Use and Impact of Online Travel Reviews for Planning Free and Easy Holidays

Online travel reviews (OTRs) are used by travelers to plan and book their holiday particular by the free and easy traveler. Hence, it is essential for hoteliers to understand the factors that affect and empower travelers when using OTRs to plan their holidays. This study has adopted three theories: dual-process theory, psychological empowerment (PE) and TPB. These theories were used to test additional dimensions of the informational and normative social influence, its links with perceived empowerment, and their impact on the intention to use OTRs. Using SmartPLS to analyze the data collected from 392 Malaysian, the results show that PE is significantly affected by informational and normative social influence, from travelers’ perception of PE positively affects their attitude toward using OTRs, and attitude significantly influences intention to use OTRs when plans for travel. Furthermore, the research findings contribute to the literature on travelers’ behavioral intention; this study also has direct implications for online travel providers.

“Nudging” intergroup contact: Normative social influences on intergroup contact engagement

Much research has shown that intergroup contact is associated with a reduction in prejudice. Far less attention has been paid to the conditions that promote intergroup contact. This research explored the role of normative social influence in predicting contact engagement (total N = 1,538). Cross-sectional Study 1 found that individuals’ perception of descriptive levels of intergroup contact amongst the ingroup predicted their own contact engagement whilst controlling for outgroup attitudes. Study 2 and Study 3 demonstrated that an experimental manipulation of descriptive norms promoted outgroup approach intentions, and actual approach behaviour. Participants were more open to future intergroup contact when they learnt of the high prevalence of this behaviour amongst the ingroup. Study 4 then considered how normative techniques could be used when intergroup contact is not commonplace. Together, the findings provide a new understanding of the antecedents of intergroup contact and new techniques for encouraging greater inclusion and integration.

Validity evidences of the Buying Impulsiveness Scale in the Brazilian Context

The objective of this study was to obtain evidence of validity of an instrument to measure the tendency to buy impulsively. A version adapted to Brazil of a Buying Impulsiveness Scale was applied to 1296 Brazilians from all states of the federation, with a mean age of 35.8 years (SD = 12.8). The results indicated a scale with one-factor structure, just like the original instrument, with an adequate index of internal consistency. Positive correlations were found between impulse buying tendency, normative social influence, and traits of impulsiveness of the consumer. The instrument was also able to differentiate people who make shopping lists from those who do not do them, and people who prefer to go shopping alone from those who prefer to buy accompanied by someone else. The evidences found in the study provide support to the use of the instrument for the Brazilian context.

Influence of Personality Traits and Social Conformity on Impulsive Buying Tendency

Employing eight personality traits as suggested by Mowen, this study attempts to decipher the relationships these traits have with social conformity and impulsive buying tendency and between social conformity and impulsive buying tendency within one integrated framework. With data collected from 386 respondents, the article examines the relationship of personality traits using a 3M Model with social conformity and impulsive tendency of shoppers, and also determines the association between normative social influence and instantaneous urge to buy. The findings reveal that personality traits - conscientiousness, materialism and body needs have positive association with social conformity, whereas openness to experience is negatively associated with social conformity. With respect to impulsive buying tendency, neuroticism, materialism and arousal have positive relationships. The results also reflect positive affect of social conformity on impulsive buying tendency. These finding, along with research implications have enhanced the existing literature.

Handen wassen na het plassen. Jong geleerd, oud gedaan?

Do you wash your hands after using the bathroom? Two studies about communicating the injunctive and descriptive norm, and practicing informational and normative social influence in order to promote handwashing behavior. Do you wash your hands after using the bathroom? Two studies about communicating the injunctive and descriptive norm, and practicing informational and normative social influence in order to promote handwashing behavior. Increasing handwashing compliance after using the bathroom was the main goal of the two studies. Handwashing is of critical importance for preventing the spread of bacteria. Most people do know this, but they don’t behave in accordance to this fact. Lack of knowledge does not explain the discrepancy and therefore we investigated two strategies from the social influence literature. The effects on the handwashing behavior were observed unobtrusively. In the first study the impact of communicating the injunctive and descriptive norms regarding handwashing were examined. Results indicate that handwashing is promoted by communicating the injunctive norm. The impact of the descriptive norm is less important. In the second study informational and normative social influence were examined under different experimental conditions. Both informational and normative social influence promoted handwashing behavior and increased handwashing compliance after using the bathroom. Implications for influencing automatic and routine behavior by the use of communication and persuasive strategies are discussed.

Gender Differences In Susceptibility To Normative Social Influence On The Purchase Decisions Of Designer Label Apparel

This study examines susceptibility to normative social influence on purchase decisions of designer label apparel in Malaysia. The study focuses on the youth market with special consideration given to gender differences. Influences of family and peers were examined along with celebrity influences. A total of 319 youth participated in the study. Results indicate that gender differences do exist with males exhibiting a higher likelihood of being influenced by their reference groups. Celebrity influence was also found to be weaker than that exerted by direct reference groups.