Key factors driving customers’ restaurant dining behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miyoung Jeong ◽  
Kawon Kim ◽  
Forest Ma ◽  
Robin DiPietro

Purpose This study aims to identify key factors that affected US respondents’ dining behavior at restaurants during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach Due to the lack of a prior framework or model to test customers’ perceptions of dining-out behavior during this unprecedented time, this study used a mixed-methods approach, conducting two focus group discussions to generate potential restaurant attributes, followed by a US-based survey using an online panel. Using structural equation modeling, this study tested eight developed propositions. Findings The findings of this study indicated that the three key factors (i.e. restaurant dining environment, communication and hygiene and contactless features) made customers feel comfortable dining in the restaurant during the pandemic. Out of these three factors, only the restaurant dining environment and communication and hygiene were essential predictors for customers’ perceived trust toward the restaurant, leading to their willingness to pay more. This study used two moderators, customers’ perceived risk and support for restaurants to examine how they affected customers’ perceived trust and willingness to pay, respectively. Practical implications This study provides both theoretical and practical implications to the current body of knowledge in customers’ dining-out behavior and the development of operational strategies for restaurants to accommodate customers’ changing dining-out behavior due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To develop a holistic conceptual framework, this study incorporates two COVID-19-focused measurement items, perceived risk and support of the restaurant, to identify their moderating roles in the relationships among the five proposed measurement items. This study provides restaurant operators with insights into the altered dining-out behavior of their customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic and prepares them for the post pandemic environment. Originality/value During the unprecedented pandemic situation, few customers are willing to dine in restaurants. As local and national governments lifted the mandated COVID-19 protocols, restaurants opened their business slowly to cater to customers in compliance with the centers for disease control’s health and safety regulations. It is of utmost importance for restaurant operators to accommodate their customers’ needs when they dine in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a paucity of research that has examined customers’ comfort level when dining in restaurants and customers’ preferred dining environment during the pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian Zeng

PurposePackaging links products to consumers by delivering messages to promote healthy food consumption and reduce wastage. However, studies point to a knowledge gap and skepticism among consumers regarding the impact of eco-design packaging on food wastage reduction. To demystify this skepticism and fill the knowledge gap, this study aims to examine consumers’ perceived risks in eco-design packaging and their impact on consumer food wastage.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted to identify consumer-perceived risks in eco-design packaging and explain whether, and why, some dimensions of perceived risk are more influential on consumer food wastage decisions.FindingsConsumers are prevented by financial, physical, functional, temporal and social factors from adopting eco-design packaging. Through structural equation modeling, we find consumer perceived risks in eco-design packaging influence their food wastage decisions through health consciousness and environmental awareness.Practical implicationsThis study provides practical suggestions for packaging manufacturers, the food industry and policymakers.Originality/valueDrawing on the perceived risk theory, this research highlights that the impacts of consumer-perceived risks differ, depending on the dimensions considered in their food wastage decision.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Alamgir Hossain

Purpose The mobile payment system has changed payment patterns and has the potential to improve people’s quality of life and increase the bank’s efficiency. In return, the risks and trust factors inevitably led to increased challenges and become a major concern in the adoption of mobile payment service. Yet, little is known about how risk and trust factors can affect the adoption of mobile payment. Hence, this paper aims to come into contact to solve these issues in the context. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive research model that reflects the customer satisfaction and loyalty to the adoption of mobile payment services is developed and empirically tested using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Findings Findings reveal that the perceived risk has a significant negative impact on perceived trust and customer satisfaction. Perceived trust is the most important variable in building customer satisfaction, and customer satisfaction is the reasonable predictor of customer loyalty. In addition, gender differences moderate the adoption of the mobile payment service. Originality/value The results of the study hold several implications for scholars in the field of technology adoption on financial transactions and offer valuable managerial insights to design their mobile payment adoption strategies to pursue greater acceptance and diffusion of this new payment system.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Falkenreck ◽  
Ralf Wagner

