The role of corporate image and privacy concerns in adopting online travel services

Abstract

Purpose This study examines the role of corporate image and privacy concerns in intention to use of online travel services using data from Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach The data collection was implemented to a student sample at the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, which has a high concentration of young people who are interested in online travel in Vietnam. The paper based questionnaire was directly delivered to the respondents. After sorting to eliminate unfit samples, the number of responses was 541, which exceeds 500, the minimum number typically required. To test the hypotheses, we applied structural equation modeling (SEM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the reliability and validity of constructs in the model. We also used direct, indirect and total effect coefficient to evaluate the total impact of factors on the intention to use online services. Findings This study found that corporate image is positively associated to intention to use online services. It found a link between corporate image and privacy concerns, which suggests another way for firms to address their customers’ privacy concerns; corporate image, which has received great attention in traditional offline sales channels, but not in online services, should receive higher attention in IS research. Online travel businesses, besides increasing ease of use, perceived usefulness and trust in their services, should focus on build a reliable corporate image, which can not only promote the service use but also help to eliminate users’ the privacy concerns.