The Newton secant method is a third-order iterative nonlinear solver. It requires two function and one first derivative evaluations. However, it is not optimal as it does not satisfy the Kung-Traub conjecture. In this work, we derive an optimal fourth-order Newton secant method with the same number of function evaluations using weight functions and we show that it is a member of the King family of fourth-order methods. We also obtain an eighth-order optimal Newton-secant method. We prove the local convergence of the methods. We apply the methods to solve a fourth-order polynomial arising in ocean acidifications and study their dynamics. We use the data of CO2 available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 1959 to 2012 and calculate the pH of the oceans for these years. Finally we further investigate the long-run implications of CO2 emissions on alkalinity of seawater using fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic OLS (DOLS). Our findings reveal that a one-percent increase in CO2 emissions will lead to a reduction in seawater alkalinity of 0.85 percent in the long run.

The festival of light is considered as one application of Smart Tourism to intelligently promote this sector. This paper examines how different socio-demographic and psychological aspects are complementary to attitude towards individual appreciation of the recent festival of light (Porlwi-By-Light). In order to obtain a precise description and understanding of individual perception, specific attempts have been carried out to control for personality traits and the anger scale of individual. The big five factor model of personality traits and individual anger scale are thereby considered. We apply a cross sectional data, captured from a drop-off survey with a sample size of 725 observations. Within an ordered probit and negative binomial framework, gender, age, residential location, educational level, family size, income, marital status, numbers of attendees at the festival, the extent to which they wish to go again to Porlwi-By-Light festival, whether it was a good season to organize the festival, the festival was appreciative, to extent to which the traffic jam affected the visitors, how the 5Es (education, entertainment, escapism, esthetics and economic value) contributed in the festival as well as personality traits and motivational factors, are found to be the conclusive factors affecting an individual appreciation at the festival. Our findings help us to draw consideration to the consequences of festival's experience and how personality-specific policies can be designed to influence public's perceptions.

This paper investigates whether shocks to copper consumption for 37 countries over the period 1967-2010 are transitory or persistent. A variety of time-series unit root tests is first employed. This is followed by several generations of panel data unit root tests. The presence of structural breaks is taken into account while performing those tests. In addition, cross-sectional dependence is detected and effectively controlled when applying some new generations of panel unit root tests. Copper consumption is found to follow a non-stationary process for about 86% of the countries. There is also overwhelming evidence of similar process when panel unit root tests are applied. Generally, shocks to copper consumption are found to be persistent.

This paper investigates the convergence pattern of technical efficiency of the South Africa Power Pool (SAPP) utilities over the period April 2003–March 2010 by means of parametric and non-parametric techniques. Technical efficiency scores are computed via both stochastic frontier analysis and data envelopment analysis. Mixed results are obtained from the neoclassical convergence approaches. In addition, distribution dynamics methods reveal some evidence of club-formation and this result is supported with the occurrence of γ-divergence. Taken as a whole, technical efficiency is found to diverge among the utilities operating in the power pool.

The paper examines the copper consumption-economic growth nexus for 16 rich economies from the period 1966 to 2010. Various generations of panel unit root and cointegration tests are applied. Both series are found to be integrated of order one. Evidence of cointegration is found especially when controlling for breaks and long-run cross-sectional dependence. Causality is investigated using a vector error-correction mechanism (VECM) framework. At individual level, unidirectional causality running from economic growth to copper consumption is unraveled for Finland, France and UK in the long-run. Unidirectional causality is also found running from copper consumption to economic growth for Spain. Long-run bi-directionality between economic growth and copper consumption is found for Belgium, Greece, Italy, Japan and South Korea. The neutrality hypothesis holds for Australia, Austria, Canada, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and USA in the long-run. Taken as a whole, panel causality test reveals a long-run unidirectional causality running from economic growth to copper consumption.

