Positive and negative switching barriers: promoting hotel customer citizenship behaviour through brand attachment

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop and test a theoretical model postulating that a hotel customer’s brand attachment is reinforced by positive and negative switching barriers, which, in turn, determine customer citizenship behaviour (CCB) towards hotel brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys were conducted and completed by 233 respondents in the USA who had favourite hotel brands and used these brands in the previous year. A framework was developed based on the literature, and eight hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings suggest that a customer’s brand attachment (brand-self connection and brand prominence) to a hotel is strengthened not only by relational benefits (positive switching barriers) but also by switching costs (negative switching barriers). Brand prominence can promote CCB, whereas the impact of brand-self connection on CCB is rather limited.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights the importance of affirmative and passive reasons for customers to remain in a relationship with the hotel brand and how sub-dimensions of switching barriers are interrelated to predict a customer’s attitude and behaviour to the brand. By emphasising the role of customers’ hotel brand attachment, this study also ascertains that cognitive and affective bonds towards a hotel brand can be significant antecedents to their extra-role behaviours.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the hospitality literature by expanding the realm of consumer behaviour research on switching barriers, brand attachment and CCB.

Citation

Lee, C.-H. and Kim, H.-R. (2022), "Positive and negative switching barriers: promoting hotel customer citizenship behaviour through brand attachment", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 34 No. 11, pp. 4288-4311. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-10-2021-1280