Self-Service Technologies (SSTs)—The Next Frontier in Service Excellence: Implications for Tourism Industry

Abstract

This research aims to understand how self-service technologies (SSTs) can bring about service excellence for tourists by the moderated mediating effect of satisfaction and tourist types, from the customer’s perspective. The study draws on survey data from 627 tourists from North Cyprus, Turkey, Italy, United States, and Germany who had experience using SSTs during their travel period for either leisure or business. The utility theory, Lancaster’s consumer theory, and random utility theory form the basis of this research’s theoretical framework. This study is the first attempt that examines the SSTs’ characteristics as antecedents of service excellence from the customer point of view in tourism literature. Moreover, this research enhances knowledge by integrating the concept of service excellence and SSTs’ characteristics into the abovementioned theories. The results revealed that service excellence could be provided for customers through SSTs, which this service excellence drives through the characteristics of SSTs. The result of moderated mediation tests on the relationship between SSTs’ characteristics and service excellence revealed that tourist types moderate the mediating effect of SSTs satisfaction for functionality, enjoyment, security/privacy, convenience, and customization. Meaning the mentioned constructs are more influential for business travelers than leisure travelers. Limitations, practical and theoretical implications are also discussed.