HYBRID LOG-LINEAR MODELS FOR SPATIAL INTERACTION AND STABILITY ANALYSIS(*)

This paper discusses the relevance of hybrid log-linear models for applied research based on categorial data. Such models may lead to statistically significant results based on a reduced number of parameters. The use of long-linear modeling is illustrated by means of spatial interaction analysis with categorial data. Special attention is given to the problem of so-called structural zeros and of stability of spatial interaction patterns. Various constraints on the set of interaction parameters emerging from the off-diagonal elements of a spatial interaction matrix are taken into account by means of an entropy function. The analysis is illustrated by means of an empirical application to migration flows in Dutch housing market areas.     

Hotel efficiency: A bootstrapped metafrontier approach

This paper introduces the metafrontier concept to account for the environmental and technological differences between various hotels groups. The interesting feature of the model is that it ensures that heterogeneous hotels are compared based on one homogenous technology. We test the model using a panel data sample of 78 Taiwanese hotels. The results clearly indicate that the size, ownership, and classification of a particular hotel have a significant impact on its efficiency. More implications of the results are provided.     

The effects of customers’ perceptions of brand personality in casual theme restaurants

Although existing studies recommend that restaurant chains develop and communicate salient brand personalities, no research to date provides empirical evidence that perceptions of unique brand personality by consumers lead to positive outcomes in the restaurant business. Therefore, using a sample of 336 adults, this research models the causal relationships between brand personality perceptions, brand preference, attitudinal loyalty, and positive word-of-mouth (W-O-M) behavior for the Olive Garden and Chili's restaurant chains. It was found that for both chains, brand personality perceptions have a positive effect on brand preference and attitudinal loyalty, brand preference has a positive impact on attitudinal loyalty, and attitudinal loyalty has a positive influence on positive word-of-mouth (W-O-M) communication. In addition, for the Olive Garden and Chili's brands, it was also found that there is a direct link between brand preference and word-of-mouth behavior.