Business Commons^™

The Impact Of Hedonic And Utilitarian Motivations On The Hotel Customers' Risk Perception, Chih-Chien Chen, Zvi Schwartz

Caesars Hospitality Research Summit

The study proposes that deal-seeking travelers' perception of risk may have a dual and contradicting impact on Expected Utility and, consequently, on their propensity to search for a better deal and book the travel product. According to a traditionally utilitarian motivation, a high level of risk and the prospect of negative results reduce Expected Utility, and they are therefore likely to reduce search activities and increase booking. This study argues that, due to hedonic motivations, consumers may enjoy the risk elements of their search for a better deal and, consequently, may respond to higher levels of induced risk perception by …

The Effect Of Corporate Reputation Management As A Competition Tool On Tourism Businesses, Yuksel Ozturk, Serdar Cop, Rana Allahyari Sani

Caesars Hospitality Research Summit

Abstract The enterprises should be created differences such as; to be able to sustain their entity in the face of competitor, to have position in the sector, to present value in the products and services that have been offered for ensuring profit and to be reliability and honesty. The corporate reputation has been considered as a competition tool that can be revealed these differences. This study aims to put forth the effects of corporate reputation management in the hotel businesses. Managers' idea, working in the hotel businesses in Turkey, about reputation management has been determined and asked them to make …

The Impact Of European Pools On A Meeting Planner’S Booking Decision, Dan Cormany, Miranda D. Kitterlin, Curtis Love

Caesars Hospitality Research Summit

In a city of constant change and competition, many Las Vegas resort properties are offering topless pools (Yeskel, 2008). This phenomenon is known as “adult bathing” or “European-style” tanning, and many of the properties offering this service refer to their venues as “European pools” (Villano, 2007). A number of properties, including at least eight on the Las Vegas Strip, two in off-strip “locals’ casinos”, and one in the downtown area, have added this option for adult sunbathers. While this may be an appealing feature for many leisure travelers, its potential impact on the meeting business for those facilities is not …

An Examination Of Operating Costs Within A State’S Restaurant Industry, Yvette Green, John Williams

Caesars Hospitality Research Summit

An examination of operating costs within a state’s restaurant industry. The study provided benchmark data that restaurants can use to make sound strategic business decisions. The results provided vital information that can be used in conducting future research.

Travel And Spending Characteristics Of The Mature Biker: An Exploratory Study, Kelly Ann Way, Lona J. Roberts, Jean Turner

Caesars Hospitality Research Summit

Hospitality Research Summit--Tourism segment

The Impact Of Magnitude Salience On Prix Fixe Menu Price Judgment, Shuo Wang, Michael Lynn

Caesars Hospitality Research Summit

The flat price structure of prix fixe menus (i.e., fixed food prices and fixed service gratuities) affords restaurant operators the opportunity to present the same menu price in different ways. This report examined customers’ responses to financially equivalent prix fixe menu prices with a built-in gratuity (i.e., all-inclusive prices), a separately listed percentage gratuity and a separately listed dollar gratuity in terms of deal perception. Through an online experiment, we found that prix fixe menu prices with a percentage gratuity below (above) the conventional 15% were perceived more (less) favorably than their all-inclusive counterparts. However, there was no significant difference …

Estimating The Impact Of Showroom Entertainment On The Hourly Gaming Volume Of A Las Vegas Hotel-Casino, Eunju Suh

Caesars Hospitality Research Summit

Along with the emergence of mega casino-resorts in the gaming industry, researchers have attempted to estimate the indirect gaming contributions of non-gaming casino amenities such as showroom entertainment and restaurants. However, the daily data of aggregate gaming volumes analyzed in previous gaming research did not allow exploring transient gaming volumes associated with casino amenities during a much narrower range of time periods (i.e., hourly). The current investigation addresses this limitation by proposing a model to examine the relationship between showroom headcounts and hourly slot gaming volumes for the hours falling adjacent to the show’s performance time. Considering a major investment …

Workplace Religious Discrimination, Rebecca Garnett, Joan M. Clay

Caesars Hospitality Research Summit

Legal cases of religious discrimination are on the rise, a 32.5% increase in claims between 1997 and 2007. Company dress codes are increasingly being challenged based on religious discrimination. This paper focuses on legal cases involving religious discrimination based on dress.

