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Article
Publication date: 26 October 2020

Maheen Iqbal Awan, Amjad Shamim and Jiseon Ahn

In the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, organizations now are expected to serve customers who are highly conscious of safety and sanitation. Among others, the hospitality industry is…

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Abstract

Purpose

In the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, organizations now are expected to serve customers who are highly conscious of safety and sanitation. Among others, the hospitality industry is significantly and negatively influenced by this pandemic. Given the unique characteristics of services, using advanced technology is not enough to create a memorable experience without physical interaction between service providers and customers. Thus, this study aims to define the “new normal” for service customers and to explore the “new service design” for the hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

As most of the Southeast Asian countries heavily rely on the tourism industry, this study focuses on one of the emerging tourism destinations in this region, Malaysia. The data is collected through in-depth interviews with 17 potential national and international tourists.

Findings

The results suggest that considering the “new normal” for customers, there is an immediate need for the hotel industry to revamp their service design by mainly practicing disinfection and sanitation activities, re-designing overall infrastructure and introducing promotional offers.

Originality/value

This study is novel in its kind as it provides useful guidelines for both practitioners and academicians/researchers. Under this crucial time, very few research is conducted specifically focusing on the hotel industry and tourists’ behaviors amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The study will provide in-depth knowledge about tourists’ expectations from the hotel services, especially in their own voices.

Details

Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0833

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 February 2021

Jiseon Ahn and Shiwen Lu

In the service industry, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is considered a strategic valuable resource. Although previous studies emphasized CSR activities in the service…

Abstract

Purpose

In the service industry, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is considered a strategic valuable resource. Although previous studies emphasized CSR activities in the service industry, a limited number of studies have examined the combined effect with the service experience. Thus, this study aims to examine the potential antecedents of cruise customers’ positive responses toward the cruise company.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model includes CSR activities, service experiences, satisfaction and revisit intention. The model is tested using samples of cruise customers from the USA. Tests of the proposed model produce significant results for path coefficients from two-dimensional service experience (i.e. physical quality and staff behavior) and not from CSR activities (i.e. environmental and philanthropic).

Findings

Hypothesis testing indicates that among cruise customers, perceived physical quality and staff behavior are more relevant for creating satisfaction and revisit intention than environmental and philanthropic CSR support.

Research limitations/implications

The results provide important implications for scholars concerning the effects of CSR activities on customer behavior for efficaciously managing customers’ positive experience with facilities and employees.

Originality/value

There has been a paradigm shift in the cruise industry. The recent trend shows an increasing number of cruise businesses leading to intense competition. Yet, researchers have not adequately examined the impact of service experience and CSR experience simultaneously. Thus, this study contributes to the existing CSR literature by identifying the important determinants of cruise customers’ behavior.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 18 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 February 2021

Jungkun Park, Jiseon Ahn, Hyowon Hyun and Brian N. Rutherford

In this study, the authors examine the impacts of two facets of retail employees' cognitive support and affective commitment on emotional labor-related outcomes.

Abstract

Purpose

In this study, the authors examine the impacts of two facets of retail employees' cognitive support and affective commitment on emotional labor-related outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the study hypotheses, 521 retail service employees participated in the survey. By using the structural equation modeling, the results show that employees' perceived organizational support directly and positively employees' affective organizational commitment and emotional exhaustion.

Findings

By using the structural equation modeling, the results show that employees' perceived organizational support directly and positively influence employees' affective organizational commitment and emotional exhaustion. The extent of employees' affective organizational commitment directly and negatively influences emotional labor and exhaustion. Furthermore, employees' emotional exhaustion exerts an influence on retail employees' propensity to leave.

Research limitations/implications

Drawing on social exchange and conservation of resources theories, this study contributes to emotional labor research and practices by examining factors that potentially influences employees' propensity to leave. For future studies, researchers can expand the proposed framework of the current study to other retailing settings.

Practical implications

Findings of the study suggest that retail organizations need to manage employees' support and commitment concerning to understand emotional labor.

Originality/value

The current study found that employees' affective commitment influences key emotional labor constructs including emotional labor and emotional exhaustion. Employees who have a high level of identification, involvement and emotional attachment toward the organization, they are less likely to feel of overload and inefficiency. Given the importance of emotional labor in the retailing setting, the proposed model and findings of this study contribute the existing knowledge of retail employees' behavior.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 49 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 September 2022

Jiseon Ahn and Amjad Shamim

The advent of COVID-19 was followed by an increased demand for organic products along with newfound customer interest in healthy consumption habits. This study aims to explore the…

Abstract

Purpose

The advent of COVID-19 was followed by an increased demand for organic products along with newfound customer interest in healthy consumption habits. This study aims to explore the impact of multidimensional consciousness on consumers’ attitudes and purchasing intentions toward organic food brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the importance of culture on customers’ decision-making, data were collected from the USA and India to examine the potential cultural differences with respect to organic products. A conceptual model is derived and tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that organic consciousness (e.g. for organic standards) is the most important predictor of attitudes, whereas environmental consciousness appears to be the prime motive in the formation of purchase intentions. Multidimensional (i.e. organic, environment, health and social) consciousness can predict attitude and intention. However, organic standards and social consciousness fail to directly influence customers’ purchasing intention. The impact of each dimension of consciousness varies between USA and Indian customers.

