IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/infott/v23y2021i3d10.1007_s40558-021-00202-9.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The role of procedural, financial and relational switching costs in the Chinese online hotel booking market: antecedents and consequences

Author

Listed:
  • Weizhao Huang

    (South China University of Technology
    Guangdong Tourism Vocational Institute)

  • Jingna Wang

    (Nankai University)

  • Jinbo Jiang

    (South China University of Technology)

  • Jinwen Tang

    (Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University)

Abstract

This study reveals the key facets of switching costs and their antecedents within the context of online hotel booking in China using mixed methods. Survey results based on 368 valid responses indicate significant antecedents stemming from the characteristics of the online booking market and the individual behavioural and experiential characteristics of customers. However, relational switching costs show a significant positive effect on customers’ intentions to continue with their current online booking service provider, while other switching costs do not. Qualitative research further explores the multi-dimensional nature of customer-perceived switching costs and shows that consumers’ habitual purchases with an online hotel booking service provider form trust, increasing the cost of brand relationship losses and preventing customers from switching. When the self-construal of consumers is different, the homogeneity of providers will have both a positive and negative impact on switching intentions. There are also some interesting findings regarding learning costs in the online hotel booking field. This study extends knowledge about customer retention in the competitive Chinese online booking market by incorporating different types of antecedents and testing their influences on different facets of switching costs as well as the consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Weizhao Huang & Jingna Wang & Jinbo Jiang & Jinwen Tang, 2021. "The role of procedural, financial and relational switching costs in the Chinese online hotel booking market: antecedents and consequences," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 439-470, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infott:v:23:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s40558-021-00202-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s40558-021-00202-9
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s40558-021-00202-9
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s40558-021-00202-9?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nedungadi, Prakash, 1990. "Recall and Consumer Consideration Sets: Influencing Choice without Altering Brand Evaluations," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 17(3), pages 263-276, December.
    2. Yi-Man Teng & Kun-Shan Wu & Che-Yi Chou, 2020. "Price or Convenience: What Is More Important for Online and Offline Bookings? A Study of a Five-Star Resort Hotel in Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-16, May.
    3. Robert Jeyakumar Nathan & Vijay Victor & Melanie Tan & Maria Fekete-Farkas, 2020. "Tourists’ use of Airbnb app for visiting a historical city," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 217-242, June.
    4. Klein, Lisa R., 1998. "Evaluating the Potential of Interactive Media through a New Lens: Search versus Experience Goods," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 41(3), pages 195-203, March.
    5. Armstrong, J. Scott & Overton, Terry S., 1977. "Estimating Nonresponse Bias in Mail Surveys," MPRA Paper 81694, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Bonsón Ponte, Enrique & Carvajal-Trujillo, Elena & Escobar-Rodríguez, Tomás, 2015. "Influence of trust and perceived value on the intention to purchase travel online: Integrating the effects of assurance on trust antecedents," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 286-302.
    7. Blut, Markus & Frennea, Carly M. & Mittal, Vikas & Mothersbaugh, David L., 2015. "How procedural, financial and relational switching costs affect customer satisfaction, repurchase intentions, and repurchase behavior: A meta-analysis," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 226-229.
    8. Chau Ka Yin & Huawen Shen, 2016. "Assessing the Effects of Switching Costs on Perceived Values and Brand Loyalty: The Impact of Customers’ Perceived Authenticity in Hotel Sector," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 12(1), pages 1-84, December.
    9. Martin Gellerstedt & T. Arvemo, 2019. "The impact of word of mouth when booking a hotel: could a good friend’s opinion outweigh the online majority?," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 289-311, September.
    10. Jennifer Edson Escalas & James R. Bettman, 2005. "Self-Construal, Reference Groups, and Brand Meaning," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 32(3), pages 378-389, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Amin Ansary & Nik M. Hazrul Nik Hashim, 2018. "Brand image and equity: the mediating role of brand equity drivers and moderating effects of product type and word of mouth," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 969-1002, October.
