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1 – 10 of over 18000This study aims to propose a hierarchy of effects model to study three antecedents of green loyalty: green trust, green satisfaction and green overall image, and to examine the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to propose a hierarchy of effects model to study three antecedents of green loyalty: green trust, green satisfaction and green overall image, and to examine the relationships between these variables. At present, environmental issues attract the attention of academics and professionals around the world. In the hospitality industry, this interest is even greater because of the considerable quantities of water and energy consumed by hotel companies and because of the environmental degradation that this industry can cause with unmanaged growth and development. For this reason, several authors have proposed incorporating the green loyalty construct as a key variable in tourism theory and practice.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the proposed model empirically, personal surveys of hotel customers were conducted in Spain using a structured questionnaire. A structural equations model was developed to test the research hypothesis.
Findings
The findings show that green overall image has positive direct effects on green trust, green satisfaction and green loyalty. At the same time, they reveal that both green trust and green satisfaction have positive effects on green loyalty. In addition, green trust has a positive influence on green satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
This research deals with the relationship between the variables of interest, without considering other antecedents and consequences. Thus, there is still a need to explore other mediating variables (e.g. willingness to pay more to stay in a green room, or commitment regarding environmental issues), as the explanatory power of this model could still be improved. In addition, given the role of green trust and green satisfaction as mediating variables of green overall image and green loyalty, this study recognizes the need for in-depth research into the enhancement of green trust and green satisfaction.
Practical implications
From a practical point of view, hoteliers and marketers working for a green hotel should develop a positive green overall image and enhance customers’ perceptions of green trust and green satisfaction. In particular, they should emphasize the importance of environmental issues to customers by promoting green campaigns. At the same time, hoteliers in a green context should create effective strategies to improve their hotel’s image.
Originality/value
Although existing research has investigated relevant aspects of customer trust, satisfaction, overall image and loyalty, these issues have not been discussed from a green marketing perspective. Apart from that, the main contribution of this paper is its exploration of the influence of green trust, green satisfaction and green overall image on green loyalty in a hospitality setting, following the framework of the hierarchy of effects model. By complementing previous studies on customer loyalty in the environmental context and exploring the relationships among these constructs, this study offers an assessment of how green marketing strategies in the hospitality industry increase green loyalty.
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Ming-Hsuan Wu, Weerapon Thongma, Winitra Leelapattana and Mei-Ling Huang
This study seeks to investigate issues transpiring in green hotels from a human resource perspective which is unlike most green-hotel studies centering on consumer behavioral…
Abstract
This study seeks to investigate issues transpiring in green hotels from a human resource perspective which is unlike most green-hotel studies centering on consumer behavioral subjects. It hypothesizes that the employees’ green ability consisting of environmental awareness, environmental knowledge, and environmental skill creates a positive impact on hotels’ green ability and ultimately on the overall performance of hotels. Using alumni from a tourism and hospitality program, this study collects 233 responses from a structured questionnaire survey. The findings indicate that hotel employees approximately contribute toward a fifth of the hotels’ ability to implement greener practices.
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Jialing Lin, Antonio Lobo and Civilai Leckie
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the formation of green brand image through customers’ perceptions of the functional and emotional benefits associated with green brands…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the formation of green brand image through customers’ perceptions of the functional and emotional benefits associated with green brands and the influence of green brand image on purchase behavioural response. Additionally, the influence of a moderating variable (green perceived risk) on this formation process is examined.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using an online survey administered to a consumer panel in China. Structural equation modelling was used to test the conceptual model.
Findings
The results demonstrate that the provision of utilitarian benefits and self-expressive benefits directly enhance the brand’s green image. Also, utilitarian benefits and green brand image have direct influences on green brand loyalty. Green perceived risk negatively moderates the relationship between utilitarian benefits and green brand image.
Research limitations/implications
This study extends previous research by examining the development of green brand image and investigating the moderating role of green perceived risk in this process. Also, this study enriches research on green brand and corporate branding by investigating the relationship between green brand image and brand loyalty.