Originality/value

This study provides an understanding of customers’ sustainable consumption behavior by clarifying the relative impact of multidimensional perceived values. Also, because of the growth of organic food market globally, the findings of this study offer valuable insights by identifying the cultural difference between Western and Eastern customers’ behavior.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 19 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 May 2021

Jiseon Ahn and Joaquim Dias Soeiro

Although the characterisation of intrinsic and extrinsic attribution is pervasive and important, this concept is yet to be explored in the corporate social responsibility (CSR…

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Abstract

Purpose

Although the characterisation of intrinsic and extrinsic attribution is pervasive and important, this concept is yet to be explored in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) context. Thus, this study aims to study these CSR attributes and examine its influences on hotel customers’ behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explores and attempts to distinguish the varying roles of intrinsic and extrinsic CSR attributes. Framed in context of CSR in the hotel industry, the characteristics of CSR practices (e.g. sympathy or rewarding) are hypothesised to lead customers’ motivation to engage in a specific behaviour based on the attribution theory.

Findings

The target population of 150 hotel customers was surveyed, and the results exhibited that the intrinsic and extrinsic attributes of hotel CSR activities increased customers’ purchase intention by improving their level of perceived authenticity. The impact of intrinsic motivation on brand authenticity was found to have a greater influence compared to extrinsic motivation. When customers perceive the authenticity of hotel brands, there is a tendency to exert a positive behavioural intention. However, it was identified that for the hotel industry, only extrinsic motivation had a direct influence on customers’ positive behavioural intention.

Research limitations/implications

The varying roles of the intrinsic and extrinsic attributes of CSR and its impact on customers’ brand authenticity and behavioural intention were identified. Hence, this study conceptually contributes to the existing CSR literature by determining and incorporating the variables that measure the intrinsic and extrinsic attributes of hotel CSR activities.

Originality/value

This study contributes advancements to the hospitality and tourism industry, by expanding the literature to include the identification of significant CSR attributes and strategies that are beneficial, and can be used by companies for their development.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 18 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 August 2020

Jookyung Kwon and Jiseon Ahn

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of customers’ socio-demographic characteristics on the formation of behavioral intention toward green hotels in Malaysia.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of customers’ socio-demographic characteristics on the formation of behavioral intention toward green hotels in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study used partial least square-structural equation modeling to analyze a sample of 400 green hotel customers in Malaysia. Further, multi-group analysis (MGA) is conducted to examine whether a significant difference exists across demographic groups.

Findings

Attitude and perceived behavioral control exert positive effects on desire, which in turn considerably influences behavioral intention. Results of MGA indicate that attributions have varying effects on the desire and behavioral intention with different socio-demographic characteristics. In particular, negative anticipated emotion negatively predicts desire among the customers of the older group, whereas positive anticipated emotion and subjective norm positively influence desire among the customers of the low educational level group.

Research limitations/implications

The study examines green hotel customers’ behavior in Malaysia, and further research is needed to determine whether the impact of the proposed determinants across different industries. As the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has started to influence customers’ behavior, the findings may be changing over time. Thus, a further longitudinal study would be beneficial to monitor the performance hotel CSR activities.

Originality/value

Although there is an increasing interest in CSR activities among Malaysian customers, there is a lack of information regarding customers’ motivation in the green hotel context. Furthermore, limited studies examined the role of customers’ demographic characteristics in the CSR literature. There is a need to understand green hotel industry and customers’ responses toward CSR activities.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 17 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 July 2024

Jiseon Ahn and Meiling Gao

Despite the prevalence of luxury brand extension in the service industry, customers tend to be skeptical of the value of the extended brand. This study aims to investigate whether…

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the prevalence of luxury brand extension in the service industry, customers tend to be skeptical of the value of the extended brand. This study aims to investigate whether a parent luxury service brand significantly alters customers’ predicted quality, identity and attitude toward the extended brand.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses partial least squares structural equation modeling to examine the proposed hypotheses in a developing country.

Findings

The results show that the parent brand’s brand distinctiveness positively and significantly signals the identity and quality of the extended brand. The model also identifies the mediating effects of quality as it signals the relationship between customers’ perception of the parent brand and attitude toward the extended service brand. As expected, as the quality of the extended brand improves, so does attitude toward the extended hotel brand. By contrast, the perceived identity of the extended brand does not significantly increase support for a positive attitude toward the extended brand.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing consumer marketing literature by suggesting future research directions and brand extension strategies for luxury hotel brand companies in developing countries.

