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How to foster visitors’ environmentally responsible behaviour in nature-based tourism of South Korea
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Lee, Jiwon; Ryan, Chris; Cockburn-Wootten, Cheryl
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped patterns of mobility, leisure, and tourism, highlighting the importance of nearby green spaces for physical and psychological wellbeing. At the same time, increasing environmental crises underscored the vulnerability of the tourism sector to climate change. Within this context, nature-based tourism (NBT) has gained attention for its potential to promote stress recovery, attentional restoration, and wellbeing, as explained by Attention Restoration Theory and Stress Recovery Theory. These restorative outcomes are also associated with ecological awareness and environmentally responsible behaviour (ERB). However, empirical research examining the relationships among multidimensional visitor experiences, restorative outcomes, environmental attitudes (NEP), and ERB remains limited, particularly in East Asian contexts. South Korea provides a distinctive setting for this inquiry due to its mountainous geography and cultural traditions emphasising harmony with nature. In particular, Seoul’s Dullegil trails, which attract over 1.6 million visitors annually, offer a unique urban nature-based tourism context where natural and urban landscapes coexist. Accordingly, the objectives of this study are: (1) to identify the multidimensional nature of visitor experiences within Korean nature-based tourism settings; (2) to examine how these experiential dimensions relate to restorative outcomes and environmental attitudes; and (3) to investigate how such experiences and outcomes contribute to environmentally responsible behaviour (ERB). Guided by a post-positivist paradigm, this study employs a mixed methods design to capture both generalizable patterns and in-depth insights into visitor experiences. Quantitative data were collected through on-site surveys to examine relationships among key variables, while qualitative data were obtained from semi-structured interviews to explore the meanings behind individual experiences. According to the interview guideline suggested by Castillo-Montoya (2016) interview questions were systematically developed and total 26 participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling of visitors to Seoul’s Dullegil trails. Interviews were conducted on-site or nearby between December 2023 and January 2024, lasting 45–60 minutes. Visual prompts, such as photos of hiking routes, were used to encourage rich responses. All interviews were recorded, transcribed in Korean, and translated into English with back-translation to ensure accuracy. For the analysis of qualitative interview, thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke (2006)’s six-phase framework, identified ten overarching themes and 64 experiential codes, capturing cognitive, emotional, relational, and aesthetic dimensions of trekking. Frequently reported experiences included appreciation of scenery, pleasure and excitement, and stress relief. These qualitative insights informed the development of 57 structured survey items, validated through expert review using the Content Validity Index. A pilot survey with 119 responses confirmed the reliability of all items via PCA, KMO, and Bartlett’s tests, providing a robust foundation for the subsequent quantitative phase. In the quantitative phase, 598 valid survey responses were collected from trekkers on Seoul’s Dullegil trails to test hypotheses developed from the qualitative stage. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed nine experiential dimensions—immersion, therapeutic, achievement, reflective, learning, social interaction, social bonding, unpleasant, and perceived risk—alongside restorative outcomes (RES), environmental attitudes (NEP), and environmentally responsible behaviour (ERB). Structural equation modelling demonstrated robust measurement properties and adequate model fit, explaining substantial variance in RES (R² = 0.617), NEP (R² = 0.328), and ERB (R² = 0.406). Immersive experience emerged as the strongest and most consistent predictor, exerting positive effects on all three outcomes. Therapeutic, achievement, and learning experiences influenced both RES and ERB, while reflective experience predicted only RES. Social bonding was positively associated with RES and ERB, whereas casual interaction had a targeted effect on ERB alone. Perceived risk showed no significant associations, while unpleasant experiences unexpectedly heightened NEP. Among outcome relationships, RES predicted ERB but not NEP, whereas NEP directly predicted ERB, indicating distinct but complementary pathways to responsible behaviour. These findings demonstrate that specific experiential dimensions contribute differently to restorative outcomes and environmentally responsible behaviour. In particular, immersive and therapeutic experiences emerged as important pathways promoting both restoration and pro-environmental engagement, while eco-centric beliefs (NEP) directly influenced environmentally responsible behaviour (ERB). This study advances theory and practice in nature-based tourism by integrating qualitative insights with quantitative modelling. It extends Attention Restoration Theory, Stress Recovery Theory, and Social Exchange Theory by identifying nine experiential dimensions and incorporating embodiment, broaden-and-build, self-determination, social norm, and social capital perspectives. Managerially, findings recommend trail designs that prioritise immersive and therapeutic features, foster social bonding, and enhance exploratory learning to jointly promote restoration and environmentally responsible behaviour. Limitations include the urban, Seoul-specific trekking context, cross-sectional and self-reported data, and limited sensitivity of NEP to short-term experiences. Future research should test generalisability across settings, employ longitudinal/experimental designs, incorporate behavioural observations (e.g., GPS/litter audits), use complementary attitudinal constructs (e.g., identity, place attachment), and examine negative experiences alongside positive ones.
