Exploring the influence of electronic word-of-mouth on tourists’ visit intention

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Wang

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) on outbound tourists’ intention to visit a destination through a dual-process perspective – the central route of argument quality (AQ) and the peripheral route of source credibility (SC). With the pervasion of Web 2.0 and information and communication technology, user-generated content (UGC) has become popular in the online environment, and it affects consumers’ decisions greatly. Design/methodology/approach – A structural model based on Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) is proposed in this study to explore the influence of eWOM on outbound tourists’ intention to visit a destination. Empirical data were collected among Chinese outbound tourists via an online survey. The data were analyzed using structural equation model with SPSS Amos 22.0. Findings – The research results indicate that tourist’s attitude toward a destination was positively influenced by AQ of eWOM, and intention to recommend the destination before travel was positively influenced by attitude toward destination and SC of destination-related eWOM. Outbound tourists’ intention to visit a destination was positively determined by AQ, attitude toward destination and WOM intention. Several practical and theoretical implications are also discussed in the study. Originality/Value – This study contributed to the understanding of individual’s decision-making through a dual-process perspective. Findings indicate that the dual influence process delineated in theory of ELM is also applicable to explain individual’s decision in complicated information source.

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Sohaib ◽  
Umair Akram ◽  
Peng Hui ◽  
Hassan Rasool ◽  
Zohaib Razzaq ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) motivations of regulatory-focused customers with positive and negative consumption experiences. Design/methodology/approach An online survey is conducted in Beijing and Shanghai. A random sampling technique is used to collect data from 854 respondents. Two scenarios of eWOM communication – positive and negative consumption experiences – are randomly assigned to each respondent. This study employs the structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis techniques. However, it uses ordinary least squares and logistic regression to analyze 137 participants in the experimental study. Findings Promotion-focused customers that aim for self-enhancement and obtaining social benefits are motivated to spread positive eWOM on social networking sites. However, prevention-focused customers are driven by vengeance and anxiety, revealing higher intentions to post negative eWOM on review sites. eWOM generation is subject to gender, as promotion-focused male customers spread it more than both prevention-focused and promotion-focused female customers. Moreover, platform assistance (PA) has a significant positive impact upon regulatory-focused customers and eWOM (positive vs negative) relationships. Practical implications This study provides a deeper understanding of motivational factors of eWOM communication. Specifically, in case of product or service failure, negative consumption experiences drive prevention-focused customers to generate negative eWOM. Thus, using various tactics, marketers need to shift customers from focusing on prevention to focusing on promotion. For example, redeemable free coupons can shift customer attention and generate positive eWOM. Originality/value This study provides unique insights about eWOM motivation across genders. It examines regulatory focus, positive vs negative consumption experiences and moderation of PA.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansour Talal Alansari ◽  
Natalia Velikova ◽  
Tun-Min (Catherine) Jai

Purpose The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between consumers’ attitudes toward hotel Twitter accounts and attitudes toward hotel brands, booking intentions and electronic word-of-mouth. The study focuses on Saudi Arabia owing to the widespread use of Twitter in that market. Design/methodology/approach Modifying a previously developed theoretical model on marketing effectiveness of social media, this study empirically tests consumers’ attitudes toward hotel Twitter accounts. Data have been collected via a structured online survey. A confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation model fit have been used to test the model. Findings When consumers have positive attitudes toward hotel tweets, they have positive attitudes toward the hotel’s Twitter account, which, in turn, improves their attitudes toward the hotel’s brand and results in intent to book and spread electronic word of mouth. Originality/value The study contributes to the body of knowledge about social media marketing effectiveness in the hospitality industry.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders H. Wien

Purpose Previous research suggests that self-presentation causes people to have a reflective tendency to produce electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). Drawing on the theory of the reflective-impulsive model (RIM), this paper aims to examine whether self-presentation also could motivate an impulsive tendency to produce eWOM. Self-monitoring is suggested as a possible moderator in the relationship between self-presentation and impulsive eWOM production. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected based on an online survey of members from a consumer panel. The effective sample size was 574 respondents. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data. Findings The findings show that self-presentation may drive both impulsive and reflective eWOM tendencies; however, that the relationship between self-presentation and impulsive eWOM tendency is contingent on high levels of self-monitoring. Originality/value By including self-monitoring as a moderator, this study is the first to show a relationship between self-presentation and impulsive eWOM production. Moreover, the findings show that both impulsive and reflective eWOM tendencies are associated with an enhanced tendency to produce eWOM, thereby demonstrating the usefulness of the RIM theory in understanding eWOM behavior. Overall, the findings shed light on how companies may stimulate eWOM production, and consequently provide insight into creating more effective eWOM campaigns.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 594-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabita Mahapatra ◽  
Abhishek Mishra

