Opinions on Riverboat Casinos and the Perceived Impacts on Community Quality by Quad Cities\u27 Residents

The purposes of the study were to determine the opinions of Quad Cities residents about legalized riverboat casinos in their communities and their perceptions on the importance of community quality attributes and impacts of legalized riverboat casinos on these attributes. Differences of opinions among respondents with different demographic characteristics also were examined. Stratified systematic random sampling method was used to draw samples from the Quad Cities telephone directory; 200 residents were selected from each city. Of the 800 questionnaires mailed, 231 were returned. Residents agreed that the presence of riverboat casinos was good for the community. The majority of community quality attributes were rated as either very important or important. Residents perceived all attributes to be either improved or having no change because of the riverboat casino operations

Brand performance of Chinese domestic vs. international hotels: Perceptions of operators as well as domestic and foreign guests

The significant differences in financial performance between internationally branded hotels and domestically branded hotels in China inspired this study. As part of the research, we surveyed hotel operators and guests on their perception of brand performance of the hotel they managed and stayed at, respectively. Results showed that managers of internationally branded hotels were more positive about their brand performance than the guests were, whereas managers of domestically branded hotels had a similar, or sometimes lower, assessment of their brand performance. Surprisingly, from the guests’ perspective, domestic hotels received higher ratings on brand choice intention and brand loyalty, while receiving similar ratings on all other brand-related measurements, as compared to international hotels. Significant differences were also found in brand quality, trust in management, and reliability among the sub-samples. Chinese guests rated these components lower for both internationally and domestically branded hotels, while foreign guests showed stronger intentions of choosing the same domestic brand in the future. We discuss the implications for both international and domestic hotel operators.Keywords: brand performance, brand equity, China hotel, international hotel brand, domestic hotel bran

Divergence in Variety Seeking: An Exploratory Study among International Travelers

In this study, we analyze the influence of variety seeking and exploratory buying on travelers’ consumption behavior in an international context. The study also compares Asian travelers with Western travelers. Several factors which help to explain divergence in variety seeking are included in the analysis. Results demonstrate that variety seeking and exploratory tendency have a significant relation with travelers’ consumption behavior (both Asian and Western travelers). Specific results emerged, such as: customers who have a high tendency for novelty seeking are less loyal. However, no significant difference has been identified between Asian and Western tourists

Potential mainland Chinese cruise travelers’ expectations, motivations, and intentions

The global cruise industry is the fastest growing sector in the entire leisure market. Due to the limited development of the Chinese cruise sector and government controls on outbound travel, the cruise, especially the outbound cruise, is a new concept in China. Few studies have addressed Chinese consumers’ perceptions of cruises. This study aimed to explore the preferences of potential Chinese cruisers and their expectations, motivations, and intentions in relation to taking an outbound cruise. This study also proposed and tested a conceptual framework: the Expectation, Motivation, and Intention (EMI) Model. Data were collected in Beijing and Shanghai; 242 valid responses were received. The results partially supported the proposed model. The theoretical and practical contributions of the study are discussed

Moving beyond the Western versus Asian culture distinction

Purpose – This study aims to analyze the joint effects of where a service failure occurs and who witnesses it, with a specific focus on Chinese consumers who have varying levels of acculturation. Design/methodology/approach – A 4 2 2 between-subject factorial design was used, where social presence and the location of the service failure were manipulated and acculturation was measured. Data were collected in Australia and China to contrast perceptions and behavioral responses of Chinese – Australians and Mainland Chinese by drawing on samples of 224 and 264 respondents, respectively. Findings – Results showed significant differences in face, satisfaction and repeat purchase intention ratings following a service failure between Chinese – Australians and Mainland Chinese, as well as among Chinese – Australians with different acculturation strategies. Contrary to expectations, results established that where and with whom a service failure is experienced prominently affect consumer behavior regardless of the acculturation level. Practical implications – An understanding of the effect of acculturation on a service failure situation is crucial for businesses to successfully compete in a continuously globalized world where migration produces multicultural societies and short-term travel tends to significantly change demands on service provision. Originality/value – This research presents one of the first studies that go beyond the traditional East/ West consumer distinction in studying service failure. This study analyzes the effect of acculturation by itself and together with other variables of interest.No Full Tex