Factors influencing the tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourism destination: a case study of Penang, Malaysia

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zurina Mohaidin ◽  
Koay Tze Wei ◽  
Mohsen Ali Murshid
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Sustainable Tourism ◽  
Destination Image ◽  
Tourism Destination ◽  
Environmental Attitude ◽  
Tourist Destination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors of environmental attitude, motivation, destination image, word-of-mouth, and perceived service quality to predict the tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourist destination. It also aims to investigate the moderating effect of knowledge on the relationship between environmental attitude and the tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourist destination. Design/methodology/approach Using survey design, 300 self-administrated questionnaires (both online/hard copy) were distributed to both local and international tourists at different tourism locations in Penang state in Malaysia. A total of 161 questionnaires were returned and analysed by using SPSS and smart PLS software. Findings The findings found that environmental attitude, motivation, and word-of-mouth significantly influenced the tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourism destination, while destination image and perceived service quality have not a significant influence in this study. Furthermore, this study proved that knowledge negatively moderates the positive effect of the environmental attitude on tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourism destination. Research limitations/implications The findings offer important managerial implications for managers of tourism destinations and decision makers in understanding what motivates influence tourists’ intention in selecting sustainable tourism destination. The research scope was limited to convenient sampling and one city (Penang). Thus, the results could not be generalised to all Malaysia or other countries. Originality/value This research contributes to extending knowledge in sustainable tourism destination in the context of emerging markets, especially Malaysia. Moreover, this study found a way to examine the relationship between the environmental attitude and tourists’ intention to select sustainable tourism destination.

Tourism service quality and destination loyalty – the mediating role of destination image from international tourists’ perspectives

2016 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamoun N. Akroush ◽  
Luai E. Jraisat ◽  
Dina J. Kurdieh ◽  
Ruba N. AL-Faouri ◽  
Laila T. Qatu
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Dead Sea ◽  
Destination Image ◽  
Tourism Destination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Destination Loyalty ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Tourism Service ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between tourism service quality and destination loyalty through investigating the mediation effect of destination image in the Dead Sea tourism destination, Jordan, from international tourists perspectives. The paper also investigates the tourism service quality dimensions from international tourists’ viewpoints. Design/methodology/approach A structured and self-administered survey was used targeting international tourists who were visiting the Dead Sea tourism destination, Jordan. The authors delivered 300 questionnaires to international tourists from which 237 were retained and valid for the analysis. A series of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess the research constructs dimensions, unidimensionality, validity and composite reliability. Structural path analysis was also used to test the hypothesised relationships of the research model. Findings The empirical findings indicate that tourism service quality is, in fact, a four-dimensional (4D) construct as opposed to five as proposed by the original hypothesised model. The 4D model consists of four facets: assurance-responsiveness, tangible facilities-empathy, reliability and reliability-quality of directions. Also, the results indicate that brand image loaded onto two dimensions named as “physical environment” and “people characteristics”. The structural findings indicate that the four dimensions of tourism service quality have positively and significantly affected destination image. Further, brand image has positively and significantly affected destination loyalty. Finally, destination image fully mediates the relationship between tourism service quality and destination loyalty. Research limitations/implications This paper has examined only five dimensions of tourism service quality that affected destination loyalty directly and indirectly; meanwhile, other service quality dimensions such as technical quality may affect both destination image and destination loyalty. Further, destination image is the only mediator investigated in this paper. Other consumer-based brand equity factors such as brand salience my act as another mediator. Also, this paper investigated international tourists’ perspectives in the Dead Sea tourism destination only, which means that its generalisation to other tourism destinations is limited. Therefore, comparative studies inside and outside Jordan’s tourism destinations are potential areas of future research. Other limitations and future research areas are also outlined. Practical implications The paper highlights the strategic importance of brand image on the relationship between tourism service quality and destination loyalty. Tourism service quality acts as an antecedent to brand image and the later is essential to destination loyalty. In other words, brand image of the physical environment and people friendless and kindness are the critical linkage that create destination loyalty. Further, an integrated model of tourism service quality, destination image and destination loyalty is required by tourism organisations operating in the Dead Sea destination to win international tourists again. Originality/value This paper represents one of the very few attempts that investigate tourism service quality and destination loyalty through understanding the mediating role of brand image in the Dead Sea destination. Accordingly, it should shed more light into the strategic role of brand image dimensions and how they affect destination loyalty. Further, the paper is the first of its kind to investigate an integrated model of tourism service quality and destination loyalty from international tourist perspectives in Jordan. The main issue here is that tourism organisations operating in the Dead Sea tourism destination have now valuable empirical evidence concerning the drivers of destination loyalty in an integrated manner.

