Assessing management performance of the national forest park using impact range-performance analysis and impact-asymmetry analysis

• Published in: Forest policy and economics Vol. 104; pp. 121 - 138
• Main Authors: Chen, Pin-Zheng, Liu, Wan-Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.07.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Asymmetry; Conservation; Environmental management; Forest management; Forest recreation area; Forests; Impact analysis; Impact range-performance analysis; Impact-asymmetry analysis; Importance-performance analysis; Loyalty; Natural resources; Parks; Parks & recreation areas; Quality control; Quality management; Quality of service; Recreation; Recreation areas; Satisfaction; Service quality; Tourists; Visitor satisfaction; Impact range-performance analysis; Impact-asymmetry analysis; Visitor satisfaction; Importance-performance analysis; Forest recreation area; Service quality
• ISSN: 1389-9341; 1872-7050
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2019.04.010

High quality service is beneficial to improve satisfaction of the tourists visiting national forest parks. However, few works assessed the management performance in national forest parks, although a lot of works did it in other industries. Therefore, this study aims to assess the management performance of the Huisun National Forest Recreation Area (HNFRA) (having most natural forests in Taiwan and focusing on natural conservation) using a questionnaire survey method with impact range-performance analysis (IRPA) and impact-asymmetry analysis (IAA) to determine the priorities for service quality improvement and to realize visitor satisfaction of and loyalty toward the HNFRA. The results revealed that the visitors expressed high satisfaction toward the natural resources dimension and the physiological and psychological dimension, implying that the service quality attributes in these two dimensions should be maintained. The visitors showed a moderately high level of loyalty toward the HNFRA, with an average score of 4.19. Besides, the service quality attributes in dimensions of price reasonability, public facilities, environmental cleanliness, and management would be prioritized to improve visitor satisfaction. •Few focused on performance of natural parks, though lots did in other industries.•HNFRA has most natural forests in Taiwan and focuses on natural conservation.•Analyze NHFRA with Impact Range-Performance Analysis and Impact-Asymmetry Analysis.•Show that natural resources and physiological/psychological should be maintained.•Improving price, facilities, cleanliness, and management should be prioritized.