The Social Responsibility Of The Foodservice Industry: The Need For Action Regarding The Obesity Crisis, Audrey C. Mccool, Barent N. Mccool

Caesars Hospitality Research Summit

Abstract: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Costs associated with obesity pose a severe threat to the U.S. economy. Evidence indicates the foodservice industry has had a major role contributing to the obesity crisis; thus it is argued that the industry has an ethical and social responsibility to now aggressively adopt socially responsible actions that will help alleviate the increasing incidence of obesity. Such actions might include innovative advertising initiatives, modification of portion sizes, and nutrition labeling so that consumers can make healthful food selections. Even though such actions might result in short-term profit losses, socially responsible actions have the potential …

Effects Of Restaurant Green Practices: Which Practices Are Important And Effective?, Eunha Jeong, Soocheong Jang

Caesars Hospitality Research Summit

As customers’ ecological concern is steadily increasing, demand for products and services designed to be less harmful to the environment has augmented. By executing green practices, many business owners believe the image of their companies can be improved. Furthermore, the improved image may eventually motivate the customers to use products or services offered by the green company. The restaurant industry is witnessing the green movement as well. Restaurant owners adopt green practices to their properties with the purpose of creating a distinctive image that can differentiate them from their competitors. Therefore, restaurateurs strive to get this competitive advantage by introducing …

Measuring And Explaining Competitiveness In The Context Of Small Island Destinations, Robertico R. Croes

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This study measures and explains competitiveness among small island destinations. Current measures of competitiveness do not respond to the special needs of small island destinations. An alternative measurement suggests a more suitable Tourism Competitiveness Index (TCI), and through the application of panel regression analysis, tracks the most important factors affecting competitiveness among island destinations. The findings imply likelihood that more expensive destinations obtain a larger share of regional tourism revenues. The study concludes that providing a high-quality product may allow destinations to become and remain competitive.

Examining The Relationship Among Service Recovery, Affective Commitment, Calculative Commitment, And Trust For E-Travel Retailers, Khaldoon Nusair

Rosen Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

There is a gap in the literature with respect to studies that examined the importance of service recovery for Generation Y customers in an online travel context. This study examines various dimensions of commitment important to the development and maintenance of enduring relationships with Generation Y. The theoretical foundations for this study are based on social exchange theory, commitment-trust theory, and organizational commitment theory. The results of the study shows that affective commitment and trust are the most important constructs for building longterm relationships following service recovery; on the other hand, calculative commitment had negative impact on trust. The implications …

Urban Dynamics In The Las Vegas Valley: Neighborhood Casinos And Sprawl, Pascale Nédélec

Occasional Papers

Las Vegas is well known for its urban sprawl. While the casino industry has played an obvious role in the development of Las Vegas, no systematic study has evaluated the exact nature of urban growth and the rise of neighborhood casinos. This paper argues that neighborhood casinos, contrary to tourist‐oriented casinos, are not urban forces that drive the growth of an urban area but reinforce the status quo of residential developments. Neighborhood casinos have nevertheless become a major asset in the economic and social building of residential developments and community life.

Is Premium Pricing Strategy A Viable Option To Pursue Higher Revenue Performance? A Case Study Of Relative Pricing Strategy In The Singapore Lodging Market, Xiaorong Chen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This is an exploratory research paper on how relative pricing affects an individual hotel’s revenue performance in the Singapore lodging market. First, it measures the REVPAR effects for both a discounting and premium pricing strategy at a local hotel against its competitive set. The findings conclude that a premium pricing strategy is a better way to improve REVPAR performance due to the inelastic nature of the demand curve for hotel rooms in the Singapore market. The findings also show that there is a price limit to a premium pricing strategy, beyond which the growth of REVPAR stagnates because customers were …

The Impact Of Rebranding On Guest Satisfaction And Financial Performance: A Case Study Of Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, Pingshan Huang

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Existing literature has shown that effective branding/ re-branding can positively impact customer purchase preferences and intentions, satisfaction and loyalty and a firm’s financial performance. Building on these links, this paper investigated if there was a significant improvement in the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre’s guest satisfaction (OSAT) and financial performance after its rebranding. Paired-samples analyses were conducted on the hotel’s pre- and post-rebranding guest satisfaction, occupancy, average daily rates (ADR), revenue per available room (RevPAR), revenue and net operating profit (NOP). Overall, the results revealed that after the rebranding, HISOCC’s occupancy and RevPAR increased significantly; ADR and OSAT reflected …

