James A. Busser

The Influential Attributes that Affect Resident Slot Gamblers' Repatronage Intentions and Willingness to Recommend Casinos to Others

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to identify a parsimonious subset of casino attributes, and to examine how these attributes are related to the behavior variables of slot players. Slot players (n = 382) were sampled from a Las Vegas casino targeting local gamblers. Regression analyses were conducted to explore the casino attributes impacting repatronage intentions and willingness to recommend. The top three important factors affecting repatronage intentions and willingness to recommend were gaming value & environment, customer service, and safety. The results of this study offer casino managers opportunities to target locals (i.e. slot customers) more effectively and recommendations for research.

The Hierarchical Influence of Visitor Characteristics on Tourism Destination Images

Abstract Empirical studies have analyzed the destination image formation of potential tourists. This study examined visitor characteristics in order to predict destination images of on-site visitors. Factors influencing destination images and visitor characteristics were selected based on information from existing empirical studies. The method of this study used to search for the best subset of predictors by calculating all possible regression equations. Using the hierarchical solution, variables were entered into regression on the basis of predetermined logical scheme. According to the results, it was possible to determine post-visit images of a destination by classifying into three destination images. Age, frequency of visitation, information use, and familiarity were statistically significant variables in predicting tourism destination images. Advanced study is needed to improve destination images of the most significant predictor, information use.

Evaluating the effect of training on perceptions of internal occupational status

Abstract As the hospitality community continues to grow into a leading national economical force, it is imperative that the industry investigate perceptions of occupational status and identify methods that positively change the negative perceptions of one of its most prevalent divisions, foodservice. Although there has been research in external perceptions of the hospitality industry, little has been done to evaluate internal perceptions of foodservice and what factors impact or change occupational status and self-esteem of employees. Subsequently, evaluating perceptions of internal occupational status has been an undeveloped area of research. In an attempt to address this issue, we have developed the Internal Occupational Status Questionnaire (IOSQ) and a methodology to evaluate the effect of training on the internal occupational status (IOS) perceptions of foodservice employees. This methodology employs a combination of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire and Rosenbergs self-esteem Scale. Responses were analyzed using repeated-measures MANOVA and ANOVA models. An example of the use of this methodology is provided through an evaluation of the effect of the Air Force Services Technical Training Schools Initial Foodservice Training Program on perceived IOS of 196 US Air Force Services personnel. Empirical findings suggest that the training methods under study do not increase positive personnel feelings of occupational status or self-esteem.

Second homeowners hosting friends and relatives

Recent research has brought attention to the characteristics and behaviours of residents who host visitors in a destination. This research examines the role of non-resident second homeowners in hosting visiting friends and relatives (VFR) in a destination. The exploratory research expands the scope of research on hosts by examining second homeowners and their willingness to host VFR. The purpose of this study was to develop a willingness to host scale and use it to examine the hosting of friends and relatives in second homes.

Exploring the dimensional relationships among image formation agents, destination image, and place attachment from the perspectives of pop star fans.

ABSTRACT This study tested a conceptual model in order to examine the role of specific image formation agents in forming destination image and place attachment from the perspective of pop star fans. By examining each construct’s subdimensions, the significant path analysis results supported the proposed model and offered a holistic view of the relationships among the variables, thus extending the literature. Findings suggested that autonomous image formation agents have d3istinct roles in forming destination image and place attachment in comparison with induced and organic agents. The findings highlight the important role of destination image in mediating the relationship between image formation agents and place attachment. This study further revealed a direct impact of image formation agents on place attachment dimensions. Meaningful implications for destination marketers are presented.

The constraints experienced and negotiation strategies attempted by nonparticipants of a festival event.

ABSTRACT The leisure constraints and negotiation model was used to examine nonparticipation in a large festival event. A purposive sampling survey was conducted with 502 event nonparticipants. The results indicated that the hierarchical leisure constraints model is a useful framework for understanding the constraints to attendance at special events. Consistent with previous research on constraints to participation, structural constraints were the greatest category of constraint, followed by interpersonal and intrapersonal constraints. Further, nonparticipants who experienced intrapersonal constraints were least likely to attempt negotiations relative to time, partners, or finances. Additionally, this study compared the constraints of nonparticipants who were interested and disinterested in attending the event and found disinterested nonparticipants perceived greater intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural constraints than those interested in attending, suggesting that constraints create amotivation. Disinterested event nonparticipants were also less likely to negotiate constraints to participation, especially barriers related to lack of time and partners with whom to participate. Finally, interested nonparticipants who experienced intrapersonal constraints were less likely to attempt to negotiate constraints. This study broadens the scope of the constraints and negotiation discussion to include the context of a community festival event, as well as differences in constraints and negotiation between interested and disinterested event nonparticipants.

Second-home ownership and place attachment: drivers of visitation, word-of-mouth promotion, and hosting.

This study examined the role of nonresident home owners in Costa Rica using a theoretical model based on a two-dimensional construct of place attachment. Place identity and place dependence were examined as drivers of visitation, word-of-mouth promotion, and hosting. The findings of this study support a two-dimensional place attachment construct and suggest that the place identity dimension is the primary driver of visitation and word-of-mouth promotion among current nonresident home owners. The study also revealed diminishing word-of-mouth promotion as visitation increased. The study introduces a new construct, hosting, and examines the role of visitation and word-of-mouth promotion on hosting visiting friends and relatives. The results and discussion provide important theoretical and managerial implications for tourism.

Generational Profiles in Value Co-Creation Interactions

ABSTRACT Little is known about how different generational market segments react to collaborative initiatives proposed by hospitality and tourism providers. This study is one of the first to examine generational cohorts’ perceptions of value co-creation, commercial friendship, and relationship initiation and its outcomes. Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y had unique customer profiles across four types of value co-creation. Furthermore, each segment had different perceptions of value co-creation conditions and outcomes: customer or company initiation and strength of commercial friendship for satisfaction, loyalty, and trust. Insights for hospitality marketers on the conditions necessary to develop co-creation competencies for successful relational outcomes are presented.

Service climate: how does it affect turnover intention?

This study aims to develop a conceptual model of service climate in hospitality, which tests its relationship with psychological capital (PsyCap), quality of work life (QWL) and turnover intention.,Data were collected among hotel employees by using an intercept approach and Qualtrics online survey system. Structural equation modeling examined the hypothesized relationships among the constructs in the conceptual model.,Service climate showed a positive relationship with PsyCap and QWL, and PsyCap partially mediated this relationship. Employees’ level of PsyCap had a powerful impact on QWL. Specifically, employee QWL was a critical mediator (full mediation) between service climate and turnover intention. Finally, PsyCap and QWL showed combined mediating effects between service climate and turnover intention.,This study extends the service climate literature in hospitality by offering a new conceptual model representing employees’ perceptions of service climate that influence their willingness to leave the organization with the mediating effects of PsyCap and QWL based on the theory of work adjustment.,The theory of work adjustment provides a deeper understanding of how employees’ perception of service climate affects their turnover intention in hospitality, based on a sample of hotel employees.,This study demonstrates the importance of service climate in understanding the turnover intention of hotel employees.

Profiling the motivations and experiences of spa customers

The spa industry is a multi-trillion-dollar-a-year global industry that has grown exponentially over the last decade and is projected to continue to grow (Global Spa Summit, 2010). In 2012, spa tourism was comprised of 224.9 million spa visits made domestically and internationally and it represented a US