Echoes of Innovation: Exploring the Use of Voice Assistants to Boost Hotel Reputation

Internet platforms and self-media have become vital online communities for promoting positive reputations for hotels. Previous studies have primarily focused on enhancing positive electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) through improvements in hotel infrastructure and staff services. As hotels deepen their...

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Main Authors: Fang Yang, Tianyu Ying, Xuling Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/0718-1876/20/1/46
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author Fang Yang
Tianyu Ying
Xuling Liu
author_facet Fang Yang
Tianyu Ying
Xuling Liu
author_sort Fang Yang
collection DOAJ
description Internet platforms and self-media have become vital online communities for promoting positive reputations for hotels. Previous studies have primarily focused on enhancing positive electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) through improvements in hotel infrastructure and staff services. As hotels deepen their digital transformation, the application of various artificial intelligence technologies in hotel service encounters significantly impacts the service experience. This study explores the effects of voice assistant (VA) attributes on the online reputation of hotels. Specifically, it examines how the attributes of VAs (anytime connectivity, information association, and interactivity) influence positive customer evaluations in hotels. Utilizing a questionnaire survey method, we collected 529 valid questionnaires offline and employed structural equation modeling along with the PROCESS plugin in SPSS to conduct path analysis, as well as mediation and moderation effect analyses. The results indicate that perceived value and the existence of human–AI rapport mediate the impact of VA attributes on positive eWOM, although the direct effect of some attributes (information association) was not supported. Furthermore, anytime connectivity enhances the influence on human–AI rapport through social presence, while privacy concerns negatively affect the relationship between perceived value and intentions to engage in eWOM. These insights are critical for hotels seeking to maximize the benefits of digital transformation.
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spelling doaj-art-efebbb9a2214493ca14dcbce0a19702f2025-08-20T03:43:39ZengMDPI AGJournal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research0718-18762025-03-012014610.3390/jtaer20010046Echoes of Innovation: Exploring the Use of Voice Assistants to Boost Hotel ReputationFang Yang0Tianyu Ying1Xuling Liu2School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaSchool of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaCollege of Tourism, Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics, Urumqi 830000, ChinaInternet platforms and self-media have become vital online communities for promoting positive reputations for hotels. Previous studies have primarily focused on enhancing positive electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) through improvements in hotel infrastructure and staff services. As hotels deepen their digital transformation, the application of various artificial intelligence technologies in hotel service encounters significantly impacts the service experience. This study explores the effects of voice assistant (VA) attributes on the online reputation of hotels. Specifically, it examines how the attributes of VAs (anytime connectivity, information association, and interactivity) influence positive customer evaluations in hotels. Utilizing a questionnaire survey method, we collected 529 valid questionnaires offline and employed structural equation modeling along with the PROCESS plugin in SPSS to conduct path analysis, as well as mediation and moderation effect analyses. The results indicate that perceived value and the existence of human–AI rapport mediate the impact of VA attributes on positive eWOM, although the direct effect of some attributes (information association) was not supported. Furthermore, anytime connectivity enhances the influence on human–AI rapport through social presence, while privacy concerns negatively affect the relationship between perceived value and intentions to engage in eWOM. These insights are critical for hotels seeking to maximize the benefits of digital transformation.https://www.mdpi.com/0718-1876/20/1/46voice assistanteWOMhuman–AI rapportprivacy concernsAI attribute
spellingShingle Fang Yang
Tianyu Ying
Xuling Liu
Echoes of Innovation: Exploring the Use of Voice Assistants to Boost Hotel Reputation
Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research
voice assistant
eWOM
human–AI rapport
privacy concerns
AI attribute
title Echoes of Innovation: Exploring the Use of Voice Assistants to Boost Hotel Reputation
title_full Echoes of Innovation: Exploring the Use of Voice Assistants to Boost Hotel Reputation
title_fullStr Echoes of Innovation: Exploring the Use of Voice Assistants to Boost Hotel Reputation
title_full_unstemmed Echoes of Innovation: Exploring the Use of Voice Assistants to Boost Hotel Reputation
title_short Echoes of Innovation: Exploring the Use of Voice Assistants to Boost Hotel Reputation
title_sort echoes of innovation exploring the use of voice assistants to boost hotel reputation
topic voice assistant
eWOM
human–AI rapport
privacy concerns
AI attribute
url https://www.mdpi.com/0718-1876/20/1/46
work_keys_str_mv AT fangyang echoesofinnovationexploringtheuseofvoiceassistantstoboosthotelreputation
AT tianyuying echoesofinnovationexploringtheuseofvoiceassistantstoboosthotelreputation
AT xulingliu echoesofinnovationexploringtheuseofvoiceassistantstoboosthotelreputation