Daniel J. Connolly

An examination of the transactional relationship between online travel agencies, travel meta sites, and suppliers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to explore the ways travel intermediaries (online travel agencies (OTAs) and travel meta sites) used throughout the distribution value chain engaged in relationships with travel suppliers.Design/methodology/approach – The multiple‐case study approach is suitable in examining contemporary events in their natural context. A commonly reported strength of the case study approach in that a variety of evidence can be used to investigate the subject matter. The data evidence gathered for this paper came from field study interviews and document analysis.Findings – The results show that the relationship structure has an impact on the type of contractual agreement OTAs and meta sites have with travel suppliers and with each other.Practical implications – These results can be used by top‐level executives involved in online travel as they research and test how to best craft their relationship and formal or informal agreements with their suppliers, affiliates, and other entities...

Developing Information Technology Proficiencies and Fluency in Hospitality Students

Students often complain that a professor or class is boring and how difficult it is to maintain focus during a typical class period, while professors and hospitality industry professionals regularly remark how ill-prepared some program graduates are to face the complex business challenges of the real world. The traditional classroom lecture does not always work because it is often tuned out by students. Thus, different teaching strategies must be considered. This article focuses on the efforts and pedagogical methods used by one professor at the University of Denvers School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management to facilitate and improve student learning about information technology through innovative ways that push learning beyond the four-walled boundary of the traditional classroom and engage students through a variety of experiential learning activities.

The Effect of Information Technology Steering Committees on Perceived IT Management Sophistication in Hotels

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of information technology (IT) steering committees on perceived IT management sophistication in hotels. MANOVA was used to test if there was a significant difference in the levels of IT management sophistication between hotels that have an IT steering committee than in hotel companies that do not have such committee. Results indicated that the hotels that have an IT steering committee have a higher level of IT planning, culture, integration, control, and organization sophistication. Such committees are of strategic importance to the overall success of the hotel in achieving not only its IT strategic objectives, but also gaining an edge over its counterparts in terms of the potential to maximize its return on the investment in technology. This is the first study of effects of IT steering committees on IT management sophistication in the hotel industry.

Travel meta-search: opportunity or threat?

In the world of travel distribution, the Internet serves as a disruptive technology. It gives rise to new tools and methods to transact business and provides consumers with greater access to information and better means to comparison shop. One such set of tools gaining in popularity is travel (meta) search engines, which simultaneously search multiple travel-related websites for travel accommodations, availability, and pricing information and then link consumers with travel suppliers or online travel agencies (OTAs) to finalize the booking process. These tools hold great potential to further alter the distribution landscape and shift the balance of power in the relationship between buyers and travel suppliers. Using institutional theory and coercive isomorphism as the theoretical underpinnings, this multiple case study explores the impact of travel meta-search engines and the potential strategic threats they introduce. It attempts to understand the phenomenon of travel search engines looking from the perspectives of online travel agencies.

Mobile Technology: An Exploratory Study of Hotel Managers

Hospitality businesses provide a natural context for mobile technology, especially given the dynamic nature of the business, the size and complexity of many hotel operations, and the need to have managers visible and overseeing multiple areas of the business (and sometimes, multiple properties) concurrently. To explore the potential for mobile technology in hospitality business contexts, we surveyed 70 full-service hotel property managers. The survey was based upon two theoretical frameworks: technology adoption model and innovation diffusion theory. Specifically, this study addressed (a) hotel property managers’ intentions to use mobile technology at work, (b) factors influencing their intentions, (c) their suggestions for implementing mobile applications in different departments, and (d) demographic characteristics of those who are inclined to adopt certain types of mobile applications. This study identified the top opportunities for mobile applications and found adoption differences based upon the respondents’ demographics as well as the factors of perceived enjoyment and relative advantages as significant determinants of hotel property managers’ intentions to use mobile technology. This study concludes with recommendations for industry practitioners and suggestions for future research opportunities related to mobile technology adoption and usage in hospitality.