sustainability in Small and Medium-sized Tourism Enterprises (SMEs) in Brazil. Through qualitative methods, including interviews and document analysis, the study explores how specific SDGs act as incentives for innovation, shaping employment strategies and responsible production processes within SMEs. The sustainability impact is evident in environmental conservation, community engagement, and responsible consumption. Despite notable achievements, challenges such as resource constraints persist, emphasizing the need for targeted support. The study concludes that aligning with SDGs positions Brazilian SMEs as contributors to global sustainability, promoting responsible and innovative business practices.

Innovation for sustainability through co-creation by small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMEs): Socio-cultural sustainability benefits to rural destinations

Small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMEs) are the dominant industry players in rural destinations. This study investigates how they can contribute to socio-cultural sustainability benefits of rural destination communities by engaging in co-creation in innovation for sustainability (IFS). The rural destinations of Vega and Røros were selected as qualitative empirical cases to investigate 14 tourism SMEs' co-creation in IFS practices. The findings indicate that due to contextual elements of rurality (e.g. local embeddedness, strong personal relations, and trust), tourism SMEs co-create in IFS with various local stakeholders, and contribute to the socio-cultural benefits of rural destinations' sustainability through local sourcing, education, resource synergies, inclusion, and quality of life. This study contributes to the literature on sustainable rural destination development and the role of tourism SMEs, as well as expands the understanding of IFS and the benefits of co-creation.

Technology adoption meets green tourism supply chain management for sustainability of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises: A lesson from Zimbabwe

In the global pursuit of achieving sustainability within the tourism sector, technology adoption and green tourism supply chain management (GTSCM) have garnered dominant attention. This research examines how small and medium tourism enterprises (SMTEs) in Zimbabwe can achieve sustainability by adopting technology and practising green tourism supply chain management (GTSCM). Positivism philosophy was adopted in line with the quantitative nature of the study. The research embraced an explanatory survey research design and a structured questionnaire was used to gather primary data. The survey’s population was drawn from SMTEs in the tourism sector and data were collected from 615 representatives. The survey found a significant positive relationship between technology adoption, GTSCM and sustainability dimensions, except social sustainability. Additionally, GTSCM mediated these relationships, except social sustainability. The findings highlight the crucial role of GTSCM in influencing sustainability outcomes within SMTEs in the tourism sector. The study suggests adopting technology and GTSCM practices can improve SMTEs’ sustainability. It contributes knowledge on the relationships between technology, GTSCM, and SMTEs’ sustainability in tourism. Implications provide insights for policymakers on promoting sustainable practices and sustainability goals in tourism.

