Roger Vaughan

Using involvement for segmenting the adoption of e-commerce in travel

While the adoption of e-commerce in the purchasing of leisure travel is gaining momentum, higher levels of adoption can be achieved if greater knowledge of the market for e-commerce is obtained. This research uses two variables, involvement with computers for leisure purposes and purchasing leisure travel over the Internet, as a means of segmenting the market with regard to the adoption of e-commerce in the purchasing of leisure travel. A sample of residents of a suburban borough of Lisbon (Portugal) was surveyed and hierarchical clustering was performed on 225 usable questionnaires. The four resulting clusters of residents that emerged were quite different from one another in relation to the adoption of e-commerce in the purchasing of leisure travel and in supporting the internal and external validity of the clustering procedure. One segment that has not been reported in the literature before was identified, comprising those who have moderate involvement with both innovations (the moderate enthusiasts). Moreover, the results suggest that individuals in this cluster may be stronger candidates for the adoption of e-commerce in the purchasing of leisure travel that computer fanatics.

Determinants of Intention to Purchase Over the Internet

ABSTRACT More than 10 years on since the launch of the Internet, there are clear differential levels of adoption of the Internet for purchasing leisure travel across countries. In some countries, such as Portugal, only a minority of travel purchasing is conducted over the Internet. This paper aims to contribute to a greater understanding of adoption of purchasing over the Internet by evaluating the determinants of intention to adopt the Internet for purchasing leisure travel. A number of variables are used to assess which factors influence intention, including the attributes of purchasing over the Internet (relative advantage and complexity), involvement, and the stage in the e-commerce adoption path. Kruskal-Wallis and logistic regression were employed and the results indicated that relative advantage, involvement and stage in the e-commerce adoption path were important predictors of the intention to purchase leisure travel over the Internet, while complexity was not.

Images of Romania as a potential holiday destination

Based on a randomly selected sample of respondents from four different urban areas in Western Europe: Munich (Germany), Oporto (Portugal), Leon (Spain) and Bournemouth (UK), this paper adds to knowledge on destination image in two ways. First, it provides international comparisons of the same destination within Europe: Romania. Second, it focuses on rural areas as a potential destination. The main message coming out of the results presented is that Romania has much to do in terms of developing and presenting an attractive image to potential visitors from the rest of Europe.

A preliminary study of visitors to ancient Merv (Turkmenistan)

Merv was the first World Heritage Site in Turkmenistan to be designated, the site comprises early city-sites, religious or sacred buildings including the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar dating from the 12th century, and a shrine to honour the eminent 12th century Sufi scholar Hodja Yusup Hamadani which is a notable focus of pilgrimage. The aim of the paper is to determine a preliminary profile of visitors to a site which has historic and cultural significance for some and is a venue of shrine pilgrimage for others and review the respondents assessment of the management of a visitor attraction where tribal traditions and Islamic beliefs and practices are a key consideration for visitors and site managers. The preliminary conclusions support are that following more than 100 years of Russian/Soviet colonisation the Turkmen Sufi inspired form of Islam integrated into a tribal society remains vibrant for an as yet undetermined percentage of the Turkmen nation.

An analysis of the perceived effects of economic and monetary union on hotels in the north of Portugal

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the perceived implications of economic and monetary union (EMU) as a driver for changes in the hotel business environment and, consequently, on Portuguese competitiveness, in terms of the conceptual framework and methodology adopted and showing the way how it may contribute to help managers and decision makers to effectively manage their competitive strategies.Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopted and adapted Porters models (Diamond, Five Forces and Value Chain) as the basis for analysing the implications of EMU upon the hotel business environment (at national, industry and operational level). Those implications are the ones perceived by the stakeholders in that sector: public authorities, trade associations and hoteliers.Findings – The findings indicated that EMU not only changed the hotel business environment at a national level, but also changed the competitive and operational environment. Nonetheless, as this study found, the hotel stakeh...

İnternet üzerinden satın alma niyetinin belirleyicileri

Internetin kullanilmaya baslamasindan beri 10 yildan uzun bir sure gecmis olmasina karsin, seyahat urunu satin almalarinda internetin kullanimi acisindan ulkeler arasinda belirgin farkliliklar oldugu goze carpmaktadir. Portekiz gibi bazi ulkelerde, seyahat urunu satin almalarinin sadece kucuk bir orani internet uzerinden yapilmaktadir. Bu calisma, seyahat urununu internet uzerinden satin alma niyetinin belirleyicilerini degerlendirerek, satin almalarda internet kullaniminin daha iyi anlasilmasina katkida bulunmayi amaclamaktadir. Bu niyeti hangi faktorlerin etkiledigine iliskin goreceli avantaj, karmasiklik, kapsam (involvement) ve e-ticaret uyum surecindeki asama gibi bircok faktor degerlendirmeye alinmistir. Kruskal Wallis ve lojistik regresyon analizleri sonucunda goreceli avantaj, kapsam ve e-ticarete uyum surecindeki asamanin internet uzerinden seyahat satin alma niyetinin onemli belirleyicileri oldugu, karmasikligin ise belirleyici etkisinin olmadigi ortaya cikmistir.