The concept of well-being and its effect on airline ticket purchasing
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2016-08-30
Author(s)
Abstract
From the very beginning questions on and about well-being were discussed by several authors and are still very present in recent literature. Although well-being research has grown increasingly within the last decade and in the field of consumer behaviour, a transfer and use of its concept into the airline ticket purchasing process cannot be found. Until now, only a few authors have taken efforts to apply well-being as a potential factor within the consumer decision-making in travel and transportation research. Based on the theoretical roots of well-being, this thesis analyses its constitution, function and use within human behavioural motivation to first describe and define well-being in general and second to investigate potential well-being factors that can be used within the airline ticket purchasing process.
By combining a review of relevant literature and qualitative research, well-being is defined as a condition or state of good, positive and pleasant feelings and a general feeling of happiness. It is mainly constituted by six major attributes: Positive social environment, being myself, relaxation, freedom, trust and good feeling. The transfer of general well-being factors from travel and transportation research identified seven aviation factors that supposedly impact passengers’ ticket purchases. These key factors are linked to specific airline options and are further specified in order to test the most appropriate on their effect within the airline ticket purchasing process. In the end, a conjoint analysis reveals that the derived well-being factors are only partly relevant for passengers’ ticket purchases. Yet, it is shown that air travelling is affected by hedonic well-being options, such as comfort, relaxation or joy. Airlines that focus on implementing effective hedonic well-being factors, such as seat comfort and ticket flexibility, can thus create additional value for customers through the creation of well-being.
By combining a review of relevant literature and qualitative research, well-being is defined as a condition or state of good, positive and pleasant feelings and a general feeling of happiness. It is mainly constituted by six major attributes: Positive social environment, being myself, relaxation, freedom, trust and good feeling. The transfer of general well-being factors from travel and transportation research identified seven aviation factors that supposedly impact passengers’ ticket purchases. These key factors are linked to specific airline options and are further specified in order to test the most appropriate on their effect within the airline ticket purchasing process. In the end, a conjoint analysis reveals that the derived well-being factors are only partly relevant for passengers’ ticket purchases. Yet, it is shown that air travelling is affected by hedonic well-being options, such as comfort, relaxation or joy. Airlines that focus on implementing effective hedonic well-being factors, such as seat comfort and ticket flexibility, can thus create additional value for customers through the creation of well-being.
Language
English
Keywords
Airline
wellbeing
consumer behavior
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SoM - Business Innovation
Event Title
66th International Asociation of Scientific Experts in Tourism (AIEST) Congress
Event Location
Malta
Event Date
28.08.-01.09.2016
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Contact Email Address
andreas.wittmer@unisg.ch
Eprints ID
249882
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
Wittmer_ATRS 2016.pdf
Size
581.41 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
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