Landing error scoring system scores change with knowledge of scoring criteria and prior performance
(Elsevier, 2020-11) Hanzlíková, Ivana; Hébert-Losier, Kim
Objective: To examine if the knowledge of scoring criteria and prior performance influence Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) outcomes. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: Thirty individuals. Main outcome measures: The LESS was tested at Baseline and one week later under two conditions: Pre and Post information. For the Post condition, LESS items were explained to participants, as were their individual Baseline scores. Mean LESS scores and number of individuals categorized at high and low risk were compared between Pre and Post using paired t-tests and McNemar's tests, respectively. McNemar's tests were also used to compare proportions of specific LESS errors between Pre and Post conditions. Results: Mean LESS Post scores (4.7 ± 1.2 errors) were significantly lower than Pre scores (6.6 ± 2.0 errors, p < 0.001) as was the number of individuals at high risk (25 vs 10 participants, p < 0.001). A significantly lower proportion of participants scored an error for the joint displacement item of LESS Post compared to Pre condition (p < 0.001). Conclusion: When using the LESS, it is important that tested individuals have no knowledge of scoring criteria or previous errors for a valid assessment of innate jump-landing movement patterns and injury risk.
Clinical implications of Landing Error Scoring System calculation methods
(Elsevier, 2020-07) Hanzlíková, Ivana; Athens, Josie; Hébert-Losier, Kim
Objectives: To explore whether final Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) scores differ between calculation methods used in literature. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: 328 individuals. Main outcome measures: LESS scores from 984 drop-jumps were extracted. Final LESS scores were calculated for every participant according to five methods: mean of 3 jumps, 1st jump score, 3rd jump score, best jump score, and sum of errors present in at least 2 jumps. The influence of the calculation method on group mean LESS score and group-level risk categorization using threshold of 5 errors was estimated using Generalized Estimating Equations, with the mean of 3 jumps score set as the reference method. The agreement in individual-level risk categorization was assessed using odds ratios and McNemar's tests. Results: Compared to the reference, estimated group mean LESS score was 0.92 errors lower (p < 0.001) using the best jump method, as was group-level risk categorization (odds ratio: 0.50, p < 0.001). Individual-level risk categorization between calculation methods was inconsistent for 8–15% of participants compared to the reference method, significantly different from reference for the best jump score method (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Calculation method meaningfully influences final LESS scores and risk categorization.
The influence of organisational environmental sustainability on employee outcomes
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Sheeran, Zane; Sutton, Anna; Cooper-Thomas, Helena D.