Originality/value
Although previous research has examined how perceived benefits influence the development of corporate brand image, the issue has not been investigated from a green branding perspective. Moreover, the moderating role of green perceived risk in the formation of green brand image has not been explored, despite the concerns relating to greenwash which have been raised in several green brand studies. Finally, green brand image was found to be a strong antecedent of brand loyalty, besides the predominant elements of green trust and green satisfaction.
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Lim Jin Wong, Pick Soon Ling and Tonny Heng Yew Ling
This study aims to investigate the impact of green image on student loyalty and to present a conceptual framework aimed at retaining current students and attracting new ones in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of green image on student loyalty and to present a conceptual framework aimed at retaining current students and attracting new ones in higher education.
Design/methodology/approach
After review of prior studies using green image to predict customer loyalty in non-higher education industries and student loyalty in the context of higher education, a conceptual framework is developed after identifying research gaps in two sets of literature.
Findings
Using stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) as a foundation, this study identifies core constructs in the green marketing perspective that may serve as predictors of student loyalty in higher education. A conceptual framework has been developed to examine the relationship between green image and loyalty of student in higher education, with student green satisfaction and institution reputation serving as mediators.
Research limitations/implications
This study is restricted to developing a conceptual framework and no empirical evidence has been presented. However, the conceptual framework developed in this study could facilitate the theoretical and practical implications for enhancing loyalty of students in higher education.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the extant literature in the green marketing realm by extending the green perspectives in the higher education context. This is one of the earliest conceptual papers to examine loyalty of students in higher education using green image. The conceptual framework could serve as the foundation for future research on enhancing loyalty of students in higher education.
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Mark Scott Rosenbaum and Ipkin Anthony Wong
This paper aims to investigate a guest’s subjective appraisal of a hotel’s green marketing program, or green equity, along with value, brand and relationship equities on guest…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate a guest’s subjective appraisal of a hotel’s green marketing program, or green equity, along with value, brand and relationship equities on guest loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
Study 1 presents three models to explicate the role of a luxury hotel’s green initiatives in influencing guest loyalty. By means of structural equation modeling, one model emerges with the best fit. Study 2 examines how tourists assign economic value to a hotel’s green programs.
Findings
Green equity plays a significant role in customers’ overall assessment of a hotel’s marketing programs; however, the effect is weaker when compared with the other indicators, including a hotel’s value proposition, brand image and loyalty programs. Furthermore, the results reveal that tourists are willing to pay a price premium for a hotel’s green marketing programs.
Research limitations/implications
The paper links green marketing to the customer equity model and clarifies the impact of green marketing programs on loyalty and profitability. However, the study was conducted among luxury hotel guests and tourists in Macau, a leading gambling destination; thus, these customers might not have been concerned with green marketing initiatives.
Practical implications
The results show that green initiatives are beneficial as long as managers include these initiatives in their overall strategic marketing programs that also promote firm value propositions, brand images and reputation.
Originality/value
The paper clarifies the role of green marketing programs in hospitality and shows how hotels can benefit from enhanced guest loyalty and decreased operational expenses by implementing green initiatives.
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Patricia Martínez García de Leaniz, Ángel Herrero Crespo and Raquél Gómez-López
This study aims to explore the relationships among green practices, environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) image, customers’ trust and their behavioral intentions in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the relationships among green practices, environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) image, customers’ trust and their behavioral intentions in a certified hotel context and examine the moderating effect of customers’ involvement in the buying process.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was used to collect data from Spanish hotel customers. A structural equation model was developed to assess the research hypotheses.
Findings
Consumers’ trust on environmentally certified hotels has a direct effect on their behavioral intentions. Environmental CSR image has a direct effect on consumers’ trust on environmentally certified hotels, but it does not exert significant influence on consumers’ behavioral intentions. Additionally, the results support a positive and significant influence of consumers’ perceptions of green practices on the environmental CSR image of hotels. Finally, there is not a moderating effect of consumers’ involvement on the effects of green practices on CSR environmental image and of this variable on behavioral intentions.