УПРАВЛІННЯ РОЗВИТКОМ МІЛІТАРІ ТУРИЗМУ В УКРАЇНІ

Purpose. The aim of the article is studying the experience and substantiation of prospects for the development of military tourism in the post-war period in Ukraine and managing of its development. Design/methodology/approach. In the process of the study, the general scientific and special methods of scientific cognition were used, which allowed taking a comprehensive approach to the solution of the setted goal. The dialectical method of cognition was used in order to study and detail the object of study. The methods of comparison, analysis and synthesis were used to consider military tourism. The systemic and abstractly-logical methods were used to identify the main trends in the development of military tourism. Findings. The scientific article is devoted to the study of the prospects for ensuring the management and development of the industry of military tourism in Ukraine. It is noted, that the war in Ukraine demonstrates destructive socio-economic and environmental consequences in the form of large-scale destruction of settlements and their infrastructure, transformation of civilian objects into the defence installations, the emergence of new landscape formations during hostilities, the remains of projectiles and destroyed equipment, the large-scale human burial places, etc. The attention is drawn to the prospects of turning these phenomena into the one of resources of the post-war restoration of Ukraine in the form of integrating them into the tourism industry as a military-tourist product and historically-cultural heritage. The research has been carried out of the foreign practice of effective implementation of this perspective.It is noted, that the potential tourist flow requires the development of a concept of the development of tourism industry in the vector of innovative quality for Ukraine – military tourism. The attention is drawn to the achievements of the scientists in studying the idea of “military tourism” in the form of use of various military facilities in tourism, which is explained by the desire and curiosity of people to visit places associated with the most important battles, events that changed the course of history, places of great trials and human grief. Summarizing the suggestions of the scientists, the author’s vision of the definition of military tourism is proposed. The types of tourism have been diversified for military-historical, military adventure and military event-based. A key problem in the development of military tourism is the lack of management model, in particular, an organization that would exercise control of the quality of services and safety in the sphere of military tourism. Practical implications. In order to maximize the economic benefits of the development of military tourism, it is proposed to identify risk factors, affecting the industry, and to develop the possible means of mitigating their consequences. A dual causal relationship has been found between the geopolitical risks present in the countries and the number of tourists and the financial revenues from tourism. The conceptual directions have been developed of management of the sphere of military tourism in the post-crisis period, among which the basis is to achieve a “sustainable result”, which includes not only “reconstruction” to the previous state, but also “a leap forward” through training, transformation and growth. In particular, it has been determined that the permanence of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises will depend on the personal psychological stability of managers and their attitude to a staff of an enterprise. It has been proposed to apply a differentiated approach to the development of the sphere of management of these enterprises in the directions of financial, organizational and psychological support. Originality/value. The value of the research lies in the establishment and analysis of the cause-and-effect relationship between the opportunities for the development of the socio-economic system. An effective tool for the practical implementation of this concept in practice is the model of creating a new tourist product - an innovative tourist cluster, which involves the unification of state administration bodies, enterprises, societies, higher educational institutions, and public organizations for the purpose of synergistic cooperation.

INTERRELATIONSHIP OF NETWORKS, KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMANCE OF BUSINESSES THROUGH THE LENS OF COASTAL DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT

The sustainable future of coastal destination development is mainly reliant on performance of small and medium sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) since they are the main catalyst of tourism growth. Given SMTEs’ operational sizes, the need to enhance their knowledge base through their networks to stay competitive is heightened. This research examines how the absorptive capacity (AC) affects the dynamic between formal and informal networks and business management performance of SMTEs. The study focuses on four sub-sectors in Terengganu, Malaysia: hotels and resorts, travel agencies, restaurants, and handicrafts. The study analysed survey data from 119 entrepreneurs using a hierarchical regression model. The results showed that the nexus between the use of formal networks and business management performance is significantly mediated by AC, while no significant relationships were found with the use of informal networks. The study emphasizes the importance of formal actors in promoting knowledge flows and enhancing coastal destination development and competitiveness.

How does the performance of SMTEs relate to perceptions of tourists: A case of the Eastern Cape Province

The study aimed to determine perceptions of tourists towards the performance of Small and Medium-sized Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs) in the Eastern Cape Province. Eastern Cape Province is a tourist attraction area with several tourists from various countries visiting it. The study used a quantitative research approach. The study participants comprised 99 tourists who visited the province in which convenience sampling was employed. The empirical data was gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire distributed to all participants. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS, in which descriptive statistics and regression analysis (multiple and logistic) were undertaken. Tourists indicated that SMTEs had poor infrastructure to access accommodation facilities, and the location of the facility, and service provided varied from one business owner to another. It is recommended that there must be training of the SMTEs in various aspects such as business planning, financial management, and efficient and effective operations of the business to improve their performance for profit and sustainability. Small business owners should apply and strengthen intuitive competitive intelligence practices for identifying clients, suppliers, and competitors as well as trying to outperform their rivals. The local government, through its different units and departments, must promote the tourism industry by providing full support to enhance the economic growth of the province. The Government should improve the road and technological infrastructure to ease access. In addition, the study should be replicated in other provinces to compare the results and learn from best practices in the tourism industry specifically in the accommodation sphere.

