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Development and validation of the ecotourism behavior scale
Author(s) -
Lee Tsung Hung,
Jan FenHauh
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of tourism research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.155
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1522-1970
pISSN - 1099-2340
DOI - 10.1002/jtr.2172
Subject(s) - ecotourism , construct (python library) , delphi method , scale (ratio) , reliability (semiconductor) , tourism , delphi , empirical research , construct validity , environmental resource management , marketing , field (mathematics) , computer science , management science , business , geography , environmental science , engineering , mathematics , artificial intelligence , cartography , archaeology , operating system , power (physics) , quantum mechanics , programming language , statistics , physics , pure mathematics , patient satisfaction
This study conceptualizes ecotourism behavior as a multidimensional construct and develops a framework that offers a reliable and valid scale to assess ecotourism behavior; the framework is based on an empirical survey using 3 studies. In Study 1, measurement items are established and refined using a literature review, content analysis, and the fuzzy Delphi method. In Study 2, a research instrument is developed, and its reliability and validity are tested. In Study 3, cross‐validation of this research instrument is employed to assess ecotourism behavior using two populations of ecotourists. A reliable and valid 30‐item scale with a seven‐construct model is developed based on Taiwan's forests and wetlands as ecotourism destinations. This research instrument provides researchers with an invaluable instrument to accurately measure ecotourism behavior and offers a theoretical framework for researchers, decision makers, managers, and tourists in the field of ecotourism; thus, it makes a significant contribution to the literature.