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Article
Publication date: 3 October 2016

Ursula Scholl-Grissemann and Benedikt Schnurr

The purpose of this study is to investigate how hedonic and utilitarian choice options of online travel agencies (OTAs) affect consumers’ process enjoyment and booking intentions.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate how hedonic and utilitarian choice options of online travel agencies (OTAs) affect consumers’ process enjoyment and booking intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply a one-factorial experimental design. The stimuli consisted of screenshots of the fictitious OTA “www.my-holiday.com”. Participants were told to imagine they were planning a city trip to San Francisco and that, during an internet search, they came across a new OTA called “www.my-holiday.com”.

Findings

The authors find that both booking intentions and process enjoyment are higher for hedonic OTAs, i.e. OTAs which offer more hedonic choice options such as entertainment and spa. The authors conclude that these toolkits strongly relate to pleasurable experiences and positive emotions. Therefore, these options drive positive affective reactions in terms of process enjoyment, which subsequently affect booking intentions. Additionally, the authors find that preference insight positively affects consumers’ booking intention as the number of choices provided by the OTA increases.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to tourism research on online travel shopping behavior. The authors apply knowledge from research on online customization tools to an OTA context and show that hedonic and functional choice options of OTAs significantly reflect on consumer behavior.

Details

International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, vol. 10 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6182

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 July 2021

Tanja Petry, Birgit Pikkemaat, Chung-Shing Chan and Ursula Scholl-Grissemann

Neither visitors of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel nor hosts are homogeneous segments (Griffin & Guttenberg, 2020). For this reason, this study aims to address…

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Abstract

Purpose

Neither visitors of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel nor hosts are homogeneous segments (Griffin & Guttenberg, 2020). For this reason, this study aims to address students as hosts of VFR travel and analyzes differences in the visitor and the host segment. As a result, marketing implications for destination marketing organizations that seek to realize the potential of the student VFR segment arise.

Design/methodology/approach

This research project adopts a multi-method approach to derive a deeper empirical understanding of visitors’ behaviors and the role of students hosting friends and relatives (SHFR). The quantitative study aims to reveal the relevance and differences between visits to friends (VF) and visits to relatives (VR), whereas the qualitative study elaborates on the findings of the quantitative study and seeks to understand the role and experiences of students as hosts.

Findings

The findings reveal that VR and VF travelers vary in terms of their expenditure. Hosts’ spending depends on visitors’ budgets; in general, both their direct and indirect (when relatives pay) spending increases when they have visitors. Furthermore, the data identify two distinct hosting styles: functional hosting is concerned with providing outstanding hospitality based on a more traditional, guest-oriented understanding of the role, whereas integrative hosting blurs the lines between hospitality and lifestyle based on a more modern, host-oriented understanding of the role.

Research limitations/implications

Regarding limitations, this study did not differentiate between students who were simultaneously locals and students who resided in the city only for study purposes. In a similar vein, the cultural background of the students was not considered in the research. Finally, the differences between VF and VR could further be explored in a quantitative follow-up study and in testing for significant differences in SHFR spending behaviors. Further research could examine whether domestic travelers, travelers with cultural proximity and/or short-distance VFR travelers are more likely to visit after COVID-19 as suggested by Backer and Ritchie (2017) in the case of crises and disaster.

Practical implications

Students as hosts differ from other hosts in VFR travel in their reluctance to embrace conventional tourism products. This study found that place attachment makes hosts of VFR travelers passionate ambassadors and advertisers for the destinations; destination marketing organizations (DMOs) could support this already positive image by providing and supporting students with more detailed information about their cities and the opportunities they offer. Results are of particular relevance because the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing DMOs to develop destination strategies that incorporate social-distancing and avoid crowded places.

Social implications

When students take their friends out to events and nightclubs, they contribute significantly to experiences that go beyond typical tourism activities such as sightseeing and shopping. By offering special discounts to visitors who come with their hosts, DMOs could help visitors delve more deeply into city life and thereby reduce the likeliness of crowded city centers. Considering the findings relating to the social and emotional qualities of VFR travel, DMO marketing to VFR travelers could benefit from promoting socio-cultural spaces and offerings that value groups’ social ties (e.g. family prices for families with adult children) or alumni status.

