Online social networks in the travel sector

Daniel Belanche, Luis V. Casalo, Carlos Flavián () and Miguel Guinalíu

International Journal of Electronic Marketing and Retailing, 2010, vol. 3, issue 4, 321-340

Abstract: To advance understanding of online social networks in the travel sector, in which consumers share experiences about travel destinations and search information to plan their travels, this study analyses some antecedents and consequences associated with participation in such networks. The authors consider two levels of participation: observation and knowledge contribution. The data reveal that observation depends on calculative commitment to the network, whereas knowledge contribution exhibits a positive effect initiated by both calculative and affective commitment. Trust has positive effects on both types of commitment. Finally, observation and knowledge contribution positively influence a consumer's intention to use the products and services of the travel organisation that hosts the network.

Keywords: online social networks; travel industry; observation; knowledge contribution; trust; affective commitment; calculative commitment; loyalty; consumer intentions; travel destinations; travel planning; travel experiences; information sharing. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=36880 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijemre:v:3:y:2010:i:4:p:321-340

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in International Journal of Electronic Marketing and Retailing from Inderscience Enterprises Ltd
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sarah Parker ().