Job Satisfaction,Organizational Commitment,and Internal Service Quality

Abstract

The purpose of this study, was to create a case study in employee attitudes on job satisfaction, in a major Las Vegas, Nevada hotel/casino. To accomplish this, the authors specifically investigated the discrete level of their job satisfaction, internal service quality, and organizational commitment. They also explored the overall impact of job satisfaction and internal service quality on employee organizational commitment. Currently there is no reported research on the simultaneous examination of these three variables. The results of this study have practical applications given the size and the nature of the casino business, in which a large number of employees may be assembled in a single location, and where employees may move easily from one property to another.     

内部营销视角下饭店员工忠诚度研究

目前随着饭店行业竞争的不断加剧,人才保留和员工忠诚受到了管理实践者的极大重视.本研究从内部营销视角出发,以中国饭店业为研究对象,分析员工信任、满意和组织承诺对饭店员工态度和行为忠诚的递推影响作用.实证研究发现,员工信任和满意通过组织承诺影响员工态度忠诚,最终影响员工行为忠诚.因此,饭店行业的管理者在强调通过物质利益树立员工忠诚度的同时一定不能忽视员工心理状态对于忠诚度的影响作用,更要充分利用组织承诺的效能来降低员工流动率.     

A casino-induced satisfaction of needs: scale development and its relationship with casino customer loyalty

Based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, this study develops a five-factor casino-induced satisfaction-of-needs scale and examines its relationship with casino customer loyalty using Macau as a study context. The findings show that the respondents’ most visited casinos had only marginally met the respondents’ various inner needs; there is still ample room for Macau casinos to improve the level of their customers’ satisfaction regarding customers’ inner needs. Among the five types of inner needs, self-actualization appears to be one need that requires more attention than the others because it was rated as the need that was the least satisfied but contributed the second most to measuring satisfaction. Additionally, Macau casinos should continue their efforts to improve and maintain a safe and secure casino environment, coupled with providing a variety of quality foods and beverages, for their customers. Lastly, safety and security, self-actualization and physiological needs were found to positively affect casino customer loyalty.     

Natural soundscapes and tourist loyalty to nature-based tourism destinations: the mediating effect of tourist satisfaction

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of natural soundscapes on tourist behaviors in a nature-based tourism destination. A behavioral model depicting the relationship among tourist attitudes to natural soundscapes, natural soundscape image, tourist satisfaction, and loyalty is examined using structural equation model and bootstrapping analysis. Results indicate that tourist attitudes directly affect natural soundscape image but do not affect tourist satisfaction and loyalty. The natural soundscape image directly affects tourist satisfaction and indirectly affects tourist loyalty when mediated by tourist satisfaction. Positioning natural soundscapes as a novel tourism attractor, theoretical and managerial implications are presented.     

Applying Service Profit Chain model to the Korean restaurant industry

The purpose of this study is to empirically determine the relationship between employees’ constructs such as internal service quality, service ability, employee satisfaction, and organizational commitment, and customers’ constructs such as perceived value, customer satisfaction, customer trust, and loyalty. This relationship was studied by applying the Service Profit Chain model to the Korean restaurant industry. Results show that internal service quality has a significant effect on service ability, and teamwork/communication has a significant effect on employee satisfaction. Employees’ organizational commitment has a significant direct effect on the value perceived by customers. Ultimately, there is an indirect influential relationship between employees’ and customers’ constructs. Implications of these results are discussed, and possible limitations of the study are addressed.     

Older Workers' Communication Satisfaction in the Lodging Industry

Abstract

Labor shortages and high turnover trouble the lodging industry. Older workers have been overlooked as a solution to these problems. Older workers have demonstrated qualities such as loyalty, a strong work ethic, good customer relations, and reliability of performance that the lodging industry desires. The lodging industry needs to strive to increase older workers' job satisfaction in order to attract and retain them. Previous research has already proven that communication satisfaction has a significant impact on job satisfaction. This study examines the important communication factors that influence older workers' job satisfaction. Suggestions regarding older workers' communication satisfaction are provided.     

