Pradeep Racherla

Assessing the Value of Collaborations in Tourism Networks: A Case Study of Elkhart County, Indiana

ABSTRACT This study explores the determinants of perceived value derived from interorganizational collaborations in a tourism destination. The authors propose a theoretical model of perceived value drawing upon the rich stream of literature related to strategic collaborations and interorganizational networks. The model was tested using a cross section of tourism organizations operating within Elkhart County, Indiana. The results indicate that a significant positive value of collaboration is achieved from dyadic relationships. Importantly, the results suggest that the positive effect achieved from one-to-one partnerships decreases once an organization collaborates with several other organizations. The article discusses various implications for managing strategic tourism partnerships.

A Framework for Knowledge-Based Crisis Management in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry

Crisis management, disaster recovery, and organizational continuity are critical areas of competence for managers of individual businesses and entire destinations. For large-scale problems, crisis management may be a critical factor that determines the sustainability and success of a destination. In this article, the authors develop a framework that incorporates knowledge management principles to enhance the effectiveness of crisis management and planning for the hospitality and tourism industry. In addition, the authors develop a crisis typology based on the perceptions and knowledge needs of Philadelphia-area lodging operators. Subsequently, the authors apply the framework to envision the design concept of a knowledge-enabled crisis management system that can better support the crisis management and preparedness of a regional hospitality and tourism industry.

Exploring the Role of Innovative Technologies in Building a Knowledge-Based Destination

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) have transformed the business and social landscape of tourism industry. Tourism organisations in such a dynamic environment must reinvent their cultures and strategies to survive and create sustainable competitive advantage. In this context, the concept of a ‘knowledge based destination’ is gaining popularity within the domain of policy-making and strategic regional development. The authors elaborate this new perspective and explore its relevance to the tourism industry. The analysis of qualitative data collected through focus groups revealed various social, economic and technical factors that are essential for the evolution of a ‘knowledge based destination’. The authors argue that deploying innovative ICTs and enabling information infrastructures play an important role in this developmental process. This research aims at stimulating a discussion on role of innovative technological applications for the future of a destination along with the resultant policy and research implications.

Employee Adoption of Corporate Blogs: A Quantitative Analysis

A new form of computer mediated communication that promises to revolutionize the way organizations communicate is internal corporate blogs. However, the academic literature on this relatively new phenomenon is limited. In this study, we apply the traditional theories of technology adoption and innovation diffusion to examine the role of socio-demographic characteristics and social networks in blog adoption by employees in a large multi-national corporation. The results indicate that individual characteristics such as age are negatively correlated with adoption, while there is no significant impact of gender. At the same time, managerial influences and usage in spatial networks explain much of the variance in adoption. We elaborate on the significance of these findings, and discuss future research plans in this direction.

To Buy or Not to Buy: Indian Consumers' Choice of Online Versus Offline Channels for Air Travel Purchase

The Indian aviation industry has seen significant developments since the deregulation in 1994. The industry now has several major airline firms operating in both full-service and limited service (low cost) segments. By 2014, it is projected that Indias airline sector will service nearly 100 million passengers spread over 200 million flight tickets. The Internet has also accentuated the growth and evolution of the market by facilitating greater transparency of prices combined with ubiquitous reach. However, little is known about this evolving domain of purchase behavior in the Indian context where multiple channels (both offline and online) prevail. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that determine offline versus online purchase behaviors of air travel tickets. Findings indicate that age, education, nature of Internet usage orientation, and the time spent online serve as key differentiators between offline and online options in the purchase of air travel tickets. Conceptual and practical implications for industry are discussed.

What We Know and Don’t Know About Online Word-Of-Mouth: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of the Literature

Online word-of-mouth (eWOM) has attracted considerable research in the past decade. Yet, no attempt has been made to consolidate and synthesize this stream of literature. Based on a systematic review of 148 studies, the authors conduct a multi-dimensional analysis of eWOM communication, consumption and effects. Results show that the factors that drive consumers to generate/transmit eWOM include need for self-enhancement, social interaction and altruism. These factors also assure the generation of quality information that benefits consumers who seek eWOM. The findings indicate that the effects of eWOM on consumer and market-level outcomes are not linear and vary significantly owing to eWOM dimensions such as valence and volume, and across products and consumers. With social media and other eWOM platforms taking central stage in marketing and promotional strategies, it is important to consider the key effects of eWOM on metrics such as consumer loyalty, life-time value and service delivery costs.

A multinational study of espoused national cultural and review characteristics in the formation of trust in online product reviews

Recent changes in web technologies have given a voice to consumers in online discussions of products and services. While the web has long been a source of information about products and services, web content was controlled by those who could develop for the web. Web software that permits novice users to contribute to conversations about products has been embraced by online retailers, who facilitate and encourage online user reviews of products. Researchers are just starting to understand the relationship between online reviews and purchase intention. In this study, we report the results of a simulation-based web purchase experiment that included subjects in three countries. We find that information quality, a social component and espoused uncertainty avoidance influence trust in the review. We were not able to support an interaction effect between information quality and uncertainty avoidance, nor an interaction effect between the social component and collectivism.

Developing a Knowledge-Based System Using Domain-Specific Ontologies and Experts: The eSAFE Case Study for the Event Management

Knowledge is seen as a key strategic asset for the success and survival in today’s increasingly competitive global market place. This recognition is one of the main reasons for exponential growth in developing knowledge based applications. Recent advancements in this field have led to increased research interest in ontologies and various dynamic methods in developing and maintaining them. Ontologies have been considered one of the most efficient methodologies to develop semantic driven knowledge based systems. In this paper we describe an approach to develop an effective knowledge based system using explicit domain ontologies. We also present key principles for organising and developing content specific domain ontologies that help in knowledge acquisition and system design. The process is illustrated with the development of a knowledge based system for event management domain.

The Evolution and Impact of Online Word-of-Mouth (eWOM) Research: A Structured Review and Integrated Model

Consumers today face many informational benefits and challenges owing to the Internet. However, with information being seamless, limitless, and often anonymous, what is noise and what is valuable information? This information overload is one of the reasons why understanding online word of mouth (eWOM) becomes pivotal to consumers for their decision making as well as essential to marketers to know where to focus their efforts.