This paper investigates whether shocks to aluminium consumption for 36 countries over the period 1967-2010 are transitory or permanent. A variety of time-series and panel data unit root tests are employed. The presence of structural breaks is taken into account when performing those tests. Following the Narayan-Popp univariate unit root test, aluminium consumption series for approximately 77.8% of countries is found to follow a non-stationary process. However unit root tests tend to have low power when the time span is relatively short and the results should be treated with some caution. Most of the panel unit root tests also point towards similar process. While these shocks can be transmitted to other economic sectors, past behaviours of aluminium consumption cannot be used for forecasting purposes. Mineral policies will have a permanent impact on the long-run trend of aluminium consumption

The material Kuznets curve (MKC) hypothesis with reference to copper for 16 high-income countries over the period 1966 to 2010 is investigated. The Narayan and Narayan (2010) testing framework is applied. Recent generations of panel unit root and cointegration tests are performed. The variables are found to be I(1) and cointegrated. Unidirectional causality running from real gross domestic product per capita to copper intensity is uncovered in the long-run. While controlling for technological development, the MKC hypothesis is found to hold at individual levels for Austria, Italy and Portugal as well as for the whole panel.

Anti-corruption campaigns usually focus on educating the population. However, little is known about the impact of knowledge, especially understanding of the anti-corruption legislation and the function of Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) body in practice. This study sheds light on the factors influencing the likelihood of reporting a case of corruption in Mauritius. Cross-sectional data are compiled from a household survey with a sample size of 380 observations. To perform the investigation, an ordered probit model is employed. Knowledge about the Prevention of Corruption Act (PoCA) is found to be a crucial variable in determining the functional form of the empirical model. In general, media consumption and knowledge about the PoCA increases the probability of reporting an act of corruption, while Interest in politics decreases the likelihood of reporting  a case of corruption to the ICAC. In addition, age, educational attainment, income level, family size and civil status are found to be important predictors of corruption reporting.

Mainstream economics perceive an individual as highly individualistic, presuming that he/she consumes goods in the most efficient way to optimize his/her level of happiness. This study attempts to explore the nexus between socio-economic dimensions, basic needs, luxuries and personality traits and happiness in Mauritius. Material consumption and happiness are projected to be positively and strongly related. This is usually illuminated in terms of the increased possibilities to satisfy basic needs and luxuries along with other motives which additional spending provides. Other instrumental aspects of consumption, such as its relative, community-based and hedonic magnitudes are accounted. Cross-sectional data are compiled from a household survey with a sample size of 1015 observations. To conduct the analysis, an ordered probit model is applied. The general conclusion is drawn upon the results that socio-economic indicators like educational attainment, residential location, family size, income in addition to the intermediate needs deprivation index, brand consciousness, fashion innovativeness, commercial interest, shopping enjoyment, hedonism, bandwagon effect and personality traits are significantly related to people’s happiness.

The threatened Mauritian Flying Fox (Pteropus niger) has been facing repeated mass-culling since 2015 due to the perceived damage to commercial fruits. The significant reduction in numbers from that period had led to its International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Status being up-listed to endangered status. The purpose of the study is to employ a contingency valuation method (CVM) to determine the factors influencing the decision to contribute and how much to contribute for conserving the Mauritian Flying Fox by the Mauritian public in the midst of the human-wildlife conflict (HWC). A household drop-off survey with a sample size of 525 observations was employed. Favourable environmental attitudes, higher perceived ability to contribute (PAC), better knowledge about bats, higher aesthetic value of bats and lower negativistic attitudes towards bats were found to increase the probability of contributing to the conservation of the species. Conditional on these results, individuals with higher knowledge about bats and perceived ability to contribute were found willing to pay more for conserving the species. The findings help us to draw attention on the perspective of supporting a preservation fund for the Mauritian Flying Fox.

This paper investigates whether shocks (economic effects) to wood fuel production for 18 countries of the European Union (EU) over the period 1961–2012 are temporary or persistent. A variety of time-series and panel data unit root tests are employed. The presence of structural breaks is taken into account when performing those tests. Wood production in approximately 78% of the countries is found to follow a non-stationary process supported by the result that most of the panel unit root tests also point towards a non-stationary process. This indicates that the economic effect will tend to be persistent and suggests that policies affecting wood fuel production, implicitly or explicitly, will have enduring effects. For instance, forest conservation policies will persistently reduce the wood fuel production level.

