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1 – 10 of 17Jingxue Jessica Yuan, Sungpo Yi, Helena A. Williams and Oak-Hee Park
Despite the perfect nutritional value of imperfect “ugly” produce, they are either never harvested or discarded, resulting in escalating farm-to-fork food waste problems in the…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the perfect nutritional value of imperfect “ugly” produce, they are either never harvested or discarded, resulting in escalating farm-to-fork food waste problems in the USA. The purpose of this paper is to investigate US consumers’ perceptions of imperfect “ugly” produce and their willingness to purchase and consume these foods in their households.
Design/methodology/approach
Four focus group sessions with at least five voluntary participants per session were conducted. Each session used structured interview questions and the discussions were led by the same moderator. All sessions were recorded, transcribed and analyzed based on published focus group guidelines and recommendations.
Findings
The research study has revealed two categories of potential consumers, Influencers and Learners, when it comes to an initial understanding of “ugly” produce consumption. The study also identified nine themes (i.e. food safety, price sensitivity, location of sale, product display, name/label, purpose of use, fun, targeted education and food waste) that consumers hold regarding imperfect “ugly” produce.
Research limitations/implications
Insights from this study provide strategies for sustainable food management that could help stakeholders along all points of the food chain save money, reduce hunger and diminish food waste in our communities.
Originality/value
This study serves to provide preliminary insights in approaching the issue of consumers’ perception of imperfect “ugly” fruits and vegetables from a research perspective. Although a limited number of real consumers from the local community participated, their rich and in-depth qualitative responses defined the scope and the defining questions that need further exploration.
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Hsiangting Shatina Chen, Tun-Min (Catherine) Jai and Jingxue Yuan
The purpose of this study is to investigate how the levels of perceived information influence consumers’ purchase evaluations and intentions when making hotel reservations on an…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate how the levels of perceived information influence consumers’ purchase evaluations and intentions when making hotel reservations on an opaque-selling travel website. Because of the uniqueness of the opaque-selling model, consumers must book a hotel room without knowing the hotel’s identity. Thus, consumers’ decision-making process is intricate and substantially influenced by the limited information provided by the websites.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used an experimental design approach that used promotional and preventative messages to manipulate the information levels. In total, 402 completed questionnaires were collected and analyzed by using quantitative research method.
Findings
The results indicated that perceived risks and perceived benefits lead toward different paths in regard to purchase intentions and information inquiries. To make a final booking decision, consumers have to go through a “debating” process, which involves assessing the overall value of the hotel deal claimed on the website.
Practical implications
To reduce consumers’ perceived risks and increase the likelihood of purchasing, opaque-selling websites should cautiously choose what information is displayed on their websites and also improve communications and interactions with the consumers.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the limited literature on information levels and its role in consumer’s evaluative process in the context of opaque-selling travel websites. In addition, this study has presented insights into opaque-buying behavior so that hotel manager may develop more appropriate pricing strategies for their target customer group.
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Celia D. Henley, Deborah C. Fowler, Jingxue (Jessica) Yuan, Betty L. Stout and Ben K. Goh
The purpose of this paper is to determine specific label attributes impacting both the taste and quality perceptions of millennial wine consumers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine specific label attributes impacting both the taste and quality perceptions of millennial wine consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
A single‐blind study was developed to evaluate the direct implications labels have on millennial informants' taste and quality perceptions. A four‐stage research study tested the informants' reactions to the products both before and after evaluating the label and product packaging.
Findings
Perceptions differed significantly from the blind tasting to the second tasting after evaluating the product packaging and label information. When the producer provided specific fruit characteristics, the informant perceived they tasted those fruits much more than without this information in the blind tasting.
Research limitations/implications
The generalizability of this study was limited by the small population size (97 informants), the subject recruitment site, lack of ethnic diversity, and the high‐educational level of the respondents.
Practical implications
The informants in this study indicated several factors such as closure, font style, eye‐catching front label, color of the bottle, food pairings, and wine producer information, as affecting their purchase intention.
