Rob Hallak

Moderating Effects of Tourists’ Novelty-Seeking Tendencies on Destination Image, Visitor Satisfaction, and Short- and Long-Term Revisit Intentions

This study investigates the moderating effects of tourist novelty-seeking tendencies on the relationships among destination image, satisfaction, and short- and long-term revisit intentions. Using survey data collected in 2009 from 450 European visitors to Mediterranean destinations, a theoretically derived structural path model was examined. Cluster analysis and discriminant analysis were used to identify three groups of tourists based on their novelty-seeking tendencies (high, medium, and low novelty seekers). The moderating effects of novelty-seeking tendencies on the structural path model were examined by means of multigroup invariance analysis. Tourists’ novelty-seeking tendencies have a moderating effect on the causal relationships among destination image, satisfaction, and revisit intentions. The effect of destination image on visitor satisfaction, as well as satisfaction on short-term revisit intentions, is significantly weaker for high novelty seekers as compared to low novelty seekers. Thus, destination managers need to consider the novelty-seeking tendencies of their market segments as this affects revisit intentions.

Examining the role of entrepreneurial experience and entrepreneurial self-efficacy on SMTE performance.

This research examines how entrepreneurial experience and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) of tourism entrepreneurs affect the performance of small and medium tourism enterprises (SMTEs). The conceptual structural model reflecting these interrelationships is examined in terms of data collected from 298 SMTE entrepreneurs in regional South Australia. Contrary to the findings of studies conducted in nontourism contexts, entrepreneurial experience was not related to ESE nor to enterprise performance. How long one has been in a tourism enterprise or how many enterprises an individual has owned is not a good predictor of whether that entrepreneur will be able to develop a high performing SMTE that contributes toward economic wealth and job creation in the community. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy, rather than entrepreneurial experience, is a significant predictor of enterprise performance among SMTEs. This raises a number of questions. If experience gained through operating an SMTE does not contribute toward entrepreneurial confidence or entrepreneurial performance, what does? Are tourism entrepreneurs so different from entrepreneurs found in other industries that theories require modification when applied in tourism? The findings suggest that destination managers and policy makers need to understand the importance of entrepreneurial self-efficacy if they wish to enhance performance within the industry.

Are Family and Nonfamily Tourism Businesses Different? An Examination of the Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy–Entrepreneurial Performance Relationship

Drawing on literature on tourism, entrepreneurship, and family businesses, this research uses a structural model to examine the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and enterprise performance. Based on samples of family-owned (N = 158) and nonfamily-owned (N = 143) small- and medium-sized tourism enterprise owners in regional South Australia, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and multigroup invariance tests were used to validate the proposed structural model where ESE is the exogenous variable and performance is the endogenous variable. The study also examined if the causal model was invariant (equivalent) between family and nonfamily entrepreneurs to identify key differences between these two groups. Results support the validity of the models, with tourism business owners’ ESE having a significant positive effect on enterprise performance. The results of the multigroup invariance tests also indicated that the measurement models, structural model, and residual structure were equal across family and nonfamily business owners. Although previous studies have suggested differences between family- and nonfamily-owned businesses with regard to pattern of ownership, governance, management and succession, business structure, goals, and strategies, this study found that the “entrepreneurial self-efficacy” of business owners (regardless of whether or not the business is family owned) is an important predictor of business performance. The findings suggest that destination managers and policy makers need to support the ESE of local tourism business owners if they wish to enhance performance within the industry and the destination.

An Empirical Operationalization of Countries’ Destination Competitiveness Using Partial Least Squares Modeling

Growth in tourism has resulted in escalating competition among destinations. Understanding destination competitiveness and its determinant factors is thus critical to tourism researchers and policy makers. Using partial least squares path modeling (PLSPM) on a cross-sectional sample of 154 countries, this study examines relationships among destination competitiveness and its predictors, including the economy, natural environment, and infrastructure. Results indicate that the economy has a positive, indirect impact on tourism competitiveness mediated through the infrastructure and the environment; moreover, infrastructure and environment have a direct, positive impact on tourism competitiveness. PLSPM was also used to compute composite scores for overall destination competitiveness, thus assigning rankings to the 154 countries assessed. This study contributes to extant theories on destination competitiveness, presenting important implications for policymakers on how to strengthen destination competitiveness, and providing an empirically based tool to help benchmark a country’s competitiveness in relation to other destinations.

Tourism Entrepreneurship Performance The Effects of Place Identity, Self-Efficacy, and Gender

Drawing on theories from environmental psychology, social psychology, and entrepreneurship, this study examines a nonrecursive (simultaneous equation) model of entrepreneurs’ place identity, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and performance across male and female tourism entrepreneurs. Data were collected from 150 male and 148 female tourism business owners in Australia. The results found that place identity (sense of identity with their town of residence) was positively related to entrepreneurial self-efficacy (beliefs in their capabilities as entrepreneurs). Furthermore, self-efficacy is a direct driver of performance, and not vice versa, for both male and female entrepreneurs. However, multigroup invariance analysis suggests that the nonrecursive model is partially moderated by the entrepreneurs’ gender. The relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and performance was significantly greater for the male group. The findings have implications for scholars in tourism and entrepreneurial studies, and for policy makers trying to support the sustainable development of tourism destinations.