As two global challenges - climate change and mental health crises - intensify, organisations are increasingly being called to address both environmental sustainability and human well-being. In this thesis, we investigate whether environmental sustainability within organisations can simultaneously support the natural environment and enhance positive human outcomes, specifically, well-being and performance. Grounded in the theories of Person-Organisation fit and Self Determination, we address the overarching question: Can sustainability in organisations enhance the well-being and performance of employees? This thesis consists of four interconnected studies, that each explored key parts of this question using diverse populations and research methods. Study One (N = 292 ) used a cross-sectional design to examine whether university students who perceive their institutions as more environmentally sustainable report higher levels of well-being, and whether this relationship is moderated by their environmental attitudes. Study Two (N = 199) focused on an employee population and assessed how perceived organisational sustainability relates to both employee well-being and job performance using a cross-sectional design. It also tested whether sustainability mediates the relationship between well-being and performance, offering novel insights into the mechanisms linking sustainability and human outcomes. Study Three (N = 628 [T1], 493 [T2]) used network analysis to examine the interconnectedness of sustainability with work-related and employee variables over time. Finally, Study Four (N =72) used a mixed methods intervention-based design with a waitlist control to investigate potential causality, testing whether increasing employees’ perceptions of their workplaces’ sustainability could influence their well-being and performance. The findings indicate that environmental sustainability within organisations is positively related to both well-being and performance. Study One showed students who perceived their institution as more environmentally sustainable reported higher well-being, independent of their personal environmental attitudes. Study Two showed that sustainability and well-being independently predicted job performance, with sustainability adding explanatory value beyond well-being and partially mediating the well-being–performance relationship. Study Three demonstrated stable interconnections between sustainability, well-being, performance, and person–organisation fit over time. Finally, Study Four provided initial evidence for potential causal effects. Combined, these findings have important implications for organisations and their leadership. By authentically embedding sustainability into core workplace strategy and culture, organisations can not only address pressing environmental challenges and reap the related benefits such as increased public image, but also cultivate healthier and higher-performing employees.
Thalassaemia and haemoglobinopathy in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty: A review of testing and prevalence of haemoglobinopathy at Pathlab Waikato
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Annan, Sally; Peters, Linda M.
Haemoglobinopathies are amongst the most common genetic disorders in the world but remain relatively overlooked. The World Health Organisation estimates around 5.2% of the global population may be carriers of a pathogenic haemoglobinopathy due to a mutation in one of the haemoglobin genes. For the past decade Pathlab Waikato has established a database of all diagnosed haemoglobinopathy and thalassaemia, with the intention that this data may be used to assess and improve the New Zealand national screening service. The purpose of this research was to analyse this database to investigate 1) What is being diagnosed in our region? 2) How common are these haemoglobinopathies? and 3) What is being missed? Answers to this will provide a better understanding of the pathology and prevalence of this disease in our region, and to provide recommendations and strategy for future testing. The haemoglobinopathy database was analysed alongside data from incidental abnormal haemoglobin detection through testing for HbA1c. This information was run through RStudio for statistical analysis of ethnicity data to confirm that ethnicity was a significant predictor of the presence of abnormal haemoglobin (p value <0.001). Prevalence of different haemoglobinopathies was calculated and this was compared to previously reported prevalence both globally and within certain ethnic groups. Using population information from StatsNZ and the past three New Zealand Censuses (2023, 2018, 2013) the ethnic makeup of our testing population was also determined. With all of this information combined, differences and shortfalls in our database can be identified when compared to calculated estimates of prevalence of abnormal haemoglobin. From the database, Pathlab performed 6,589 thalassaemia screens with a positive detection rate average of 53% with a steady increase in haemoglobinopathy testing every year. The most commonly diagnosed haemoglobinopathies (in order) were α thalassaemia, β thalassaemia, heterozygous HbE, and heterozygous HbS. Using known ethnic prevalence from the literature review and the ethnic makeup of our community from the census, it was found we are detecting less than what would be expected for our population. For example, 5.85% of our population has identified themselves as Indian, and based on previous reports at least 3% of them should be carriers for β thalassaemia. This would come to roughly 1,179 people. However, during our screening period, only 621 confirmed diagnoses of β thalassaemia were made. Furthermore, using the Hardy-Weinberg equation, it is estimated there may be over 10,000 and 3,000 carriers of HbE and HbS, respectively. This is compared to only 358 and 171 detected in our database. Even if the actual allele frequency is half of what was calculated, the shortfall is stark. With all this in mind, Pathlab are already introducing an extra step through the screening of abnormalities found incidentally in HbA1c. However, there are further steps we can take to tackle this deficit, including the establishment of a national database and national screening service. The process to allow accurate haemoglobinopathy screening in New Zealand was outlined. If haemoglobinopathy screening was introduced as part of an antenatal screen, it would help to bridge the gap we have uncovered here to prevent negative health outcomes and further strain on our health care system.