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of source credibility, message credibility and tie strength, on acceptance and subsequent forwarding of electronic word of mouth (EWOM). Forwarding EWOM (FEWOM) also depends on personality traits, which this work investigates in form of moderation effect of individual regulatory focus. Design/methodology/approach Hypotheses are developed using social exchange theory and the elaboration likelihood model and tested using structural equation modelling. Data were collected online, using a random sample of 324 respondents in India. Findings Findings indicate that source credibility and tie strength are instrumental in influencing acceptance of EWOM. A strong mediation role of acceptance of EWOM, confirms that people tend to forward information online only if they accept it. Research limitations/implications This study represents a unique effort to focus on the combined effects of message credibility, source credibility and tie strength on acceptance and subsequent forwarding of EWOM. Originality/value This study provides original insights about antecedents of FEWOM as well as the role of individual regulatory focus as a moderator in the process.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazzini Muda ◽  
Muhammad Iskandar Hamzah

PurposeIn spite of the increasing organic and interactive marketing activities over social media, a general understanding of the source credibility of voluntary user-generated content (UGC) is still limited. In line with the social identity theory, this paper examines the effects of consumers' perceived source credibility of UGC in YouTube videos on their attitudes and behavioral intentions. Additionally, source homophily theory is included to predict the antecedent of source credibility.Design/methodology/approachThree hundred and seventy two Generation Y respondents were interviewed using snowball sampling. Data were analyzed with component-based structural equation modeling technique of partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsFindings confirmed that perceived source credibility indirectly affects purchase intention (PI) and electronic word-of-mouth via attitude toward UGC. Besides, perceived source credibility mediates the effect of perceived source homophily on attitude toward UGC.Practical implicationsSince today's consumers have begun to trust and rely more on UGC than company-generated content on social media when making purchase decisions, companies may reconsider democratizing certain aspects of their branding strategies. Firms may fine-tune their marketing communication budgets – not only just by sponsoring public figures and celebrities but also by nurturing coproductive engagements with independent content creators who are ordinary consumers. Endowed with their imposing credibility, these micro-influencers and prosumers have high potentials to be uplifted to brand ambassadors.Originality/valueWhile consumers' purchase outcome can be measured easily using metrics and analytics, the roles of source homophily in stages leading up to the purchase is still elusive. Drawing on the rich theoretical basis of source homophily may help researchers to understand not only how credibility and attitude are related to PI but also how this nexus generates positive word of mouth among UGC followers within the social media circles.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Bagus Putu Purbadharmaja ◽  
Putu Yudi Setiawan ◽  
Toshikatsu Hayashi ◽  
Anak Agung Bagus Putu Widanta

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to analyze the different results between the effects of electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) on the perception of potential tourist in Japan and Indonesia regarding destination image, destination trust, satisfaction and their intention to visit.Design/methodology/approachThis research method is a structural model. Based on the existing literature review, several variables were obtained which were then analyzed by WarpPLS 6.0 software. The sampling method applied in this study is the purposive sampling technique. Samples of 200 potential tourists were collected in Indonesia and 100 potential tourists were collected in Japan. The population in this study was a potential tourist in Indonesia and Japan, with the following criteria: An Indonesian citizen, age between 19 and 60 years, who has never visited Japan and a Japanese citizen who has never visited Indonesia and have ever read or conduct online discussions regarding Japan and Indonesia as a tourist destination.FindingsThe results of the analysis of the two respondents in Japan and Indonesia prove that e-WOM has a positive effect on the image of the destination and intention to visit but not on the confidence of the destination. Destination image was also proven to significantly mediate the influence of e-WOM on intention to visit. These findings bring important implications for the theory and practice of tourism marketing.Originality/valueTheoretically, the result could be used as a reference for further research about the comparison between the effect e-WOM on destination image, destination trust and intention to visit of potential tourist in developed countries and developing countries. Practically, the result could be used as a consideration for the tourism industry and authority in both countries when formulating the destination marketing strategy.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-03-2019-0111


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Al Nawas ◽  
Shadi Altarifi ◽  
Nabil Ghantous

PurposeLimited knowledge exists on the difference in the antecedents and outcomes of relationship quality's cognitive and emotional aspects for e-retailers. This research tests how utilitarian and hedonic shopping values differentially affect “cognitive and emotional” relationship quality components and how the latter differentially affects word-of-mouth and brand evangelism.Design/methodology/approachOnline survey data were collected from 450 Jordanian online shoppers. Structural equation modeling (AMOS 24.0) was employed to analyze the data.FindingsFirst, e-retailer's informativeness and transaction convenience (i.e. utilitarian values), drive more strongly cognitive than emotional relationship quality, whereas e-retailer's escapism and social presence (i.e. hedonic values) drive more strongly emotional than cognitive relationship quality. Second, emotional relationship quality has a strong significant effect on brand evangelism, whereas cognitive relationship quality's effect is insignificant. Third, there are no statistically significant differences concerning the effect of cognitive and emotional relationship quality on word-of-mouth.Originality/valueThe findings of our research are expected to enhance our understanding of e-retailer relationship quality, its emergence and consequences. They would also provide e-retailers with guidance on how to execute growth strategies by focusing on specific types of brand relationship quality, on the other hand.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunen Zhang ◽  
Wei Shao ◽  
Park Thaichon

