Influence of Choice Architecture on the Preference for a Pro-Environmental Hotel

Jungkeun Kim, Seongseop Kim, Jin Soo Lee, Peter Beomcheol Kim, Yuanyuan Cui

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This research examines a contextual trigger, namely, choice architecture, which induces pro-environmental behavior among travelers. In particular, we test whether decision modes (choice vs. rejection) affect travelers’ preference for a sustainable hotel over a less sustainable one, and if yes, how moral hypocrisy mediates the link between decision modes and preference. Results of a series of five experimental studies show that choice decision mode has increased travelers’ preference for a pro-environmental hotel, which is mediated by different types of information processing (elaborate vs. deliberative processing), thereby refuting the potential alternative explanations (i.e., mood) of the findings. This article contributes to the literature by introducing a critical factor, namely, choice architecture, which significantly affects travelers’ preferences for pro-environmental hotels. The implications of the findings are discussed for both practitioners and researchers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)512-527
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Travel Research
Volume59
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2020

Keywords

  • choice architecture
  • hotel choice
  • preference
  • pro-environment
  • rejection
  • sustainability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Transportation
  • Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management

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