Originality/value

According to the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first which analyzes both, visitors and hosts of VFR travel using a two methods approach. Very recently, Griffin and Guttenberg (2020) miss VFR research focusing on the heterogeneity of the segment, and Backer et al. (2020) claim for more VFR research on the role of hosts carried out outside of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and the USA. To the authors’ best knowledge, this study is the first which delivers empirical insights on SHFR in Central Europe.

Details

International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6182

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 July 2022

Ursula Scholl-Grissemann, Mike Peters, Bernhard Fabian Bichler and Elisabeth Happ

Hiking is a popular tourism activity across the globe. Although hiking is considered a “soft” adventure activity with little risk and challenge, hikers are also confronted with…

Abstract

Purpose

Hiking is a popular tourism activity across the globe. Although hiking is considered a “soft” adventure activity with little risk and challenge, hikers are also confronted with dangerous situations where risky behavior can lead to fatalities. This study aims to understand the moderating role of hiking motives on hikers’ precautionary behavior, while providing implications for destination management organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a 3×2 between-subjects online experiment (N = 181), manipulating the on-site information and visibility of potential hazards. Moderation analyses (SPSS PROCESS) were applied to derive the differences between the hiking motives of competitiveness/exhibitionism, playing to the limit and sociability on precautionary behavior.

Findings

The findings can inform effective hiking trail signage efforts, helping identify potential indications of risky behavior. The findings also importantly underline the moderating role of playing to the limit and competitiveness as they regard the risk perception–precautionary behavior relationship.

Originality/value

The implications of this study are directed toward destination management organizations, and how to promote precautionary hiking behavior based on hikers’ motivations.

设计/方法/途径

我们进行了一个3x2的主体间在线实验(N = 181), 操纵了现场信息和潜在危险的可见性。应用调节分析(SPSS PROCESS)得出远足动机 “竞争/展示主义"、"娱乐无极限 “和 “社交能力 “在防范行为上的差异。

目的

徒步旅行是世界各地流行的旅游活动。尽管徒步旅行被认为是一种基于户外的软性探险活动, 没有什么风险和挑战, 但徒步旅行者也面临着危险的情况, 危险的行为可能导致死亡。本研究旨在了解徒步动机对徒步者防范行为的调节作用, 并为目的地管理组织提供启示。

研究结果

研究结果可以为有效的徒步旅行的标识工作提供参考, 帮助识别潜在的危险行为迹象。重要的是, 研究结果还强调了 “发挥极限 “和 “竞争 “的调节作用, 因为它们关系到风险认知和预防行为。

原创性

本研究的意义是针对目的地管理组织的, 即如何根据徒步者的动机来促进防范性的徒步行为。

Propósito

El senderismo es una actividad turística popular en todo el mundo. Aunque el senderismo se considera una actividad “poco exigente”, que implica poco riesgo y retos, los senderistas también se enfrentan a situaciones peligrosas donde las conductas de riesgo pueden conducir a accidentes fatales. Este estudio tiene como objetivo comprender los roles moderadores de las motivaciones del senderismo en el comportamiento precautorio de los senderistas y proporcionar implicaciones para las organizaciones de gestión de destinos.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Se realizó un experimento en línea 3x2 entre sujetos (N = 181) tratando la información in situ y la visibilidad de los peligros potenciales. Se aplicaron análisis de moderación (PROCESO SPSS) para derivar diferencias entre las motivaciones del senderismo “competitividad/exhibicionismo”, “jugar hasta el límite” y “sociabilidad” en el comportamiento precautorio.

Hallazgos

Los resultados reportan sobre la necesidad de realizar esfuerzos en la señalética de las rutas de senderismo que ayuden a identificar posibles indicaciones de comportamiento de riesgo. Es importante destacar que los hallazgos también subrayan el papel moderador de “jugar hasta el límite” y “competitividad”, ya que sugieren una relación entre la percepción de riesgo y el comportamiento precautorio.

