Analyzing channel choice: Direct and indirect e-Tourism distribution

ABSTRACT

An increasing number of tourism service providers are involved in multichannel operations, combining online direct and indirect channels. Service providers and intermediaries need to know what drivers lead consumers to purchase on both channels in order to discover their own potential for differentiation and develop appropriate strategies. This research presents and tests a distribution channel choice model applied to data obtained by a survey aimed at online tourism purchasers. Not surprisingly, the results find that the Internet mitigates the differences between direct and indirect online channels from the demand perspective. Only one variable, information provided, has a positive effect on the choice of the direct channel, while two variables, assortment and basket size, have a positive effect on the choice of the indirect channel.     

I love the product but will you? The role of interpersonal attachment styles in social projection

Individuals often have a need to predict the preferences of others (e.g., offering a recommendation, gift giving). In doing so, it is not uncommon that individuals project their attitudes and preferences onto others. Extant consumer research literature related to social projection focuses largely on particular situational variables that influence social projection. The current research adds to a smaller body of consumer research which focuses on specific characteristics of consumers’ selves that may drive an individual's tendency to project his/her attitudes onto others. Specifically, the present paper explores an individual‐level moderator of social projection, namely, interpersonal attachment style. Across five studies, interpersonal attachment style, and attachment anxiety, specifically, is shown to influence social projection. In addition, the mechanism underlying this relationship is demonstrated. The results show that high (vs. low) anxious attachment individuals tend to naturally consider more counter‐valence attributes of a product, that is., liked attributes of a disliked product and disliked attributes of a liked product, and this availability of counter‐valence attributes lowers social projection. Important theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Sustainable hotel practices and nationality: The impact on guest satisfaction and guest intention to return

The purpose of this study is to identify how sustainable hotel practices impact the satisfaction and intention to return of hotel guests from different nationalities. Surveys were completed by hotel guests in a popular tourist destination in Mexico. Multiple regression and multinomial logistic regression were applied to test the hypotheses. Results of this study supported the research hypotheses that indicate green practices overall do have a positive relationship on guests’ satisfaction levels and return intentions for Mexicans, Americans and other nationalities. Additionally, it was shown that the relative importance of green practices differs according to the nationality of the guest.     

林地流转模式的选择机理及其政策启示

研究目的：挖掘集体林地流转模式多样性的普适性规律,为促进林地流转和完善林业经营体制提供借鉴。研究方法：以交易费用经济学为理论基础,对浙江省的三个集体林地流转案例进行实证研究。研究结果：交易属性会通过治理结构属性影响林地流转模式的选择。研究结论：林地流转的资产专用性、盈亏不确定性、流转规模作为主导交易属性对流转模式的要求不同,决定着不同的流转模式选择,村集体的加入是提高治理效率、促进林地流转的重要基础。     

College Students' Perceptions and Attitudes Toward the Selection of Study Abroad Programs

The number of U.S. students who participated in study abroad programs has increased by 5% in the past decade. The main goal of this study is to understand the motivations and attitudes of students toward the selection of study abroad programs. Approximately 600 undergraduate students from a land-grant university in the Southeastern U.S. were randomly invited to participate in this study. Participants were approached at the 2 main entrances of the campus library due to its popularity, accessibility, convenient location, and diverse uses. A total of 192 usable surveys were collected in fall 2005. The survey instrument included three sections: (a) students' behaviors during their leisure trips, (b) students' perceptions toward study abroad programs and during an on-site trip, and (c) demographic profiles. Based on the results, promotional strategies for study abroad programs should highlight summer programs lasting 2 to 4 weeks. Opportunities for touring and social contact at low prices are also attractive to students. As study abroad programs become more popular among American students, the results of this study will be useful for institutions that have an interest in promoting student exchange programs. The results of this study can assist study abroad program marketers in promoting positive images of host destinations and providing better services for both receiving and generating institutions.     

Impact of an Airline Merger on Customer Satisfaction

ABSTRACT

Given the radical changes in the airline industry where many airlines struggle to sustain their financial viability, consolidation appears to be one viable option for airlines. While airlines guarantee that consolidation will bring better customer service, the traveling public fears the effects of mergers that result from less competition. Using the AA/TWA merger, this article presents the results of an empirical study that provides both the airline public and airlines with insight into the real impact of an airline merger on airline service and customer satisfaction.     

How do green attributes elicit pro-environmental behaviors in guests? The case of green hotels in Vietnam

This study aims to identify green-hotel attributes and determinants that contribute to guests’ intention generation for visiting a green hotel and practicing pro-environmental actions during their hotel stay. The study’s results find five dimensions (Customer benefit, Energy efficiency, Water efficiency, Recycling policy and Green characteristic) that underlie 24 green-hotel attributes. Out of the five dimensions, Customer benefit, Energy efficiency, and Green characteristic are found to positively affect pro-environmental value and attitude that in turn enhance intention to practice environmentally friendly actions and visit a green hotel, while pro-environmental value does not trigger pro-environmental attitude. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.     

The Asian Perspective

Abstract

The following paper investigates the use of unusual venues as conference facilities within the United Kingdom and identifies the current and future management issues. Unusual venues include such diverse properties as castles, visitor attractions, boats, sports stadiums, and galleries able to accommodate from ten to one thousand delegates. Reduced government funding has encouraged many of these venues to diversify their revenue generation activities, with conference activity providing lucrative and innovative opportunities. This paper provides a market analysis of this sector within the United Kingdom, with particular reference to market demand, the motivations for investment, and future influences on their management.     

What makes a motorsports event enjoyable? The case of Macau Grand Prix

This article aims to identify the key product attributes that make a motorsport event enjoyable. Using data collected in the 2010 Macau Grand Prix, a factor analysis was conducted on 15 variables that spectators were asked of their level of agreement to how these elements constitute an enjoyable event. The analysis returned four major variables of a product that spectators believe will make an enjoyable motorsport event, specifically, event amenities, event aesthetics, event ambience, and event tickets. This study contributes to the understanding of event product attributes.     

The Impact of Mobile App Adoption on Cross-buying: The Moderating Roles of Product Category Characteristics and Adoption Timing

With more and more companies introducing mobile apps and consumers using them during the purchase journey, it is increasingly important to understand the consequences of app adoption on behavioral outcomes. This paper investigates the impact of app adoption on the number of additional products purchased by customers (i.e., cross-buying) and how this effect varies across different product categories and different customers. We focus on two key product category characteristics (utilitarian vs. hedonic nature and perceived risk) and on adopters who vary in their adoption timings (early vs. late adopters). Using data from an online retailer and a combination of propensity score weighting with difference-in-differences and Heckman correction estimation techniques, the results show that app adoption has a positive effect on cross-buying overall, but the effect varies greatly across products and consumers. App adoption promotes additional product purchases for hedonic products but leads to less cross-buying for utilitarian products. In addition, early adopters purchase a higher number of additional product categories than late adopters, with this difference decreasing over time and for new consumers compared to existing customers. These results offer novel insights into the behavioral consequences of app adoption and provide managers with useful recommendations for improving the effectiveness of their mobile app investments.