Predicting the determinants of academic conference participation decision-making in the post-pandemic situation: the case of Indonesia

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to determine offline academic conference participation decision-making factors in the post-pandemic situation incorporating the safety measure as one of the factors.Design/methodology/approachThis study provides a new model for examining the factors influencing academic conference participation using a quantitative approach. The responses of 110 academicians were collected and statistically evaluated using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results show that safety measures implemented by the conference organiser lead to trust and result in the decision to participate in the offline conference. Besides, conference factors also play a crucial role in determining the participation of academic conferences.Research limitations/implicationsThe information was gathered from 110 replies, and to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence academic conference participation, a bigger sample size would be required.Practical implicationsThe study's findings shed light on the components that affect academicians' decision to attend an offline conference which is critical for conference organisers, hotels and the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) business.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that seeks to predict factors influencing academicians to participate in an offline academic conference in a post-pandemic setting by incorporating variables such as safety measures and trust.