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Article
Publication date: 5 August 2022

Carlos Díaz-Santamaría, Jacques Bulchand-Gidumal and Santiago Melián-González

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the perceived quality of service by guests in the reopening process during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the perceived quality of service by guests in the reopening process during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed 1,679 TripAdvisor reviews from 2019 and 2020 that were written for hotels in Gran Canaria, Spain. The authors compared the average rating for 2019 and 2020 and the authors performed a content analysis of the reviews.

Findings

Guests perceived the quality of their stay to be worse during 2020, especially regarding food and beverage and staff behavior. The only service quality dimension that showed an improvement was related to open-air hotel installations.

Research limitations/implications

The authors only analyzed reviews in one language. The authors were not able to determine if the lower ratings in 2020 were due to the way in which they perceived the quality of service or to the fact that the quality of service was objectively worse.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to theory development in the field of hospitality management by providing new insights into how external events can influence hotel services and guests’ perceptions. This research shows how a health crisis that is external to the tourism industry has caused an impact on hotel staff management and on how hotel staff behavior is perceived. However, it is also possible that regardless of anything managers do, the rating that a guest awards a hotel will be lower than it would have been before the pandemic.

Details

Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2752-6666

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2024

Juan Pedro Mellinas, Jacques Bulchand-Gidumal and María-del-Carmen Alarcón-del-Amo

This paper aims to classify tourist accommodation using data from Booking.com and TripAdvisor and analyse the extent to which the different segments identified differ in terms of…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to classify tourist accommodation using data from Booking.com and TripAdvisor and analyse the extent to which the different segments identified differ in terms of being adults-only.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 1,535 properties located in nine Spanish sun and beach destinations were examined using a latent class cluster analysis (LCCA). The bias-adjusted three-step approach was used to investigate the differences between belonging to adults-only accommodation or not among the identified clusters.

Findings

Results show that adults-only accommodation tends to belong to the cluster with higher online ratings. In small Spanish islands, adults-only hotels account for a large share (more than 25%) of hotels.

Research limitations/implications

It was not possible to analyse whether the higher rating was due to the accommodation being better or due to the tourists being more satisfied with their stay.

Practical implications

In urban destinations, the model is not widely used. However, in coastal destinations, it is becoming more than a novelty or a new trend.

Social implications

In small Spanish islands, people traveling with children are becoming a minority. Families may feel discriminated against and express dissatisfaction with this situation in the future.

Originality/value

This study covers the gap in the academic literature on this growing hotel segment.

Details

Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2752-6666

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2024

Santiago Melián-González and Jacques Bulchand Gidumal

The purpose of this study is to analyze whether higher tourism development in a region is associated with lower-quality employment in that region.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze whether higher tourism development in a region is associated with lower-quality employment in that region.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on the last two editions of the European Working Conditions Survey and on the tourism development of European regions. Two samples were studied (2015 and 2021).

Findings

Tourism development does not affect the quality of employment in regions. The institutional regime of the country to which the region belongs is associated with the job quality (JQ) in the region.

Research limitations/implications

Only subjective indicators of employment quality are considered in the analysis.

Practical implications

The quality of employment is related to the institutional regime. Policymakers should consider the institutional factors of social democratic countries to improve the low quality of tourism occupations.

Originality/value

Research on the quality of employment in tourism has mostly focused on tourism occupations without considering determinants other than industry characteristics. This research is unique because it includes both the institutional view of JQ and the overall regional employment.

目的

分析一个地区较高的旅游业发展是否与该地区较低品质的就业有关

设计/方法/途径

分析基于最近两版的欧洲工作条件调查和欧洲地区的旅游业发展。研究了两个样本, 分别为 2015 年和 2021 年。

研究结果

旅游业发展不影响地区就业品质。该地区所属国家的制度体系与该地区的就业品质相关。

独创性

旅游就业品质的研究多集中在旅游职业, 没有考虑产业特征以外的决定因素。这项研究的独特之处在于它既包含了工作品质的制度观点, 也包含了整体地区就业情况。

研究限制/影响

分析中仅考虑就业品质的主观指标。

实践意义

就业品质与制度体系有关; 因此, 政策制定者应考虑社会民主国家的体制因素, 以改善某些旅游职业的低品质状况。

Objetivo

Analizar si un mayor desarrollo turístico en una región está asociado a un empleo de menor calidad en dicha región.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

El análisis se basa en las dos últimas ediciones de la Encuesta Europea sobre las Condiciones de Trabajo y en el desarrollo turístico de las regiones europeas. Se estudiaron dos muestras (2015 y 2021).