This paper addresses the performance of the timber markets (Scots pine, Pinus silvestris L. and Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karst.) by evaluating the order of market integration in three Swedish regions (Central, Northern, and Southern). Quarterly data of delivery prices are employed over the period 1999Q1–2012Q4. Various unit root and cointegration tests have been computed. The results indicate that the variables are integrated of first order and co-integrated, especially after controlling for structural breaks. This supports the law-of-one-price hypothesis (LOP). However, the effects of structural shocks on forestry are arguably significant and these are controlled for while performing a vector error-correction mechanism (VECM)-based Granger-causality test. Bi-directional causality between the Northern and central markets is uncovered in the short-run. In the long-run, a similar causal effect is detected between Northern and Southern markets while the central market emerges as the price leader. Further investigation is carried out using variance decompositions and impulse response functions and these approaches also tend to confirm the existence of a single market well, as price interdependence between markets.

This paper investigates whether shocks to pulp for paper production for 17 Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) members over the period 1980–2012 are transitory or permanent. A variety of univariate and panel data unit root tests are employed. The presence of structural breaks is taken into account when performing those tests. Based on the Narayan-Popp univariate unit root test, wood production series for approximately 64.71% of countries is found to follow a non-stationary process. However, univariate unit root tests tend to have low power when the time span is relatively short. Consequently, three generations of panel unit root tests are considered. Cross-sectional dependence is detected. The first generation of unit roots do not effectively control for cross-sectional dependence, while the second and third generations do. The third generation accounts mainly for cross-sectional co-integration. As a confirmatory analysis, both unit root tests that tests for the null of non-stationarity and stationarity are considered. Most of the panel unit root tests point towards a non-stationary process. Hence, while these shocks can be transmitted to other economic sectors, past behaviours of wood production cannot be used for forecasting purposes. Forest conservation policies can have a permanent impact on pulp for paper production.

This paper investigates how various socio-demographic as well as psychological factors are related to the purchasing frequency of Le Millionaire scratch card in Mauritius. In order to obtain a refined description and understanding of consumer behaviour, special attempts have been made to control for the personality traits of an individual. The OCEAN model of personality is thereby considered. We employ cross-sectional micro-data acquired from a household drop-off survey with a sample size of 1135 observations. Within a double-hurdle framework, gender, residential location, educational level, household income, alcohol consumption, other forms of gambling activities, and personality traits are found to be determining factors affecting an individual's decision to gamble in the scratch card market. Our findings help us to draw attention to the consequences of risk-taking behaviours and how personality-specific policies can be designed to influence gambling behaviour.

To analyze the operational efficiency of Chinese power sector at the provincial level, this paper studies the convergence of technical efficiency and productivity growth of electricity across 29 Chinese provinces during the period 1996-2008 using several convergence models. Depending on the model being employed, we find evidence of convergence of operational efficiency towards either a national steady state or towards their own steady states, with the latter process occurring more rapidly. In essence, our study provides evidence of negative effects of government intervention. Additionally, we use the nonparametric distribution dynamics approach to analyze intra-distributional dynamics of technical efficiency and productivity. We find some support for productivity convergence while technical efficiency does not converge for provinces with relatively low levels. We discuss policy implementations based on our model results and highlight several aspects for policy making in the power sector reforms currently being undertaken

The forest sector contributes a significant share to national income. The existence and magnitude of causal relationships between forest product exports and economic growth is thus important to understand not least for policy issues. It has vital implications for policy-makers enacting proper development strategies. This causality is usually analyzed using the export-led economic growth hypothesis. International trade is affecting economic growth through enhanced competition and specialization. Export, more specifically, foster economic growth via the accumulation of foreign exchange, by stimulating efficient investments in the right sectors and by allowing for improved economies of scale. Surprisingly, practically no studies have been done analyzing the forest products export-led economic growth hypothesis. Thus, the current study fills an important gap in the literature. The study attempts to test the forest product export-led growth hypothesis for 22 economies over the period 1970 to 2011. Various generations of panel unit root and cointegration tests are applied. The time frame and the selection of countries are purely dictated by the availability of data and the amount of existing productive forest area. The econometric tests are based on augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root and cointegration tests. These tests are necessary before assessing the impact of forest product exports on GDP. The connection between economic growth and forest products exportation is analyzed using an error correction model (ECM) based panel causality test structure. The ECM is subsequently used to estimate short- and long-run elasticities. The series are found to be integrated of order one and cointegrated, especially when applying the third-generation tests. Uni-directional causality running from forest product exports to economic growth is uncovered in the both the short-run and the long-run. Moreover, forest products exportation is found to positively affect economic growth. The short-run elasticity reveals positive and significant income elasticity. A 1% increase in forest product exports will lead to a 0.022% increase in economic growth in the short-run and 0.002% in the long-run. The regional dummy is also significant and positive, implying that countries with significant forest land coverage are bound to experience higher economic growth. The findings will help policymakers in their projections and implementing natural resource and forest policies. Unidirectional causality implies forest product exports can be used to predict economic growth in both short-run and long-run but not vice versa. In general, the results support the ELG hypothesis. Promotion of forest product exportations can lead to a multiplier effect.

