Many recent studies with the topic of innovative technologies have been executed in the viewpoint of adoption/readiness of one specific cutting-edge technology in the hospitality industry. Unlike with the existing studies, the present research comprehensively dealt with consumers’ perceived performance of a smart hotel and explored its influence on the formation of attitude and word-of-mouth intention. Furthermore, this study encompassed drivers of technology readiness (optimism and innovativeness) as critical moderators. Our analysis results confirmed that the perceived performance of a smart hotel is essential in generating individuals’ favorable attitudes and positive word-of-mouth intentions. The moderating roles of optimism and innovativeness were also found in the link between perceived performance and attitude. Theoretical value and managerial contributions were discussed through unpinning the structural relationships among study variables in the smart hotel context.

Purpose: This paper aims to extend the knowledge of travelers’ shopping behaviors at airport duty-free stores by investigating the role of multiple quality factors, value dimensions, trust and satisfaction. Moreover, the influence of possible barriers to airport shopping is examined. Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative data collection including a survey was used. A structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. Findings: The results showed that the proposed conceptual framework provided sufficiently explained travelers’ post-purchase intentions for airport duty-free shopping. Hedonic value and trust in airport duty-free shopping were of greatest importance in determining intentions. The quality of products and physical environment also showed relative importance among cognitive drivers. The findings from the metric invariance test indicated the significant moderating impact of travelers’ perceived barriers to airport shopping. The mediating impact of study variables was also identified. Practical implications: Findings help airport practitioners improve their knowledge of travelers’ shopping behaviors at airport duty-free stores and help them to develop efficient methods to facilitate air travelers’ commercial activities at an airport. Originality/value: Non-aeronautical business is emerging as a means of revenue maximization in the airport industry, yet there is a lack of understanding about air travelers’ commercial activities at airports. This study filled this void through the development of sturdy framework for air travelers’ non-aeronautical commercial activities at an airport.

Food tour in Korea has emerged as a popular program for foreign tourists who learn and experience Korean culture through cuisine, restaurants, and dining customs. The main objective of this empirical research is to investigate foreign tourists’ perceptions of Koran food tour and segment the emerging Korean food tour market. A total of 211 usable responses from foreign tourists who experienced Korean food tour were collected through the purposive sampling approach. The results of an exploratory factor analysis showed 7 food service factors delineated from 30 food tour service attributes and 4 segments of Korean food tour market (authenticity seekers, knowledge seekers, guidance seekers, and utmost experience seekers) were identified through the cluster-discriminant analysis. Detailed implications for the operators and marketers of Korean food tour programs are discussed.

It is essential to identify and evaluate the important quality attributes of hospitality higher education on a continuing basis. This assessment helps administrators to ensure the quality of programs and attract top talent. This empirical research delineates quality dimensions of hospitality higher education from the perspectives of hospitality management students. A total of 314 usable responses were collected from four different hospitality management programs in the United States. Exploratory factor analysis identified five quality dimensions of hospitality higher education. Results of group comparisons using demographic variables provide meaningful implications for educators and administrators in U.S. hospitality higher education.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relative importance of tangible service attributes toward diners’ satisfaction within the upscale dining segment. Based on previous studies on tangible service quality, a total of 29 tangible service attributes were identified. Through the exploratory factor analysis (EFA), five underlying dimensions of tangible service attributes were first delineated: presentation value, table aesthetics, sensory perceptions, hygiene purity, and vehicle convenience. The results of multiple regression analyses indicate that statistically significant causal relationship between tangible service factors and the diners’ satisfaction exist within the upscale dining segment. Detailed empirical findings and implications are discussed.

This empirical study investigated educational restaurant operators’ perspectives of green practices using importance-performance analysis. From the literature review, panel discussion, and a pilot study, a total of 32 green attributes in seven major categories were developed for the main survey. Based on 54 valid responses collected, the importance-performance analysis (IPA) was conducted. The results indicate that educational restaurants must keep up the good work of green practices in the pollution prevention category and improve green aspects in the category of water energy conservation. Detailed implications of green practices for restaurant operators are discussed.