Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/274438 
Year of Publication: 
2022
Citation: 
[Journal:] Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity [ISSN:] 2199-8531 [Volume:] 8 [Issue:] 3 [Article No.:] 137 [Year:] 2022 [Pages:] 1-17
Publisher: 
MDPI, Basel
Abstract: 
In this contemporary world, electronic word of mouth (eWOM) platforms (or media) have become a prerequisite information source for online surfers, especially when planning excursions. However, tourists refer to the reviews of these platforms based on utilitarian and hedonic aspects. The utilitarian value enhances users' task performance, whereas the hedonic value is related to pleasure and inner feelings. The present work was undertaken to study the importance of various utilitarian and hedonic determinants, and analyses their influence on the perceived usefulness (PU) of eWOM media and subsequent online booking decisions (OBD) for tourist destinations in India. In addition, the study investigates whether the influence of PU of eWOM media on OBD varies according to gender. A conceptual model was introduced based on data analysis done through SPSS 23 and AMOS 23. The model was empirically validated based on sample data comprising 338 Indian tourists. The purposive sampling technique was used in the current study, and only those samples who referred to eWOM media for information search were accepted. The findings indicate that utilitarian and hedonic determinants significantly influence tourist decision-making. TripAdvisor was the most popular web portal, followed by other social networking sites among the preferred sources of tourist destination information. The moderating analysis revealed that the impact of eWOM media PU on OBD was higher in males than in females. The study suggests that website designers and administrators design the contents according to the needs identified.
Subjects: 
eWOM media
gender
hedonic value
online booking decision
perceived usefulness
tourist destination
utilitarian value
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by Logo
Document Type: 
Article

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.