La formation professionnelle continue (FPC) s'est largement développée depuis les années 2000 et les salariés souhaitant maintenir leur employabilité n'ont d'autre choix que de participer à des formations, volontairement ou par obligation, cette dernière situation étant répandue. Mais, selon Deci et Ryan (2000), en cas de régulation externe la personne a moins tendance à s’engager. Nous nous interrogeons sur les processus individuels dans cette situation. Dans le cadre de la psychologie sociocognitive avec le modèle de la causalité triadique réciproque (Bandura, 1985), nous recourons aux concepts de valeur perçue de la formation (Eccles et Wigfield, 1989), d'engagement (Bourgeois, 2009 et Brault-Labbé et Dubé, 2009) et d’apprenance (Carré, 2005). Nous menons deux études empiriques. La première est basée sur des entretiens non directifs (n = 91) dont les verbatim font l’objet d’une analyse thématique manuelle complétée par une analyse lexicométrique. La seconde s’appuie sur la diffusion d’un questionnaire auprès d’un échantillon aléatoire (n = 581) et nous effectuons une analyse factorielle des correspondances des réponses. Ces études montrent l'influence de la valeur perçue sur l'engagement, ce dernier n'étant affecté qu’à la marge par la perception du statut obligatoire. Ainsi, le processus d’intériorisation décrit par Deci et Ryan (2000) peut se déplier en situation de régulation initiale exclusivement externe. En outre, la valeur perçue de la formation renforce la légitimité perçue du statut obligatoire. De plus, les stagiaires possédant une apprenance élevée justifient autant leur engagement que leur désengagement. Enfin, ceux dotés d’une apprenance plutôt fragile en situation formelle développent plus que les autres la composante comportementale de l’engagement. / Continuing vocational training (CVT) has largely developed since the 2000s and employees wishing to remain competitive in their field are required to participate in training courses, on a voluntary or mandatory basis, the latter situation being widespread. But according to Deci and Ryan (2000), in the case of external regulation, the person is less involded. We wonder about the individual processes in such a situation. In the framework of sociocognitive psychology with the model of reciprocal triadic causality (Bandura, 1985), we use the concepts of perceived value of training (Eccles and Wigfield, 1989), commitment (Bourgeois, 2009 and Brault-Labbé and Dubé, 2009) and learnance (Carré, 2005). We perform two empirical studies. The first is based on non-directive interviews (n = 91) and we conduct a thematic analysis and a lexicometric analysis on verbatim. The second is based on a questionnaire with a random sample (n = 581) and we perform a factorial correspondence analysis on the responses. These studies show the influence of the perceived value of training courses on the commitment, which is only marginally affected by perceived mandatory status. Thus, the internalization process described by Deci and Ryan (2000) can arise in a situation of exclusively external initial regulation. Furthermore, the perceived value of training courses supports perceived legitimacy of mandatory status. In addition, trainees with a high learnance justify both their commitment and their disengagement. Finally, those with a low disposition to learn in a formal situation develop the behavioral component of commitment more than others.

La recherche se propose de définir l’engagement client (EC) dans le cadre des destinations touristiques, son contenu et sa mesure. Elle propose d’intégrer ce concept novateur comme nouvelle variable résultat dans les modèles de compréhension des comportements touristiques. Elle montre aussi l’influence de la valeur de consommation et de la valeur globale dans la création d’un engagement envers la destination et les effets modérateurs de l’expérience sur ces mêmes relations. La recherche répond à trois objectifs : (1) définir le concept d’EC dans le contexte des destinations, ses dimensions et sa mesure , (2) conceptualiser la valeur perçue dans le cadre des destinations, (3) modéliser les influences des dimensions de la valeur de consommation et la valeur globale sur l’EC en fonction de l’expérience touristique vécue. Le terrain de recherche est La Réunion, une PDI (Petite Destination Insulaire). La démarche méthodologique s’appuie sur deux études empiriques : une étude qualitative exploratoire menée auprès de 15 touristes à La Réunion via des entretiens semi-directifs et une étude quantitative exploratoire menée auprès de 572 répondants : 350 novices n’ayant jamais visité la destination mais étant familiers à cette dernière et 222 expérimentés ayant effectivement visité la destination pour un motif de loisirs/vacances. L’étude qualitative permet de compléter et d’adapter les échelles de mesure de la valeur de consommation dans le cadre des destinations. La recherche distingue 8 dimensions de la valeur de consommation d’une destination touristique spécifique : La Réunion. L’étude quantitative permet (1) de développer un instrument de mesure de l’EC dans le cadre des destinations, (2) de valider empiriquement les échelles