Emotional intelligence and adaptability – Service encounters between casino hosts and premium players

The premium player segment has been widely acknowledged as the largest single contributor to casino revenues. So-called casino hosts are an important influence on player perceptions of service quality and ultimately on loyalty and casino profitability in their capacity as service representatives servicing this segment. To date little research has investigated the relationship between casino hosts and premium players. This study focused on service encounters between casino hosts and premium players, particularly in the case of relationships between emotional intelligence, adaptability and the service performance of casino hosts. A mediation model involving these constructs was proposed and tested, drawing upon theory and the relationship that has been established between basic personality traits and surface traits. In the current study emotional intelligence was identified as a basic personality trait, and adaptability is viewed as a surface trait. The results arising from a structural equation analysis confirmed the validity of the mediation model and found that the inclusion of adaptability as a mediator into the relationship between emotional intelligence and service performance provided a greater proportion of variance than a model which excluded mediation. Based on the research findings implications for researchers and practitioners were outlined.     

Role of service encounter and physical environment performances,novelty, satisfaction,and affective commitment in generating cruise passenger loyalty

This research developed a theoretical model explaining the relationship between service encounter performance, physical environment performance, novelty, overall satisfaction, and loyalty in the cruise context. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis showed that service encounter performance and physical environment performance were significant predictors of novelty, which in turn affected overall satisfaction and loyalty. The mediation test indicated that novelty significantly mediated the effect of service encounter performance and physical environment performance on satisfaction; and overall satisfaction significantly mediated the relationship between novelty and loyalty. The relationship between physical environment performance and novelty and the relationship between novelty and overall satisfaction were significant in the high affective commitment group. In addition, the relationship between novelty and loyalty was only significant in the low affective commitment group.     

Tourist loyalty to a local cultural event: The case of Turkmen handicrafts festival

The purpose of this research was to examine a comprehensive model of attendee loyalty at a local festival. More specifically, the research tested a model linking festival authenticity to festival quality, value, satisfaction, trust and loyalty to a given festival. Using convenience sampling method, empirical data was collected at the Turkmen handicrafts festival in Gonbad-e-Kavoos, the most important city in the Turkmen Sahra region, Iran. A sample of 301 domestic tourists who attended the festival was surveyed. Applying structural equation modeling, the findings showed that perceived authenticity influenced perceived quality, value and satisfaction. Perceived quality was found to have the direct effect on perceived value, satisfaction and trust. Perceived value affected satisfaction, trust and loyalty. Satisfaction had the direct effect on loyalty and so did trust.     

Do members want the bells and whistles? Understanding the effect of direct and partner benefits in hotel loyalty programs

ABSTRACT

As a way of increasing the perceived value of hotel loyalty programs, hoteliers are partnering with non-hotel brands to differentiate and drive member engagement. We examine the effect of such strategic alliances on the loyalty to a member program and further test a structural equation model with n = 469 active loyalty members. Our model investigates whether tier status and satisfaction function as mediators of the effects of a strategic alliance on brand loyalty. Our findings indicate that the benefits that loyalty programs and partnerships with non-hotel brands offer can positively influence brand loyalty when the member’s tier status and satisfaction mediates.     

The Role of Service Quality,Perceived Value,and Relationship Quality in Enhancing Customer Loyalty in the Travel Agency Sector

Relationship quality is crucial to enhancing a tourist’s loyalty. Little empirical research has been conducted to link service quality, perceived value, and relationship quality to customer loyalty in the travel agency sector. This study attempts to investigate the role of service quality, perceived value, and relationship quality on customer loyalty among tourists. Relationship quality consists of three components: customer satisfaction, customer trust, and customer commitment. Structural equation modeling is used to test the linkages between the six variables that have been identified. Findings reveal that service quality and perceived value of a travel package are antecedent factors to the relationship quality with a travel agency; three components of relationship quality significantly influence a customer’s loyalty to a travel agency.     