Social Media Marketing and Its Influence on the Performance of Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Tourism Enterprises: Mediation of Innovation Capabilities

The study aims to identify the determinants of social media marketing (SMM) and analyze its influence on the performance of micro, small, and medium-sized tourism enterprises (MSMT Es) using the innovation capabilities (IC) of the firm as a mediating variable. Therefore, responses were collected from 401 MSMT Es for quantitative analysis using structural equation modelling (Smart-P LS4). The findings reveal that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, cost-effectiveness, competitive pressure, and entrepreneurial orientation all have a significant effect on the adoption of SMM by MSMT Es. This in turn leads to the progression in the performance of MSMT Es, supplemented by their innovation capabilities. This study provides decision-makers and managers to have a thorough understanding of elements influencing the adoption of SMM and hence realizing its true value in improving the performance of MSMT Es. It also emphasizes how significant it is for business firms to include IC to supplement their operational effectiveness.

The boon and bane of ICT services to small and medium-sized tourism and hospitality enterprises (SMTHEs) in northern Ghana

ABSTRACT The adoption of Information Communication Technology (ICT) by SMTHEs is increasing – with its accompanying benefits and challenges. Yet, researchers have barely turned their attention to the benefits and challenges of using ICTs among SMEs within the hospitality and tourism industry, especially in Ghana. Informed by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT 2), Diffusion of Innovation, and the Task-Technology Fit Theories, this study unlocks the benefits and hinders of ICT applications to SMTHEs. Using a qualitative research approach, 20 in-depth interviews were conducted among owner-managers and non-owner managers of accommodation, restaurants, and travel and tour agencies using purposive sampling. The study found that the adoption of ICTs leads to the survival and sustainability of SMTHEs notwithstanding noticeable challenges encountered: technology abuse, insecurity, and high cost that affect the competitiveness of these firms. The practical and policy implications of the study are discussed.

Transactional leadership matters in green creative behaviour through workplace learning and green knowledge management: moderating role of social network sites use

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the predictive influence of transactional leadership on employee green creative behaviour (GCB) and the mediating role of workplace learning and green knowledge management (GKM) in this relationship. Based on the leader–member exchange (LMX) theory. This study also uses moderated mediation analysis to investigate social networking sites (SNS) use as a moderator to better understand the indirect relationship between transactional leadership and employee GCB.Design/methodology/approachThe data for this quantitative study were collected using a time-lag technique, with two time waves apart by two months. The final sample for the study included 294 employee–supervisor dyads from small and medium-sized tourism enterprises in the north eastern part of China.FindingsFindings supported the study's proposed hypotheses, indicating that transactional leadership has a significant impact on workplace learning and GKM, as well as a significant role of mediators (workplace learning and GKM) in the relationship between transactional leadership and employee GCB. Furthermore, SNS use significantly moderated the impact of both mediators in establishing a link between transactional leadership and employee GCB.Originality/valueThis study offers new perspectives and insights for entrepreneurs, decision-makers, academics and tourism sector experts by identifying and putting into practise the predictive role of transactional leadership in innovative behaviours. This study also suggests that small and mid-sized travel agencies should focus on workplace learning, GKM and SNS use to promote environment-friendly creative employee behaviour.

Green Human Resources and Innovative Performance in Small- and Medium-Sized Tourism Enterprises: A Mediation Model Using PLS-SEM Data Analysis

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), like large corporations, confront new issues related to business sustainability, which necessitates playing a part in environmental protection and enhancing environment-based human resources management strategies in order to remain in business. Green human resources management practices (GHRMPs) have been found to positively impact innovative performance. However, the mechanisms by which GHRMPs influence innovation are not well understood. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of individual green values and job satisfaction in the relationship between GHRMPs and innovative performance. Using a sample of 605 small- and medium-sized (SMEs) hotels and travel agents, structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was conducted using SmartPLS program v4 to analyze the obtained data. The study found that GHRMPs were positively related to both individual green values and job satisfaction, and in turn, individual green values and job satisfaction were positively related to innovative performance. The results of this study suggest that individual green values and job satisfaction play a significant mediating role in the relationship between GHRMPs and innovative performance. Practical and theoretical implications were elaborated on and discussed.