Originalidad

Las implicaciones de este estudio se dirigen hacia las organizaciones de gestión de destinos sobre la manera de promover el comportamiento precautorio de senderismo basado en motivaciones de senderistas.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 25 June 2020

Elisabeth Happ, Ursula Scholl-Grissemann, Mike Peters and Martin Schnitzer

Offline retail stores have been working on improving their in-store customer experience; they have begun to realise the physical advantage they have over online channels…

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Abstract

Purpose

Offline retail stores have been working on improving their in-store customer experience; they have begun to realise the physical advantage they have over online channels. Especially sports products have a number of unique features, such as high emotional involvement or a sense of community; additionally, sports customers put emphasis on multisensory brand experience at the point of sale. This study examines the in-store customer experience (ISCX) in offline sports retail stores, taking into account the commercial uniqueness of sport.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study (focus groups; n = 16) and quantitative survey (cross-sectional survey design; n = 238) were conducted to measure ISCX in sports retail stores.

Findings

The results suggest that the customers' in-store experience has a significant influence on customers' satisfaction with the sports retailer and their likeliness to recommend the store to friends, which, in turn, is significantly affected by customers' satisfaction with the retailer. Moreover, social responses to actors involved in the service encounter, for example, the interaction with employees, play a significant role for the customer in-store experience. Accordingly, sports customers strive not only for functional benefits inherent in the interaction with customers and employees but also for social benefits.

Originality/value

This study extends the knowledge by (1) replicating the ISCX scale, (2) analysing ISCX in a sports retail environment and (3) examining the influence of ISCX on the Net Promoter Score. Moreover, the findings support managers' know-how about in-store setting and help to maintain the customer relationship.

Details

International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, vol. 22 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1464-6668

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 August 2016

Nicola E. Stokburger-Sauer, Ursula Scholl-Grissemann, Karin Teichmann and Martin Wetzels

Coproduction, as one component of cocreation of value, offers many benefits to customers and management, but also requires customers to invest a considerable amount of effort and…

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Abstract

Purpose

Coproduction, as one component of cocreation of value, offers many benefits to customers and management, but also requires customers to invest a considerable amount of effort and time. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the coproduction paradox of benefits and costs.

Design/methodology/approach

One experimental study and two cross-sectional field studies across three service industries test the nonlinear relationship between level of coproduction and customer loyalty.

Findings

Results show not only the optimum level but also the negative effects of increasing levels of coproduction on customer loyalty and, in turn, monetary expenditures. The negative effect can be partially offset by perceived process enjoyment (PE), such that consumers who enjoy the process exhibit increased loyalty after the optimum coproduction point. Customer self-efficacy (SE), however, further strengthens the inverted u-shaped relationship.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should try to replicate the findings in more complex and less hedonic service settings (e.g. financial investments) because both PE and SE might be even more powerful here.

Practical implications

Service managers need to determine the optimal degree to which customers want to engage in the creation of services and avoid overburdening them. Management should further explore opportunities to elicit feelings of fun and enjoyment through coproduction.

Originality/value

Research usually highlights the potential benefits of coproduction for customers and companies and suggests a positive linear relationship between coproduction and success outcomes. This article instead shows that after an optimum level, the marginal benefits of coproduction for customer loyalty turn negative.

Article
Publication date: 13 December 2021

Shekhar Shekhar, Anjali Gupta and Marco Valeri

This study aims to map the development of research on family business in tourism and hospitality and provides insights into the key contributors, key areas and current dynamics…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to map the development of research on family business in tourism and hospitality and provides insights into the key contributors, key areas and current dynamics, and suggests future research directions in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the Web of Science (WoS) database to identify the 124 articles published in the theme. The study uses bibliometric indicators such as the co-citation network, word co-occurrence network to analyze the publication and citation structure using Science of Science (Sci2), OpenRefine, and Gephi.

Findings

The top authors, top journals and major themes are recognized using bibliometric techniques. The study identifies six keyword clusters: entrepreneurship, innovation, and empirical collaborating with tourism, hospitality, and family business. The country-wise collaboration indicates the lack of research in the eastern hemisphere of the world. The co-authorship shows studies shared among individuals of a few organizations. The trends from bibliographic coupling depict the evolution of research.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of data collection for the network analysis is limited to the WoS. Incorporating papers from other databases might provide different network structures and insights.

Originality/value

The study is the first of its kind in the theme of family businesses in tourism and hospitality and will contribute to the literature by identifying future research directions.

Details

Journal of Family Business Management, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-6238

Keywords

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