Originality/value
There have been previous studies involving wine tourism and segmentation of wine consumers but a sensory label study on millennials presents a different approach.
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Deborah C. Fowler, Mitzi K. Lauderdale, Ben K. Goh and Jingxue (Jessica) Yuan
This study seeks to assess international tourists' perception of safety while shopping in the USA, using Las Vegas as the study site. Over recent years, Las Vegas became an…
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to assess international tourists' perception of safety while shopping in the USA, using Las Vegas as the study site. Over recent years, Las Vegas became an international destination for visitors from the Asia‐Pacific region to celebrate Chinese New Year. In February 2007, Las Vegas hosted the NBA All‐Star Game for the first time from February 16 to 18. The two major events occurred over the same weekend. When two cultures shared a single site, however, the combination presented an issue of safety concern.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using an intercept methodology over the three‐day period in a major shopping venue/casino from February 15 to 17, 2007.
Findings
The study finds that many of the tourists carried a large amount of cash on their person. As the week progressed, Asian visitors were less likely to feel their person and belongings were safe in the three major venues researched of restaurants, shopping centers, and amusement parks.
Originality/value
Few papers have addressed the safety concerns of international tourists in the USA, specifically in Las Vegas. Findings of this study contribute to the safety and security management of various tourist venues.
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L. Taylor Damonte, Michael D. Collins and Carol M. Megehee
The purpose of this paper is to develop a method for estimating new direct tourism spending resulting from a new event in an existing destination.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a method for estimating new direct tourism spending resulting from a new event in an existing destination.
Design/methodology/approach
Intercept surveys were conducted on site at six of nine festival locations. Of the 308 festival participants approached at random and asked to participate, 264 agreed to participate (86 percent response rate). On further inquiry, only 47 percent of those agreeing to participate were found to be from zip codes outside of the Horry/Georgetown County “Grand Strand” tourist area. These 145 festival participants were administered surveys.
Findings
Less than 30 percent of total tourist spending at the festival is attributable to new tourists – those who specifically travelled to the destination primarily for the event and have historically attended Myrtle Beach less than one time per year. Consequently, the economic impact of the festival, in terms of new spending, was relatively small compared with the total amount of tourist spending by all tourists at the festival.
Originality/value
The study provides an example of an event for which new tourist spending could have been overestimated if all tourist spending had been considered to be new spending.
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Jessica L. Hurst and Linda S. Niehm
This study aims to focus on the unique challenges of retail service delivery in rural tourism markets. This paper specifically seeks to address: factors attracting individuals to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on the unique challenges of retail service delivery in rural tourism markets. This paper specifically seeks to address: factors attracting individuals to a rural tourism community; factors motivating resident and tourist customers to engage in tourism shopping; satisfaction of resident and tourist customers with local retailers; and strategies to assist retailers in successful service delivery.
Design/methodology/approach
Using Dillman's survey techniques, data were collected from two different groups: resident customers and tourist customers in a rural Iowa tourism community. Given the study's exploratory focus, a case study methodology was selected.
Findings
Shopping experiences were much less satisfying for resident customers than for tourist customers in this study. Tourism retailers may not be effectively differentiating their customer service and providing adequate attention during the shopping experience, particularly to resident customers.
Research limitations/implications
One limitation is that the study represents an initial test of self‐designed and/or modified scales to capture the variables of interest in a single rural tourism community in Iowa. Therefore findings may only be generalizable to the unique nature of an established tourist population in Midwestern regions of the USA.
Practical implications
An important implication from this study is rural tourism retailers need to develop a comprehensive customer relationship management strategy to encourage repeat shopping and sustained patronage behavior.
Originality/value
This study provides valuable strategic implications for rural tourism entrepreneurs, business consultants and economic development professionals in rural tourism communities, and fills a void in the tourism and patronage literature.