de mesure de la valeur de consommation et de la valeur globale, (3) de mettre en évidence l’influence de la valeur perçue sur l’EC. La recherche a comme principaux apports la conceptualisation de l’EC dans le cadre des destinations et la mise en évidence des effets de la valeur perçue et de l’expérience dans sa formation. Elle indique en conséquence la nécessité d’orienter les stratégies d’offres expérientielles et de promotion en fonction des dimensions identifiées. Elle propose également des outils permettant aux managers de la destination de soutenir les comportements et états d’EC envers la destination. / The research aims to define customer engagement (CE) in the context of tourism destinations, its content and its measurement. It proposes to integrate this innovative concept as a new outcome variable in the models conceptualising tourism’s behaviors. It also shows the influence of consumer value and customer value in creating an engagement towards the destination and the moderating effects of the experience on those same relationships. The research has three objectives: (1) define the concept of CE in the context of destinations, its dimensions and its measurement, (2) conceptualize the perceived value in the context of destinations, (3) measure the influences of the dimensions of consumer valeur and customer value on EC depending on experience. The methodology is based on two empirical studies: an exploratory qualitative study conducted among 15 tourists in Reunion via interviews and a quantitative exploratory study conducted among 572 individuals: 350 novices who had never visited the destination but familiar with it and 222 experienced having actually visited the destination for leisure / vacation. The studies concern Reunion Island, qualified as a SDI (Small Destination Island).

L’equity crowdfunding (ECF) est un mode d’investissement récent, accessible au grand public, qui a pour caractéristiques de se dérouler en ligne, au sein d’une communauté virtuelle, dans l’environnement d’une plateforme intermédiaire.Ce travail doctoral a pour objectif de mieux comprendre le comportement des investisseurs particuliers qui achètent des produits financiers en ECF, les crowdinvestors.En s’inscrivant dans le courant de la valeur de consommation, cette recherche contribue à définir les sources de valorisation d’investissement en ECF et en étudie spécifiquement la dimension participative et son influence sur la décision d’investissement.Une revue de littérature en finance entrepreneuriale sur le profil, les motivations, le comportement d’investissement et les facteurs d’influence de la décision d’investissement des crowdinvestors est proposée. Une enquête exploratoire reposant sur 13 entretiens et une étude empirique testant un modèle d’équations structurelles sur la base de 436 questionnaires, ont été menées auprès de membres de la plateforme d’ECF française WiSEED.L’analyse des données menée avec l’approche PLS montre que la valeur perçue de l’expérience de participation a une influence significative sur la valorisation de l’investissement, mais pas sur la décision d’investissement. Nous mettons en évidence le rôle central de l’expertise subjective du capital-amorçage des individus comme antécédent de la décision d’investissement, de la valorisation de l’expérience de participation et de l’engagement dans la communauté en ligne. Enfin, les résultats indiquent que le risque perçu n’est pas un modérateur du modèle tandis que la sophistication de l’investisseur en est un. / Equity crowdfunding is a recent investment mode, opening acces to venture capital to unsophisticated investors. ECF allows platform-based online investment within a virtual community.This research aims to improve understanding of indivual investors financial products consumption, in the ECF context, the so-called crowdinvestors.Building on consumption value theory, this research helps defining ECF-investment value sources for crowdinvestors. It focuses especially on the ‘participation in community’ dimension of ECF as a determinant of various investment behaviors.A litterature review in entrepreneurial finance is presented to define profiles, motivations, investment behaviors and quality signals influencing crowdinvestors’ investment decision.To answer three main research questions, an exploratory study was conducted on 13 members on french ECF platform WiSEED. We put in evidence the difference between the investment experience and the participation in community experienceThus, an empirical study based on a theoretical model is conducted and various PLS analysis are run on a set of 436 surveys answered by WiSEED members. Results show that perceived value of participation experience has a positive and significant influence on perceived value of investment but no influence at all on investment decision.Though, we highlight the central role of individuals’ venture capital expertise both on their investment (amount and number), their engagement within the platform community and their participation experience perceived value. inally, results indicate that perceived risk is not a moderator of the model whereas investor sophistication is.