Will destination image drive the intention to revisit and recommend? Empirical evidence from golf tourism

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tat-Huei Cham ◽  
Jun-Hwa Cheah ◽  
Hiram Ting ◽  
Mumtaz Ali Memon
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Behavioural Intention ◽  
Destination Image ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeDespite being a popular topic in sports tourism research, limited studies have focused on golf tourism in relation to destination image. The present study aimed to examine the impact of country-related factors on the destination image among golf tourists as well as the interrelationships between perceived service quality, perceived value, satisfaction and behavioural intention in this context in the Malaysian context. Excitement was also examined as a moderator of the relationship between satisfaction and behavioural intention.Design/methodology/approachData was collected from 360 golf tourists using a self-administered questionnaire at the two largest airports (KLIA and KLIA2) in Malaysia. Data analysis was performed using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique.FindingsThe findings present the significance of country-related factors (i.e. accessibility, safety and security and golf course setting) in determining the image of Malaysia as a golf tourism destination. Destination image, in turn, is found to influence golf tourists' perceived service quality, perceived value and satisfaction; with both perceived service quality and perceived value acting as mediators between destination image and satisfaction. Moreover, the moderation assessment confirms that the level of excitement about golfing in Malaysia strengthens the relationship between their satisfaction and behavioural intention.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few that focuses on the consequential importance of destination image within the golf tourism setting. It highlights the mediating role of perceived service quality and perceived value as well as the moderating role of excitement in understanding the effect of destination image on satisfaction and behavioural intention of golf tourists.

Antecedents of hospital brand image and the relationships with medical tourists’ behavioral intention

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 412-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tat Huei Cham ◽  
Yet Mee Lim ◽  
Nai Chiek Aik ◽  
Alexander Guan Meng Tay
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Medical Tourism ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Measurement Scales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality

Purpose Medical tourism is growing rapidly in the recent years in various Asian countries. The success of the hospitals engaged in medical tourism largely depends on their abilities in maintaining the repeating customers and to attract new customers. Hence, the purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of word-of-mouth and social media on hospital brand image. It also attempts to examine the relationships between brand image, perceived service quality, patient satisfaction and behavioral intention. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from 386 medical tourists to test the proposed model. All the measurement scales adopted in this study were adapted from the existing literature. The data collected in this study were analyzed using both SPSS and structural equation modeling approach via AMOS. Findings The findings from the structural analysis indicated that both word-of-mouth and hospital-generated social media have a significant impact on brand image. Hospital brand image positively influences medical tourists’ perception of service quality, and their perceived service quality is significantly related to their satisfaction, which in turn, leads to their behavioral intention. Originality/value This study is one of the few studies that considers the importance of hospital’s brand image in influencing medical tourists’ perceptions on the quality of healthcare services that they experienced during their medical trips. This research study also raises the significance of word-of-mouth communication and social media that influence hospitals’ brand image, which has been neglected by many studies.

