147 research outputs found
Functionality and usability features of ubiquitous mobile technologies : the acceptance of interactive travel apps
No full textPurpose: Customers are increasingly utilizing mobile applications (apps) to compare prices of travel and hospitality services and to purchase their itineraries, tours and stays. This study explores key factors influencing the individuals’ perceptions about the usefulness of travel apps and sheds light on the causal paths predicting the individuals’ dispositions to utilize them.Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative data was gathered from 1,320 subscribers of social media groups. They were analyzed through a composite-based partial least squares (PLS) approach.Findings: The results indicate that information quality, source credibility and the functionality of travel apps are significantly affecting the individuals’ perceptions about their usefulness as well as their intentions to use them. They also confirm that there are highly significant indirect effects within the proposed model.Practical implications: This study suggests that there is scope for the travel service providers to enhance the quality and functionality of their mobile apps, in order to improve their consumers’ perceptions about the utility of these ubiquitous service technologies.Theoretical implications: The study integrates information quality and source credibility factors with a functionality construct. It examines their effects on the technology acceptance model (TAM)’s perceived usefulness and behavioral intentions.Theoretical implications: The study integrates information quality and source credibility factors with a functionality construct. It examines their effects on the technology acceptance model (TAM)’s perceived usefulness and behavioral intentions.Originality: This contribution incorporates a functionality construct in an information technology adoption model to shed light on the individuals’ dispositions to avail themselves of online content and/or to adopt interactive innovations. In this case, it implies that certain functionality features of travel apps including their responsiveness and technical capabilities can trigger users to increase their engagement with these mobile technologies on a habitual basis.peer-reviewe
What Makes Them Share: Generation Y, Electronic World of Mouth and Brand Success
No full textGeneration Y has redefined the way customers seek, share and consider information about products and services before purchasing. Proficient users of digital technologies and social media, members of Generation Y are quick to share their experiences with brands and companies and their opinions have a significant influence on brand revenue and reputation. Dr. Tingting (Christina) Zhang from Rosen College of Hospitality Management and collaborators Dr. Behzad Abounia Omran (Ohio State University) and Dr. Cihan Cobanoglu (University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee) examined what influences Gen Y\u27s decision to participate in electronic work of mouth (eWOM)
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The Impact of Hotel Attributes’ Satisfaction on Overall Guest Satisfaction
No full textIt is important to identify these new hotel attributes and measure guests’ level of satisfaction and the impact of these attributes on overall guest satisfaction. In addition, few studies investigated the hotel attributes’ satisfaction on overall guest satisfaction. Hence, the purpose of the study is to identify levels of guest satisfaction with hotel attribute, as well as to determine the impact of hotel attributes’ satisfaction on overall guest satisfaction and intention to return
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The Information Technology (IT) Skills of Hospitality School Graduates as Perceived by Hospitality Professionals
No full textHospitality schools aim to provide their graduates with the skills and tools that are necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing and developing industry environment (Swanger & Gursoy, 2010). Given that information technology (IT) applications have become an essential part of hotel operations, this paper investigates industry perspective on the IT skills of hospitality school graduates. 110 industry professionals have participated in the study.The findings of this study are useful to hospitality educators in making sure that the information technology skills needed by the industry from hospitality school graduates are covered in curriculum. A significant gap between the importance scores of different skills reported by industry professionals’ and their evaluation of recent graduates’ performance shows that there is a need to improve students’ IT skills. The results of the study indicate that hospitality schools student need better preparation in the areas of “using spreadsheet programs (i.e. Microsoft Excel)”, “using email systems (i.e. Outlook Express, Thunderbird)”, “using word processing programs (i.e. Microsoft Word)”, “Presenting data in an efficient manner”, “using point of Sale Systems (i.e. Micros), and “analyzing numerical data with computers (i.e. SPSS, Excel).
Advances in Global Education and Research: Volume 5
No full textThis is the fifth volume of the Advances in Global Education and Research Book Series.
