Human agency shaping tourism competitiveness and quality of life in developing economies

The study investigates the nature of the relationship between tourism competitiveness and quality of life with human agency as an intervening variable. The study argues that integrating human agency as a foundational construct within the tourism competitiveness framework will enhance the theoretical knowledge of tourism competitiveness. A panel data analysis was applied to the case of Central America to examine the relationship between tourism competitiveness (TC) and quality of life (QoL). The results reveal a bi-directional causal relationship between the two constructs, as well as human agency acting as a moderator between TC and QoL, indicating a negative impact on such relationship. Such findings provide a number of theoretical and managerial implications, thus reinforcing the central role of human agency in defining the nature of the relationship between TC and QoL.

本研究以人类能动性作为中介变量，探讨旅游竞争力与生活质量之间关系的本质。研究认为，将人类能动性作为旅游竞争力框架内的一个基本构建纳入其中，将增进对旅游竞争力的理论认识。对中美洲的案例进行了面板数据分析，以检验旅游竞争力（TC）和生活质量（QoL）之间的关系。结果显示，这两个构念之间存在双向因果关系，并且人类能动性在TC和QoL之间起调节作用，对这种关系产生负面影响。这些发现提供了一些理论和管理方面的启示，从而强化了人类能动性在界定TC和QoL之间关系的本质方面的核心作用。