The Relationships Between Casino Quality,Image, Value,and Loyalty

This research builds on the idea that casino customers’ subjective, global judgments of service quality are shaped by experience of its specific attributes, and examines how casino customers form their evaluative attitudes toward the casino experience in the Macau context. Using the data collected from 525 Macau casino customers, we first identify four casino quality dimensions; namely, supporting facilities, staff service, diversity, and equitableness. We then test and validate a proposed model for the structural relationships between casino image (as a consequence of the four quality dimensions), value, and loyalty. In particular, value is shown to be a mediator of the relationship between image and loyalty from the perspective of casino customers. The results of our study can show Macau casino operators what constitutes customers’ casino experiences and aid them in enhancing their image, perceived value, and customer loyalty toward casinos.     

The role of wellness spa tourism performance in building destination loyalty: the case of Thailand

ABSTRACT

Despite the considerable growth of the wellness spa tourism market, little research has examined the intricate procedure involved in travelers’ loyalty toward Thailand as a wellness spa tourism destination. This research aimed to explore such loyalty formation by investigating the relationships among performances of wellness spa tourism in Thailand, affective experiences, and overall satisfaction. A field survey methodology was used for data collection. Findings of the structural analysis revealed that product performances, affective experiences, and satisfaction were in general significantly associated, and that these variables contributed to a satisfactory prediction for destination loyalty. In addition, the adequacy of the second-order structure of the performances of Thai wellness spa tourism was demonstrated. Moreover, the relative effectiveness of satisfaction in building loyalty was identified. Both affective experiences and satisfaction were also found to have a significant mediating impact. Implications for destination researchers and practitioners are discussed.     

The Role of CSR and Responsible Gambling in Casino Employees' Organizational Commitment,Job Satisfaction,and Customer Orientation

This study aims to examine not only the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on casino employees' organizational commitment (OC), job satisfaction (JS), and customer orientation (CO), but also the effect of responsible gambling (RG) on CO. In particular, this study examines how employees' expectation of implementing RG strategies influences their attitude toward customers. For this purpose, this study conducted a survey of employees (n?=?307) who were working for a casino in Seoul, Korea. The results of this study indicate that economic, legal, and philanthropic CSR had an effect on OC, which, in turn, influenced JS. Additionally, JS and the expectation of RG strategies were found to influence CO. These findings will contribute to understanding the impacts of CSR and RG on casino employees' behavior toward customers and providing practical implications to the casino industry.     

Embracing or fighting the urge: A multilevel investigation on casino service,branding and impulsive gambling

Academics and practitioners are increasingly interested in how branding and service may affect consumer behaviors. In view of intensifying competition in the casino industry, understanding these relationships would help casino operators achieve competitive advantage. The current study draws on the relevant marketing literature, and examines the antecedents, moderators and consequences of consumer buying behaviors, with a focus on impulsive buying in the casino settings. The proposed antecedents are casino service environment and employee service. Customer brand attachment and loyalty behaviors are modeled as consequences, and casino brand equity as a cross-level moderator. A quantitative method was employed for the purpose of this study. The survey was undertaken at 22 major casinos in Macau through a multilevel design. Results show that the casino service environment indeed induces impulsive gambling. Whilst employee service has little influence on impulsive gambling, the effect is enhanced by casino brand equity. Employee service is particularly salient for casinos with low brand equity. Impulsive gambling does have significant influence on loyalty outcomes through the mediating effect of brand attachment. Brand equity also demonstrates cross-level linear and nonlinear effects on the chain relationship, with the linear effect significantly larger. Implications for practitioners and the literature are provided to conclude the paper.     

