The effect of marketing constructs and tourists’ satisfaction on loyalty to a sport destination

Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Jalilvand ◽  
Javad Khazaei Pool ◽  
Leila Nasrolahi Vosta ◽  
Javad Shabani Nafchali

Purpose – The purpose of the current study is to explore complicated structural relationships among the variables of tourists’ perceptions of quality and the value of a sport tourist destination and their satisfaction level and loyalty that are vital for successful destination marketing and management. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was used to collect data from a sample of 570 sport tourists who traveled to Nowshahr and Chalous cities in Iran during September 2012. These data were gathered by convenience sampling method and analyzed using a structural equation model (SEM). Findings – The results of the SEM revealed that tourists’ perceived quality and perceived value have a significant impact on their satisfaction. Further, tourists’ satisfaction had a positive and significant effect on the level of their loyalty. Practical implications – Findings of the current study contribute to a better perception of behavioral mechanisms and incentives and provide an acceptable basis to improve tourism industry in both regional and national levels. Originality/value – This is the first such study of the Iranian sports sector.

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 662-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurora Martínez-Martínez ◽  
Juan Gabriel Cegarra Navarro ◽  
Alexeis García-Pérez ◽  
Ana Moreno-Ponce

Purpose The dynamics of tourism as both an activity and an industry, combined with the growing concerns about the environment, call for continuous efforts in seeking new approaches, tools and perspectives for the acquisition of environmental knowledge by organisations in the hospitality sector. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationships between environmental knowledge, organisational learning and business performance in the context of the tourism industry. Emphasis is made on understanding the process of updating the environmental knowledge base of an organisation through appropriate learning processes within the business. Design/methodology/approach Using a structural equation model, feedback received from 87 companies from the Spanish hospitality sector in a longitudinal study consisting of two distinct phases in 2008 and 2014 was studied. Findings The results of the analysis indicate that environmental knowledge has a positive impact on business performance. Also, the study found that a review of the levels of awareness about environmental problems across the organisation is required at regular intervals (in this research, six years after the initial analysis). Practical implications The focus on the hospitality sector makes this research relevant for a significant number of hotels and their supply chains around the world. Originality/value The research has addressed the challenges of sustainability and environmental performance from a perspective not previously covered in the extant literature, an approach further improved by the longitudinal nature of this study, performed over a period of six years.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gbemi Oladipo Olaore ◽  
Bimbo Onaolapo Adejare ◽  
Ekpenyong Ekpenyong Udofia

Purpose Betting games have become a global industry worth billions of dollars providing employment to millions and contributing to the gross domestic product (GDP) of several countries. While there are debates and controversies surrounding betting games discourse, a growing body of literature shows that it has been exacerbated by growing unemployment rates. This paper aims to examine the nexus between the increasing involvement of youth in betting games and unemployment from the Nigerian perspective. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts simple random and stratified sampling techniques to select participants for the study. Three hypotheses were tested for this study and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation model (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. Findings The three hypotheses tested in this study were coined from previous literature. The study established a direct link between technology advancement, promises of winning big coupled with bonuses while unemployment was not significant to youth involvement in betting games. The study also showed that playing betting games provides another source of income to the youth, who are already engaged in one form of work or another. Finally, youth involvement in betting games has created awareness regarding different sports in the world, while contributing to Nigeria’s economy. Practical implications As betting games centre as a business in Nigeria has contributed substantially and positively to unemployment in Nigeria; the Government of Nigeria are encouraged to streamline and regulate the activities of the sector such that they can contribute significantly to the country GDP and provide employment opportunities to the youths. Originality/value The research shows that the reason why betting games have a massive turnaround of youths in Nigeria is not majorly because of unemployment but as another means to a substantial financial individual/family income. Thus, Nigerian youths see betting games as an avenue to make more money. The study is the first of its kind to examine the nexus between betting games, technology and unemployment hence, its contribution to knowledge.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Zhu ◽  
Suwanna Kowatthanakul ◽  
Punnaluck Satanasavapak

