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Cognitive fit effects of online reviews on tourists’ information search

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Abstract

Using the cognitive fit theory as a theoretical framework, this study developed a research model to understand how the interplay between consumer information search goals and online information sufficiency could influence consumers’ perceptions of information search outcomes. The results show that providing a detailed review of the tourism product is effective for task-directed information seekers. The practical implications of these results for the website designers of online customer reviews suggest that they should develop web-based tools to effectively organize and customize review contents by detailed categories that will allow readers to meet their individual information search goals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Tourism Management, Jeju National University, Jeju, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Republic of Korea

    Oun-Joung Park

  2. College of Business Management, Hongik University, Sejong, Republic of Korea

    Jong-hyun Ryu

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  1. Oun-Joung Park
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  2. Jong-hyun Ryu
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Correspondence to Jong-hyun Ryu.

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Park, OJ., Ryu, Jh. Cognitive fit effects of online reviews on tourists’ information search. Inf Technol Tourism 21, 313–335 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-019-00145-2

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