ISBN 978-1-955833-12-7
The following chapters are included in the the fifth volume of the Advances in Global Education and Research Book Series. Elevating the online learners’ experience by cultivating social presence in the online learning environment Lori Doyle and Tanya M. Tarbutton The role of family in Chinese students’ English language learning and key suggestions Bohui (Hollie) Liu and Jia Wei The World Bank\u27s new approach to human capital model and education Ozlem Kucuk and Cihan Cobanoglu Training in ecological thinking: Narrative practices for educational professionals Cristina Trovato Use of assistive technology by teachers of students with visual impairments: A descriptive analysis Paul M. Ajuwon, Ximena Uribe-Zarain, Phoebe Okungu, Nora Griffin-Shirley, and The Nguyen The impact of in-service training on employees: A research in a bank Ali S. Cetinkaya Chinese international students’ classroom behavioral engagement in Canadian classes: A qualitative study of master’s business students’ silence Bohui (Hollie) Liu and Clayton Smith Preparing effective STEM communicators through focused interventions Sondra M. Miller, Carl F. Siebert, Lindsey Wiggins, and Katherine L. Wright Exploring andragogical content knowledge and the implementation of andragogical principles in literacy facilitation among adult literacy facilitators in Nigeria Emmanuel D. Mabayoje and Sunday A. Itasanmi Fostering ecological awareness and inclusion through narrative pedagogy: Insights from the ‘eco-narrations’ projects Giambattista Bufalino and Gabriella D’Aprile Application of the Hattie and Timperley Power of Feedback Model with graduate teacher education students Judy R. Wilkerson Ethical intelligence: Responsible AI integration in challenge-based learning Seden Dogan Bridging the digital divide in developing and developed countries: A meta-analysis Jessie King and Eric Gotte Navigating education in island spaces: Insights from Italian minor islands Giambattista Bufalin
Travel experience sharing on social media: effects of the importance attached to content sharing and what factors inhibit and facilitate it
No full textPurpose – This study aims to examine the factors influencing tourists to share their travel experiences on social media (SM).
Design/methodology/approach – An online questionnaire was administered to 1,280 American travelers, and the data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings – The PLS-SEM results indicated that non-participant sharing had a direct and positive effect on tourists’ tendencies to share their travel experiences on SM. Environmental, relational and security concerns had direct and negative effects on actual travel-experience sharing, whereas altruism, personal fulfillment and self-actualization had direct and positive effects on actual travel experience sharing.
Practical implications – Travelers were found to attach importance to content shared on SM when they believed the content to be objective and reliable and were more likely to share such content on their own SM accounts. This finding suggests that tourist-created content is crucial. Tourism businesses, therefore, should reduce or eliminate inhibitory factors to increase content sharing. This research provides guidance for tourism businesses’
SM initiatives.
Originality/value – The study, first, contributes to an understanding of the factors affecting the sharing of travel experiences on SM. Second, this study develops a holistic approach that integrates the factors that might affect tourists’ SM content-sharing behavior into a single model
Exploring the impact of environmental management on sustainable concerns in restaurants
No full textPurpose – This study examines how environmental concerns promote sustainable development in restaurants, emphasizing environmentally friendly practices.
Design/methodology/approach – We collected 340 valid responses from restaurant employees across the United States. Subsequently, the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method was utilized to assess both the measurement and structural models.
Findings – The results show that environmentally friendly practices and cleaner production methods are crucial for innovation in sustainability within the restaurant industry. Innovations in sustainability processes and products enhance environmental sustainability, emphasizing the link between water and energy consumption in operations. Thus, prioritizing energy reduction is essential for decreasing restaurants’ carbon footprint. This information should motivate all industry stakeholders.
Research limitations/implications – This study uses a consistent sample of US firms, but comparing restaurant businesses in other countries could enhance the research and broaden its applicability. Longitudinal studies could also provide insights into the evolving management practices related to sustainability in restaurants. Practical implications – Our research offers valuable insights for managers and entrepreneurs in innovative restaurant management. The trend toward sustainability and its implementation is prompting companies to adopt eco-friendly practices, especially considering increasing regulations, particularly in Western countries. By applying our findings, managers and entrepreneurs can positively impact the environment through their business decisions.
Social implications – Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in sustainability policies and practices. Society is now more aware and demanding about sustainability, with younger generations leading the way. Companies face the challenge of adopting sustainable development processes to meet these expectations. Engaging human resources in this approach can also boost employee motivation.
Originality/value – The literature on environmental management and sustainable development in the restaurant sector is expanding, but many studies remain largely theoretical. This highlights the urgent need for more empirical evidence. To fill this research gap, our study examines how addressing environmental concerns can promote environmentally sustainable development within the restaurant industry. This will provide a strong empirical foundation for future research and informed decision-making
The Tourist’s Emotional Experience Along the “Digital” Tourist Journey: The IBM Watson Case
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