What influences Vietnamese Airbnb travelers’ positive electronic word-of-mouth intentions? An extension of the Mehrabian – Russell model
Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality
ISSN: 2752-6666
Article publication date: 25 January 2022
Issue publication date: 27 July 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationship between environmental stimuli of Airbnb experience, customers’ perceived enjoyment and positive electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) intentions through an extension of the Mehrabian–Russell model.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative methodology was adopted using a web-based survey. Data were collected from a sample of 162 Vietnamese Airbnb consumers who had stayed at the platform accommodations. A two-stage procedure with the partial least squares approach to structural equation modeling was conducted to evaluate the measurement model and structural model.
Findings
The results confirmed the significant positive effect of home benefits and social interaction on Airbnb customers’ perceived enjoyment, which subsequently inspires them to develop intentions to spread positive comments toward this platform. Moreover, these relationships remain unchanged among the different groups of customers, except Airbnb travelers with business purposes.
Practical implications
The findings will provide Airbnb stakeholders in emerging markets with insights into identifying the important environmental factors that are more likely to stimulate consumers’ enjoyment and encourage them to spread positive WOM on social network outlets.
Originality/value
This research provides a deeper comprehension of Airbnb users’ emotional states and positive eWOM intentions by exploring the possible antecedents. Moreover, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to propose the moderating role of gender, purpose of the trip and type of accommodation in the hypothesized relationships. The contradictory findings of this study also highlight the cultural difference in Airbnb customers’ perception and behavioral intentions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful for support from the Research Centre for Tourism, Sustainability and Well-being (CinTurs) [FCT Grant Number UIDP/SOC/04020/2020].Disclosure Statement: We have neither financial interest to disclose directly or indirectly related to the research in the manuscript nor personal or other relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence, or be perceived to influence, their work.
Citation
Do, T.T.M.D., Pinto, P., Silva, J.A. and Pereira, L.N. (2022), "What influences Vietnamese Airbnb travelers’ positive electronic word-of-mouth intentions? An extension of the Mehrabian – Russell model", Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 143-160. https://doi.org/10.1108/CBTH-04-2021-0084
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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