Small- and medium-sized tourism enterprises and smart tourism: Tourism Agenda 2030 perspective article

Diseño/metodología/enfoque (límite 100 palabras)Revisando la literatura sobre el uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) en turismo, este artículo desarrolla un caso de la implantación del Turismo Inteligente en la mejora de la competitividad de las Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (PYMES).Objetivo (límite 100 palabras)Al destacar el importante papel de las TIC en el reequilibrio competitivo entre las PYMES turísticas y las grandes empresas, este artículo sirve de llamada a la acción a los gobiernos, las organizaciones regionales de turismo y otras partes interesadas a nivel político para facilitar una difusión más ágil del turismo inteligente, contribuyendo a apoyar la agenda turística 2030 y los múltiples Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de la ONU.Resultados (límite 100 palabras)Sin un enfoque colaborativo, es improbable que las PYMES turísticas utilicen eficazmente las tecnologías emergentes para competir con sus homólogas más grandes y las plataformas en línea. Si se adopta un enfoque de turismo inteligente, los efectos de red entre las partes interesadas pueden ganar terreno, lo que permite a las PYMES competir con mayor eficacia y a los destinos promover la inclusividad y el crecimiento económico sostenible.Originalidad/valor (límite 100 palabras)Al destacar el papel fundamental que pueden desempeñar las TIC en general y el turismo inteligente en particular a la hora de abordar el desequilibrio competitivo entre las PYME y las grandes empresas, este trabajo sirve de llamamiento a la acción para que los gobiernos, las organizaciones regionales de turismo y otras partes interesadas a nivel político aceleren la adopción de los principios del turismo inteligente como medio de apoyar la Agenda de Turismo 2030 y promover los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de las Naciones Unidas.

Learning from Failure: Building Resilience in Small- and Medium-Sized Tourism Enterprises, the Role of Servant Leadership and Transparent Communication

Understanding how small- and medium-sized enterprises develop and foster resilience in their employees is critical to better adapt to and recover from challenges. Yet, how such a process is conducted is not well-understood in literature. Integrating the literature from the social exchange theory and the disaster resilience framework, this research examines the effects of servant leadership (SL) and transparent communication (TC) on employees’ capacity for resilience (learning from failure, hardiness, and optimism) and their adaptive performance during/post the COVID-19 crisis. A total of 880 employees in restaurants and travel agencies were surveyed. The results reveal that the effects of SL and TC on employees’ adaptive performance was fully mediated by employees’ capacity for resilience, specifically learning from failure.

Response of travel agencies in China to COVID-19: disaster sensemaking, adaptation, and resilience

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the tourism sector. Travel agencies, in particular, have encountered significant obstacles in conducting their business. Enhancing the resilience of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, specifically travel agencies, has emerged as a crucial concern. Travel agencies tend to underestimate the effects of extreme events and usually lag behind other organizations in their sensemaking, adaptation, and business resilience to disasters. Therefore, this study investigated travel agencies’ disaster response processes with respect to COVID-19. Using purposive sampling logic, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the owners and senior managers of 15 travel agencies from the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area—an important tourism destination and source market. A qualitative content analysis revealed three stages of disaster sensemaking, adaptation, and business resilience. The first stage was immanent sensemaking with passive adaptations. The second stage was representational sensemaking of the disaster with business continuity measures. The third stage was deliberate sensemaking with resilient measures. This study contributes to research on travel agencies’ crisis management, with implications for policymakers and practitioners.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Tourism Enterprises: A Study on Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh

The massive outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic hit the world hard and Bangladesh is one the most affected countries by this pandemic. The condition of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the tourism sector in Bangladesh was worse during the outbreak. This project aims to examine the possible impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on micro, small, and medium-sized tourism enterprises (MSMTEs) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Bangladesh. This research is exploratory and descriptive in nature. Both primary and secondary data have been collected and analyzed to prepare this paper. Data were collected from 150 respondents and the collected data was analyzed by using SPSS (20) and MS Excel software. The outcome of the regression analysis shows that out of eleven independent variables seven of them have a significant influence on the dependent variable (overall impact of Covid-19 on small, medium, and micro-enterprises). These seven variables are employee turnover, challenges to new recruitment, decrease in income, business growth, a decrease in customers, business relationship hamper, and social stress on the entrepreneur. On the basis of the research findings, some of the strategies for the MSMTEs have been recommended at the end of this paper.

