Hospitality Administration and Management Commons^™

Customer Satisfaction Index Of Singapore 2014: Full Year Overview, Institute Of Service Excellence, Smu

Research Collection Institute of Service Excellence

The Customer Satisfaction Index of Singapore (CSISG) computes customer satisfaction scores at the national, sector, sub-sector, and company levels. The CSISG serves as a quantitative benchmark of the quality of goods and services produced by the Singapore economy over time and across countries. The fourth quarter results mark the end of measurement for CSISG 2014. Singapore’s 2014 national score is computed using the data collected during these four quarters.

Evaluating E-Relationship Marketing Features On Hotel Mobile Apps, Xiaolin Lu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The advent of technology has changed the course of marketing in both the academic and the business field. Given the increasing number of mobile transactions, hotel companies have launched mobile applications (apps) as an alternative e-relationship marketing (e-RM) channel. This study modified a progressive five-level e-relationship building model. The model was employed to evaluate e-RM features of the top 10 hotel companies’ mobile apps. The results indicated that these hotel companies maintained e-RM feature sophistication at the lower levels (Basic and Reactive), but relatively speaking, they did not utilize e-RM features extensively at the higher levels (Accountable, Proactive and Partnership). …

Perceived Value Of Fast-Food Restaurant Franchises In The Usa, Yisak Jang

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The main research objective of this study was to find out whether perceived value significantly affects consumers’ purchase intention. Additionally, this study examined if there are any significant differences in perceived value for different fast-food restaurant brands and attempted to identify which fast-food restaurant is perceived to be the industry leader.

A total number of six fast-food restaurants (McDonalds, Subway, Starbucks, Wendy’s, Burger King, and Taco Bell) were selected. Findings showed that among the five perceived service value dimensions, Starbucks is the leader in terms of quality, emotional response, and reputation.

Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and multiple regression analysis …

The Impact Of Different Types Of Media On Tourists' Behavioral Intentions, Jihwan Park

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to examine how much different types of media affect a tourist’s decision when choosing a destination to travel. Further, this study attempted to investigate the impact of the different types of media on a tourist’s behavioral intentions. A primary field survey was designed for this study to collect data and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed to analyze the data and test the hypotheses. As a result, the most influential media form for choosing a destination to travel was social media, while brochure ranked the last. Subsequently, demographic factors showed noticeable propensities …

An Analysis Of Technology Applications In The Restaurant Industry, Muhittin Cavusoglu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the utilization of Front of House and Back of House technology applications by U.S. restaurants across different types of restaurants along with their level of IT management style, and the importance of these technology applications to the restaurants' operations. This study used secondary data. The survey data collected from 500 randomly selected restaurant technology managers who are current subscribers of Hospitality Technology Magazine as of January 2013. Response rate was 27.2% and these sample groups represented 67,299 restaurant units. The data analysis was organized into 3 parts (descriptive, factor analysis and independent …

Consumer Perceptions Of Sustainability In The Cruise Industry, Lindsay Marie Ackerman

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the lack of available research regarding consumer perceptions of sustainability in the cruise industry. The study was conducted by administering an anonymous online survey with cruise message board participants and social media users. The survey was available to all consumers, including consumers who have not cruised. The survey focused on general reasons a consumer books a cruise, consumer travel behaviors, sustainability of the cruise industry, and sustainable factors that may impact a consumers’ choice of a cruise line. The goal of this research was to determine any patterns and trends that may emerge regarding consumer perceptions. The …

Setting The Standard: A Study Of The Walt Disney Resort Service Model, Kelsey Freeman

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

Companies are constantly seeking new ways to keep up with the changing expectations of customers. In the hospitality industry customizing guest service to each individual guest is a step that can be taken to create lasting relationships. The Walt Disney Resorts are worth examining for their high rate of return. The purpose of this study was to analyze the best practices and success of personalizing guest experience at the Walt Disney Resorts. The researcher used a case study checklist to gather information about the efforts Disney makes to customize guest experiences.The study found that allowing guests to customize their vacation, …

Is Nutritional Labeling A Sustainable Option For Restaurants?, Rajee Olaganathan, Zack Ho Xuan Yi, Alvin Tan Jie Chong, Wong Xue Feng, Soh Mei Yi, Felicia Tan Pei Zhen

