Juhee Kang

Self-Congruity and Functional Congruity in Brand Loyalty

This study used image congruity theory to understand customer loyalty in name-brand coffee shops in Korea. The authors developed and tested a structural model that links image congruity (self-congruity and functional congruity) and brand loyalty components (cognitive, affective, and conative loyalty). The elaboration likelihood model was used to understand the information processing underlying the structural model. The results showed that self-congruity significantly influences both cognitive and affective loyalty in the central route of persuasion. Functional congruity significantly influences cognitive loyalty in the peripheral route of communication. This study suggests promotional strategies for the marketers of name-brand coffee shops in Korea.

Investigating the Effects of Memorable Experiences: an Extended Model of Script Theory

ABSTRACT Providing visitors with unique and memorable experiences is believed to be a competitive advantage of theme parks. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of theme park visitors’ experiences on their recollection-based memories, satisfaction, and loyalty using the foundation of script theory. Surveys were collected from visitors at the Fantasilandia theme park in Santiago, Chile. The findings indicated that satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between experience and recollection, and that both satisfaction and recollection influenced loyalty behaviors. The study is anticipated to provide theme park managers with effective strategies for the design of attractions and activities, as well as for the development of marketing techniques.

An Investigation of Brand Experience on Brand Attachment, Knowledge, and Trust in the Lodging Industry

ABSTRACT With the increase of tourists to many destinations, the local lodging industry sector is facing intense challenges. The reassurance of name-brand accommodation helps travelers feel more at ease in a new environment and guarantee them a positive lodging experience. This study examines how travelers’ experiences with name-brand hotels influence their attachment to, knowledge of, and trust in brand names. Specifically, brand experience was identified as a holistic concept, incorporating sensory, affective, behavioral, and intellectual aspects. The results show the significant, positive relationships between brand experience and brand-related variables (brand knowledge, brand attachment, and brand trust). This study provides a foundation for future research investigating tourists’ lodging choices and suggests strategies for hotel brand managers.

Restaurant brand pages on Facebook: do active member participation and monetary sales promotions matter?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of members’ active participation in customer–brand relationships, considering brand trust and brand commitment in an online community context. It also investigates the moderating effect of monetary sales promotions in building and maintaining customer–brand relationships. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on an online survey sent to Facebook users who have been engaging with restaurants’ brand pages on Facebook. The empirical data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling. Findings – Results revealed that members who actively participated in activities on restaurant, Facebook fan pages were likely to feel that the brands were trustworthy and developed commitment toward the brands. The moderating effect of monetary sales promotions between active participation and brand trust was supported. In particular, active participation was more likely to generate brand trust for members who had less interest in monetary ...

A visitor-based brand equity perspective: the case of a public festival

Purpose – This paper aims to empirically examine how five different brand equity dimensions of a festival brand (i.e. awareness, image, quality, value and loyalty) are inter-related. Specifically, this study aims to examine the impact of brand awareness on perceived brand image, perceived brand quality and perceived value; the impact of perceived brand image on perceived brand quality and brand loyalty; and the impact of perceived brand quality on perceived value and brand loyalty. Design/methodology/approach – The conceptual model was tested with an onsite sample of a public festival referred to as the VEISHEA (Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, Industrial Science, Home Economics and Agriculture) festival, which is located in a Midwestern college-town. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to reach the goals of the study. Findings – The findings revealed that improving attendees’ awareness is a keystone in promoting brand quality perceptions, increasing perceived value an...

Understanding customers’ healthful food selection at restaurants: Roles of attitude, gender, and past experience

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine differences in attitudes and behavioral intentions toward low-fat or low-calorie menu items depending on customers’ gender and past experiences, as well as identify contributors for behavioral intentions. Independent t-test revealed that female customers and customers who had eaten healthful low-fat or low-calorie menu items in the past had more positive attitudes and behavioral intentions toward those menu items. Also, hierarchical regression analysis showed that attitudes toward taste and healthfulness, and past experience consuming those menu items were significant contributors in forming behavioral intentions. In particular, attitudes toward healthfulness had the greatest impact on behavioral intentions.

An integration of cognitive appraisal theory and script theory in the luxury cruise sector: the bridging role of recollection and storytelling

ABSTRACT This study aims to integrate cognitive appraisal theory (CAT) and script theory with the bridging role of recollective memory and storytelling. CAT includes travelers’ subjective judgments and emotions, while script theory includes recollection, storytelling, and consequent behavior. The relationships between the constructs included in these two theories as they relate to the luxury cruise trip experience were assessed. Based on a literature review, 14 theoretical hypotheses were derived and a structural equation model was developed. The proposed hypotheses were tested using data collected from 300 luxury cruise passengers. The findings confirmed the successful integration of the two theoretical aspects. The study provides guidance to cruise industry practitioners in developing managerial and marketing strategies. The results enrich the theoretical body of CAT and script theory.

Effects of third-party certification on patrons’ service quality evaluation in the luxury-restaurant industry

The purpose of this paper is to incorporate third-party certification to test a theoretical model that demonstrates the effects of third-party certification on perceived food quality, perceived service quality, and trust and the effects of these factors on word of mouth (WOM) intentions in the context of luxury restaurants. It also investigates the moderating roles of attention to social comparison information (ATSCI) and the education level.,An online survey sent to customers who are patronizing luxury restaurants in the US 317 empirical data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling.,Third-party certification facilitated patrons’ positive evaluation of food and service quality. In addition, this positive evaluation fostered trust in the restaurant. Finally, ATSCI and the education level had significant moderating effects on the relationship between third-party certification and patrons’ trust in the restaurant.,This study proposes risk-reducing effect of third-party certification on the luxury-restaurant business. Third-party certification is employed as a mechanism for communicating restaurant quality in food and service to patrons. Both stakeholders and patrons in the restaurant industry can obtain benefits from the third-party certification because it minimizes uncertainties and information asymmetries in luxury restaurants’ quality and service, and thus generating likelihood of WOM intentions.

Self-congruity and flow as antecedents of attitude and loyalty towards a theme park brand

ABSTRACT Brand loyalty is believed to be a sustainable advantage for theme parks. Since theme parks represent a man-made environment purposefully built for specialized market segments, studying factors that lead to brand loyalty for theme park products is of strategic importance. These factors have yet to be identified in the current literature, however. Recognizing the potential influence of self-congruity and flow in the theme park consumption experience, and thus its influence on loyalty, the current study investigated the effect of these constructs on visitor attitude and loyalty towards a theme park brand. The results revealed that both self-congruity and flow are the antecedents of visitor attitude and brand loyalty. The theoretical contributions of this study, as well as managerial implications concerning image projection, branding strategy, and park experience design, are discussed.