This paper studies airline customers' online search and purchase behaviors. Two fundamental aspects of online behavior are examined: (1) the link between search behavior and buying behavior and (2) the evolution of inter-temporal search and purchase decisions of strategic buyers. In the first study, we examine online customers' dynamic conversion behaviors using clickstream data. A new model based on Markov chains that incorporates discrete choices and decision-timing is proposed to capture key search effects on consumer decisions as well as dynamics of browsing behavior both within and across visits. Empirical results show that within-site search activities lead to strong consumer engagement and thus increase purchase and revisit propensities. Fit comparison between first and second order Markov chains allows us to conclude that consumer decisions are primarily influenced by the current search. Furthermore, we observe that consumers dynamically adjust their browsing behavior both within and across visits. The second study investigates the evolution of inter-temporal search and purchase decisions of strategic buyers. Risk neutral buyers follow simple behavioral rules based on future and current prices and options available. We show that the trade-off between waiting and purchasing will become less and less favorable to waiting. Price elasticity should therefore drop as departure date approaches. With stationary price distributions, search and purchase efforts increase with proximity to the deadline. We extend the base model to allow for price evolution and demand uncertainty. We find that increases in mean price and price dispersion may attenuate increasing propensities for search and purchase. We demonstrate our models through a logit estimation on a unique data set from a major online travel agency.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Cover title. "April 2006." Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MCom (Communication Management))-- University of Pretoria, 2008. / Abstract in English. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 99-100).

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 136-147).

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Pritchett, Amy R.; Committee Member: Clarke, John-Paul; Committee Member: Cross, Stephen; Committee Member: Endsley, Mica; Committee Member: Goldsman, David. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1989. / Also available in print.

Since the end of World War II, the service sector has expanded to encompass over 80% of the economy of most developed nations. This places an immense importance on the ability to accurately measure service outputs. However, the most precise method of measuring these outputs is still unclear. This thesis examines Service Quality as a measurement of service outputs, and tests this within an industry-specific context: the low-cost sector of the UK airline industry. This is an industry that has been facing serious challenges since market liberalisation began in 1976. This thesis recognises that offering superior quality may allow airlines to gain a competitive advantage; despite this, there is still no preferred method of measuring Service Quality in this specific context. This PhD therefore examines three methods of Service Quality measurement in the context of the low-cost sector of the UK airline industry: a qualitative method (content analysis), a quantitative survey approach (HiQUAL) and an indexing approach (ALSI). The first study provides an in-depth analysis of the determinants of airline quality through a content analysis study. The second study uses a neglected measurement of Service Quality (HiQUAL) to take a quantitative measurement of Service Quality in the low-cost airline industry. The third study uses measurement (ALSI), an indexing approach, to provide an indication of airline quality. The results of this PhD define the determinants of Service Quality in the low-cost airline industry and confirm the hierarchical nature of Service Quality. This PhD also develops a novel objective metric that represents a shift in ontology from subjective to objective measurements of Service Quality.