The Mauritian Lotto was first introduced on the 7th of November 2009 by lotto tech. The first jackpot was Rs 12 million. To play the game, choose 6 numbers from 1-40. Drawings are held once a week on Saturdays. The odds of winning Mauritius Lotto are one in 3,838,380. For a pick-6 lotto game, the Mauritius Lotto 6/40 lottery game has relatively excellent odds when compared to other pick-6 lotto games around the world. The present study tries to attempt to understand the attitude of Mauritians' towards the lotto game and the impact of socio-economic, psychological and demographic variables on addiction towards these game. For this purpose, a double–hurdle frame work was used, having conducted a drop-off survey of households with a paper and pencil, comprising of 3 distinct sections, namely, personal profile of the respondents, demographic characteristics and personality traits comprising 30 questions of open-ended, close-ended, partial open-ended and psychometric scales questions. 1027 respondents' involvement and the spendthrift nature are analysed. This study brings in the light to the influence of personality trait heterogeneities, coupled with socio-economic and risk-taking behaviours are controlled in the model. Recommendations on future areas of innovation in personality research and policy implications on social perspective ladder, such as alcohol beverages and cigarettes and indulgence in other forms of gambling have serious consequences on both the lotto participation and expenditure decisions. Retailers and corner shops can come up with marketing strategies which will help them to capitalize on cross-buying behaviours. Suppliers' coffers will see new height in terms of revenue at the detriment of public health in terms of cross-addictions. State intervention via consumer laws will have to be made more stringent while sufficient rules and regulations need to be implemented to protect the growing generation from such potential health risks associated with gambling.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the determinants of willingness to pay to enhance pandemic preparedness in Mauritius.

Study design: A contingent valuation method is used to estimate willingness to pay to pay for enhancing pandemic preparedness using a sample of working people in Mauritius.

Methods: A two-phase decision process analysis is carried out to model the willingness to pay to enhance pandemic preparedness. The first phase is to analyse the respondents' decision of whether or not to pay for enhancing pandemic preparedness using a Probit model. The second phase is to estimate the determinants of the amount of money respondents are willing to pay using a Tobit model.

Results: Income earners are willing to pay an average of Rs. 1,900 (approximately USD 50) per annum to enhance pandemic preparedness. ‘Perceived Response Efficacy’, ‘Awareness of the Need and Responsibility for Paying’, ‘Subjective Obligation to Pay’ and the ‘Theory of Planned Behaviour’ are found to affect both stages of of the decision-making process. Knowledge on COVID-19 is found to have a positive impact on the decision to pay and health responsibility attitude is found to have a negative impact on the amount people are willing to pay.

Conclusions: On average, the government can potentially expect to mobilise an additional Rs. 1,047,470,000 (USD 27,565,000) from taxpayers to spend on enhancing pandemic preparedness in Mauritius. To increase willingness to pay for enhanced pandemic preparedness, the government can focus on improving knowledge on a pandemic, perceived response efficacy and awareness on need and responsibility of paying.

The study examines the convergence patterns of real healthcare expenditure per capita (RHEPC) for 43 countries of sub-Saharan African (SSA) from the period 2000 and 2017. Conventional absolute and conditional β-convergence models are first applied. Several factors such as income, democracy, urbanisation and ageing population are found to significantly affect relative RHEPC (RRHEPC) within the conditional β-convergence model. The speed of convergence of RRHEPC is higher for the conditional β-convergence model than the absolute β-convergence one. In general, β-convergence and σ-divergence are detected while no support for the stochastic convergence hypothesis is uncovered. These neoclassical models impose restrictive assumptions that countries follow the same growth path. As such the dynamic distribution approach proposed by Quah is applied to analyse the dynamics of RRHEPC. This is followed by the club convergence test as proposed by Phillips and Sul which allows individual countries to follow distinctive growth paths. Both convergence tests point towards the existence of three clubs. In sum, we find strong evidence of divergence of RHEPC among the 43 SSA countries. Policy implementations based on model results are discussed while several aspects of policy reforms in the healthcare sector within the African continent are highlighted.

