Hospitality Administration and Management Commons^™

Everything You Never Wanted To Know About Spanish Wines (And A Few Things You Did), John Phillips Wacker

Senior Theses

The Spanish wine scene is incredibly diverse, and an immense number of different wines are made in the country. Likewise, Spain is incredibly rich in culture, with a wide array of languages, histories, cultures, and cuisines found throughout the nation. The sheer number and variety of Spanish wines and the incredible variety of cultures found in Spain may be daunting to the uninitiated. Thus, a guide to Spanish wine and culture, which not only details the two but links them, as well, may prove very helpful to the Spanish wine newcomer or perhaps even a sommelier.

This thesis-guide was compiled …

Indah: The Unorthodox Rise Of A Columbian Staple, Will Helms

Senior Theses

Over the course of several weeks, I conducted a series of observations at Indah Coffee Co. in order to better understand its marketing and interaction with the neighborhood. After observing the coffee shop several times, I consulted outside sources, a process that is considered to be in the psychological realm of “grounded theory”, constantly comparing them to my own observations. After an interview with Indah’s owner, I began compiling my findings. The following paper is an outline of my findings, including the importance of the product in the coffee industry versus other industries, the power of successful grassroots marketing, and …

Social Influence On Consumers’ Online Review Behavior, Hengyun Li

Theses and Dissertations

Online reviews constitute an important source of word-of-mouth, which can affect consumers’ product choices as well as company sales and profitability. Therefore, understanding the factors underlying consumers’ online posting behavior is essential for business success and relevant knowledge development. This dissertation consists of three independent but closely related studies focusing on hotel and restaurant contexts. The objectives of this dissertation are to investigate how prior reviews and disconfirmation (i.e., the deviance between post-consumption evaluations and other consumers’ prior average review rating) may affect subsequent consumers’ online review-posting behavior in terms of their willingness to post online reviews, the review ratings …

Building Consumer Place Loyalty And Brand Loyalty: An Assessment Of The Microbrewery Taproom Experience, Scott Taylor Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most successful industries of the last few decades in the U.S. is the craft beer industry. Past studies have suggested that the neolocalism movement, the growing desire of people to reconnect with local communities, is one of the main drivers for the success of this industry. Likewise, studies have suggested that individuals who visit microbrewery taprooms do so for various reasons. Although studies have discussed the importance of the neolocalism movement and the motivations behind visiting taprooms, it is still unclear how consumers’ perceptions of the microbrewery taproom experience influence behaviors such as attachment or loyalty.

The …

An Analysis Of Perceptions Of Restaurant Authenticity At Food Tourism Destinations In The Southeastern U.S, Jamie A. Levitt

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive scale, containing multiple restaurant attributes and authenticity conceptualizations, to measure restaurant authenticity; to test a model examining the mediators and outcomes of restaurant authenticity at independent, full service Southern-style restaurants at food tourism destinations in the Southeastern U.S.; and to determine if the influences of restaurant authenticity differ between food tourists, general tourists, and locals.

A four-step approach adapted from Netemeyer et al. (2003) was used to develop the restaurant authenticity scale (RAS). Ultimately, the RAS contained six authenticity conceptualizations, 20 items and three dimensions: restaurant heritage and environment, food …

Motivation To Play Esports: Case Of League Of Legends, Yaoyao Sun

Theses and Dissertations

The population of playing electronic sports has increased recently, and the most popular one is League of Legends (LoL). As a multiplayer online battle arena video game, it’s not only a game, but also a competitive electronic sport. The purpose of this study was to assess the motivations of playing League of Legends and to relate them by genders, age groups and frequency groups. The final sample comprised 111 LoL players. The study categorized 12 items into three factors: achievement, socialization and immersion. Results indicated that achievement factors were stronger motives for men than women. For different age groups, there …