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate whether cultural intelligence will influence Chinese tourists’ travel satisfaction, revisit intention and word-of-mouth communication.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted to collect data from 614 adult Chinese tourists, who have overseas travel experiences. Then, the Statistics Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and the structural equation modelling (SEM) were employed for data analysis.FindingsThe findings confirm that cultural intelligence has significant positive impacts on tourist satisfaction, revisit intention and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) communication. Additionally, tourist satisfaction significantly affects tourist eWOM communication.Originality/valueThis study provides theoretical and practical contributions regarding the effects of tourist cultural intelligence, especially on tourist post-travel evaluation and behavioural intention, which has been merely investigated in extant tourism research.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Som Sekhar Bhattacharyya ◽  
Shaileshwar Goswami ◽  
Raunak Mehta ◽  
Bishwajit Nayak

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and predict the key factors that influenced the usage intention of over the top (OTT) services by consumers. This was done by applying the modified unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) model. Design/methodology/approach An online survey questionnaire assessed the proposed motivational factors for the adoption of OTT services. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were conducted on collected data (n = 598) to demonstrate the reliability and validity of the measurement and structural model. Findings The model consisted of nine factors, namely, value expectancy (VE), ease of effort (EE), social influence (SI), favourable infrastructure conditions (FIC), hedonistic motivation for usage (HMU), favourable economic position (FEP), content quality (CQ), habitual behaviour (HB) and security conditions (SC). SC, VE, SI, HB and EE were the antecedent variables. FEP, CQ and FIC were the mediating variables and HMU was the dependant variable. SI and CQ of OTT services were positively associated with HMU of OTT services, FEP had no significant effects on HMU. The results also supported the explanatory strength and predictability of UTAUT2 as a model. It further extended UTAUT2 boundaries and paved the way for an extended UTAUT2 model to be developed. Originality/value The promising role of OTT services in the entertainment and media industry had gained consumer attention, however, limited empirical investigations had been conducted on explicating how user attitude and usage intention were shaped regarding the use of OTT services in the Indian context. This study served as one of the first attempts to empirically examine the adoption process, with implications for the HMU regarding OTT services. This was one of the first studies to extend the UTAUT2 theoretical model.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 257-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Lia Meirita Ulo ◽  
Achmad Nizar Hidayanto ◽  
Puspa Indahati Sandhyaduhita ◽  
Widia Resti Fitriani ◽  
Meyliana Meyliana ◽  
...  

Purpose This study aims to identify factors behind the intention to sign e-petitions, focusing on three aspects, i.e. information (argument quality), the source of information (source credibility) and personal perspective (personal relevance and altruism). Design/methodology/approach Data collection is done by using a quantitative approach through an online questionnaire. This study involved 211 respondents who were internet users in Indonesia who had signed an e-petition. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling approach with IBM Amos version 22.0. Findings The findings revealed that there are three factors shaping internet users’ attitudes toward e-petitions, namely, altruism, AQ and personal relevance, of which altruism was the strongest factor. Those who have a positive attitude toward e-petitions seemed to have higher intention to sign e-petitions. Additionally, we discovered that internet users believe credible e-petition initiators deliver better arguments, which drive them to sign e-petitions. Research limitations/implications The finding related to elaboration likelihood model has revealed that not only the dual processing of central routes and peripheral routes but also the possibility of peripheral routes influencing the factors in the central route. Hence, future studies need to include the examination of this relation. Finally, altruism is identified as the major factor that influences people to sign e-petitions. Therefore, people should be aware of this factor while examining the environment that likely has voluntary aspects. Practical implications To improve the adoption of the e-petition system, it is important for the e-petition websites to maintain attitude factors to achieve the e-petition goals. It is also important that e-petition websites provide credibility information of the e-petition initiators and make it visible to everyone. The e-petition sites must be able to be personalized so that users can be categorized based on their profiles or interests. Finally, as altruism is the most influencing factor in shaping internet users’ attitude toward e-petitions, e-petition initiators need to write a persuasive and arousing information and images for their e-petition. Some templates, tips or even online training to persuasive public petitions also need to be provided. Originality/value This study attempts to fill the research gap by examining factors from three domains, i.e. information source (the e-petitioners), information/AQ and personal perspective (personal motivation) of the e-petition signers. The authors enrich the research model with altruism factors that influence attitude in signing petitions. This study illustrates the characteristic of Indonesian internet user’s and provides important implications for how the e-petitions site should improve the functionality of the sites.


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