Purpose The rapid growth of e-commerce has encouraged online retailers to adapt to the purchase behaviour of Generation Y consumers. For this purchase, the purpose of this paper is to investigate Generation Y online consumer repurchase intention in Thai context based on Stimuli-Organism-Response (SOR) model. Design/methodology/approach Data were used to test the hypotheses that Generation Y consumer online response is influenced by online environment cues and organism. In total, 401 questionnaires were collected in Bangkok through judgemental sampling and convenient sampling. SPSS 24 was used to analyse Generation Y consumers’ demographic information and reliability test. Amos 24 was utilized to examine measurement model and structural equation model. Findings The findings finally revealed that website security presents the strongest influence on Generation Y consumers trust. Also, online promotion possesses the weakest association with Generation Y consumers trust. More importantly, Generation Y consumer online repurchase intention is positively influenced by the degree of trust they have towards websites. The implications of the findings for marketers are discussed. Research limitations/implications The empirical data are limited to generate findings from a limited number of Generation Y consumers in Bangkok only. Also, the study limits itself to explore only inter-relationship in the scope of SOR. Practical implications It is suggested that in order to draw attention from and retain Generation Y consumers, online retailers should aim at strengthening trust-building in the online buyer–seller context as well as a dynamic promotional campaign. Moreover, a constellation of relevant marketing strategies is recommended. Originality/value Since there is a lack of implementation of SOR model based on the Thai context, this paper fills the gap by illustrating how SOR works in Thailand with updating findings.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzana Quoquab ◽  
Jihad Mohammad ◽  
Anis Makhillah Mohd Sobri

Purpose The present study attempts to shed some light on tourists’ destination brand loyalty (DBL) in the Malaysian ecotourism context. More specifically, this study aims to examine the relationships between electronic word of mouth (eWOM), destination brand quality (DBQ), destination brand image (DBI), psychological engagement (PE) and DBL. Design/methodology/approach Based on the Stimulus–Organism–Response theory and buyer black box model, this study developed a framework to address tourists’ loyalty towards ecotourism destinations. An online survey was carried out to collect data, which yielded 210 completed usable responses. Structural equation modelling – partial least squares was used to test the study hypotheses. Findings Findings from this study revealed that eWOM and destination product quality affect DBI. Moreover, data support the mediating effect of PE between DBI and DBL. Practical implications This study provides valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers of the tourism industry in creating a DBI, keeping tourists psychologically engaged and retaining their loyalty to the ecotourism destinations. Originality/value This study is amongst the first to examine the effect of eWOM and DBQ on DBI in the ecotourism context. It also examines PE in relation to the DBI, which is a comparatively new area in the literature.


2007 ◽  
Vol 107 (7) ◽  
pp. 1066-1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin‐Yen Lin ◽  
Tsung‐Hsien Kuo

PurposeThis paper seeks to propose a conceptual structural equation model to investigate the relationships among human resource management (HRM), organizational learning (OL), knowledge management capability (KMC) and organizational performance (OP) and to demonstrate the direct and indirect effect of HRM on OP from the perspectives of KMC and OL.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study is conducted in financial training centers in Taiwan and the collected survey data are used to test the relationships among the four dimensions expressed in the proposed structural equation model.FindingsThe results show that HRM has a direct and significant impact on OL and KMC. HRM influences OP indirectly through OL and KMC. In addition, OL and KMC have direct and significant influences on OP.Research limitations/implicationsOnly data from Taiwan were collected. Therefore, the results may not be easily generalized to other areas or countries, but are useful for managers' reference, especially for those whose circumstances are similar to those in Taiwan.Practical implicationsThe conceptual structural equation model provides useful information for managers to enhance OP through the adoption of appropriate HRM, OL and KMC policies.Originality/valueThe study demonstrates how HRM indirectly impacts OP and illustrates the paths of influence through either OL or KMC.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Antonio dos Anjos ◽  
Melise de Lima Pereira ◽  
Florença Fiedler Pichler Von Tennenberg

Purpose In order to offer a theoretical and empirical contribution to the theme, the purpose of this paper is to assess the tourist image of the destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil, from the tourists’ perspective. The authors specify the latent dimensions involved in the formation of the cognitive, affective, and conative image of coastal tourism destination, through which the authors can analyze and measure the construct. Design/methodology/approach The research is exploratory, descriptive, and predominantly quantitative. It uses non-probability convenience sampling, consisting of a sample of 425 tourists. Data collection were conducted in the studied destination during the summer season – 2015/2016. Findings Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the authors identified and tested the factors that comprise the image. Structural equation model evaluated the relationship that theoretically exists between the components of the image and the weight of the various components (cognitive, affective, and conative) on the overall image of the destination. Originality/value This research contributes theoretically and empirically to the discussions on the components of the destination image, in as much as it analyzes and interprets the cognitive, affective, and conative components of the image of the tourism destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil.