Retail atmospherics and retail store patronage of supermarkets in emerging economies: mediating role of perceived service quality

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Dokcen ◽  
Vincent Obedgiu ◽  
Gideon Nkurunziza
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Retail Store ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Patronage Behavior ◽  
Store Patronage ◽  
Retail Atmospherics ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to establish the mediating role of Perceived Service Quality on the relationship between Retail Atmospherics and Retail Store Patronage of Supermarkets in Emerging Economies using empirical evidence from Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a cross-sectional research design and quantitative approach to understand stand the structured reality of Retail Store Patronage of supermarkets in context of emerging economies. In the context of this study, the data were drawn from Uganda's supermarkets. A sample of 1,504 customers were selected from 136,270 customers. Data was collected from supermarket customers using closed ended questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were derived to describe the behavior of customers and draw conclusions on population using sample statistics. Correlation analysis was used to establish the degree of association between the variables. Hierarchical regression was applied to assess the unique contribution of each variable; control variables-income and age, predictor variables – Retail Atmospherics and Perceived Service Quality on dependent variable – Retail Store Patronage. Mediation was done following the four-step procedures of mediation of Baron and Kenny (1986).FindingsThe results revealed significant positive relationship between Retail Atmospherics, Perceived Service Quality and Retail Store Patronage, confirming the direct hypotheses. Perceived Service Quality partially mediated the relationship between Retail Atmospherics and Retail Store Patronage. The findings depict that Retail Store Patronage is influenced directly by Retail Atmospherics and indirectly through Perceived Service Quality as a mediating variable. However, in situations where the atmospherics is good but perceived service quality is poor, Retail Store Patronage may not be fully realized.Originality/valueThe study provides information that is relevant for filling the practical and theoretical gap in the Retail Store Patronage in Ugandan supermarkets. Previous research studies investigated patronage behavior of shoppers in single retail units yet there is paucity of research on patronage behavior across different retail formats in the world. This study can be generalized and have strategic implications to developing economies that seek to grow and sustain their businesses. It points to the gaps that are normally overlooked and could lead business failure. The focus of most previous studies were on developed economies more especially Europe and America. This study in particular focused on the role of perceived service quality in the relationship between retail atmospherics and customer retail store patronage in emerging economies like Uganda as a testing ground.

scholarly journals The influences of cleanliness and employee attributes on perceived service quality in restaurants in a developing country

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngan Truong ◽  
Tahir Nisar ◽  
Dan Knox ◽  
Guru Prabhakar
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Customer Perception ◽  
Behavioural Intentions ◽  
Key Dimensions ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the service quality of full-service restaurants in Vietnam to explore possible factors that may impact customer perception, which subsequently influences customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Based on the DINESERV model and service clues, the possible dimensions to construct customer perception were realised, and four key dimensions were suggested. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from four urban local full-service restaurants in Vietnam, and factor analysis and SEM-PLS were then performed to uncover the relationship between customer perception, satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Findings The results suggest that customer perception significantly influences customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions, and customer satisfaction itself is also found to have influence on behavioural intentions. Originality/value This is an original piece of work which contributes to the exploration of service quality in developing countries and to the incorporation of cleanliness into analyses of restaurant service quality in particular.

Evaluation of the image of a coastal tourism destination in Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Antonio dos Anjos ◽  
Melise de Lima Pereira ◽  
Florença Fiedler Pichler Von Tennenberg
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Destination Image ◽  
Coastal Tourism ◽  
Tourism Destination ◽  
Santa Catarina ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
The Relationship

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.

scholarly journals Intensi Pemilihan Wisata Berkelanjutan di Pulau Belitung: Pengetahuan Pariwisata Sebagai Variabel Moderasi

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Echo Perdana Kusumah ◽  
Kusnendi Kusnendi ◽  
Maya Sari
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Sustainable Tourism ◽  
Destination Image ◽  
Tourist Destination ◽  
Marine Tourism ◽  
Travel Motivation ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
Tourism Destinations ◽  
Tourism Potential

Purpose of this study is to predict the intentions of tourists to choose sustainable tourism destinations based on travel motivation, destination image, and word of mouth (WoM). Destination image factor is moderated by the knowledge factor. Survey targets domestic and international tourists who have visited or planned to travel at least one tourist destination around Belitung Island using the convenience sampling method. A total of 250 online questionnaires were distributed to tourists in popular tourism destinations on the island of Belitung and analyzed using the Smart PLS application. Findings of this study prove that all factors positively influence tourist intentions to choose sustainable tourism destinations. Furthermore, this research proves that tourism knowledge cannot moderate image of destination in intention of tourists to choose sustainable tourism destinations. Belitung Island is one of the main islands in Bangka Belitung Province which is developing tourism potential, especially in marine tourism. Stakeholders related to tourism on Belitung Island must find ways to encourage knowledge sharing among all interested parties and also outside their direct influence, namely information owned by tourists.