Le problème de la sédentarité représente aujourd’hui un des grands enjeux mondiaux et est considéré par l’OMS et l’ONU comme la première cause de mortalité liée aux maladies non transmissibles. Dans le même temps, bien que l’exercice physique se soit révélé comme la meilleure parade contre ces maux, la plupart des consommateurs évoquent une série de freins pour adopter sa pratique régulière.L’objet de cette thèse est de proposer des approches alternatives basées sur le concept de la valeur perçue en marketing qui s’est révélé dans le cas des autres types de biens et services comme un élément permettant de motiver et de fidéliser les consommateurs.Nous avons abordé les sources de la valeur perçue par le consommateur dans le cas du marketing de la personnalisation, du marketing communautaire et du marketing expérientiel dont nous avons intégré les différentes facettes dans une approche combinatoire pour proposer la notion de composante de l’exercice en tant que trade-off entre les coûts et les bénéfices.Nous avons également validé que, d’une part, les valeurs perçues des différentes composantes liées à la pratique de l’exercice se combinaient pour former la valeur globale perçue de l’exercice, et que, d’autre part, celle-ci influençait in fine l’intention de pratiquer régulièrement l’exercice et de le recommander.Les résultats de la recherche nous ont permis de suggérer que l’offre d’exercice devrait être proposée comme un menu à la carte afin de faciliter le processus décisionnel des consommateurs et ainsi les motiver et les fidéliser à la pratique. / Nowadays, the problem of physical inactivity is one of the major global issues and it is considered by the WHO and the UN as the leading cause of mortality due to non-communicable diseases. At the same time, although the physical exercise has proven to be the best way to fight against these sicknesses, most of the consumers evoke a series of barriers against the adoption of regular exercise.The purpose of this thesis is to propose alternative approaches based on the concept of perceived value in marketing which has proven to be a good tool to motivate and retain consumers in the frame of other types of goods and services.We focused on the sources of consumer perceived value in personalized marketing, community marketing and experiential marketing, the aspects of which were integrated in a combinatorial approach, the aim of this method being to propose the concept of the exercise composite variable as a trade-off between costs and benefits.We confirmed that the perceived values of the different composites of the practice of exercise combined to form the overall perceived value of the exercise. In addition, we also confirmed that this overall perceived value of the exercise ultimately influenced the consumer’s intent to practice regular exercise and to recommend it.The results of this research allowed us to suggest that the offer of exercise should be made as à la carte menu in order to facilitate consumers’ decision-making process and so to motivate and to retain them.

Competition in the mobile services industry is intense, with players in the industry offering generally similar subscription plans. Opportunities are few for differentiating one service provider from another. In the light of prior research suggesting value is multi-dimensional, the present study, which examines how these dimensions impact customer satisfaction and repurchase intentions, provides differentiation opportunities for mobile service providers through focusing on value dimensions that are important to customers. Of six perceived value dimensions examined in the present research, value for money, reputation and social value dimensions had significant effects on customer satisfaction and repurchase intentions. One way for companies in the highly commoditized mobile service industry to minimize customer defection is to enhance their relationships with customers. However, as relationship building comes with a cost, it is of interest for companies to know whether certain customer groups will reciprocate more than others with loyalty if they are satisfied. The results from the present study show customer relationship inclination, the customer attribute examined, did not moderate the relationship between customer satisfaction and repurchase intention. Finally, recent studies have differentiated measures of repurchase intentions on the basis of volition levels and have suggested that better model fit can be achieved when higher volition measures are used. Intentions-as-expectations represents the lower volition end and intentions-as-wants represents the higher volition end of intention measure. However, the present study did not find any significant differences in model fit with the different intention measures used.