Business strategies for small- and medium-sized tourism enterprises during COVID-19: a developing country case

PurposeIn this paper, the authors set out to explore how small- and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) in a developing country (Turkey) are coping with economic and financial consequences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It is also crucial to understand what kind of policymaking solutions will help them to successfully overcome it.Design/methodology/approachTo gather data, the authors interviewed SMTEs in the Bodrum area – one of the most elite and exciting destinations for foreign travelers in Turkey. Semi-structured interview method was used, and questions for data collection focused on three key areas: (1) impact of COVID-19 on SMTEs, especially in terms of cash flow and other problems, (2) government incentives and (3) business strategies to cope with the crisis.Findings(1) Even a year and a half into the pandemic, despite government relief efforts, vaccination programs, the easing of lockdown and travel restrictions, survival is still the main concern for SMTEs. (2) Although they do not have enough resources, these entrepreneurs have energy and motivation, are optimistic about the future and are investigating new opportunities by capitalizing on their “strategic flexibility”, an intrinsic strength of SMEs. (3) Recovery is going to take a long time, and government support, however crucial in the interim, cannot replace the pre-crisis conditions that are anxiously awaited by these businesses.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the main limitations of this study is that the gathered research data are localized to one destination in Turkey, the Bodrum area. In that respect, it is difficult to hypothesize the degree to which the resulting data can be generalized to other areas of Turkey and the rest of the world. Future work is required to provide greater insight into how to be prepared effectively for this type of crisis. Therefore, further research should be undertaken to investigate tourism and hospitality industry in the whole country and to compare findings to those of other cities and regions. An especially important issue for future research that would yield insight and practical implications worldwide is comparison of findings across countries.Practical implicationsThe impact of COVID-19 is challenging all SMTEs’ conventional business models. Each business needs to evaluate its own internal and external conditions, secure required financial resources necessary for survival and sustainable business strategies for post-COVID-19 era. Besides short-term survival thinking, they also look for long-term business strategies both saving, investing, innovation and diversification. They are also on the look-out to seize any new opportunities presenting themselves as well as for any additional governmental support.Originality/valueThis paper offers a systematic approach toward understanding the realities of SMTEs in the midst of crisis by focusing on their short-term survival and long-term sustainability responses against COVID-19. It also brings practical experiences of industry participants and opinions of industry experts to academicians, practitioners and policymakers, shedding light on challenges faced by SMTEs.

Study on Survival and Sustainable Development of Small- and Medium-Sized Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises in Macao Based on Regional Soft Environment and Competitive Advantage.

The small- and medium-sized tourism and hospitality enterprises are the main forms of enterprises in Macao. This study put forward a new framework of survival and sustainable development from the perspective of competitive advantage and regional soft environment, which significantly holds theoretical and practical research value. The study obtained cross-sectional data of 317 small- and medium-sized tourism and hospitality enterprises in Macao through a large-scale questionnaire survey. This article used exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis to test the reliability and validity of each factor system and its measurement scale. The variance analysis is used to judge the differences between the elements. The regression analysis is used to verify the hypothesis of a causal relationship between factors. The structural equation analysis is used to fit the model and make necessary amendments. The results reveal that the government service environment has a significant positive impact on the ability of an entrepreneur. In addition, the regional soft environment significantly impacts the competitive advantage of small- and medium-sized tourism and hospitality enterprises in Macao. Contrary, the impact of laws of Macao on the acquisition of financial resources and the promotion of entrepreneur ability and innovation ability is found insignificant. In conclusion, the results showed that market of Macao lacks venture investors where enterprises cannot obtain funds through angel financing or risk financing.