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Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research
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Appraising Tourism and Hospitality Service Failure Events: A Chinese Perspective

Yun-Lok Lee

Southern Cross University, yun-lok.lee{at}scu.edu.au

Beverley Sparks

Griffith University, B.Sparks{at}griffith.edu.au

Tourism forecasts suggest that the People's Republic of China is a growing tourism market to international destinations. It is likely that these tourists will encounter a range of service experiences and, at times, service failures or problems. Gaining an insight into how Chinese tourists interpret service failure events can help firms develop more effective service recovery strategies. This study aimed to explore the cultural values that Chinese hold for service failure and service recovery, using means—end chain methodology. The analysis of 70 in-depth interviews found five key themes representing the values that were threatened in poor service situations. The attributes and consequences were analyzed and then linked to the five values of face, equity, value, harmony, and junzi aspiration. Implications for hospitality service recovery with Chinese customers are discussed.

Key Words: Chinese • cultural values • service failure • service recovery • means—end chain

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This version was published on November 1, 2007

Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, Vol. 31, No. 4, 504-529 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1096348007302353
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This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free
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Citing Articles
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What's this?