Co-Creation Experience: Measurement Development And Influence On Value In Sharing Economy, Pei Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Since its introduction, an increasing attention has been paid to the scholarly discussion of value co-creation. One of the most essential problems in value co-creation is the development of comprehensive conceptualizations and measurement scales of value co-creation. However, most existing scales concentrate on co-creation behavior instead of co-creation experience and the development of a valid and reliable measurement scale of co-creation experience has been regarded as a top research priority. Meanwhile, the emergence of shared experience in tourism and hospitality has raised great attention from both academics and industry practitioners. Tourist shared experience such as participating in peer-to-peer accommodation inherently …

Theme Park Demand, Theme Park Attractiveness, And Visitors’ Theme Park Choices, Yingsha Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the relationship among theme park demand, theme park attractiveness, and visitors’ theme park choices. It consists of three studies reported through five chapters. Key data were obtained from the website of an online travel agency, TripAdvisor, using web scraping techniques. The first study developed a new approach to measure tourist source markets’ theme park demand and theme park attractiveness by solving a reverse gravity model via particle swarm optimization. Findings from this study should help theme parks to evaluate more accurately the demand market and their own competitiveness compared to other theme parks. The second study explored …

Wearing Your Ethics: Investigating Consumer Purchase Intention Of Ethically Produced Fashion Products, Hannah E. Weiner

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this paper is to contribute to the body of knowledge that exists in the area of ethical production by examining factors that influence purchase intention of ethically produced fashion products. The findings of this study provide a further understanding of ethical production by providing answers to the objectives. These results will also provide insight to firms wanting to effectively convey pro-environmental efforts to consumers. The findings may also assist marketers in understanding the consumers’ attitudes toward ethical manufacturing practices and their motivations for wearing their ethics and purchasing ethically produced fashion products.

The theoretical framework of this …

Consumer Decision Making For Accommodations In The Shared Economy, Jeffery C. Kreeger

Theses and Dissertations

Although many components of the shared economy have existed over time, it has recently blossomed into a thriving business that facilitates sharing of assets and services with strangers by using applications on the Internet. Recently, a convergence of many factors favorable to the development of the shared economy occurred and has become a new way of doing business for many and has introduced a new business model. Many people are shifting their goals from owning assets to borrowing them. This is not only economically favorable, but it is also environmentally favorable for the planet. The Lodging Shared Economy (LSE) is …

Memorable Dining Experiences: Formative Index And Model Development, Yang Cao

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study is to understand the nature of memorable dining experiences (MDE), to conceptualize MDE, to develop a formative index to measure MDE, and to test a conceptual model to examine the antecedents and outcomes of MDE. Developed primarily from strategic experiential modules and from the cognitive appraisal theory, this study proposed that MDE consists of five dimensions: affect, sensory, social, intellectual, and behavioral.

This study applied a mixed method approach using a sequential exploratory design. Specifically, the in-depth interviews and a detailed literature review were used to generate the research instrument, and then the online …

Theory Of Under-And Overinvestment: An Empirical Examination Of Value Creation And Destruction In Hospitality Firms, Tarik Dogru

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, I study underinvestment and overinvestment theories by examining the value creation and destruction in hospitality firms in three separate but coherent and cohesive research papers. In the first study, I analyze the extent to which financial constraints (underinvestment) and corporate governance (overinvestment) affect hotel firms’ value around acquisition announcements. In addition to the traditional form of corporate structure (i.e., C-corporation), hotel firms extensively adopt the organizational forms of franchising and REIT, which might affect under- and overinvestment problems. Nonetheless, little is known whether capital investments create or reduce value for hotel-REITs and franchising hotel firms. The results …

An Examination Of Destination Choice Behavior Using Meme Maps, Images And Decision Making Styles, Hilmi Atahan Atadil

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the destination choice behavior of tourists by using meme maps, images and decision making styles. The current article-based dissertation entails three separate studies that utilized data collected from Chinese, Arab, Russian and German tourists. The first article included within this dissertation assesses the perceived importance of the attributes that form destination images based on general vacation experiences and opinions of tourists and compares the expected performance of destination attributes of Turkey in attracting tourists from its emerging markets (like China as well as Arab countries) using modified version of Importance-Performance Analysis.