    2. Chang-Geun Kim & Oh-Suk Yang, 2024. "Global Companies’ Dynamic Response to Business Environment Uncertainty through Digital Transformation: Sustainable Digital Quality–Customer Value–Market Performance Relationships," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-32, July.
    3. Xin Xu & James Y. L. Thong & Viswanath Venkatesh, 2014. "Effects of ICT Service Innovation and Complementary Strategies on Brand Equity and Customer Loyalty in a Consumer Technology Market," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 25(4), pages 710-729, December.
    4. Vishal Bindroo & Xin He & Raj Echambadi, 2016. "Satisfaction—Repurchase Intentions Relationship: Exploring the Contingent Roles of Consideration Set Size and Price Consciousness," Customer Needs and Solutions, Springer;Institute for Sustainable Innovation and Growth (iSIG), vol. 3(3), pages 115-125, December.
    5. Gonzalez-Jimenez, Hector & Fastoso, Fernando & Fukukawa, Kyoko, 2019. "How independence and interdependence moderate the self-congruity effect on brand attitude: A study of east and west," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 293-300.
    6. Onofrei, George & Filieri, Raffaele & Kennedy, Lorraine, 2022. "Social media interactions, purchase intention, and behavioural engagement: The mediating role of source and content factors," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 100-112.
    7. Alzaidi, Maram Saeed & Agag, Gomaa, 2022. "The role of trust and privacy concerns in using social media for e-retail services: The moderating role of COVID-19," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    8. Ozkara, Behcet Yalin & Ozmen, Mujdat & Kim, Jong Woo, 2017. "Examining the effect of flow experience on online purchase: A novel approach to the flow theory based on hedonic and utilitarian value," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 119-131.
    9. Liu, Gordon & Ko, Wai Wai & Chapleo, Chris, 2017. "Managing employee attention and internal branding," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1-11.
    10. Jake An & Diem Khac Xuan Do & Liem Viet Ngo & Tran Ha Minh Quan, 2019. "Turning brand credibility into positive word-of-mouth: integrating the signaling and social identity perspectives," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 26(2), pages 157-175, March.
    11. Baumann, Chris & Hamin, Hamin & Chong, Amy, 2015. "The role of brand exposure and experience on brand recall—Product durables vis-à -vis FMCG," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 21-31.
    12. S. Arunachalam & Sridhar N. Ramaswami & Pol Herrmann & Doug Walker, 2018. "Innovation pathway to profitability: the role of entrepreneurial orientation and marketing capabilities," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 46(4), pages 744-766, July.
    13. Kettle, Keri L. & Mantonakis, Antonia, 2024. "Look for the signature: Using personal signatures as extrinsic cues promotes identity-congruent behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    14. Yoon, Junghyun & Lee, Hee Yong & Dinwoodie, John, 2015. "Competitiveness of container terminal operating companies in South Korea and the industry–university–government network," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1-14.
    15. Sousa, Carlos M.P. & Bradley, Frank, 2008. "Antecedents of international pricing adaptation and export performance," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 43(3), pages 307-320, July.
    16. Son K. Lam & Thomas E. DeCarlo & Ashish Sharma, 2019. "Salesperson ambidexterity in customer engagement: do customer base characteristics matter?," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 47(4), pages 659-680, July.
    17. Danilo Soares‐Silva & Gustavo Hermínio Salati Marcondes de Moraes & Alexandre Cappellozza & Cristiano Morini, 2020. "Explaining library user loyalty through perceived service quality: What is wrong?," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 71(8), pages 954-967, August.
    18. Van Wijk, Raymond & Nadolska, Anna, 2020. "Making more of alliance portfolios: The role of alliance portfolio coordination," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 388-399.
    19. Jarle Aarstad & Olav Andreas Kvitastein & Stig-Erik Jakobsen, 2019. "What Drives Enterprise Product Innovation? Assessing How Regional, National, And International Inter-Firm Collaboration Complement Or Substitute For R&D Investments," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 23(05), pages 1-25, June.
    20. Jonathan H. Reed, 2022. "Operational and strategic change during temporary turbulence: evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 589-608, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:infott:v:23:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s40558-021-00202-9. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.