Research limitations/implications
To cross validate the results of this study, it is recommended that the formation of behavioral intentions in various types of environmentally certified hotel settings be investigated in future research.
Practical implications
Hospitality managers should design strategies to raise the perception of the green-related features of environmentally certified companies.
Originality/value
No prior study investigates the relationship between green practices, customers’ trust, their degree of involvement in the buying process and their behavioral intentions in relation to companies’ environmental CSR image in the hotel sector.
Propósito
Este estudio explora las relaciones entre las prácticas medioambientales, la imagen de RSC medioambiental, la confianza de los consumidores y sus intenciones comportamentales en un contexto hotelero certificado examinando el efecto moderador de la involucración de los consumidores en el proceso de compra.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
En la recopilación de los datos se empleó una encuesta dirigida a clientes de establecimientos hoteles en España. Así mismo, se desarrolló un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales para evaluar las hipótesis de investigación.
Resultados
La confianza de los consumidores en hoteles certificados medioambientalmente tiene un efecto directo en sus intenciones comportamentales. La imagen de RSC medioambiental tiene un efecto directo en la confianza de los consumidores en dichos hoteles, a pesar de que no ejerce una influencia significativa en sus intenciones comportamentales. Además, los resultados respaldan una influencia positiva y significativa de las percepciones de los consumidores sobre las prácticas medioambientales en la imagen de RSC medioambiental de los hoteles certificados. Finalmente, no existe un efecto moderador de la involucración de los consumidores en los efectos de las prácticas medioambientales en la imagen de RSC y de esta variable en las intenciones comportamentales.
Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación
Para validar los resultados de este estudio, se recomienda investigar la formación de intenciones comportamentales en diversos tipos de entornos hoteleros certificados medioambientalmente.
Implicaciones prácticas
Los gerentes de establecimientos hoteleros deben diseñar estrategias para aumentar la percepción por parte de los consumidores de las características medioambientales de las empresas certificadas medioambientalmente.
Originalidad/valor
Ningún estudio previo analiza la relación entre las prácticas medioambientales, la confianza de los consumidores, su grado de involucración en el proceso de compra y sus intenciones comportamentales en relación con la imagen de RSC medioambiental en el sector hotelero.
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George Karavasilis, Dafni-Maria Nerantzaki, Panagiotis Pantelidis, Dimitrios Paschaloudis and Vasiliki Vrana
Environmental awareness has significant impact on hotel selection. As hotel customers’ become more ecologically conscious tend to prefer hotels that have environmental policies in…
Abstract
Purpose
Environmental awareness has significant impact on hotel selection. As hotel customers’ become more ecologically conscious tend to prefer hotels that have environmental policies in place. The purpose of this paper is to examine customers’ perceptions of what a green hotel should do or should be and exploring intentions to choose a green hotel.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical research study was conducted using an online survey. The questionnaire used investigates what a green hotel should do or should be environmental concerns, eco-friendly attitudes, eco-friendly activities, awareness, overall image, intention to pay more and intention to visit a green hotel. In total, 159 completed and usable questionnaires were received.
Findings
Findings reveal that potential customers’ are highly environmentally conscious. However, they are not fully aware about green hotels and do not always intent to visit a green hotel, or are willing to pay more.
Originality/value
Hotel customers’ perceptions towards intention to visit a green hotel are different among various ages and geographic locations. Thus, the study focuses on perceptions of Generation Y in Greece. Hotel managers should be aware of customers’ buying behaviour towards green practices and communicate more, green hotel practices.