Mauritius has a universal free healthcare system, based on the Beveridge model which is financed by taxpayers. There are growing considerations over improving quality of healthcare services. The purpose of the study is to employ a contingency valuation (CV) to investigate the willingness of Mauritians people to pay to improve the quality of public healthcare services and the associated determinants using the double-bounded dichotomous choice model. A drop off survey with a sample size of 974 respondents from the working population is used. The empirical analysis shows that the majority of the sample was willing to pay for improving quality of public healthcare services. Other than the conventional determinants of respondents’ demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, the findings support the assertion that psycho-social constructs such as the Theory of Planned Behaviour, Norm-Activation, Public Good Theory, and Perceived Response Efficacy are found to significantly affect Willingness-to-Pay (WTP). The results of this study might be of use to policymakers to help with both priority setting and fund allocation.

A free universal healthcare provision exists in Mauritius. Yet the share of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure out of total household expenditure has been growing over time. This study estimates income elasticity of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure using Mauritian household data within an Engel curve framework. In the absence of longitudinal data on out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure patterns, the study proposes the application of the pseudo-panel approach using cross-sectional Household Budget Survey waves from 1996/97 to 2017. Income elasticity of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure is estimated to be 0.938, which is just below unity. This implies that out-of-pocket healthcare demand is not considered to be a luxury, but a necessity in Mauritius. In order to see the differences in income elasticities by income groups, separate regressions are estimated for each income quartile over different years. The results indicate that income elasticities of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure vary non-monotonically.

Background: Tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD), which is caused by the genus Begomovirus, is basically transmitted by the vector whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (B. tabaci). It remains a destructive disease of tomato across the world. The disease is present in many tomato growing countries, and it has a broad geographical distribution. The population and distribution of the vector are therefore an important factor in disease spread. This study assesses the determinants of the relationship between climatic factors and whitefly population. A thorough search of relevant papers was first initiated, and eventually 16 articles with 142 estimates were selected. A meta-regression analysis, especially the random-effects model with a restricted maximum likelihood (REML) estimator, was applied.

Results: Summarization of effect sizes revealed a mean effect size for the study of r = 0.15. The forest plot suggested a significant amount of study heterogeneity. No evidence of significant publication bias was uncovered. The meta-analysis revealed that the population of whiteflies was significantly related to climatic independent variables such as maximum and minimum temperature and rainfall. Other factors such as altitude, number of symptoms, pesticide policy, type of soil, number of references, impact factor and publication status were found to significantly influence the effect sizes.

Conclusions: Whiteflies are playing a major role in spreading the TYLCD. Several factors were identified to have a significant impact on the climatic conditions-whitefly population nexus. Since climatic factors, altitude, existing pesticide laws and type of soil were found to have a significant impact on the effect sizes, agricultural management policies could be enacted by specifically considering those factors in a view to minimize the impact of whiteflies. In general, all the above factors could be considered in strategy to manage TYLCD.

Many models in educational have tried to clarify the causal relationships of motivation variables on student performance, by presenting hypothesized models, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) under structural equation modeling (SEM). Based on the literature, this model inspected the most robust stimuli of motivation: intrinsic, extrinsic, amotivation, self-efficacy and achievement motivation alongside with other variables like parental education, location, musculoskeletal pain (MSP), student body mass index (BMI), bag weights and tuition. SEM (unmodified and modified) is used to clarify the interrelationships of these variables and their relative contributions to academic performance. The sample consists of 324 students from Forest-Side State Secondary School (Boys). The results show that as predicted the latent variable motivation, mother education, private tuition and weights of bags have direct effects on students‘ performance using the modified standardized coefficients.

In the context of the quantitative approach to the evaluation of educational units there is an emerging interest in discerning the factors that affect the performance of a school. The data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology provides an effective agenda for evaluating the efficiency of educational units, such as the secondary schools, in the presence of multiple inputs and outputs. In this paper we evaluate the performance of Mauritian colleges through DEA. The data deal with overall % passes at school certificate and higher school certificate in all secondary colleges for the year 2016. The 141 colleges are bunched on the foundation of factors such as school facilities and school population. The analysis results indicate that efficiency of colleges ranged between 0 and 1 with an average of 0.872(CRS) and 0.909(VRS) using Tobit model. The second stage analysis found that the location, zone, types of colleges, teacher-student ratio, student-class ratio, college status and canteen have significant effect on school’s performance.

