The Perception of Omani E-consumers on the Importance and Performance of Dubai SMHs' Website Dimensions and Attributes
Abstract — There is no doubt that Internet technology is widely used by hotels and its demand is constantly booming. Hotels have largely adopted website information services through using different interactive tools, dimensions and attributes to achieve excellence in functionality and usability but these do not necessary equate with website effectiveness. One way to investigate the effectiveness of hotel website is from the perspective of e-consumers. This exploratory research is to investigate the perceived importance of websites effectiveness of some selected independent small and medium-sized hotels (SMHs) located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from the perspective of Omani e-consumers by using non-random sampling method. From 400 questionnaire addressed to respondents in 27 organizations in Muscat the capital city of Oman, 173 are valid. Findings of this study assist SMHs management in Dubai with the reallocation of their resources and efforts in order to support e-business development and to sustain a competitive advantage.
Keywords—Dubai's SMHs, Hotel websites, Omani e-consumer perception, weight and performance evaluation.
I. Introduction
MODERNInternet technology has created electronic markets (e-markets) in the hotel industry through the elimination of geographical, political, cultural and economic barriers or constraints between consumers and accommodation suppliers. Today, the e-market is the base through which all travel and hotel establishments can compete effectively and develop economically. As modern Internet technology leads to various and rapid changes that affect the hotel management strategies and tactics, product and / or service innovations, creating business development opportunities when such technological applications are used effectively and efficiently leading to several competitive advantages for most hotel enterprises and
Abstract — There is no doubt that Internet technology is widely used by hotels and its demand is constantly booming. Hotels have largely adopted website information services through using different interactive tools, dimensions and attributes to achieve excellence in functionality and usability but these do not necessary equate with website effectiveness. One way to investigate the effectiveness of hotel website is from the perspective of e-consumers. This exploratory research is to investigate the perceived importance of websites effectiveness of some selected independent small and medium-sized hotels (SMHs) located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from the perspective of Omani e-consumers by using non-random sampling method. From 400 questionnaire addressed to respondents in 27 organizations in Muscat the capital city of Oman, 173 are valid. Findings of this study assist SMHs management in Dubai with the reallocation of their resources and efforts in order to support e-business development and to sustain a competitive advantage.
Keywords—Dubai's SMHs, Hotel websites, Omani e-consumer perception, weight and performance evaluation.
I. Introduction
MODERNInternet technology has created electronic markets (e-markets) in the hotel industry through the elimination of geographical, political, cultural and economic barriers or constraints between consumers and accommodation suppliers. Today, the e-market is the base through which all travel and hotel establishments can compete effectively and develop economically. As modern Internet technology leads to various and rapid changes that affect the hotel management strategies and tactics, product and / or service innovations, creating business development opportunities when such technological applications are used effectively and efficiently leading to several competitive advantages for most hotel enterprises and