Skip to main content

Travel Social Media Involvement: A Proposed Measure

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:

Abstract

This study proposes a measure to determine traveller’s level of involvement with travel social media websites. Social media involvement is defined as a person’s level of interest, emotional attachment or arousal with social media. This measure is important because understanding travellers’ level of involvement with social media is paramount, enabling social media marketers to personalize online marketing strategies and predict behaviours (e.g. online travel purchases). Therefore, this research contributes to the development of literature on travel related social media by providing an instrument to measure travellers’ involvement with travel related social media. A confirmatory factor analysis conducted with a sample of 1,732 respondents demonstrates that social media involvement can be conceptualized as a formative multidimensional construct, formed by interest in social media, social media consumption, social media creation and perceived playfulness with the use of social media (all for travel related purposes).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Afthanorhan, W. M. A. B. W. (2013). A comparison of partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and covariance based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) for confirmatory factor analysis. International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology, 2(5), 198–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andreev, P., Heart, T., Maoz, H., & Pliskin, N. (2009). Validating formative partial least squares (PLS) models: Methodological review and empirical illustration. Paper presented at the Thirtieth International Conference on Information Systems, Phoenix.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arsal, I., Backman, S., & Baldwin, E. (2008). Influence of an online travel community on travel decisions. In P. O’Connor, W. Hopken, & U. Gretzel (Eds.), Information and communication technologies in tourism 2008 (pp. 82–93). Vienna: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bagozzi, R. P., & Yi, Y. (1988). On the evaluation of structural equation models. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 16(1), 74–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becker, J.-M., Klein, K., & Wetzels, M. (2012). Hierarchical latent variable models in PLS-SEM: Guidelines for using reflective-formative type models. Long Range Planning, 45(5–6), 359–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chin, W. W. (1998). Commentary: Issues and opinion on structural equation modeling. MIS Quarterly, 22(1), vii–xvi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chin, W. W. (2010). How to write up and report PLS analyses. In V. E. Vinzi, W. W. Chin, J. Henseler, & H. Wang (Eds.), Handbook of partial least squares: Concepts, methods and applications in marketing and related fields (pp. 655–690). Berlin: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Chung, J. Y., & Buhalis, D. (2008a). Information needs in online social networks. Information Technology & Tourism, 10, 267–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chung, J. Y., & Buhalis, D. (2008b). Web 2.0: A study of online travel community. In P. O’Connor, W. Hopken, & U. Gretzel (Eds.), Information and communication technologies in tourism 2008 (pp. 70–81). Vienna: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • ComScore. (2007). Online consumer-generated reviews have significant impact on offline purchase behavior. Retrieved April 17, 2012, from http://www.comscore.com/por/Insights/Press_Releases/2007/11/Online_Consumer_Reviews_Impact_Offline_Purchasing_Behavior

  • Durrheim, K., & Painter, D. (2008). Collecting quantitative data: Sampling and measuring. In M. T. Blanche, K. Durrheim, & D. Painter (Eds.), Research in practice: Applied methods for the social sciences (pp. 131–159). Cape Town: Juta and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • eMarketer. (2013). In Asia-Pacific, social media inspires travelers. Retrieved August 25, 2014, from http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Asia-Pacific-Social-Media-Inspires-Travelers/1009605

  • Engel, J. F., Blackwell, R. D., & Miniard, P. W. (1995). Consumer behavior (8th ed.). Fort Worth, TX: Dryden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L. A. B. (2011). Research methods for the behavioral sciences (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gretzel, U. (2012). Introduction to the section on Web 2.0 and travellers’ behaviour. In M. Sigala, E. Christou, & U. Gretzel (Eds.), Social media in travel, tourism and hospitality: Theory, practice and cases (pp. 167–169). Surrey: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gretzel, U., & Yoo, K. H. (2008). Use and impact of online travel reviews. In P. O’Connor, W. Hopken, & U. Gretzel (Eds.), Information and communication technologies in tourism 2008 (pp. 35–46). Vienna: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gretzel, U., Yoo, K.-H., & Purifoy, M. (2007). Online travel review study: Role and impact of online travel reviews. Retrieved from http://www.tripadvisor.com/pdfs/OnlineTravelReviewReport.pdf

  • Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, H. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2010). Multivariate data analysis (7th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hair, J. F., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2011). PLS-SEM: Indeed a silver bullet. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 19(2), 139–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hair, J. F., Ringle, C. M., Hult, G. T. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2013). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harteveldt, H. H., Evans, P. F., Stark, E., & Zeidler, B. (2010). How travel ebusiness can engage conversationalists. The new social media group - A social computing report: Forrester research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasavana, M. L., Nusair, K., & Teodosic, K. (2010). Online social networking: Redefining the human web. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 1(1), 68–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laurent, G., & Kapferer, J.-N. (1985). Measuring consumer involvement profiles. Journal of Marketing Research, 22(February), 41–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. K. O., Cheung, C. M. K., & Chen, Z. (2005). Acceptance of Internet-based learning medium: The role of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Information & Management, 42(8), 1095–1104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McQuarrie, E. F., & Munson, J. M. (1992). A revised product involvement inventory: Improved usability and validity. Advances in Consumer Research, 19(1), 108–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mittal, B. (1989). Measuring purchase-decision involvement. Psychology and Marketing, 6(2), 147–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moon, J.-W., & Kim, Y.-G. (2001). Extending the TAM for a World-Wide-Web context. Information & Management, 38(4), 217–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noone, M., & McGuire, K. (2013). Pricing in a social world: The influence of non-price information on hotel choice. Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, 12, 385–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noone, B. M., McGuire, K. A., & Niemeier, H.-M. (2011). Social media meets hotel revenue management: Opportunities, issues and unanswered questions. Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, 10(4), 293–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osborn, A. (2009). Online advertising through social media. inc.com. Retrieved April 17, 2012, from http://technology.inc.com/2009/01/01/online-advertising-through-social-media/

  • Parra-López, E., Gutiérrez-Taño, D., Díaz-Armas, R. J., & Bulchand-Gidumal, J. (2012). Travellers 2.0: Motivation, opportunity and ability to use social media. In M. Sigala, E. Christou, & U. Gretzel (Eds.), Social media in travel, tourism and hospitality: Theory, practice and cases (pp. 171–187). Surrey: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ridings, C., Gefen, D., & Arinze, B. (2006). Psychological barriers: Lurker and poster motivation and behavior in online communities. Paper presented at the Communications of the Association for Information Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringle, C. M., Wende, S., & Will, S. (2005). SmartPLS 2.0 (M3) (version beta) [software]. Hamburg. Retrieved from http://www.smartpls.de

  • Rothschild, M. L. (1984). Perspectives on involvement: Current problems and future directions. Advances in Consumer Research, 11, 216–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shao, G. (2009). Understanding the appeal of user-generated media: A uses and gratification perspective. Internet Research, 19(1), 7–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparks, B. A., & Browning, V. (2011). The impact of online reviews on hotel booking intentions and perception of trust. Tourism Management, 32(6), 1310–1323.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, R. N. (1984). The marketing characteristics of involvement. Advances in Consumer Research, 11(1), 210–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tnooz. (2014). Vast majority of TripAdvisor users read at least 6–12 reviews before choosing hotel. Retrieved August 25, 2014, from http://www.tnooz.com/article/tripadvisor-online-review-insights-phocuswright-study/

  • Verhoef, P. C., & Langerak, F. (2001). Possible determinants of consumers’ adoption of electronic grocery shopping in the Netherlands. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 8(5), 275–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vermeulen, I., & Seegers, D. (2009). Tried and tested: The impact of online hotel reviews on consumer consideration. Tourism Management, 30(1), 123–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., & Fesenmaier, D. R. (2004). Modeling participation in an online travel community. Journal of Travel Research, 42(3), 261–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang, Z., & Gretzel, U. (2010). Role of social media in online travel information search. Tourism Management, 31(2), 179–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, K.-H., & Gretzel, U. (2011). Influence of personality on travel-related consumer-generated media creation. Computers in Human Behavior, 27(2), 609–621.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaichkowsky, J. L. (1985). Measuring the involvement construct. Journal of Consumer Research, 12, 341–352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Suzanne Amaro .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Amaro, S., Duarte, P. (2015). Travel Social Media Involvement: A Proposed Measure. In: Tussyadiah, I., Inversini, A. (eds) Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2015. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14343-9_16

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics