The Use of Electronic Brokerage Systems in China: A Modified e‐Commerce Model

I applied the DeLone and McLean (2004) information systems success model to the use of electronic brokerage systems in China. Several modifications to the model are proposed, including the addition of specific measures of customer perceptions concerning both the perceived costs and benefits of using such systems. Structural equation modelling revealed that the DeLone and McLean (2004) model is not a good representation of those who use electronic brokerage systems for cross‐national transactions, but that the modified model is a good fit for all customers. Copyright © 2011 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multinational corporations in the international hotel industry

Original data are presented on the growth of foreign-based international hotel chains and their distribution by home and host countries as well as by the principal sphere of economic activity of the parent company. A feature of the paper is the analysis of the source of competitive advantage of the international hotel chains and the non-equity forms of involvement which particularly characterize the industry. These characteristics may require that a clear distinction be made between ownership of an international-class hotel and control over its operations.     

How mobile technologies support business models: Case study-based empirical analysis

Mobile technologies have pushed the connectivity of IT systems to the limit, enabling people and things to connect to one another at all times. The amount of information companies have at their disposal has increased exponentially, thanks largely to geolocation and to the vast array of sensors that have been integrated into mobile devices. This information can be used to enhance business activities and processes, but it can also be used to create new business models. Focusing on business models, we analyze mobile technologies as enablers of activity changes. We consider the differentiating characteristics of mobile technologies and examine how these can support different business functions. A study based on fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) of 30 cases across different industries allows us to identify mobile technology success factors for different core activities. The results show that several combinations of mobile technology initiatives provide a competitive advantage when these initiatives match the business model.     

An examination of the relationships among market orientation,innovation resources,reputational resources,and company performance in the transitional economy of Slovenia

We investigated relationships among market orientation, innovation and reputational resources, and their impact on market performance and financial performance within the transitional economy of Slovenia. Market orientation related positively to market and financial performance of firms indirectly through innovation and reputational resources. Reputational resources associated positively with loyalty, market share, and sales volume, innovation resources associated positively with market share, and sales volume indirectly through customer loyalty. Selected marketing resources related positively to financial performance indirectly through customer loyalty, market share, and sales volume. The implications of these findings for theory and practice are considered. Copyright © 2007 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Locational strategies of international hotel chains

An empirical study was undertaken into the expansion strategies of international hotel operators in five countries in Eastern Central Europe. A questionnaire survey was conducted of the leading chains, framed around an eclectic paradigm. The analysis was complemented with multivariate analysis of competitive and locational strengths, thereby permitting additional insights into the relative positions of the major companies. The major ownership advantages were knowledge of guest requirements, strategic planning, and reservation systems. Locational advantages identified consisted of the size and nature of the city in which the hotel was to be located, the infrastructure within the region, and the perception of the region as an attractive business destination.