Determinants of instant messaging use for communication with hotels: a policy-capturing study

Sut Ieng Lei, Ksenia Kirillova, Dan Wang, Chuan Xiao

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: Mobile instant messaging (IM) has been increasingly adopted by hotels to communicate with customers. This study aims to explore communication between hotels and customers and identifies the factors that affect hotel customers’ intention to use mobile IM to communicate with hotels. Design/methodology/approach: A two-stage exploratory sequential mixed-method design, which combines semi-structured interview and policy-capturing method was applied. Findings: The findings indicate that customers are more likely to use mobile IM to communicate with hotels for non-urgent matters; before and after a stay; and if customers are accustomed to using mobile IM for work and non-work purposes in daily life. Research limitations/implications: This study goes beyond traditional theories to capturing communication-related factors that affect customers’ IM use in a hotel context. Practical implications: The findings indicate why hotel managers should avoid relying on IM as the dominant communication channel. Originality/value: This is among one of the first studies that explore customers’ communication needs and communication media choice in hotels.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4237-4257
Number of pages21
JournalInternational Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management
Volume33
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Nov 2021

Keywords

  • Communication
  • Computer-mediated communication
  • Hospitality
  • Hotel
  • Instant messaging
  • Policy-capturing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management

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