本研究以全球知名品牌 – 蘋果電腦(Apple)中之「iPhone」產品為例，探討「品牌形象」、「知覺價值」對「顧客滿意度」及「顧客忠誠度」之關係研究，希望可以找出該產品成功關鍵因素及有待改善之地方，做為日後開發類似產品的參考及提供蘋果電腦在後續產品規劃、行銷策略與品牌形象經營之參考。 本研究主要採用量化-「問卷調查法」並以質化-「焦點團體訪談法」輔助之方式進行研究；問卷方面，共取得400 份有效問卷，先進行因素分析，擷取適合本研究之因素構面，再進行信度與效度檢測，確定問卷的可信度及可靠度，並運用敘述性統計、t 檢定、單因子變異數分析（one-way ANOVA）、Pearson 相關分析法、迴歸分析法，將資料進行統計分析及假設檢定；質化方面，採用焦點團體訪談法，藉由訪談iPhone的使用者，了解他們對iPhone的使用經驗及建議，經過整理再與量化統計結果相互對應，用以佐證及彌補量化統計結果的可能性偏差，使本研究之結果更為完整。 本研究之結論：  顧客滿意度為3.8 (以五點量表評估，5表示最高)  顧客忠誠度為3.6 (以五點量表評估，5表示最高) iPhone的主要顧客群為年輕、單身、男性，以20-40歲的使用者最多。 對使用者而言，iPhone的產品價值以社交價值最為重要，產品特性則以實用性最為重要，社交價值及實用性對於顧客滿意度及顧客忠誠度影響也最大，滿意度則以服務滿意度仍有改善空間，包含銷售服務及維修服務。 產品定價方面可繼續維持高定價策略，以維持iPhone在顧客心中的價值感。 顧客最滿意iPhone的原因包含：  iPhone的使用者介面  iPhone的智慧型功能、軟體支援與更新  使用iPhone帶來的樂趣  iPhone的外觀設計與質感優  iPhone產品的創新形象 顧客最不滿意iPhone的原因包含：  銷售服務  維修服務 / This research is base the global famous brand – the iPhone of the Apple. Discovery for the relationship of Brand Image、 Perceived Value、Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty are the main stream research. Hope this research can distinguish the key successful factor and the improvement points. It could be the reference for the new model for developing and providing the model design planning of new product for the Apple and reference for the sale strategy and brand image. This research adopts both quantitative and qualitative approaches. In terms of quantitative approach, 400 effective questionnaires are obtained for statisticalanalysis where a few statistical methodologies such as Factor analysis, Descriptive statistic, T-test, One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, Regression are utilized to verify the hypothesis and assumptions. For the qualitative approach which adopt the Focus Group. Hope to know customer’s using experience and suggestion through iPhone user. We analysis the data and contribute the account result with each other to complete this research. The research conclusion are :  The score for the customer satisfaction is 3.8. ( Base on Likert 5 points for evaluation, 5 means the highest)  The score for the customer loyalty is 3.6. ( Base on Likert 5 points for evaluation, 5 means the highest) The iPhone main stream customers are younger, single, male and majority are between 20~40 years. From the user point of view, the most important value of iPhone are societal value and practical value. The societal value and practical value are tremendous effect for customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. There is space to improve in service include sale service and after sale service. The product price strategy can keep the higher range price to matain the iPhone’s value for customer. Customer satisfied reason for iPhone include:  The user interface of iPhone  The software support and update of iPhone  Fun from the iPhone  The ID design and elegant with valuable of iPhone  The creative image of iPhone Customer unsatisfied reason for iPhone include:  Sale service  After sale service

App 內購買(In-App Purchase, IAP)已成為現今App 營收的主要模式，而過 去針對此一現象的研究大多集中於遊戲類的App，較少針對其他類型App(工 具、資訊、社交)進行探討。 本研究先利用文獻歸納的方式，整理出可能影響使用者App 內購買的因 素，再透過深度訪談法，針對曾經進行過App 內購買的使用者進行訪問，歸納 出App 使用動機、販售商品與App 的互補性與口碑情緒三個因素會影響使用者 對商品的知覺價值與購買意圖，並依此建構本研究的研究模型，並進行實驗設 計。在實驗中，本研究挑出四種不同類型的App，並以高低互補性、正面口碑 的有無為操弄變項，搭配App 使用動機來搜集資料並進行分析。 研究結果發現：(1) 部分App 使用動機會對知覺價值與購買意圖有顯著影響。 (2) App 與商品的互補性對於知覺價值與購買意圖皆有顯著影響。(3) 口碑對於 商品的知覺價值有顯著影響，但是對於購買意圖沒有顯著影響。顯示IAP 商品 是否能與App 有效整合，為App 帶來更多的價值，才是影響使用者購買意圖的 最大因素。 / In-App purchase(IAP) has become the main revenue model in App market. Previous studies on this issue are mostly focused on game Apps, and rarely explored other types of Apps such as productivity tools, information or social networking tools. In this study, we use literature analysis and in-depth interviews to find factors that may affect users’ in-app purchase intention. User motivation, product complementarity, and word-of-mouth are found to affect users’ perceived value and in-app purchase intention. We developed a theoretical model and designed an experiment to test the model. In the experiment, we chose four different types of Apps, designed with different levels of complementarity and different sentiment of word-of-mouth (user comments) as the treatment. The results indicated that: (1) Certain motivations significantly affected the perceived value and purchase intention of IAP products. (2) Complementarity between IAP products and the App significantly affected the perceived value and purchase intentions of IAP product. (3) word-of-mouth significantly affected perceived value but not affecting the purchase intention of IAP products.