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M.S. Balaji, Yangyang Jiang and Subhash Jha
This study aims to examine the potential guest perception of green hotel attributes (GHAs) and the underlying mechanism through which GHA perception influences attitude toward…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the potential guest perception of green hotel attributes (GHAs) and the underlying mechanism through which GHA perception influences attitude toward green hotels, intention to stay at green hotels and willingness to pay a premium. It also investigates the moderating roles of personal norms and social norms in the influence of GHA perception on identification and trust toward green hotels.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-stage survey was used to collect data via Prolific Academic. The authors tested the hypotheses on 521 valid responses using the partial least squares method.
Findings
The results show that identification and trust mediate the effect of GHA perception on attitude, intention to stay and willingness to pay a premium for green hotels. The authors found a positive interaction effect between GHA perception and personal norms on identification and trust and a negative interaction effect between social norms and GHA perception on trust. The interaction effect of GHA perception and social norms on identification is not significant.
Originality/value
This study presents an integrated framework for green hotel adoption by examining the potential guest perception of GHAs and explores how it fosters positive guest responses. Findings show that GHA perception positively influences potential guest responses through identification (the personal route) and trust (the social route). This study also simultaneously considers personal norms and social norms, together with the effects of their interactions with GHA perception on identification and trust.
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Jinsoo Hwang and Ja Young (Jacey) Choe
This paper aims to explore the types of perceived risks involved with using drone food delivery services. Furthermore, this study investigates the relationship between perceived…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the types of perceived risks involved with using drone food delivery services. Furthermore, this study investigates the relationship between perceived risk and image of drone food delivery services. Lastly, this study examines the effect of image of drone food delivery services on desire, intentions to use and willingness to pay more.
Design/methodology/approach
This study collected data from 331 respondents in Korea. Before the start of the survey, the respondents were given a video, which made it easier for them to understand drone food delivery services.
Findings
The three types of perceived risks (i.e. time risk, performance risk and psychological risk) have a negative influence on image of drone food delivery services and, thus, aids in increasing desire, intentions to use and willingness to pay more.
Originality/value
The concept of perceived risk was applied to the context of drone food delivery services in this study in combination with other understudied concepts, image, desire, intentions to use and willingness to pay more. This study is one of the first studies that applied those significant concepts to the context of drone food delivery services, even though there are a large number of papers in the technology field. Thus, the findings of this study will be important to foodservice companies when building successful drone food delivery services.
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Candy Mei Fung Tang and Desmond Lam
This paper aims to examine the role of extraversion and agreeableness personality traits on Generation Y (Gen Y) consumers’ attitudes toward and willingness to pay for green…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the role of extraversion and agreeableness personality traits on Generation Y (Gen Y) consumers’ attitudes toward and willingness to pay for green hotels. Gen Y is a large and influential generational group, with a significant interest in green issues. There has been a lack of research on the consumer decision-making process toward green hotels. Specifically, the impact of personality on green attitudes and behavioral intentions is rarely investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
A major survey consisting of 406 final respondents was conducted. The 29-item survey questionnaire comprises items for extraversion, agreeableness, attitudes toward green hotels and behavioral intention toward green hotels. Numerous statistical techniques, including structural equation modeling, were used to evaluate the data collected.
Findings
The results show that extraversion and agreeableness personality traits are positively associated with respondents’ attitudes toward green hotels. Stronger and more positive attitudes toward green hotels lead to greater willingness to pay for green hotels. Moreover, attitudes toward green hotels mediate the relationship between the two personality traits and willingness to pay. These findings of Gen Y subsegments can be useful to hotel managers in identifying who are more likely to stay in and pay for environmentally friendly hotels.
Originality/value
Gen Ys are an influential consumer age group in the service industry, and their general attitudes toward “green” products are important to modern hoteliers. However, few researchers have examined Gen Ys’ attitudes and behavioral intentions toward green issues. No research has examined the role of personality traits on consumers’ perceptions of green hotels. The present study found that the extraversion and agreeableness traits of Gen Y individuals are linked to their attitudes toward and willingness to pay for green hotels.
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