| Author | Chang, Lizone |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.SM-12-08 |
| Subject(s) | Consumers--Taiwan
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| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in International Business |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. SM-12-08 |
| Abstract | Purpose:This studyinvestigatestourists' evaluation of health benefits of health-promoting tourist destinations and teststhe hypothesis that a match between individual health beliefs and attributes of health-promoting destinations increases the perception of healthfulness of a location.Design/methodology/approach: Based on theoretical models of psychological wellness we posit that the perception of healthfulness of a destination is based on perceived wellness effects of self-congruity and cognitive dissonance reduction. An expectation-disconfirmation model is conceptualized based on consumer health beliefs. Regression analysis of survey data on visitors to seven hot spring resorts in Taiwan tests the main hypothesis. Findings: The data confirms the main hypothesis. Low distance between subjective health beliefs and the characteristics of a destination results in positive customer evaluations of the destination.Research implications: The study contributes to the theoretical conceptualization of wellness tourism. It identifies and emphasizes specific cognitive processes for the experience of health at tourist destinations. Practical implications: The findings discourage a common approach of medicinization of tourist destinations, i.e. the emphasis of scientific research supporting possible biomedical health effects of this study suggests that the subjective beliefs of tourists regarding what is healthful can be leveraged to ensure tourist perception of health benefits of a place and popularize health-promoting tourist destinations. Based on our results, we suggest that health destinations should attempt to reflect consumers’ preconceived health beliefs, rather than reform them.Originality/value: The study proposes an expectation disconfirmation model in wellness tourism by combining several theoretical approaches to psychological wellness creation. Conceptulization of wellness, a health place and consumer satisfaction with a health place isthe main stream of this study. |
| Year | 2012 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. SM-12-08 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Management (SOM) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Publication code=SM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Beise-Zee, Rian |
| Examination Committee(s) | Sununta Siengthai ;Donyaprueth Krairit ;Gallardo, Wenresti G. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Chia-nan University of Pharmacy andScience, Taiwan |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2012 |