Tourism activities set in coastal and marine environments have evolved far beyond the traditional passive leisure experiences of the classic resort holiday. While the traditional beach holiday remains a contemporary mass tourism phenomenon. Marine tourism now extends far beyond beach activities to a wide spread spectrum of activities including scuba diving with over 20 million certified divers worldwide. The tourism product carries both the characteristics of the service product and the characteristics unique to the tourism industry, which makes the tourism product different from physical/ tangible goods. Therefore tourism destinations involve a multiple of industries (e.g. hospitality, transportation, entertainment) that contribute through their value-added activities to the overall competitive position in the marketplace. Tourism value can be seen as a combination of a product’s (destination’s) perceived quality and associated price which a visitor will summarize as the value received. Value in tourism has been seen as a definite option to improve a destination’s competitive edge. Tourism development is about adding value in a way that is consistent with market demand. As tourism value is created within the destination it holds various benefits including that destinations will achieve high market growth and hence become more competitive due to successful value-added programmes. Destinations are winning competitive battles by careful analysis and response to the core values and needs of the segmented travel marketplace. This study was based on four distinct value dimensions developed by Sweeney and Soutar (2001:211) that are termed emotional, social, quality/ performance and price/ value for money. Sweeney and Soutar’s model (2001:211) was examined to determine its appropriateness for an intangible product in the service sector namely scuba diving. Two modifications to Sweeney and Soutar’s model (2001:211) were required for this study. The modifications which were used in this study included perceived risk value which was introduced by Hall, Robertson and Shaw (2001:350) and epistemic value developed by Sheth, Norman and Gross (1991:160). The primary goal of this dissertation was to determine the perceived value of scuba diving tourists at a marine destination. A literature study was undertaken to contextualise Marine Tourism and perceived value since a review of existing literature on perceived value provides insight as to why the value concept is so crucial for the success of marketing researchers. Thereafter an empirical study was undertaken to obtain relevant data for analysis. A nonprobability sampling method namely convenience sampling was used to conduct the survey due to the absence of a structured list of divers visiting Sodwana Bay during this time. A destination-based survey was undertaken at Sodwana Bay from the 29th of March to the 8th of April 2012. Five hundred (500) self-administered surveys where distributed by field workers among scuba divers who were available and willing to complete the questionnaire. Of the 500 questionnaires distributed a total of 402 were completed and could be used for collation of data. Microsoft™ Office™ Excel 2007 was used to capture the data, which was then statistically analysed and processed by means of descriptive statistics using the SPSS 20.0 programme. More specifically, factor analysis and ANOVAs were done to analyse the value created. In order to achieve the goal, the study was divided into two articles. Article 1 aimed to determine the perceived value of a tourism experience, in this case for the scuba diving tourists at a marine destination, namely Sodwana Bay. Results revealed that the demographic profile of the scuba divers, are middle aged Afrikaans speaking men who are well educated, earn a high income, and originate from Gauteng. To examine the factors underlying the value scale, a principle axis factor analysis with oblique rotation (direct oblimin) was undertaken. The twenty-two factor aspects yielded five factors with eigen values greater than 1.0. These factors explained 64% of the variance and were labelled: ‘Emotional value’, ‘Functional value’, ‘Social value’, ‘Perceived risk value’ and ‘Epistemic value’. Twenty-one aspects had loadings of over 0.418, with only one item having a factor loading of 0.251. With the highest mean (3.43) Epistemic value revealed that respondents consider curiosity, acquiring knowledge, providing novelty and broadening knowledge as key in a valued experience. Reliability (Cronbach’s α) was computed to verify the internal consistency of aspects with each factor. All factors with a Cronbach Alpha above 0.63 were deemed acceptable for the purposes of this exploratory study. Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant (p<0.001) and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure sampling adequacy (KMO) was 0.874, which are acceptable for the purpose of this study. Article 2 aimed to determine the factors which influence perceived tourism values of scuba divers at a marine destination, namely Sodwana Bay. To achieve this, ANOVAs were developed and correlations were drawn between age, gender, province, income, level of education, marital status, number of times dived, number of nights stayed in the area, travel group size and media (including, websites, shows, friends, radio, T.V., magazines, previous visits and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter). Correlations were discovered between language, province, marital status, income and media (including, websites, shows, friends, radio, T.V., Magazines, Previous visits and Social Networks such as Facebook and Twitter). The perceived values which were rated highest in each case were emotional value, perceived risk value and perceived functional value. Since this is the first study of its kind in South Africa, it can benefit marine destinations all across the country. The perceived values which were rated highest in both articles should be of high priority in marketing efforts for marine destinations, especially where scuba diving activities are taking place. Assessing and understanding these values will help scuba diving destinations to gain a competitive advantage and provide a more tailor-made product which will improve the value experienced. It is recommended that this study is repeated at other diving sites and also various other tourism products to determine difference and/or similarities between tourism values. Marketing strategies can be utilized through the identification of these and various other values which will improve current marketing efforts. / Thesis (MA (Tourism Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Tourism activities set in coastal and marine environments have evolved far beyond the traditional passive leisure experiences of the classic resort holiday. While the traditional beach holiday remains a contemporary mass tourism phenomenon. Marine tourism now extends far beyond beach activities to a wide spread spectrum of activities including scuba diving with over 20 million certified divers worldwide. The tourism product carries both the characteristics of the service product and the characteristics unique to the tourism industry, which makes the tourism product different from physical/ tangible goods. Therefore tourism destinations involve a multiple of industries (e.g. hospitality, transportation, entertainment) that contribute through their value-added activities to the overall competitive position in the marketplace. Tourism value can be seen as a combination of a product’s (destination’s) perceived quality and associated price which a visitor will summarize as the value received. Value in tourism has been seen as a definite option to improve a destination’s competitive edge. Tourism development is about adding value in a way that is consistent with market demand. As tourism value is created within the destination it holds various benefits including that destinations will achieve high market growth and hence become more competitive due to successful value-added programmes. Destinations are winning competitive battles by careful analysis and response to the core values and needs of the segmented travel marketplace. This study was based on four distinct value dimensions developed by Sweeney and Soutar (2001:211) that are termed emotional, social, quality/ performance and price/ value for money. Sweeney and Soutar’s model (2001:211) was examined to determine its appropriateness for an intangible product in the service sector namely scuba diving. Two modifications to Sweeney and Soutar’s model (2001:211) were required for this study. The modifications which were used in this study included perceived risk value which was introduced by Hall, Robertson and Shaw (2001:350) and epistemic value developed by Sheth, Norman and Gross (1991:160). The primary goal of this dissertation was to determine the perceived value of scuba diving tourists at a marine destination. A literature study was undertaken to contextualise Marine Tourism and perceived value since a review of existing literature on perceived value provides insight as to why the value concept is so crucial for the success of marketing researchers. Thereafter an empirical study was undertaken to obtain relevant data for analysis. A nonprobability sampling method namely convenience sampling was used to conduct the survey due to the absence of a structured list of divers visiting Sodwana Bay during this time. A destination-based survey was undertaken at Sodwana Bay from the 29th of March to the 8th of April 2012. Five hundred (500) self-administered surveys where distributed by field workers among scuba divers who were available and willing to complete the questionnaire. Of the 500 questionnaires distributed a total of 402 were completed and could be used for collation of data. Microsoft™ Office™ Excel 2007 was used to capture the data, which was then statistically analysed and processed by means of descriptive statistics using the SPSS 20.0 programme. More specifically, factor analysis and ANOVAs were done to analyse the value created. In order to achieve the goal, the study was divided into two articles. Article 1 aimed to determine the perceived value of a tourism experience, in this case for the scuba diving tourists at a marine destination, namely Sodwana Bay. Results revealed that the demographic profile of the scuba divers, are middle aged Afrikaans speaking men who are well educated, earn a high income, and originate from Gauteng. To examine the factors underlying the value scale, a principle axis factor analysis with oblique rotation (direct oblimin) was undertaken. The twenty-two factor aspects yielded five factors with eigen values greater than 1.0. These factors explained 64% of the variance and were labelled: ‘Emotional value’, ‘Functional value’, ‘Social value’, ‘Perceived risk value’ and ‘Epistemic value’. Twenty-one aspects had loadings of over 0.418, with only one item having a factor loading of 0.251. With the highest mean (3.43) Epistemic value revealed that respondents consider curiosity, acquiring knowledge, providing novelty and broadening knowledge as key in a valued experience. Reliability (Cronbach’s α) was computed to verify the internal consistency of aspects with each factor. All factors with a Cronbach Alpha above 0.63 were deemed acceptable for the purposes of this exploratory study. Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant (p<0.001) and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure sampling adequacy (KMO) was 0.874, which are acceptable for the purpose of this study. Article 2 aimed to determine the factors which influence perceived tourism values of scuba divers at a marine destination, namely Sodwana Bay. To achieve this, ANOVAs were developed and correlations were drawn between age, gender, province, income, level of education, marital status, number of times dived, number of nights stayed in the area, travel group size and media (including, websites, shows, friends, radio, T.V., magazines, previous visits and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter). Correlations were discovered between language, province, marital status, income and media (including, websites, shows, friends, radio, T.V., Magazines, Previous visits and Social Networks such as Facebook and Twitter). The perceived values which were rated highest in each case were emotional value, perceived risk value and perceived functional value. Since this is the first study of its kind in South Africa, it can benefit marine destinations all across the country. The perceived values which were rated highest in both articles should be of high priority in marketing efforts for marine destinations, especially where scuba diving activities are taking place. Assessing and understanding these values will help scuba diving destinations to gain a competitive advantage and provide a more tailor-made product which will improve the value experienced. It is recommended that this study is repeated at other diving sites and also various other tourism products to determine difference and/or similarities between tourism values. Marketing strategies can be utilized through the identification of these and various other values which will improve current marketing efforts. / Thesis (MA (Tourism Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The issue of behavioural intentions has attracted the attention of hotel marketers and academics because favourable behavioural intentions help hotels to retain customers. The marketing literature has identified that service quality, perceived value, image, customer satisfaction and demographic variables are significant determinants of behavioural intentions. This suggests that behavioural intentions are a multi-dimensional concept. Despite the importance of behavioural intentions, there is limited research on this construct in the hotel industry. The aim of this research was to gain an empirical understanding of behavioural intentions in the Taiwan hotel sector. A multi-level model was used as a framework for the analysis. The dimensions of service quality as perceived by hotel customers were identified through the literature review and focus group discussions. Hypotheses were formulated and tested to examine the interrelationships between behavioural intentions, service quality, customer satisfaction, perceived value and image, and to determine if perceived value plays a moderating role between service quality and customer satisfaction. Finally, customer perceptions of these constructs were compared based on demographic factors such as age, gender and income. The findings of this study were based on the analysis of a sample of 580 customers who had stayed at a five-star hotel in Kaohsiung City of Taiwan. Support was found for the use of a multi-level model and the primary dimensions: Interaction Quality, Physical Environment Quality and Outcome Quality, as broad dimensions of service quality. The 12 sub-dimensions of service quality, as perceived by hotel customers, were identified. These were: Employees’ Conduct, Employees’ Expertise, Employees’ Problem-Solving, Customer-to-Customer Interaction, Décor & Ambience, Room Quality, Availability of Facility, Design, Location, Valence, Waiting Time and Sociability. The results indicated that each of the primary dimensions varied in terms of their importance to overall perceived service quality, as did the sub-dimensions of the primary dimensions. In addition, the statistical results supported a relationship between perceived value and service quality, image and service quality, customer satisfaction, perceived value, image and service quality, and behavioural intentions, image and customer satisfaction. The results also revealed that customer perceptions of the constructs were primarily affected by their purpose of travel and occupation. The results contribute to the services marketing theory by providing an empirically based insight into the service quality, perceived value, image, customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions constructs in the Taiwan hotel industry. This research also provides an analytical framework for understanding the effects of the three primary dimensions on service quality and the effect of service quality on constructs, such as, perceived value, image, customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions. This study will assist the management of the hotel industry to develop and implement a market-oriented service strategy in order to achieve a high quality of service, upgrade customers’ levels of satisfaction, and create favourable future behavioural intentions.