Multi-loop Aquaponic System is a detached ecosystem for both plants and fish, with increased nutrients as well as increased output efficiency. In the Multi-loop Aquaponic system, the plant growth and nutrient uptake, fish survival are dependent on climate, weather conditions, humidity (RH), carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.  The study attempts to test the Multi-loop Aquaponic system empirically for the Mauritian context. Knowledge of Aquaponics, acceptance, and willingness to pay for Aquaponics tested. A drop-off survey is conducted using a well-structured questionnaire (5-point Likert scale).  The respondent's level is 79% (397 responses out of 500 questionnaires circulated) good fit for the analysis. Factor Analysis (FA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), followed by Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) used for the study. The findings show Mauritians are having up-to-date knowledge and information about Aquaponics and willing to espouse the system.

Recent years, the idea of shopping online has become a necessity than a luxury. The singularities of online shopping are budding considerably. The players of this inclination show that there is still a huge possible demand for these shopping trends. There are many contributing factors that are influencing these behaviours. This study intends to scrutinize the contributing factors that are persuading the customers and consumers to opt for online shopping in Mauritius. The sample size is from the respondents having exposure to online shopping or e-stores. The primary data collected through survey with the help of well-designed questionnaire (5-point Likert scale), with SERVQUAL, CDMM and OSAM models. The data is analysed to test the hypothesis and model fit using AMOS. From the findings and conclusion of this study, it is understood that there is a significant influence of personality traits (SERVQUAL), Internet knowledge, purchase intention and experience, followed by post-purchase satisfaction (OSAM, CDMM). The contribution of this study for corporate academics and existing literature is very stimulating for further research, being first and pioneer in Mauritius.

The Mauritian Flying Fox (Pteropus niger), familiar as Greater Mascarene Flying Fox (Mauritius Fruit Bat), a large bat species common to Mauritius and La Ré-union. Mauritian Flying Fox is vulnerable to extinction due to lack of concern in their conservation, particularly when they are perceived as a threat to urban life. Preservative initiatives among the public are subject to awareness and perception. Assessment of public attitude and perception in the case of elusive animals is quite challenging. The paper examines public awareness, experience and threat encountered, perception, willing to preserve Mauritian Flying Fox, along with significant socio-demographic factors. NEP scale is used to test the willingness to accept these mammals. Using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire, a drop-off survey is conducted. The response rate is satisfactory (KMO and Bartlet: significant at 0.5, 0.7, 0.7, and 0.8) and suitable for further analysis. Factor Analysis (FA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) is computed followed by a path diagram. Contingency Valuation Method (CVM) is used to test the respondent’s willingness (Willingness to Accept) in preserving these mammals. Respondents are having decent information about the ecosystem and perceived these mammals positively, while few respondents have an adverse approach towards these mammals and support culling. This may be due to ignorance and lack of awareness in the ecological system. The study indicates that the conservation success of Mauritian Flying Fox mainly depends on good awareness programs among the community. Positive perception and attitude mend the willingness to preserve these mammals. The findings of this study recommend more holistic approaches to wildlife conservation (Mauritian Flying Fox) that integrate simultaneously knowledge, attitude, perception, and willingness to preserve wildlife perfection.

Purpose and background

Goa is in western India with shorelines along the Arabian Sea which has a long history of a Portuguese colony (earlier to 1961) with tropical spice plantations and cathedrals. With oscillating widespread beaches (Calangute and Palolem) Goa is a tourist attraction (Velha, Panaji) for many locals and foreigners. As a separate state, it has its perspectives in enticing the tourists. The study aims at examining the pre and post-visit behaviors of tourists in Goa and their destination loyalty. Destination loyalty is tested with internal and external satisfaction factors and their influence on tourist satisfaction. Internal factors tested are refreshment, excitement, a new destination to see, visiting friends and relatives. External factors include liking towards nature and historic destinations, infrastructure and facilities, safety and comfort, budget and affordability, and socio-cultural factors. Loyalty is understood on the tourist behavior of revisit to Goa and their goodwill towards Goa tourism destination experience.