Examining tourism SME owners' place attachment, support for community and business performance: the role of the enlightened self-interest model.

This research examines how support for the local community by small tourism businesses influences their enterprise performance, and the extent to which the owners’ place attachment influences the level of support that they provide to the community. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used to analyse the responses from the owners of 298 small and medium tourism enterprises (SMTEs) operating in regional South Australia. Results of the analysis provide support for the validity of a structural model. The place attachment of tourism business owners has a significant positive effect on their support for the community which in turn has a significant positive effect on enterprise performance. The robustness of the structural model was tested through a series of invariance (equality) tests. Results demonstrate that the causal relationships among place attachment, support for community and enterprise performance hold true (are invariant) irrespective of the gender of the business owner, the size of the business, and/or the length of time the business has been operating. These findings have implications for research scholars in developing more robust tests of model relationships between and across groups, and for tourism policymakers aiming to support the sustainable development of regional tourism destinations.

European travelers' return likelihood and satisfaction with Mediterranean sun-and-sand destinations: a Chi-square automatic identification detector-based segmentation approach.

Drawing on the literature on visitor satisfaction, return likelihood, and customer segmentation, this study applies a Chi-square Automatic Identification Detector segmentation technique to segment European visitors on their likelihood to revisit selected Mediterranean sun-and-sand destinations. The Chi-square Automatic Identification Detector procedure distinguishes five segments in terms of return likelihood, with different levels of satisfaction according to the respondents’ repeat visit status, occupation, and country of residence. The findings are further discussed in the framework of the literature on return likelihood. Marketing implications and suggestions for Mediterranean sun-and-sand destination managers are also presented.

Price fairness perceptions and hotel customers’ behavioral intentions:

This study examines the causal relationship between consumers’ price fairness perceptions and behavioral intentions in the context of online hotel bookings. Using a cross-sectional sample of 506 customers of a budget hotel chain in the United Kingdom, structural equation modeling (using the partial least squares approach), multigroup t-test, and permutation tests were conducted to (1) validate the structural model where price fairness is the exogenous variable and behavioral intention is the endogenous variable and (2) examine whether the causal model is invariant (equivalent) across customers from different market segments—including, first-time and repeat customers, leisure, and business travelers. Results from the analysis supported a significant, direct relationship between customers’ perceptions of price fairness and behavioral intentions. The results of the multigroup test and permutation tests further indicated that first-time leisure customers are more sensitive to dynamic pricing practices and tend to perceive these practices as unfair. Thus, the budget hotel chain may want to be very cautious with new customers who are not familiar with this pricing practice.

Re-examining the relationships among perceived quality, value, satisfaction, and destination loyalty: A higher-order structural model

Drawing on the literature on service quality, marketing, and tourism, the present study tests a comprehensive model of the effects of perceived quality (PQ) on loyalty in the context of a tourism destination. Using a sample of 249 residents from the United Kingdom and the United States who visited Australia between 2008 and 2012, this research applies partial least squares–structural equation modeling to examine these relationships. PQ is operationalized as a multidimensional construct determined by six destination dimensions: natural and well-known attractions, variety of tourist services, quality of general atmosphere, entertainment and recreation, general environment, and accessibility. Our results support the conceptualization of PQ as a “reflective first-order, formative second-order” model (also referred to as a molar, or type II, higher order model, see Diamantopoulos A, Riefler P, and Roth KP (2008) Advancing formative measurement models. Journal of Business Research 61(12): 1203–1218). Results from this study found that the six reflective first-order dimensions of PQ form the higher (second)-order PQ construct. Moreover, PQ has a stronger effect on loyalty (both direct and indirect through satisfaction) compared to perceived value, which only exercises an indirect effect on loyalty. The study presents new insights on the operationalization of PQ and the network of causal relationships among PQ, value, satisfaction, and loyalty in tourism destinations.

Detecting Latent Classes in Tourism Data Through Response-Based Unit Segmentation (REBUS) in Pls-Sem

This research note describes Response-Based Unit Segmentation (REBUS), a “latent class detection” technique used in partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine data heterogeneity. The research note is presented in two parts: Part A presents an overview of REBUS, including its development, algorithm, and its primary functions. Part B demonstrates the application of REBUS in examining a validated tourism model of destination image, satisfaction, and destination loyalty. The example shows how REBUS is used to examine variances in a structural equation model, to detect “classes,” and to profile and understand the heterogeneous groups in an SEM context. REBUS is powerful in uncovering variances and possible moderators in structural models, especially when the data are cross-sectional, heterogeneous, and multivariate nonnormal. Finally, the research note demonstrates how REBUS detects classes in models with higher order (multidimensional) constructs, which are often the case in tourism research.