Resultados

El desarrollo turístico no afecta a la calidad del empleo en las regiones. El régimen institucional del país al que pertenece la región está asociado a la calidad del empleo en la región.

Originalidad

La investigación sobre la calidad del empleo en el turismo se ha centrado mayoritariamente en las ocupaciones turísticas sin tener en cuenta otros factores determinantes aparte de las características de la industria. Esta investigación es única porque incluye tanto el punto de vista institucional de la calidad del empleo como el empleo regional global.

Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación

En el análisis sólo se consideran indicadores subjetivos de la calidad del empleo.

Implicaciones prácticas

La calidad del empleo está relacionada con el régimen institucional. Los responsables políticos deberían tener en cuenta los factores institucionales de los países socialdemócratas para mejorar la baja calidad de las ocupaciones turísticas.

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2017

Santiago Melián-González and Jacques Bulchand-Gidumal

The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of information technology (IT) in the performance of front office employees in hotels. This is done by testing and analyzing up to…

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of information technology (IT) in the performance of front office employees in hotels. This is done by testing and analyzing up to what level the task performance content of receptionists depends on IT and by testing and analyzing up to what level the contents of the service encounters in which they participate depend on IT.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper includes in-depth interviews with 30 receptionists, using the job task performance model and the critical incident technique in the service encounter model.

Findings

IT takes part heavily in the task performance of front office workers, who rely on IT to get their job done. On the other hand, in service encounters, the value of the human presence is still high, and in most critical incidents, IT do not participate.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was located in the same destination with only two types of hotels.

Practical implications

The dependence of front office employees with IT is so high that some of the receptionists could be substituted by IT in the near future. However, human participation in satisfactory critical incidents is very high.

Social implications

Receptionists should get ready and trained taking into account that the value they provide is higher in tasks that are both not routine and in which face-to-face interactions take place.

Originality/value

Usually, front office employees are managed with human resources view, without taking into consideration specifically how IT has spread into the hospitality industry.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 29 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 October 2011

Jacques Bulchand‐Gidumal, Santiago Melián‐González and Beatriz González López‐Valcárcel

The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether offering free Wi‐Fi improves hotels' online ratings, which are considered a measure of customer satisfaction.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether offering free Wi‐Fi improves hotels' online ratings, which are considered a measure of customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical research was conducted using the salient features of downloaded reviews (e.g. dates and types of travelers) of 26,439 hotels in 200 destinations.

Findings

It was found that offering free Wi‐Fi helps hotels improve their ratings by up to 8 percent. Business centers and room service are irrelevant to customers. Allowing pets can improve ratings by up to 1 percent. Business hotels clients are systematically more dissatisfied than those who stay at non‐business hotels.

Research limitations/implications

The quality of the Wi‐Fi offered (e.g. its speed, ease of use, and areas of availability) was not measured. It would also be interesting to perform further analyses based on the profiles of the reviewers.

Practical implications

Hotels must offer free Wi‐Fi and should consider information and communication technologies as a way to improve customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

The number of hotels studied guarantees accurate results. The study provides a clear measurement of the improvement that can be achieved by offering a specific amenity and assesses the relative significance of other hotel amenities (i.e. business centers, room service).

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, vol. 2 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9880

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 22 August 2022

Jacques Bulchand-Gidumal

COVID-19 has had a massive impact on the world's economy. Only a handful of economic sectors benefited from COVID-19 (e.g. streaming and videoconferencing). Other sectors…

Abstract

COVID-19 has had a massive impact on the world's economy. Only a handful of economic sectors benefited from COVID-19 (e.g. streaming and videoconferencing). Other sectors recuperated relatively well after the strongest part of the crisis passed (e.g. textile and automotive). The tourism sector, instead, will still take some time to recuperate. It is because many different parts need to be in place for tourism as we knew it before the crisis goes back to normal. In 2019, the projections were 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals per year. The comparison between Europe and India would help in developing measures to reignite and re-launch tourism in India. In fact, before the crisis, India was getting less than 20 million foreign tourists per year. The number seems relatively low when compared to countries like China (more than 60 million foreign tourists), Spain, France and the USA (all three above 80 million arrivals), Malaysia (26 million), Thailand (38) and Japan (29). This research analyses the relatively low number of international arrivals in India using a multi-perspective approach. The analysis will allow us to make a series of suggestions that will help boost the tourism sector in India as the COVID-19 crisis fades away.

Article
Publication date: 4 July 2016

Santiago Melián-González and Jacques Bulchand-Gidumal

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the consequences of an unexplored and real worker behavior on the internet (worker electronic word of mouth (weWOM)) for human resource…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the consequences of an unexplored and real worker behavior on the internet (worker electronic word of mouth (weWOM)) for human resource image, as well as to analyze its impact on job seekers and employee’s intentions and attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

The research objectives were tested through a web-based experiment based on real weWOM. Through a self-selected sample procedure, 238 individuals were exposed to three types of weWOM: positive, negative, and intermediate.

