An exploratory study examining information technology adoption and implementation in full-service restaurant firms

The purpose of the paper is to explore and compare the current use of information technology-related advances in chain and independent full-service restaurants, the factors that motivate managers of these types of restaurants to decide whether or not to implement such technology, and how these managers perceive the impact of technology on the firm. A case study analysis involving four San Francisco Bay Area full-service restaurants was conducted to examine the framework of full-service restaurants to implement new technology. Propositions are developed that purport the information technology adoption and implementation characteristics of full-service restaurant firms while elucidating the distinctiveness between chain and independent firms.     

Factors affecting E-Marketing adoption and implementation in tourism firms: An empirical investigation of Egyptian small tourism organisations

This study aims to analyze the different factors affecting the adoption of Electronic Marketing (E-Marketing) by Egyptian small tourism organizations. The study validates a conceptual framework extending TAM and IDT models to explain E-marketing adoption utilising a quantitative approach, in which data is collected based on survey strategy through questionnaires to address different levels of the study. Advanced statistical tools and SEM were used to analyze the collected data. The findings indicated that Egyptian tourism organizations internal and external factors have a great impact on the adoption of E-Marketing by such organizations. The findings also confirmed that IT theories (namely TAM and IDT) are valid in illustrating E-Marketing adoption by Egyptian tourism organizations. The results reinforce the importance of environmental factors on E-Marketing adoption and add to the extremely limited number of empirical studies that has been conducted to investigate E-Marketing adoption in developing countries.     

Consumer adoption of the Uber mobile application: Insights from diffusion of innovation theory and technology acceptance model

ABSTRACT

The sharing economy literature has largely concentrated on the examination of peer-to-peer accommodation platforms such as Airbnb, with little attention paid on other innovations in collaborative consumption. This study investigates consumer adoption of the Uber mobile application through lenses of two theoretical models – Diffusion of Innovation Theory and Technology Acceptance Model. The results suggest that relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, observability, and social influence have a significant influence on both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, which in turn lead to subsequent consumer attitudes and adoption intentions. This study demonstrates the integration of the two classic adoption theories.     

Sharing travel stories and behavioral outcomes: A case of travel

The benefits of tourism have been drawing a great deal of attention from tourists, community, and society alike. This study investigates how tourists' story sharing activities influence their post-purchase behavioral process, depending on different communication conditions. Two 2x2 between-subject experiments were conducted with recent travelers in the U.S. Results reveal tourists' post-purchase behavioral processes depend on what, how, and with whom they engage in post-trip story sharing activity. Findings contribute to the literature on purchase-driven happiness, self-enhancement, well-being, and communications by providing evidence on how different communication conditions alter the effects of tourists' story sharing on their post-purchase behavioral outcomes. Findings also suggest that destination marketers should apply strategies to encourage tourists’ story sharing activity.     

Airport stops and flights on small airplanes as inhibitors of tourism-related air travel: A case study

This article discusses the extent to which prospective tourists' concerns about airport stops and flights on small airplanes inhibit air travel to tourist destinations, drawing on data from telephone surveys conducted in the Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas area. Respondents were queried about the extent to which one airport stop, two airport stops, and one airport stop followed by a flight on a small, propeller-powered airplane, respectively, would deter them from flying to a destination 1096 miles (1764 km) away. Findings suggest that marketers of similar destinations in similarly distant markets that are accessible by air only after two airport stops risk having their promotional appeals ignored by roughly half those who would prefer to reach such destinations by air. Moreover, those most concerned about such flight schedules were more likely than other respondents to have high incomes and to use the Internet to obtain vacation or travel information.     

Users and Non-users of Smartphones for Travel: Differences in Factors Influencing the Adoption Decision

This study aims to understand individuals' decision processes to adopt smartphone for travel and, thereafter, to explore differences in the factors influencing users and non-users. Based on the innovation-decision process model by Rogers [2003. Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). New York, NY: Free Press], smartphone users are classified into user and non-user groups depending upon their use of smartphones for travel purposes. In order to empirically examine the group differences, a survey was conducted for college students in November 2011 (n?=?350). The results of this study reveal that smartphone users for travel are higher in their level of innovativeness than non-users. Significant discrepancies in the use of smartphone functions also existed; albeit no difference in general smartphone-use habit including length of smartphone use and daily use. In terms of perceived innovative characteristics of smartphone use for travel, users are more positive in usefulness, compatibility, result demonstrability, and visibility. A predictive model of smartphone use for travel suggests that personal innovativeness, smartphone functions being used, and perception on result demonstrability could improve the predictability of the adoption behavior of smartphone for traveling. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.     

A natural capital model of influences for ecotourism intentions and the buffering effects of emotional values

This study develops and tests the model of natural-capital-moderated mediation in which emotional value serves as an intervening mechanism in the associations between natural capital and ecotourism. The results of a study of 662 visitors provide support for this model across the different dimensions of natural capital. Somewhat unexpectedly, the mediating effect of the sociocultural and economic dimensions is a positive link between the ecological dimension and ecotourism intentions. Alternatively, the moderating effect of emotional value is found to be contingent on the ecological benefits conferred by the economic benefits. Emotional value fosters a positive moderating effect of economic benefits on ecotourism intentions because it strengthens the positive link between intrinsic motivation and the value perceptions of ecotourism.     

The influence of values and attitudes on green consumer behavior: A conceptual model of green hotel patronage

This study develops a comprehensive conceptual framework of consumer behavioral intentions in green hotels. Based on Schwartz’s values theory, using Stern’s nomenclature, in conjugation with value-attitude-hierarchy, ecocentric and anthropocentric ethic, and green signaling theory, this study identifies values (biospheric, altruistic, and egoistic) and attitudes (ecocentric and anthropocentric) that influence consumers’ green hotel visit intention, willingness to pay more, and willingness to sacrifice. This study adds to the extant literature by incorporating the consumers’ environmental concern perspective, the social-altruistic perspective, and the personal benefits and status perspectives in embracing green products. Understanding the interplay of biospheric, altruistic, and egoistic values and ecocentric and anthropocentric attitudes on green hotel behavioral intentions will provide insights to better understand the green consumer and to better manage the green hotel.     

Capacity management for hospitality and tourism: A review of current approaches

In this article we provide a review of current capacity management approaches applicable to hospitality and tourism enterprises. While many of the traditional methodologies involve closed-form analytical calculations, newer methods have been developed that address more complex problems. These more recent methods include the creative use of mixed models such as those that integrate visitor-preference and operations-research models, linear programming, and simulation models. We consider the full range of methodologies, the advantages and disadvantages, and potential applications to both physical and human capacity estimation. We highlight the ways that various leisure industries can benefit from different approaches to capacity management.