The …

Authenticity In The Country Music Industry, Alyssa Johnson

Senior Theses

When researching the country music industry, it is impossible to avoid certain words—authenticity, sincerity, tradition—as a country music consumer, I have personally noticed these themes appearing frequently. As a consumer, I have been confused by the images that I’ve observed in country music scholarship and journalism based on tradition or authenticity (or, more often, the lack thereof). There is serious reverence for certain people, places, and things in country music. The Grand Ole Opry, the “legends” of the industry, and Nashville itself are treated with the utmost respect because of the roles that they’ve played in the development of country …

An Investigation Of Mannequins’ Effect On Consumer Attitude And Intention, Hannah Shealy

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the effect of mannequin type on consumers’ purchase decisions. Data was collected from a convenience sample of 165 respondents through an online survey to measure the variables of envisioning, consumer attitude toward the display, and purchase intention in their relationship to mannequin type. Hypothesis 1, 2, and 3 were confirmed, confirming the conceptual model and the overall investigation into whether mannequin type effects consumer purchase decisions. Mannequin type was found to have a significant effect on envisioning, and the relationships between envisioning and consumer attitude toward the display and between attitude and purchase intention were found to …

An Integrative Model Of Muslim Students' Religiosity And Travelling Behavior To Gaming Destinations, Dawood Sulaiman Al Jahwari

Theses and Dissertations

Scholars in the tourism industry are continuously looking for new knowledge related to travel behavior, motivations, and the preferences of the main tourist segments. Demographic, socioeconomic, and cultural variables can all influence the demand for travel. Despite numerous studies on most of the demographic and socioeconomic variables, scholars have paid very little attention to religiosity with regard to travel decision-making. Specifically, no researchers have investigated the role of Islamic religiosity in predicting Muslims’ destination choice decisions. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the role of attitudes, subjective norms, travel motivations, Islamic religiosity, self-efficacy, travel constraints, constraints negotiation strategies, …

Media Effect On Resident Attitude Toward Hosting The Olympic Games: A Cross-National Study Between China And The Usa, Qiulin Lu

Theses and Dissertations

News media helped individuals think about and understand the impacts of hosting the Olympic Games, enabling them to clarify or construct their own opinions toward an Olympic bid. The purpose of this study was to explore to what extent the public opinion of hosting the Olympic Games was affected by the newspaper media content to which the public was exposed. Based on social exchange theory, social representation theory, and agenda setting theory, two research questions were proposed: (1) Do different news media contents about the impacts of hosting the Olympic Games lead to different attitudes among the local residents? (2) …

Self-Determination Theory And Wellness Tourism: How Do Wellness Facilities Contribute To Wellbeing?, Karen I. Thal

Theses and Dissertations

Wellness tourism as a subsector is differentiated in terms of the pursuit and enhancement of wellbeing. Wellness itself is defined as holistic wellbeing and optimal psychological states. Enhanced wellbeing is cited as the motivation and outcome of travel and in terms of dedicated infrastructure, services, and amenities at destinations. Yet enhanced wellbeing following a wellness vacation is typically assumed rather than assessed. While tourism studies have focused on wellbeing as the outcome of leisure travel, a theoretical framework that might be adapted to assess wellbeing following a stay at a wellness facility was not apparent. The majority of tourism studies …

The Effects Of Environmental Consciousness And Menu Information On Consumers’ Perceptions Of Restaurant Image And Purchase Behavior Related To Local Foods, Daniel A.G. Remar

Theses and Dissertations

Sustainability initiatives have become increasingly important and relevant to the foodservice industry. Despite the fact that consumer demand for sustainable restaurant practices has grown substantially over the last 10 years, consumers’ pro-environmental attitudes and behavioral intentions are not always turned into concordant behavior. Though foodservice operators continue to make progress in developing new methods and strategies for implementing sustainable practices into operations, getting consumers to behave in accordance with their demand is a major challenge.

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study is to determine if consumers’ attitudes towards local food, widely considered a sustainable restaurant practice, are congruous with their …

The Influence Of Warmth And Competence Perceptions On Employees’ Attitudinal And Behavioral Responses In Casual Dining Restaurants, Diego Riva Humbert Bufquin

Theses and Dissertations

Employees in the hospitality industry continuously judge their peers and leaders in order to evaluate their work environment. Group and individual evaluations are systematic, as the restaurant industry is characterized by high labor intensiveness that typically involves substantial social interactions and task interdependence. As a consequence, employees come up with quick and broad conclusions about the characteristics of the people that they work with or for.