Antecedents and Consequences of Consumer Commitment in Traditional and Low-Cost Airlines

The present work aims to gain further knowledge regarding the influence of consumer commitment on loyalty in traditional and low-cost airlines. A survey of 592 consumers of traditional and low-cost carriers demonstrates that commitment is built on the basis of trust and identification, which are in turn driven by corporate reputation in both types of airline. With regard to post-purchase behavior, in low-cost companies, customer repurchase intention and word-of-mouth (WOM) recommendation are mainly triggered by satisfaction. With traditional airlines, commitment plays a more important role, having a significant effect on repurchase intention and acting as the principal predictor of WOM recommendation.     

Airport shopping – an emerging non-aviation business: triggers of traveler loyalty

ABSTRACT

Despite the growth of the airport duty-free shopping market, little research has examined travelers’ shopping behavior at airports, shopping at airports being an important source of non-aviation revenue for airport operators. This study was designed to examine travelers’ loyalty formation with regard to duty-free shopping at airports by considering the role of perceived value, satisfaction, desire, and alternative attractiveness. A field survey at an international airport was conducted. A proposed theoretical framework was tested using structural equation modeling. Results indicated that perceived value, satisfaction, desire, and loyalty had significant associations, and these variables sufficiently accounted for loyalty. In addition, satisfaction played a prominent role in determining loyalty, and this variable along with desire acted as a significant mediator. Moreover, alternative attractiveness significantly moderated desire and loyalty relationship. Overall, the findings of this study considerably increased our understanding of travelers’ evaluation and loyalty generation processes with regard to duty-free shopping at airports.     

Does the sequence of presentations matter for academic conferences? An application of the peak-end rule in event management

Abstract

In psychology, the peak-end rule has been used to describe the effects of emotional factors on live experiences. However, it has yet to be examined in the contexts of events and conferences. This study investigated the influence of conference presentation order, excitement following peak experience, previous conference experience, and time since one’s last visit on conference satisfaction and loyalty. Although no significant differences in satisfaction and loyalty were found with regard to the order of presentations, previous experience and time since last visit were found to have significant effects on attendees’ outcomes. End-of-conference peak experiences exhibited the strongest influence on loyalty.     

Service Quality,Relationship Outcomes,and Membership Types in the Hotel Industry: A Survey in Korea

With the ongoing attention to long-term relationships between service providers and customers, this study delved into such influential factors that include service quality and its relationship outcomes (trust, satisfaction, and continuance commitment), and those relationships among variables along with membership effects in the hotel industry. Survey data from 300 hotel customers in Korea were used to test hypotheses using structural equation modeling. Findings are as follows: interaction and environment service quality had a positive impact on trust, whereas outcome service quality had a positive impact on satisfaction. Additionally, trust was positively associated with satisfaction, and satisfaction was positively associated with continuance commitment. Memberships could strengthen the positive relationships between outcome quality and trust, interaction quality and customer satisfaction, and trust and continuance commitment. From these findings, hotels should improve service quality, generate customers' trust, satisfaction, and continuance commitment, and induce them to the membership programs for long-lasting relationships with them.     

A patron,a referral and why in Macau casinos—The case of mainland Chinese gamblers

Delivering high quality service tends to improve the loyalty of valued customers. Operators should have an understanding of how customers react to the service provision. The current investigation is undertaken in Macau casinos and explores the relationship between service quality and loyalty of casino members and non-members with a focus on gamblers from the mainland China. Gamble loyalty is operationalized on the basis of attitudinal and behavioural dimensions. A quantitative method is used to explore these relationships. Casino service quality is measured by using a newly developed four-dimensional scale named CASERV. The results indicate that service quality explains significant variance in gambler attitudinal loyalty but not behavioural loyalty for casino members and non-members. In particular, service delivery contributes substantially to gambler attitudinal loyalty. Surprisingly, non-members report higher level of service quality perceptions and are more likely to act as referral for the casino and to spread positive word-of-mouth communications; whereas members do appear to patronize the casino more frequently and to play longer in the casino of their first choice during their visit in Macau. Implications of these findings are provided for practitioners and researchers.