Findings

Depending on the kind of weWOM people see on the internet, perceived HR image changes. Positive, intermediate, and negative weWOM produce different behavioral intentions with respect to different recruiting aspects. weWOM also influences two important employee attitudes and resulted more credible than firms’ recognitions.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is a convenience one. Since managers may be reluctant to admit weWOM’s credibility the relationship between weWOM and other employees’ attitudes data should be analyzed.

Practical implications

weWOM may constitute an indicator for anticipating applicants’ key behavior (intention to apply, intention to recommend a company, and compensation demands). In order to stimulate it companies should generate relevant information about the most common categories of weWOM and place it on the employer review websites. Additionally, if weWOM is positive it can be used to create a positive external constructed image among the staff.

Social implications

weWOM is a current phenomenon without information about its implications. Most of the websites that host it are free accessible. This research offers specific data about how people react to it.

Originality/value

Employer review websites are probably the preferred channels to express work-related WOM. Nevertheless the current spread of the internet only one study has been conducted about it. This research fits in the current social media age and sheds new information about this kind of communication. The findings contribute to strengthen the theory about how organizational image is built showing that WOM and social media exposure are significant determinants of two types of organizational images. Also we contribute to the theory about recruitment showing detailed information regarding what may occurs during the first phases of this practice.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 37 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 September 2015

Santiago Melián-González, Jacques Bulchand-Gidumal and Beatriz González López-Valcárcel

Employee satisfaction appears in any discussion about how employees can contribute to organizational performance. The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between…

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Abstract

Purpose

Employee satisfaction appears in any discussion about how employees can contribute to organizational performance. The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between employee satisfaction and organizational performance; this later measured with three firm-level performance outcomes (return over assets, operating margin, and revenue per employee).

Design/methodology/approach

At different times and from two independent sources the authors obtained firms’ data about worker attitudes and financial and productivity performance, respectively. The analyzed sample of 475 firms is the biggest among the studies that analyze performance and employee satisfaction at the firm level. The impact of employee satisfaction over firm performance was assessed.

Findings

Overall satisfaction and satisfaction with senior leadership, compensation, and work/life balance, respectively impact firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

The ratings come from both employees and ex-employees and the individual characteristics were unknown. Additionally as an internet-based sample there has been a lack of control over the individuals’ response process.

Practical implications

Managers have evidence about the importance of their employees’ satisfaction on firm performance, and on how the facets involved on worker satisfaction impact the performance.

Social implications

Employer review web sites are increasing their popularity. However, unlike the marketing field with consumers HR area has not taken advantage of this trend. The found results may contribute to highlight the importance of this kind of data.

Originality/value

Hitherto there is only one empirical evidence about the positive role of worker satisfaction in objective and financial firm level performance. That was based in best-firms type data. The current study draws in a big sample independent of this kind of rankings. Additionally, the job facet satisfaction conceptualization considered demonstrates the usefulness of this way to understand the employee satisfaction.

Details

Personnel Review, vol. 44 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0048-3486

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 22 August 2022

Abstract

Details

Indian Tourism
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-937-8

Article
Publication date: 26 September 2020

Reyes Gonzalez, Jose Gasco and Juan Llopis

ICTs play a key role in the tourism sector, influencing the labor context among other things. Hence, the purpose of this study: a review of the literature in which the topics of…

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Abstract

Purpose

ICTs play a key role in the tourism sector, influencing the labor context among other things. Hence, the purpose of this study: a review of the literature in which the topics of tourism, ICTs and human resources converge through an analysis of the articles published in the relevant journals, which are included in the Web of Science.

Design/methodology/approach

The 60 articles analyzed – published over a period of 31 years – were studied according to several criteria such as research methodology, statistical techniques used, topics dealt with, technologies addressed, authors and countries.

Findings

The topics under study were divided into four broad areas – technology and employees, technology and HR processes, technology and results and technology and organizational structure – the first, which focuses on how employees behave in relation to technology, received the most attention.

Research limitations/implications

The literature review was confined to articles on the topics of tourism, ICTs and human resources published in 73 academic journals, leaving aside other research sources, e.g. books and papers presented at conferences. This study can be useful both in the academic field and for tourism firm managers – especially those in ICT and human resources.

Originality/value

Although there are several previous reviews of the literature on human resource management and ICTs in the tourism sector, none of them has jointly examined these three topics.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 32 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

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