Purpose Until today, scholars claim that the phenomenon of “co-creation” of value in an “interacted” economy and in the context of positive actor-to-actor relationships has not been adequately explored. This study aims to first to identify and separate the accessible values of internet of things (IoT)-based business models for business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) customer groups. It quantifies the drivers to successfully implement disruptive business models. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from 292 customers in Western Europe. The conceptual framework was tested using partial least square structural equation modeling. Findings Managing disruptions in the digital age is closely related to the fact that the existing trust in buyer-seller relationships is not enough to accept IoT projects. A company’s digitalization capabilities, satisfaction with the existing relationship and trust in the IoT credibility of the manufacturer drives the perceived value of IoT-based business models in B2B settings. Contrastingly, in B2G settings, money is less important. Research limitations/implications Research refers to one business field, the data set is of European origin only. Findings indicate that the drivers to engage in IoT-related projects differ significantly between the customer groups and therefore require different marketing management strategies. Saving time today is more important to B2G buyers than saving money. Practical implications The disparate nature of B2B and B2G buyers indicates that market segmentation and targeted marketing must be considered before joint-venturing in IoT business models. To joint venture supply chain partners co-creating value in the context of IoT-related business models, relationship management should be focused with buyers on the same footing, as active players and co-developers of a personalized experience in digital service projects. Originality/value Diverging from established studies focusing on the relationship within a network of actors, this study defines disruptive business models and identifies its drivers in B2B and B2G relationships. This study proposes joint venturing with B2B and B2G customers to overcome the perceived risk of these IoT-related business models. Including customers in platforms and networks may lead to the co-creation of value in joint IoT projects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 492-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waqar Ahmed ◽  
Arsalan Najmi ◽  
Hafiz Muhammad Faizan ◽  
Shaharyar Ahmed

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the factors affecting Muslim consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for Halal food, products and operations by employing theory of reasoned action.Design/methodology/approachThis study has used quantitative research methodology and collected data from 350 questionnaires from a densely populated city of Pakistan. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.FindingsThe results show that the concerns about Halal, religiosity, perception of usefulness of Halal and product ingredients have a significant impact on WTP for Halal foods, while attitude has an insignificant impact on WTP. Moreover, the extent of demand for Halal certification is significantly affected by WTP.Originality/valueThe study highlighted the concerns of the Muslim consumers with respect to Halalness of the products and operations despite living in a Muslim country. It is recommended that the policy makers, food authorities and health institutions should conduct regular inspections of foods, products and producers’/manufacturers’ operations to ensure that all the procedures from manufacturing of the raw material till the finished goods follow Islamic principles to make them completely Halal.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 3006-3025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Suess ◽  
Makarand Amrish Mody

Purpose The study aims to examine how features that foster a sense of control, create positive distractions and provide access to social support influence patients’ well-being and, subsequently, their likelihood to choose hotel-like hospital rooms and their willingness to pay higher out-of-pocket expenses for such rooms. While there is increasing evidence to suggest the importance of the provision of hospitality in healthcare settings, research on these developments remains under-represented, particularly in the hospitality literature. In response, the present study builds on Ulrich’s (1991) theory of supportive design to examine patient responses to hotel-like features in a hospital room. Design/methodology/approach Using data from a survey of 406 patients, the authors used structural equation modeling to test the model. Findings Consistent with supportive design principles, the infusion of hotel-like features that foster a sense of control for patients, create positive distractions and provide access to social support was found to positively impact patients’ physical and mental well-being, which, in turn, increased their likelihood to choose a hospital room with hotel-like features and their willingness to pay for such rooms. Practical Implications Findings attest to the need for healthcare providers to make the necessary investment in hotel-like features and to leverage the communicative power of these environmental cues. Social support in the form of hospitality-trained and certified healthcare staff was found to be the most important hotel-like feature, which also presents significant commercial opportunities for hospitality companies and professionals. Originality Value The study represents one of the first attempts to empirically develop a structured model to examine the infusion of hospitality into healthcare. It provides researchers with a theoretically supported framework for future inquiry into the domain. It also makes a significant contribution to advancing the research on patient well-being in healthcare settings and demonstrates the importance of hospitality to such endeavors.


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel E. Collier ◽  
Daniel L. Sherrell ◽  
Emin Babakus ◽  
Alisha Blakeney Horky

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential differences between types of self-service technology. Specifically, the paper explores how the dynamics of public and private self-service technology influence customers' decision to use the technology. Design/methodology/approach – Existing customers of private and public self-service technology were surveyed from the same industry. Using structural equation modeling, the authors examine how relevant self-service constructs influence evaluations and attitudes of customers across both settings. Findings – The analysis reveals that customers' control and convenience perceptions differ across public and private self-service technology. Additionally, customers placed a heavier emphasis on the hedonic or utilitarian evaluation of a service experience based on the type of self-service technology. Practical implications – For managers of self-service applications, understanding the unique differences of public and private self-service technology can aid in the implementation and adoption of the technology. By properly understanding the differences of the self-service types, managers can provide a beneficial experience to the customer. Originality/value – By identifying and describing two distinct categories of SSTs, this study allows managers and researchers to better understand how and why individuals choose to utilize individual self-service technologies. Through understanding the unique dynamics of a public and a private SST experience, retailers can determine the appropriate strategy for customer adoption based on the utilitarian or hedonic functions of the technology.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil Gupta ◽  
Nikita Dogra ◽  
Babu George