Professional commitment and library-users’ perceived service quality in university libraries: a survey in the Pakistani academic environment

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajjad Ullah Jan ◽  
Sajjad Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Professional Commitment ◽  
Library Service ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Continuance Commitment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible result of librarians’ professional commitment on the delivery of quality library services. Thus, the aim is to investigate the relationship between professional commitment and library customers’ perceived service quality of the respective libraries. Design/methodology/approach This is a quantitative study which based on questionnaire survey. A cross-sectional design was adopted for this study in which data were collected from two different populations (i.e. professional librarians and their library customers) having a common facet that is library. Findings Overall, librarians were found committed on the professional commitment scale (PCS). The studied professional librarians showed higher commitment on the affective commitment dimension than that of continuance commitment of PCS. A positively significant relationship was appeared between professional commitment and library service quality. Originality/value No such cross-sectional study can be found that addressed the relationship between professional commitment and library service quality, particularly, in Pakistani library and information science research.

The effect of service quality on behavioural intention: the mediating role of student satisfaction and switching barriers in private universities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Sin Howe Tan ◽  
Yuen Onn Choong ◽  
I-Chi Chen
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Private Higher Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Behavioural Intentions ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Switching Barriers ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between perception of service quality, student satisfaction, switching barriers on behavioural intentions among private higher education institutions (HEIs) with self-accreditation status in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachA total of 388 valid questionnaires were collected via a self-administered questionnaire from the undergraduate students of private HEIs with self-accreditation status in Malaysia. PLS-SEM has been employed for hypotheses testing.FindingsThe results show that student perceived service quality is positively influence student satisfaction and student behavioural intentions, particularly the positive word-of-mouth (WOM). The relationship of student perceived service quality and student behavioural intentions is fully mediated by student satisfaction. However, there is no mediating effect found for the switching barriers on the relationship between student satisfaction and behavioural intentions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study's findings are only generalizable to the private HEI with self-accreditation status in Malaysia. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge in the areas of service quality, satisfaction, switching barriers and behavioural intentions. These findings provide valuable insight to the private universities management and policymakers to improve existing policies and practices in order to formulate effective strategies to attract potential new students and retain the existing students through the delivery of high-quality services.Originality/valueThis study's findings have reconfirmed that the causal relationship of perceived service quality-satisfaction-behavioural intentions model. Switching barriers has treated as the mediator which received less attention in the context of private higher education sector. Thus, this study broadens the exiting body of knowledge and advances the understanding of how switching barriers play a crucial role by influencing students' behavioural intention, particular WOM.

Linkage between frontline employee service competence scale and customer perceptions of service quality

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chi Wu ◽  
Chin-Shih Tsai ◽  
Hsiao-Wen Hsiung ◽  
Kuan-Ying Chen
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Service Industries ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Customer Perceptions ◽  
Competence Scale ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop an instrument to measure service competencies and explore the relationship between service competencies and service quality. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered from 207 frontline employees (FLEs). A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the goodness-of-fit of the FLE service competence scale. Further, the partial least squares technique was used to analyze the data gathered from 252 customers to clarify the relationship between service competencies and perceived service quality. Findings – The results indicate that the instrument demonstrated high reliability, stable dimensionality and predictable relationships with service quality within the nomological network of service competencies. Moreover, the results provide evidence for the position that FLE interpersonal competencies are positively associated with the service quality dimensions of reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy, and that FLE professional competencies are positively associated with reliability and assurance of service quality. Research limitations/implications – The study has limited generalizability given the convenience sample and the wide variety of service industries. Implications regarding which specific FLE service competencies FLEs should focus on to enhance specific customer perceptions of service quality are also discussed. Originality/value – The present paper contributes specifically to understanding how service competencies of FLEs can influence consumers’ perceived service quality, and developing an instrument to measure service competencies.

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