Is Virtualization An Appropriate Method Of Disaster Recovery For The Hospitality Industry?, Manognya Murukutla

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Organizations across all business sectors are making increasing use of IT today. While other industries have understood the consequences of this dependence in the event of IT disasters and placed a large emphasis on disaster recovery plans and technology, the hospitality industry is lagging behind. One of the reasons why the hospitality industry does not place as much of an importance to disaster recovery is the cost. However, IT disaster is a very damaging occurrence, and measures should be taken to mitigate the event. Loss of a property's information technology (IT) functions can cause chaos in a hotel’s operations leading …

Ecotourists' Loyalty: Will They Tell About The Destination Or Will They Return?, Manuel Antonio Rivera, Robertico R. Croes

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of price, value, satisfaction, quality, and performance on the ecotourists' loyalty towards the destination. By using an attitudinal approach, loyalty is conceptualised by analysing the post-purchase decision-making of the ecotourists (intent to return or recommend). The analysis is based on 454 on-site surveys collected from ecotourists visiting the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. The results from path analysis indicate that ecotourists are not likely to return but are willing to recommend the destination. The findings suggest that the Galapagos Islands might be perceived as an iconic destination and considered a ‘once …

Be: Bookstore, Cafe, And Lounge, Melanie Boone

Interior Design Program: Terminal Projects

The re-design of the P.E. lier building located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska at 1113 Howard Street will challenge the way that a bookstore is typically portrayed. My goal is to create a unique and interesting space combining the bookstore with a cafe and bar/ lounge space.

Typically a bookstore is designed for experiences for single individuals, unlike lounge spaces that are designed for interaction between multiple people.

This space will create a connection between various artistic aspects of Omaha including: art, literature, music, dance, etc. The first level will be a combined bookstore and cafe. The second level will be …

Aksarben: Boutique Hotel, Nicole Elam

Interior Design Program: Terminal Projects

The Project Intent

At the height of its time, Aksarben was the best place in omaha to go for entertainment and social gatherings. The large space allowed for many events such as concerts, world championships, road shows, and the most popular, horse races. Unfortunately in the 1990s, there was a decline in such attractions, particulary in horse racing, and Aksarben’s ownership went to Aksarben future trust.

Today, developers are using this historical essence to reclaim the once thriving area and bring it back to what it used to be with new current trends.

I propose to take the currently vacant …

The History Of Baccarat, Theodore Whiting

Occasional Papers

The true origins of modern Baccarat are probably lost to history. The first time the game Baccarat (spelled Baccara) was mentioned in print by a contemporary observer was in the early 19th century. The written record that would document the origins and evolution of the game is, unfortunately, incomplete. However, a close examination of the available material reveals some interesting facts surrounding the history of Baccarat, including a much earlier date for its arrival in the United States, that validates its continuing study.

The Gap Of Event Markets Between The Us And China — Exploring Application Prospect Of Event Software In China’S Hospitality And Tourism Market, Ying Zhao

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research paper compared scenarios of convention and event industry between the US and China, and explored application prospect of event technology in China’s hospitality and tourism market. The study reviewed the landscape of event market in these two countries, examined performance of event software in the US, and figured out existing technology gap between the two markets. A typical application, www.certain.com was employed as sample of event software in testing tasks fit of the technology, and analyzing demand from end-users. The result indicated that there was a significant technology gap existing between event markets of the US and China. …

When Is A Good Deal Bad For Business? An Exploratory Study Of Room Rates Highlighting The Practice And Effects Of Discounting Room Rates, Gwen Williams

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Through the analysis of available literature, this exploratory study highlights the practice and effects of discounting room rates within the hospitality industry. This study discusses methods used for setting room rates, rate integrity and brand integrity. At its conclusion, this exploratory study suggests who should and who should not discount room rates and it conveys methods that can be used for discounting room rates without loss of a target market and/or without financial loss.