Publications

This paper will examine the feasibility of restaurants integrating or providing nutritional information labels on food menus to increase business sales and gain customer satisfaction. It weighs the pros and cons of the usage of nutritional information labeling that has changed over time due to government policies, and clearly explains how restaurants can make use of nutrition labeling to increase and sustain the business. It will then further analyze both general advantages and disadvantages, consisting of economic, social, health and environmental impacts with an unbiased perspective. With a different set of clientele for the varying types of restaurants, nutritional information …

Bicycle Tourism Plan For Economic Development: A Template For Rural Agricultural Towns And A Case Study For The City Of Winters, California, Marisa Rene Lee

Master's Theses

Bicycling is a method of tourism transportation that is healthy, non-invasive, environmentally responsible, and economically sustainable. It allows freedom, mobility, and sightseeing potential that is not made possible by other modes of transit. Thousands of bicycle tourists travel from all over the globe annually to explore California on touring bikes via established cycling routes and robust determination. Thousands of additional domestic and international visitors take weekend trips, plan family vacations, travel for business, or tour California from abroad, many of whom are excellent candidates for local and regional bicycle touring at a more gentle intensity level.

The increasing popularity and …

The Perversity Of Sexual-Harassment Law: Effects Of Recent Court Rulings, David Sherwyn, Michael C. Sturman, Zev J. Eigen, Michael Heise, Jenn Walwyn

Michael Heise

The outcome of 109 motions for summary judgment filed since June 1998, in which employers argued that a hostile-environment case should be dismissed because the employer satisfied, as a matter of law, the affirmative defense are analyzed. The examination of these cases provides the opportunity to test past conjecture and describe how courts have implemented the Ellerh and Faragher rulings. It is found that employers are still able to prevail in summary-judgment motions. With evidence showing that employers can satisfy the affirmative defense, each of the three areas that commentators have suggested should have prevented such success is examined. What …

The Influence Of Others On The Vacation Experience: An Ethnographic Study Of Psychographics, Decision Making, And Group Dynamics Among Young Travelers, Edwin Torres

Rosen Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The vacation experience is often enjoyed in the company of others. Whereas scholars have focused on the consumer behaviors of mature travelers, young travelers have received less attention. The present study explores customer-to-customer interactions among young travelers (in their 20s and 30s) within a European tour-group setting. Furthermore, it attempts to understand the influence such travelers have on one another. The decision-making patterns, role of the tour guide, group dynamics, and psychographic preferences are studied from an ethnographic approach. Results indicate that the young travel segment is not as homogeneous as previously conceived. Notable differences in activities, interests, and opinions …

Hospitality Industries Management, Hamilton Pozo

Hamilton Pozo

No abstract provided.

Using The Involvement Construct To Understand The Motivations Of Customers Of Casual Dining Restaurants In The Usa, Bharath M. Josiam Ph.D., Alexandria C. Kalldin M.S., Jennifer L. Duncan M.S.

Hospitality Review

The purpose of this study was to investigate the motivations that push consumers to dine out and restaurant attributes that pull diners to a specific restaurant. Surveys were administered to a convenience sample of 559 respondents at a large university in the Southwest of the USA. Crosstabs, ANOVA, Correlations, Factor Analysis and Multiple Regression were employed to explore differences and relationships between variables. Findings identified a profile of diners at casual restaurants. Using the involvement construct, the push-pull motivational framework, and the hedonic and utilitarian motivational framework, results of this study indicate two primary reasons behind the decision to dine …

Customer Satisfaction And Behavioral Intentions: The Case Of Aruba-- Small Island Nation, Yang Cao, Robin Dipietro, Gerald Kock

Hospitality Review

Tourism studies related to small island destinations have become a research stream amongst many academics in recent years. The current study investigates tourist satisfaction related to a tour operator on the island of Aruba that specializes in jeep and bus tours. As there is an increased expenditure pattern for these types of activities, companies are looking for ways to improve customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Results indicate that tourists are generally satisfied with the tour company; however a difference in satisfaction ratings was obtained for respondents 61 years old or above. Four factors were extracted from tourists’ satisfaction attributes and …

Tequila At Sunrise: Spring Break Travel Motivations And Risk Behaviors Of American Students In Acapulco, Mexico, J. Carlos Monterrubio Ph.D., Bharath M. Josiam Ph.D., Jennifer Duncan

