Chain restaurant patrons' well‐being perception and dining intentions: The moderating role of involvement

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to investigate the structural relationships between chain restaurant patrons' brand attitude, utilitarian value, hedonic value, well‐being perception, and behavioral intentions with the moderating role of involvement.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the current literature in these areas revealed ten theoretical hypotheses, from which the authors derived a structural model. The model was tested utilizing data collected from 433 chain restaurant patrons. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were utilized to test the proposed theoretical relationships.

Findings

Data analysis indicates that brand attitude and hedonic value bear a positive impact on patrons' well‐being perception. However, it was revealed that utilitarian value does not have significant impact on patrons' well‐being perception. It was also found that well‐being perception is the most powerful determinant of patrons' positive behavioral intentions. More importantly, well‐being perception played a full mediating role in the relationship between hedonic value and behavioral intentions. Lastly, it was revealed that the moderating role of involvement in the relationships between well‐being perception and behavioral intentions is significant.

Research limitations/implications

The findings emphasize the significance of the study variables in maximizing patrons' well‐being perception and in inducing positive behavioral intentions. Since there has been little study of consumer well‐being (CWB) in the chain restaurant industry, the model verified here may serve as a guide for future research aimed at understanding the formation of CWB and its potential impact on other marketing variables in the chain restaurant industry.

Originality/value

The model verified in this study is the first that explains the formation of CWB and its impact on patrons' behavioral intentions.

Citation

Kim, I., Mi Jeon, S. and Sean Hyun, S. (2012), "Chain restaurant patrons' well‐being perception and dining intentions: The moderating role of involvement", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 402-429. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596111211217888