Creating A Wellness Program For Hotel Front Desk Employees, Karima Abdel-Moty

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The majority of hotel front desk employees fulfill their job demands in generally similar ways, in terms of workplace conditions. The demanding and hectic nature of this job results in very tangle physical and emotional effects on the employee. Through an analysis of current literature, guidelines on implementing a wellness program suited specifically for hotel front desk employees will be created. Through successful implementation of an employee wellness program, management will be able to provide effective job resources that will result in engaged front desk employees, and consequently, higher levels of customer service, productivity, and profitability.

A Case Study On The Effect Of Information Technology Related Interface Issues On Overall Guest Experience In Hyatt Place Hotels In The U.S., Vasuki Bellary

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Information technology has evolved and has become a major part of every aspect of business. Hotel industry has accepted changes in IT and is now moving towards fully integrating new technologies in order to fulfill the goal of guest satisfaction. Several systems are examined in this case study based on the Hyatt place model to see if their functionality has an effect on the guest satisfaction and their overall experience in the hotel setting. The results are inconclusive from this case study since a modified survey is utilized due to time and resource constraints. However there is a lot of …

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort And Spa Disaster Recovery Plan, Matthew Ellis

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Grand Hyatt Kauai (GHK) was opened in 1991 and sits on the beautiful south side of the Island of Kauai. This location makes the Grand Hyatt Kauai prone to disaster from a number of events. As a result, preparations for such events must be made and implemented. All staff must be made aware of the possibilities for disasters as well as what they should do in the event of a disaster.

Earthy Bride, Melissa S. Foerster

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

There are nearly 2.5 million couples getting married in the United States each year (Harrison, 2008, pg. xi). That breaks down to more than 6,300 weddings in a single day. The average wedding in the United States “produces 63 tones of CO2 and 400-600 pounds of trash” and therefore, newlyweds are creating over 3,500,000 pounds of trash in a single at their weddings (Harrison, 2009, ¶ 2)! The green movement is on the rise and wedding industry needs to implement it to meet new demands. In order to do people need to be informed of the importance, benefits and savings …

The Boys' Club: An Exploration Into The Social World Of A Las Vegas Casino Sports Book, Frederick W. Krauss

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This ethnography of the La Mesa Casino Sports Book explores the characteristics that frame the social world its regular patrons create. Specifically, I explain the characteristics of La Mesa’s sports bettors, the types of people who bet on sports, the mechanisms used to sustain participation in the scene, and how the sports bettors view themselves, their social world, and those outside of it. I argue that regular sports book patrons do not use the environment simply for sports betting. Rather, their complex interactional dynamics create a robust social world they come back to again and again to create a meaningful …

Which Financing Model Is Right For Hotel Properties? An Exploratory Study Of Financing Models Highlighting The Practice And Effects Of Different Financing Models Adopted By Hotel Industries In Usa And Singapore, Keng Tiong Christopher Goh

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The high debt-financing model adopted by hotel owners in United States had contributed to a large number of foreclosures during the economic downturn. In contrast, the conservative financing model adopted by hotel owners in Singapore had sheltered them through the past recessions. Cultural values may have influenced the types of financing model adopted by hotel owners. Americans have a value system of using borrowed money to invest, while Singaporeans have a value system of saving for rainy days and spending within one’s means.

The studies concluded that hotel owners in the United States and Singapore should consider Juglar’s nine to …

Employee Theft: Determinants Of Motive And Proactive Solutions, David Langner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Theft in the workplace, specifically performed by the employees, is a daunting situation for American business - both corporate and small proprietorships. This paper calls upon available literature to provide an in-depth analysis that focuses on employee's motive to steal from their employer and the potential proactive solutions organizations can implement to deter theft by improving morale and trust in the workplace. The topic will be examined from a linear fashion that looks at the concept of employee theft and common motivational determinants such as employer resentment, animosity, and the perception of fairness. Next, numerous organizations have adopted theft detection …

An Implementation Guide For Strategic Meeting Management Programs In Small To Mid-Size Meeting Firms, Monique Williams

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study will establish a working guide on how to implement a strategic meeting management guide for meeting planners who are employed by small to mid-size companies. This comprehensive manual will detail processes of how to accurately measure meeting and travel spend, gain cross-company leverage and apply methods for making meetings purpose-driven. This study will incorporate best practices as established by industry standards which will be specifically tailored to meet the needs of planners in smaller firms. The desired outcome will be a solid and manageable guide that planners can use to secure their role as a strategic partner to …