Educators from various disciplines are using interactive components and brief videos in social media to create engaging and effective learning experiences. This study examines the integration of Instagram in higher education, focusing on short videos to teach economic concepts. Although social media's potential to enhance learning is recognized, there is limited understanding of its impact on communication, participation, and motivation among students. This research fills this gap by exploring the most effective ways to use Instagram to improve these aspects, aiming to increase student satisfaction. We present an exploratory theoretical model and test it on 338 Business Administration students. Using structural equation modeling with partial least squares (PLS-SEM), we analyze the relationships between Instagram usage, communication, participation, and motivation as predictors of student satisfaction. This approach is relevant for educators seeking to enhance student engagement through digital methods and offers a framework for further research. The findings reveal a significant correlation between Instagram usage and improved communication, participation, and motivation, leading to higher student satisfaction. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence of Instagram's positive impact on learning experiences and offers a theoretical model to guide future research and strategy development in educational settings.

The study of participants’ motivations in sporting events is a recurring topic that provides valuable information for stakeholders interested in the event’s success. This motivation structure varies between geographies and evolves, so addressing new case studies from fresh perspectives updates and enriches the knowledge on the subject. Through a survey of 416 participants in the Córdoba Half-Marathon, Spain, we aim to explore the existence of new dimensions of motivation to participate in running events, as well as to analyse if there are statistically significant differences between men and women in their participation motivations and the magnitude of these differences. To this end, an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) has been conducted, and the Mann–Whitney U and Hedges’ G statistics have been utilised. The results of this research complement previous studies with two new dimensions of motivation: inclusivity at various levels and the posting of images on social networks. Additionally, the leading role of female participants is evident, as they are more motivated than men to compete and surpass themselves.

Pets, generally, and dogs have become an essential part of families. This situation implies that people consider their dogs when planning family holidays, excluding moving to a second home. This study aims to investigate the perceptions of dog owners according to the demand for tourist establishments where they can stay with their pets. A total of 1391 dog owners’ surveys were collected and analyzed, and various covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) was developed to determine the suitability of the measurement model, the second-order factors, and the relationships between the different constructs. The main results of this research show that the motivations for traveling with the dog, the limitations this encounters, and, above all, the attachment that the family has with its pet significantly influence the choice of accommodation. The findings of this research will help hotel managers with the design of policies that meet the needs of families travelling with their dogs. The analysis of dog owners’ motivations for choosing tourist accommodation due to their attachment and the limitations for travelling allows us to obtain more accurate information.

Road running tourism events continue to grow worldwide and are increasingly leveraged by destinations seeking diversification and seasonality reduction. This study examines the motivational structure of participants in the 2025 Half Marathon Magaluf (Mallorca, Spain)—a mature Mediterranean resort undergoing tourism repositioning—and analyses how motivation-based segments relate to socio-demographic, sporting and tourism behaviours. Data were collected through a self-administered online survey (N = 306). An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), followed by a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), validated a five-factor motivational structure: sport-related hedonism, socialisation, personal challenge, inclusiveness and digital interaction. A k-means cluster analysis identified five distinct segments—Digital Enthusiasts, Inclusive Enjoyers, Socializers, Hedonic Achievers and Inclusivists—each exhibiting differentiated patterns in Experience-Use History (EUH), origin, gender, and running-club membership. Notably, Socializers recorded the longest stays, Inclusive Enjoyers were overrepresented among first-time visitors, and Digital Enthusiasts and Hedonic Achievers included a higher share of international runners. These findings expand traditional motivational models by incorporating inclusiveness and digital interaction as emerging drivers and offer actionable recommendations for event organisers and destination managers seeking to enhance overnight stays and support destination repositioning strategies.

The European Union aims for territorial cohesion, with human capital as a key factor. Assessing how investment in regional human capital enhances this cohesion is therefore essential. This study assesses the impact of the EU Structural Funds (ESFs) in Calabria (Italy), a region grappling with economic challenges and a brain drain phenomenon. Aimed at fostering regional cohesion, ESFs have been directed towards supporting Calabrian graduates’ pursuit of master’s degrees, intending to incentivize their retention or return postgraduation. A comprehensive survey of the beneficiaries of these subsidies was carried out to determine their employability in the region and the probability of the return of migrants, analyzed by logistic regression of the data. Results demonstrate a dual effect: while the quality of education and EU funding positively influence graduates to work in Calabria, acquiring advanced skills paradoxically diminishes this propensity. Moreover, although the likelihood of returning to Calabria for those working elsewhere does increase, ESF support counterintuitively reduces this probability. The findings reveal a vicious cycle; they equip graduates with high-level skills that facilitate their access to the labor market but simultaneously encourage their migration due to more favorable conditions elsewhere. It is suggested that synergies between ESF-funded policies and those supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) should be encouraged.