Assessing the value of hotel online reviews to consumers

Sofia Reino
,
Maria Rita Massaro

Research Output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Conference contribution Peer-review

Abstract

Previous research studied the impact of travel online reviews. However, this is quantitative and lacks of conceptual frameworks to ensure consistency. Only a few of these have considered influencing variables (i.e. characteristics of the review and the reader, and surrounding circumstances). Some of their findings are conflicting, which could relate to the lacking of a consistent approach. This study will only focus on online reviews about accommodation establishments. Its aim is to gain an understanding of the value of accommodation online reviews, through a qualitative study. A conceptual framework, based on consumer-perceived value theory, has been developed and face-to-face interviews with accommodation online review readers have been undertaken. The results suggest that the value of reviews is primary epistemic and partially functional, but limited emotional and social value has been reported. Furthermore, the elements eliciting the different value dimensions and additional variables influencing on their value (such as information search patterns) are identified.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Conference contribution Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 485-497

Publication milestones

Published - 03/03/2016

Publication status

Published - 03/03/2016

Publisher

Springer, Japan, India, Australia, Germany, United States, United Arab Emirates, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, China, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Brazil, France, Singapore

ISBN (Print)

9783319275277

External Publication IDs

handle.net: 10547/623655
Scopus: 85125777913

Host publication title

Tourism and Culture in the Age of Innovation

Access to documents

10.1007/978-3-319-27528-4_33