Purpose This study aims to identify factors affecting tourists’ intention of using travel apps installed in their smartphones. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was developed largely based on the available scales in the published literature. A total of 389 participants responded to the survey, out of which 343 valid responses were obtained for statistical analysis. Findings Significant predictors of smartphone app usage intention included performance expectancy, social influence, price saving, perceived risk, perceived trust and prior usage habits. Usage behavior was largely mediated by usage intention, except in the case of habits. Contrary to the expectation, factors such as hedonistic motivation, facilitating conditions or effort expectancy did not impact usage intention or behavior. Practical implications The study gives app developers vital cues on tourist expectations from the apps. Oftentimes, developers tend to focus entirely on the material utility of their apps, neglecting every other factor influencing use. One particular implication is that despite tourism being a hedonistic activity, travel app usage behavior is not a hedonistic activity. Originality/value This is one of the few studies to examine adoption of smartphone travel apps in an emerging economy context by using extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology framework with additional constructs.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahadur Ali Soomro ◽  
Naimatullah Shah

PurposeThe present study attempts to identify the predictive power of technopreneurial-related activities (TRAs), technopreneurial self-efficacy (TSE) and technopreneurial motivation (TM) on technopreneurial intention (TE) among the nonbusiness students.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework is developed for investigation. A quantitative approach is adopted for this research, and the data are collected from the 282 students of the different public sector universities with a survey questionnaire. The application of structural equation modeling (SEM) is applied to investigate the impact of TRAs, TSE and TM on TE.FindingsThe results of SEM found a positive and significant impact of TRAs, TSE and TM on TE among the nonbusiness students of Pakistan.Practical implicationsThe study would be beneficial for the planners and policymakers of universities to improve modes of technopreneurship. The findings may encourage the students to develop strong beliefs, abilities and skills to start a new venture. The literature of entrepreneurship and technopreneurship may further enrich with empirical evidence of the present study.Originality/valueThe study would make technopreneurs able to deal with society's challenges.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ja Young (Jacey) Choe ◽  
Jinkyung Jenny Kim ◽  
Jinsoo Hwang

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore if five subdimensions of perceived risk (financial, time, privacy, performance and psychological risks) negatively affects image. In addition, this study aims to investigate if image has a positive effect on intentions to use. Lastly, the purpose of this study was to examine the moderating effect of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), before and after the outbreak, in the relationship between perceived risk and image. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 331 people before the COVID-19 outbreak and 343 people after the COVID-19 outbreak. To test hypotheses, this study used structural equation modeling. Findings Time, performance and psychological risks negatively affected image before the outbreak of COVID-19. Meanwhile, performance risks and psychological risks had a negative influence on image only after the outbreak of COVID-19. In addition, there was demonstrated to be a positive relationship between image and intentions to use, both before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Finally, the outbreak of COVID-19 positively moderates the relationship between performance risk and image. Practical implications The current study provides the following practical implications. First, industry practitioners need to develop a performance guarantee system which enhances the quality assurance of drone food delivery services (DFDS). Second, live streaming or creative activities would help to visualize DFDS in a way that stresses the stable operation of these services. Originality/value The importance of contactless services has been emphasized ever since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, there has been very little research on the future of contactless services after COVID-19. This study investigated the perceived risk from DFDS as a form of contactless service which has not been conducted before. The findings of this study will improve the understanding of the changes that have occurred in consumers’ perception of risk from DFDS during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Abu-Rumman ◽  
Rasha Qawasmeh

PurposeEducation plays a key role in socio-economic development and globalization has increased the numbers of students wanting to study abroad. Attracting international students is therefore an important objective for universities as international students open up opportunities to bring economic, cultural and academic benefits to both the universities themselves and to the countries in which they are located. This study therefore aimed to assess student satisfaction with a Jordanian university using the dimensions of quality contained within the established SERVQUAL model.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve these goals, quantitative data was collected from international students attending one university located in Jordan via a questionnaire survey, using a randomized sample. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the construct validity, and correlations between student satisfaction and the different dimensions of quality were tested.FindingsConsistent with other studies, the findings demonstrated that the five dimensions of service quality, i.e. tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy, and the university of study, have a strong relationship with student satisfaction. However, there was no statistically significant correlation between country satisfaction and the tangibility and assurance sub-dimensions of quality.Practical implicationsPractical implications – The findings of this study are of interest and practical benefit to university leaders in developing their quality and student acquisition strategies.Originality/valueThis study makes a useful contribution to the growing body of evidence of service quality in higher education set within the context of a developing country.


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