Eunmi Sohn and Jingxue (Jessica) Yuan
The purpose of this paper is to provide psychographic and demographic profiles of people interested in culinary tourism.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide psychographic and demographic profiles of people interested in culinary tourism.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted in the First Lubbock Wine Festival in Texas, incorporating Values and Lifestyles (VALS‐2). A questionnaire was designed to investigate the classification of culinary tourists' lifestyles and values in terms of three primary motivations such as ideals, achievement, and self‐expression including culinary tourists' activities and demographic characteristics. Factor and reliability analyses were used.
Findings
A five‐factor solution resulted in idealist, achiever, explorer, belonger and innovator. Ideals‐motivated groups were identified by idealist and belonger. Self‐expression‐motivated groups were identified by explorer and innovator. Achievement‐motivated group was identified by achiever.
Research limitations/implications
The study offers new insights and conceptualizations relevant to the analysis of culinary tourism markets, focusing on the needs and psychology of culinary tourists.
Practical implications
A better understanding of the needs and wants of culinary tourists may help tourism marketers increase the effectiveness of their promotional campaigns by targeting the appropriate audience and tailoring their messages to its psychological needs.
Originality/value
By providing a basis for predicting attitudes and behaviors of culinary tourists, this study extends the existing body of research by segmenting culinary tourists based on motivations while making travel decisions.
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Hanqin Zhang Qiu, Jingxue (Jessica) Yuan, Ben Haobin Ye and Kam Hung
The aims of this study were to investigate the influencing factors of wine tourism development in China, assess the marketing efforts made by the wine-tourism stakeholders, and…
Abstract
Purpose
The aims of this study were to investigate the influencing factors of wine tourism development in China, assess the marketing efforts made by the wine-tourism stakeholders, and provide constructive suggestions for the development of China's wine tourism.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach was adopted for the purposes of this research. The study site is the Bohai Bay wine region in Shandong Province, the birthplace of China's modern wine industry and the largest wine-producing area in China. Chateau Changyu-Castel and Chateau Junding were visited in June 2010. Qualitative data were collected in the forms of observations of the wineries, interviews with wine tourists, focus groups with tourism practitioners, and analyses of travel blogs, document excerpts, and official web sites. Content analysis produced a thematic framework on people, promotion, and place.
Findings
A number of facilitating and detrimental factors were revealed pertaining to China's wine tourism development on the three themes: people, promotion, and place.
Research limitations/implications
The number of wine tourists being interviewed is relatively small, and the wineries chosen are relatively large ones. Results may not be generalized to other wine tourists and wineries in China.
Practical implications
The paper includes implications for the development of wine tourism in China, such as food and wine pairing that combines wine with local (Chinese) cuisine at the wineries, positioning, and genuine government support.
Originality/value
Research on wine tourism and wine tourists in China is scant. The current research fills a research gap by examining China's wine tourism phenomena from multiple perspectives, including those of tourists, tourism practitioners, and wine tourism destinations.
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Hyun-Woo Joung, Ben K. Goh, Lynn Huffman, Jingxue Jessica Yuan and James Surles
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between internal marketing practices, employee job satisfaction, organizational commitment and turnover intention in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between internal marketing practices, employee job satisfaction, organizational commitment and turnover intention in the foodservice industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The target population was employees who were currently working at a restaurant in the USA. All respondents were recruited from different states for the generalization of the study results. A confirmatory factor analysis validated the measurement model, and subsequently, structural equation modeling tested the proposed model.
Findings
Three internal marketing practices – vision, development and rewards – were good indicators for predicting employee job satisfaction, and two internal marketing practices – development and rewards – in addition to job satisfaction were significant predictors for employee organizational commitment. Finally, the findings indicated that job satisfaction and affective commitment had a significant impact on lowering employee turnover intention.
Research limitations/implications
In further research, more internal marketing practices – such as employee motivation, customer orientation, sharing information, employee empowerment – can be added to the model to increase employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment.
Practical implications
Foodservice operators should focus on internal marketing practices to have satisfied employees who, in turn, are more likely to deliver high service quality to customers.
Originality/value
This study has not only extended the influential scope of the internal marketing theory to organizational commitment, but has also proposed the antecedents of organizational commitment (i.e. internal marketing practices and employee job satisfaction) and clarified the relationships among them.
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