Research design/methodology/approach

The data is collected from 950 respondents, including local and international tourists who visited Goa during 2018 and 2019. Well, a structured questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale developed en route for data collection. The questionnaires are administered through a drop-off survey. Most advanced techniques of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) is designed for the data analysis using software IBM SPSS AMOS. SEM is considered as the most reliable technique for testing the factors in-depth in understanding the crucial components that are manipulating each other. Data is cleaned with Data Imputing Technique, tested for reliability and suitability (KMO and Bartlett- 0.709; Cronbach s Alpha, 0.764), additional precautions are taken in identifying the outliers to avoid inconvenience while computing the data. All the beaches in Goa, Tourist Destinations, Resorts, Hotels, Clubs and Amusement parks, Homestays, Shopping malls, and the pilgrimages are plotted for data collection. The techniques adopted for examining the rapport among the constructs of tourist satisfaction and their loyalty in the Post-Visit stages of their visit to Goa using the concepts of Intrinsic and Extrinsic influencing factors of travel. Demographic/Psychographic [IAO variables; Interests, Activities, and Opinions] profile of the respondents is introduced as a control variable to identify whether there is a direct or inverse correlation on the dependent variable, Tourist Loyalty.

Results and findings

The results are directing that the pre-visit behavior (Intrinsic motives and extrinsic motives) can act as a stimulus for post-visit behavior, which has a direct effect on post-visit (behavioural) intention but has no intervening influence. Re-visit choice and references are generally grounded on destination satisfaction and familiarity. Also, being an education hub, it is found that there are more visitors to Goa on academic, research, or professional purposes. The study indicated that constructive socio-demographic variables hold a momentous impact on tourists’ pre-visit actions. Moreover, the result of the ‘post-visit‘ model indicates that internal satisfaction has a constructive influence on destination loyalty, as compared to external satisfaction.

Conclusion, implications, and further research

Concerning this, the study concludes that internal satisfiers has an impact on external satisfiers and accentuates destination loyalty. The study strongly recommends for the service providers to study the tourist behavior and their preferences and act accordingly to attract more tourist customers to Goa.

This study aims at understanding the customer satisfaction on adoption of e-banking services at Mauritius. This is an empirical evidence, with the help of primary data (drop off survey) and secondary sources. The main objective of the study is to investigate in depth the customer's perception regarding e-banking adoption and their satisfaction. Also examines, if customers' choice of banks is influenced by the quality of e–banking services provided. For the purpose of the study, a well-structured questionnaire with 5-point Likert scale having 35 questions is used and personal details and customers' e-banking preference of Mauritians. The questionnaire was administered to about 250 respondents who are regular on online banking transactions, and the response rate is 74% (185 responded). More suitable and reliable statistical techniques are adopted, such as, ordered probit, ordered logit and descriptive statistics with the help software STATA. The 'confirmatory factor analysis' (CFA) approach is exploited to generate the results with the help of software SPSS AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structures). The original and modification indices of the model are evaluated with help of SEM, which further establishes the improvement in SEM`s effectiveness. It is evidence that, there is a relationship with different income group of respondents that the perception about the e–banking services offered by Mauritian banks. This study aims at contributing for the existing literature and assists for the policy makers.

Small Island, Mauritius is adopting drastic changes with reference to technology. The prime focus of extant study is exploratory in nature and trying to examine the relationship between the factors that are inspiring Mauritian consumers and customers to go with technology and technological advances that are user friendly. E-banking services are one among them. Also, try to test which of the dimensions has the strongest potential in influencing ‘e-customer’. This study focuses mainly on perception of the customer, e-banking adoption motif, ‘e-banking satisfaction’ and ‘quality’ of ‘e-banking services’ in Mauritius. Primary data is collected with the help of drop-off survey and were statistically analysed with the help of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and ordered probit and logit regressions. The empirical evidences of this study reveals, reliability, responsiveness, secured transaction, comfort, efficiency, dependence and ease-of-use has a striking impact on the ‘customer satisfaction’ and e-loyalty. With these findings, for Mauritian content, ‘electronic banking’ would be indispensable ‘banking service’ that can be, provided, well executed to improve ‘e-customer satisfaction’ and ‘e-customer loyalty’ to sustain goodwill of the e-banking customers. Relative importance and service quality of e-banking technology at Maurtius would support the banking industry to motivate the customers.