2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung-Che Wu ◽  
Chi-Han Ai ◽  
Ching-Chan Cheng

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the structural relationships between the dimensions of virtual reality (VR) experiences (immersion, interaction, usability and illusion), the dimensions of VR attachment (VR dependence, VR identity, VR affect and VR familiarity) and the dimensions of VR experiential outcomes (VR experiential satisfaction, VR experiential loyalty and VR experiential advocacy). Design/methodology/approach A total of 490 visitors who tried 360 VR travel video games in the TripMoment VR were surveyed. Findings In this study, there are positive relationships between VR experiential satisfaction and immersion, interaction, illusion, as well as VR identity, VR affect and VR familiarity. In addition, VR experiential satisfaction has a positive relationship with VR experiential loyalty. In addition, VR experiential advocacy has a positive relationship with both VR experiential satisfaction and VR experiential loyalty. Practical implications The results show that tourism operators should focus on increasing VR experiential satisfaction and experiential loyalty to enable visitors to have intentions to advocate their VR experiences. Originality/value This paper provides the data that lead to a better understanding of the relationship between the dimensions of VR experiences, VR attachment and VR experiential outcomes in the tourism industry.


2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 885-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soyeon Kim ◽  
Xinran Lehto ◽  
Jay Kandampully

Purpose The primary purpose of this study is to examine the effects of destination familiarity on consumers’ evaluations (cognitive image) and feelings (affective image) about the destination, leading to their intention to visit. Design/methodology/approach The data for this study were collected through a Web-based survey. Based on a sample of 460 respondents, structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The results showed that familiarity with a destination not only influences consumers’ cognitive evaluations of the destination but also affects their feelings about it, which translates into their intentions in travelling to the destination. The findings indicate that destination familiarity can enhance consumers’ knowledge about the destination, but more importantly, their affective perceptions can lead to a higher likelihood of visiting a destination. Practical implications The findings provide useful guidance for efficient marketing programs to attract more visitors to a certain tourist destination. Destination marketers must assess the level of familiarity of potential travelers in the development, design and promotion of a destination. This understanding will enable the marketers to more effectively communicate with their target markets and allow them to tailor advertising to different segments of their customers based on their familiarity. Originality/value The majority of previous studies regarding destination familiarity tend to measure the overall familiarity or experiential familiarity (e.g. a comparison between visitors vs non-visitors) without considering consumers’ indirect familiarity with a destination. This study attempts to conceptualize and empirically test the role of destination familiarity on consumers’ cognitive and affective images and intentions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alhassan G. Mumuni ◽  
Karen M. Lancendorfer ◽  
Kelley A. O’Reilly ◽  
Amy MacMillan

PurposeThis paper examines the role that attitudes toward online product reviews (OPRs), perceived credibility of OPRs and perceived benefit of OPRs play as antecedents of consumers’ reliance on OPRs in purchase decisions. A conceptual model of relationships investigated posits that attitudes drive reliance and are in turn driven by perceived benefit and credibility of OPRs. The study also examines gender differences in the constructs and their inter-relationships.Design/methodology/approachData from a structured self-administered survey of US consumers are used to estimate parameters of a structural equation model (SEM) of the relationships. Gender differences in the structural relationships are tested using multi-group SEM, while gender differences in reliance, attitudes, benefit and credibility are tested using independent-samplest-tests.FindingsResults show a strong positive effect of attitudes toward OPRs on reliance on OPRs. In turn, perceived benefit and credibility of OPRs are strong positive drivers of attitudes toward OPRs, with benefit having a greater impact. Structural relationships among the constructs are invariant across the two gender groups. However, there is a statistically significant difference between males and females in reliance on OPRs, with males exhibiting a tendency to rely more on OPRs than females.Originality/valueThe study introduces two new constructs to the literature – reliance on OPRs and global attitudes toward OPRs – and provides initial conceptualizations and operationalizations. The specific results underscore the relevance and importance of further research on these constructs and their relationships with other OPR-relevant constructs. They also provide initial indications of gender differences in consumers’ perceptions of OPRs and relationships among these and reliance on OPRs that are worthy of additional research attention.


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