Details

Journal of Consumer Marketing, vol. 41 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0736-3761

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2024

Jiseon Ahn

Prompted by intense competition among providers of food delivery services, this study examines the behavior of customers using mobile applications. Specifically, based on a…

Abstract

Purpose

Prompted by intense competition among providers of food delivery services, this study examines the behavior of customers using mobile applications. Specifically, based on a push-pull-mooring framework, this study aims to identify the key factors affecting customers’ switching intentions in the food delivery context. A push factor is assumed to drive customers away from an existing service provider due to dissatisfaction, while a pull element lures them to an alternative provider by supplying enhanced levels of enjoyment, usefulness and/or informativeness and mooring factors (i.e. affective commitment and perceived herd) help make these switching decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares structural equation modeling with SmartPLS was used because it is suited to predictive models and produces stringent assessments of measurement models using a variance-based approach. Data was collected through an online survey. Participants were 350 food delivery application (FDA) customers in the USA.

Findings

The results highlight the importance of a push factor (dissatisfaction with the present FDA) and a mooring factor (perceived herd) as determinants of customers’ perceptions of risk that can induce a decision to switch to another FDA. However, the pull factors of usefulness, enjoyment and information quality did not significantly influence switching behavior.

Originality/value

Many food delivery service providers now use mobile application technologies to provide their services. Such companies can use the factors that influence customer switching intentions identified in this study to control customers’ churn behavior by managing dissatisfied customers in the mobile context.

研究目的

在外卖服务提供商之间激烈竞争的推动下, 本研究考察了使用移动应用程序的客户行为。具体来说, 基于推-拉-系泊框架, 本研究旨在确定影响客户在外卖环境中转换意图的关键因素。推力因素被认为是由于不满意而驱使客户离开现有服务提供商, 而拉力因素通过提供更高水平的享受、实用性和/或信息性来吸引他们到替代提供商, 系泊因素(即情感承诺和感知群体)则有助于做出这些转换决定。

研究方法

使用SmartPLS进行偏最小二乘结构方程模型分析, 因为它适用于预测模型, 并使用基于方差的方法对测量模型进行严格评估。数据通过在线调查收集。参与者是来自美国的350名外卖应用程序(FDA)客户。

研究发现

结果强调了推力因素(对当前FDA的不满)和系泊因素(感知群体)作为影响客户感知风险的决定因素, 可能导致客户决定切换到另一个FDA。然而, 实用性、享受和信息质量的拉力因素并未显著影响转换行为。

研究创新

许多外卖服务提供商现在使用移动应用程序技术提供服务。此类公司可以利用本研究中确定的影响客户转换意图的因素, 通过管理在移动环境中的不满意客户来控制客户流失行为。

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9880

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 February 2021

Jiseon Ahn and Jookyung Kwon

From the perspective of relationship theory, customers tend to build a positive attitude toward a company with a strong connection. While previous tourism and hospitality studies…

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Abstract

Purpose

From the perspective of relationship theory, customers tend to build a positive attitude toward a company with a strong connection. While previous tourism and hospitality studies acknowledged the strategic importance of a strong relationship between customers and brands in enhancing company performance probability, the potential benefits derived from mobile commerce experience deserves further investigation. Thus, this study aims to examine how multidimensional relationships between customers and service providers affect brand performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of food delivery application customers in the USA, the structural equation modeling (SEM)-partial least squares (PLS) path modeling is used to examine the impact of economic exchange, social exchange, mutual-interest and self-interest, on brand equity and loyalty intention.

Findings

The PLS-SEM results indicate that customers’ perceived economic exchange, social exchange and mutual interests with food delivery applications influence their perceived equity, which, in turn, enhances their loyalty intention toward brand applications. However, self-interest does not enhance customers’ perceived brand equity.

Practical implications

Accordingly, food delivery service providers must value their relationship with customers to achieve sustainable organizational growth and develop appropriate promotion activities to enhance economic exchange, social exchange and mutual interests.

Originality/value

The current study contributes to the literature by empirically demonstrating the consequences of customer-brand relationships in the emerging service context (i.e. food delivery applications).

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 33 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 August 2021

Jookyung Kwon and Jiseon Ahn

This study aims to examine the effects of cruise attributes on impulse buying of service customers through impulsive buying tendency. Specifically, this study investigates whether…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of cruise attributes on impulse buying of service customers through impulsive buying tendency. Specifically, this study investigates whether service attributes (variety of selection and price) influence the impulsive buying behavior of customers by stimulating their impulsive buying tendency.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis using a sample of 143 cruise customers. Mediating analysis was conducted to examine whether customer personal traits (impulsivity) mediated the relationship between service attributes and impulsive buying behavior.

Findings

The findings showed that price attributions had a significant positive direct impact on impulsive buying tendency and behavior, while a variety of selections had a significant direct effect on impulse buying behavior. The results revealed a significant mediating role of impulsive buying tendency in the relationship between price attributions and impulse buying.

Originality/value

Although studies on the decision-making style of service customers have been widely discussed, a limited number of studies has examined customers’ impulsive buying behavior in the service sector. Considering the importance of impulsive purchasing as a valuable marketing tool, the results of this study can help service providers and researchers enhance their knowledge of the mechanism of impulse buying behavior.

Details

International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-669X

Keywords

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