Hospitality Review

Little research has been completed regarding spring break motivations and behaviors of American students in foreign destinations, specifically in Mexico. This paper looks at push and pull motivations in relation to drug and alcohol consumption and findings indicate greater drug and alcohol use among those who selected “party reputation” and “to go wild” as travel motivations. Binge drinking, sexual activity, and drug use among students on spring break in Acapulco, Mexico were also analyzed and compared to past findings within the United States. Results suggest that students are involved in heavy alcohol consumption and significant drug use. Additionally, high rates …

Are Consumers Ready For Mobile Payment? An Examination Of Consumer Acceptance Of Mobile Payment Technology In Restaurant Industry, Cihan Cobanoglu, Wan Yang, Anna Shatskikh, Anurag Agarwal

Hospitality Review

As an emerging payment method, mobile payment technology is perceived to be a secure and effective substitute of traditional debit/credit card payment. Although several reports and scholars claimed that mobile payment technology would become a major future payment method, consumers rather caught on this trend slowly, and little is known about key determinants of consumers’ acceptance of mobile payment. To close that gap, the current study extended the classic Technology Acceptance Model by adding four additional predictors that are relevant to hospitality industry. The study results suggested that compatibility with lifestyle was the strongest predictor of consumers’ intention to adopt …

Predicting Lodging Manager Annual Salary Based On Metropolitan Statistical Area Attributes And Lodging Industry Performance: Exploring The Concept, Nicholas J. Thomas, Eric Adam Brown, Donald Schoffstall, Lisa Y. Thomas

Hospitality Review

Using multiple regression analysis, lodging managers’ annual mean salaries in 143 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) within the U.S. were analyzed to identify what relationships existed with variables related to general MSA characteristics, along with the lodging industry’s size and performance. By examining the relationship between these variables, the authors predict the long-term possibility of predicting lodging industry managers’ salaries. These predictions may have an impact on financial performance of an individual lodging property or organization. Through this paper, this concept was applied and explored within U.S. MSAs. These findings may have value for a variety of stakeholders, including human resources …

Looking At Residents’ Attitudes Towards Spring Break Tourism In Texas Through The Lens Of Community Attachment, Marianna Strzelecka Ph. D., Bharath M. Josiam Ph.D., Daniel L. Spears Ph.D., J. Carlos Monterrubio Ph.D.

Hospitality Review

The growth of spring break tourism in many destinations has become problematic, predominantly due to the excessive behaviour of college students. This paper examines residents’ attitudes toward spring break tourism in South Padre Island (located in Texas, USA) through the lens of community attachment. By understanding the attitudes of residents of the host communities, tourism planners and policy-makers can create policies to shape the character of tourism according to the residents’ needs. The findings suggest that, at this point in time, community residents perceive that the benefits of spring break tourism benefits exceed its’ costs. Also, the short and intense …

A Qualitative Assessment Of Yelp.Com Users’ Motivations To Submit And Read Restaurant Reviews, Anish Parikh, Carl Behnke, Doug Nelson, Mihaela Vorvoreanu, Barbara Almanza

Department of Hospitality and Tourism Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This article presents a thematic analysis of Yelp.com users’ motivations to read and articulate user-generated reviews. This study’s purpose was to identify factors of usage, trust, influence, and contribution of restaurant reviews on Yelp.com. This study found that information search reduction and community membership were the greatest factors encouraging Yelp.com use. Respondents reported trusting Yelp.com due to the community aspects of the website and felt they were able to sort out biased reviews easily. Lastly, the primary reasons for contributing reviews to Yelp.com were altruistic in nature, for example, helping other users make good purchase decisions and rewarding good businesses.

Tour Guides And The Mediation Of Difficult Memories: The Case Of Dublin Castle, Ireland, Bernadette Quinn, Theresa Ryan

Articles

This research seeks to furthering understandings of how Tour Guides interpret memories at heritage sites when the memories at issue are difficult yet subtle and not always apparent to tourists. Specifically, it explores how Dublin Castle, formerly the seat of British rule in Ireland, is captured in narratives presented to tourists that often include Britons. Representing the site is made challenging because some visitors have little knowledge of the site's history, while others are well informed and hold strong political views. The findings show that Guides select largely depoliticized narratives, strongly influenced by their personal interests and experiences. Some hint …