Along these lines, two of the most significant constructs that govern the social perceptions or evaluations of individuals and groups are people’s perceived warmth and competence. The warmth construct informs people whether a person …

Revisiting Gender Constraints And Benefits In Leisure Tourism: Man-Up, It’S Time To Travel Like A Woman, Holly L. Rabin

Theses and Dissertations

Historically and culturally, women’s leisure has been constrained through time, activity, and experience, as it is intricately woven with elements of freedom and choice, and thus empowerment (Khan, 2011; Henderson, et al., 1989). Previous research of constraints in leisure tourism appears to follow a pattern of inequalities between men and women (Wearing & Wearing, 1988). Women are feeling more independent and selfconfident then ever before in their leisure time and travel (Wilson & Harris, 2006). The purpose of this study is to determine if previous research, statistics, and case studies are still relevant in Millennial females and their solo leisure …

Content Analysis: Structure And Compostion Of The Board Of Directors In Aquatic Sports National Governing Bodies Between South Korea And The United States Of America, Yoojung Rhee

Theses and Dissertations

This paper attempts to explain some elements of the different structures and systems of aquatic sports national governing bodies between South Korea and the United States of America. In order to examine the differences between two countries, the paper investigates the history of both countries at the Olympic Games and aquatic sports governing bodies in two nations. Content analysis was conducted to compare the two countries and analyze compositions of members’ backgrounds on the Board of Directors in each aquatic sport governing bodies.

Virtual And Hybrid Meetings: A Three Generational Perspective, Carole B. Sox

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to provide a focused research stream with regard to virtual and hybrid meetings from a generational perspective. By utilizing a meta-analysis research methodology, an applied research approach, and a theoretical research approach, this three-article manuscript-style dissertation addresses numerous topics pertinent to both academics and industry professionals. The state of current literature pertaining to virtual and hybrid meetings is assessed and gaps are identified, including the need for further research from a generational perspective.

Current best practices, opportunities and barriers for planning and managing virtual and hybrid meetings for Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation …

Functional Space Management In The Hospitality Industry And Its Future Outlook, Katherine Dail

Senior Theses

In recent years, profit made from ancillary revenues has become more vital to the success of service companies. This phenomenon is very pronounced in the airline industry, but is also beginning to become more relevant to hotels as it is applied to functional space and meetings. Most of these ancillary revenues, including meetings, are typically not considered an important source of revenue for hotels, but rather as tools to draw in primary activities. This thesis seeks to delve into the importance of the meetings industry to the economy and to the hospitality industry by considering underutilized functional space and customer …

Understanding Destination Choice From A Cultural Distance Perspective, Hongbo Liu

Theses and Dissertations

National cultural distance is an important factor of tourists' destination choice, yet the specific role it plays in destination decision process is not well understood. This paper attempts to fill this gap. Taking potential Chinese outbound tourists as a case, this study tries to explore the impact of perceived cultural distance on tourists' international destination choice through a conditional logit model. Familiarity, geographical distance, past international travel experience and novelty-seeking tendency were examined as moderators of the relationship between perceived cultural distance and destination choice. Results show that tourist are more likely to choose culturally similar countries as destinations; geographical …

Examining Long-Haul Chinese Outbound Tourists' Shopping Intentions, Pei Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines long-haul Chinese outbound tourists' shopping intentions using the planned behavior approach. Attitude of product and store attributes, subjective norms of co-workers are found to significantly predict shopping intentions of respondents during their overseas trips. Further, behavioral beliefs and the corresponding outcome evaluation of product and store attributes lead to the formation of attitude. Normative beliefs of co-workers, motivation to comply with co-workers, and the interaction between them significantly influence respondents' subjective norms on overseas tourism shopping. Control beliefs, power of control beliefs, and the interaction between them predict respondents' perceived behavioral control on overseas tourism shopping. Both …