Making sense of tourist shopping research: A critical review. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jin, Haipeng; Moscardo, Gianna; Murphy, Laurie
• Is Part Of: Tourism management. Volume 62(2017)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 134
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Tourist shopping -- Tourist satisfaction -- Tourist motivation -- Cross-cultural research; Tourism -- Periodicals; 338.4791
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2017.03.027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-5177

Abstract

Abstract: Shopping is a common activity for many tourists, but research into this phenomenon is piecemeal and fragmented. This paper provides a critical review of tourist shopping research with the aims of identifying progress, presenting a descriptive framework, and suggesting new areas and approaches for research. The paper identifies main themes in tourist shopping research based on a "4W2H" framework that examines who (segmentation), what (product), why (motivation), where (setting and service), how (behaviour and experience) and how much (expenditure). Attention then shifts to a review of conceptual, theoretical and methodological issues. The findings show that the area is dominated by quantitative studies and a reliance on four generic concepts – customer satisfaction, motivation, culture and attitude. A lack of appropriate and specific theoretical foundations is a major problem for the area and the paper concludes with a discussion of key topics that merit further attention and that could address this problem. Highlights: Defines tourist shopping as an activity in which tourists purchase goods to take home during their travel. Proposes a descriptive framework for classifying tourist shopping studies from 2000 to 2015. Reviews main themes concepts and methods in tourist shopping research. Identifies major gaps including issues with a lack of appropriate theoretical guidance. Offers suggestions to improve theoretical frameworks for this aspect of tourism.