Thesis (Ph.D)--Cyprus International University Instıtute of Graduate Studies and Research Business Administration Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 150-208)

ABSTRACT
Practitioners and scholars around the world have come to recognize the relevance of
electronic referral (e-Referral) in shaping tourist’s behavioral intentions. Despite this,
little attention has been paid to explore the underlying process in which e-Referral
operates to alter behaviors and intention. The little research conducted in this domain
has failed to provide a frame of reference, rather generated an increased inconsistency
concerning the superiority of interactive e-Referral over e-WOM. By using three
important cognitive behavioral theories (i.e., social ties theory, trust transfer theory and
social identification theory) as theoretical framework, this dissertation scrutinizes
associations between interactive e-Referral, tourist’s engagement, intention to visit and
e-Referral sharing behavior. Using a variance-based structural equation modeling (VBSEM)
on survey data obtained from snow tourists in Bursa, Turkey, we found: that (1)
interactive e-Referral exerts a significant influence on tourist engagement, e-Referral
sharing behavior and visit intention; (2) the relationship between interactive e-Referral,
and e-Referral sharing behavior was mediated by tourist engagement and (3) the
relationship between interactive e-Referral and intention to visit was mediated by tourist
engagement. This work contributed to the literature and service practices by providing
insight on the significance of interactive e-Referral on various consumers’ behaviors.
Several theoretical and managerial implications are highlighted; limitations and future
research recommendations are offered.