Wansoo Kim

Dr. Wansoo Kim

Department of Tourism Management, Gachon University, Gachon-Guan, #934, 1342 Seongnam-Daero, Sujeong-Gu, Seongnam 13120, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

15Years (2012-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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7 January 2019 in Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Heesup HanHeesup Han
Heesup Han
JYJongsik Yu
Jongsik Yu
Wansoo KimWansoo Kim
Wansoo Kim
This study aimed to uncover the role of an airline’s environmental corporate social responsibility in conjunction with building loyalty intentions of its customers while considering the mediating impact of its brand image, love and respect, as well as the moderating effect of environmental concerns. Our results from the structural analysis showed the salient role of environmental corporate social responsibility in determining loyalty intentions, and it was also a significant contributor to improving brand image, love, and respect that acted as significant mediators. Moreover, the results demonstrated a significant moderating effect of environmental concern on the brand respect and loyalty relationship.

7 July 2016 in Journal of Sustainable Tourism
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Heesup HanHeesup Han
Heesup Han
BMBo Meng
Bo Meng
Wansoo KimWansoo Kim
Wansoo Kim
In this study, we investigated the process of travelers’ decision formation for bicycle touring as a form of sustainable tourism activity. We extended the theory of planned behavior (TPB), using personal norm and past behavior as predictors and the attractiveness of unsustainable alternatives as a moderator. Results of the modeling comparison showed that our extended TPB model was superior to the original TPB in predicting intention. Our results from the structural analysis revealed that the hypothesized paths linking attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, personal norm, and intention were supported; and personal norm significantly mediated the impact of subjective norm on intention. Moreover, our proposition that bicycle travelers’ decision-making process would differ based on their level of the attractiveness of unsustainable alternatives was generally supported. Overall, our results help us clearly understand the role of volitional and non-volitional processes, personal norm, past behavior, and the attractiveness of unsustainable alternatives in explaining the intention formation of bike traveling.

2 December 2018 in Journal of Sustainable Tourism
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Heesup HanHeesup Han
Heesup Han
JYJongsik Yu
Jongsik Yu
HKHyeon-Cheol Kim
Hyeon-Cheol Kim
Wansoo KimWansoo Kim
Wansoo Kim
Despite its importance, young vacationers’ waste reduction and recycling decision formation remains unknown. This research was designed to investigate the intricate associations among social norms (descriptive and injunctive), willingness to sacrifice, and personal norm by developing a theoretical framework for young vacationers’ waste reduction and recycling intentions. The impact of gender was also examined. A quantitative approach employing a structural equation modeling was utilized. Our results revealed that descriptive norm, injunctive norm, and willingness to sacrifice were significant activators of personal norm. In addition, the direct impact of descriptive and injunctive norms on pro-environmental intentions was found. Personal norm acted as a mediator. Moreover, the proposed theoretical framework was further broadened by the significant moderating effect of gender on the injunctive norm–intentions linkage. Overall, this research helps researchers and practitioners better understand young international vacationers’ waste reduction and recycling intentions while traveling.

8 April 2019 in International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Heesup HanHeesup Han
Heesup Han
JYJongsik Yu
Jongsik Yu
BCBee-Lia Chua
Bee-Lia Chua
SLSanghyeop Lee
Sanghyeop Lee
Wansoo KimWansoo Kim
Wansoo Kim
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine airline passengers’ repurchase decision-making process by developing a sturdy theoretical framework comprising in-flight core-product and service-encounter quality, brand attitude, image, trust and love. The authors also attempted to examine if such decision formation differs across full-service and low-cost airlines in South Korea. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative method was used to achieve research objectives. For assessment of the conceptual framework and test of research hypotheses, a structural equation modeling and test for metric invariance were used. Findings: The results revealed that in-flight product and service-encounter quality significantly affected their subsequent variables, and their impact on intention was mediated by brand attitude, image, trust and love. In addition, brand image along with brand trust included the strongest influence on intention. Findings also indicated that the relationships among brand attitude, image, trust and love significantly differed between full-service and low-cost airlines. Practical implications: Increasing the customer retention rate is a key component of airline business success. This study made an important contribution to advancing the existing knowledge on what factors induce airline customers’ decision to repurchase a particular airline product and how such factors are interrelated with each other within the proposed model. Originality/value: This research was the first to explore that the relationship strength among brand image, brand attitude, brand trust and brand love are not equal between full-service and low-cost airline passenger groups.

18 September 2017 in Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Heesup HanHeesup Han
Heesup Han
Kiattipoom KiatkawsinKiattipoom Kiatkawsin
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin
HJHeekyoung Jung
Heekyoung Jung
Wansoo KimWansoo Kim
Wansoo Kim
Despite the considerable growth of the wellness spa tourism market, little research has examined the intricate procedure involved in travelers’ loyalty toward Thailand as a wellness spa tourism destination. This research aimed to explore such loyalty formation by investigating the relationships among performances of wellness spa tourism in Thailand, affective experiences, and overall satisfaction. A field survey methodology was used for data collection. Findings of the structural analysis revealed that product performances, affective experiences, and satisfaction were in general significantly associated, and that these variables contributed to a satisfactory prediction for destination loyalty. In addition, the adequacy of the second-order structure of the performances of Thai wellness spa tourism was demonstrated. Moreover, the relative effectiveness of satisfaction in building loyalty was identified. Both affective experiences and satisfaction were also found to have a significant mediating impact. Implications for destination researchers and practitioners are discussed.