System Quality and Economic Sustainability of Nigerian Tourist Sites: A Leadership Challenge for Operations Managers (Published)
The challenge of economic sustainability of Nigerian tourist sites calls for effective operations management engendered by quality systems. Hence, this study sought to ascertain the relationship between system quality (dimensioned by system reliability, system efficiency, system flexibility and system privacy) and economic sustainability; giving rise to four hypotheses. Survey design was adopted; with a sample of 328 respondents drawn from 55 tourist sites in the South-South and South-East zones of Nigeria. Data were analysed using mean and standard deviation techniques; as well as the structural equation modelling techniques. Results showed good model fit for the measurement models and significant direct relationships for the structural models. It was concluded that system quality is an antecedent of economic sustainability; and the dimensions thereof are good predictors of economic sustainability. The study recommended that operations managers should endeavour to design and re-design tourist facilities in such a way that the system can be relied upon for quality output; they should ensure that the system is designed and/or re-designed in ways that can adapt to changing demands and technological improvements; while features that help ensure safety, personalized needs, environmental friendliness etc., must consciously be incorporated into such designs.
Keywords: System Design, system efficiency, system flexibility, system privacy, system reliability, tourism attraction and tourism facilities.