Group Processes in Vacation Decision-Making

Abstract This paper presents the major findings emerging from a qualitative interpretive study of group processes in vacation decision-making. The actual vacation decision-making process of 19 groups (11 families, five couples and three groups of friends) has been followed for a whole year. We show that group decisions are not as “easy’ as individual ones because of divergent personal constraints and the interpersonal dimension of most vacation decisions and activities. More specific aspects related to the cohesiveness, distribution of roles and level of congruence within the group are discussed as well. Findings are contrasted for families that are well documented in the literature, and groups of friends that have so far been neglected.

[1]  R. L. Jenkins.  Family Vacation Decision-Making , 1978 .

[2]  J. Ritchie,et al.  Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies , 1990 .

[3]  R. Bales,et al.  Phases in group problem-solving. , 1951, Journal of abnormal and social psychology.

[4]  A. V. Seaton,et al.  The family vacation in Europe: paedonomic aspects of choices and satisfactions. , 1995 .

[5]  W. Fred van Raaij,et al.  Consumer research on tourism: mental and behavioral constructs. , 1986 .

[6]  R. Gitelson,et al.  The influence of friends and relatives in travel decision-making. , 1995 .

[7]  J. E. Swan,et al.  Consumer perceptions of interpersonal equity and satisfaction in transactions: A field survey approach. , 1989 .

[8]  P. Blumstein,et al.  Sex, power, and influence tactics in intimate relationships , 1986 .

[9]  Peter H. Reingen,et al.  Sociocognitive Analysis of Group Decision Making among Consumers , 1990 .

[10]  Tamara F. Mangleburg.  Children's Influence in Purchase Decisions: a Review and Critique , 1990 .

[11]  Dale Fodness,et al.  The Impact of Family Life Cycle on the Vacation Decision-making Process , 1992 .

[12]  W. Fred van Raaij,et al.  Vacation decisions, activities and satisfactions. , 1984 .

[13]  Linda L. Price,et al.  Commercial Friendships: Service Provider–Client Relationships in Context , 1999 .

[14]  John Lanasa,et al.  Family decision‐making theory: An overview and assessment , 1993 .

[15]  R. Madrigal,et al.  Who Makes the Decision: the Parent or the Child? The Perceived Influence of Parents and Children On the Purchase of Recreation Services , 1990 .

[16]  Herbert Snyder,et al.  Qualitative interviewing: The art of hearing data , 1996 .

[17]  M. E. Shaw.  Group dynamics : the psychology of small group behavior , 1971 .

[18]  E. Kirchler.  Spouses' joint purchase decisions: determinants of influence tactics for muddling through the process , 1993 .

[19]  H. L. Davis,et al.  Decision Making within the Household , 1976 .

[20]  Deirdre Quinn,et al.  Couple dynamics in household tourism decision making: Women as the gatekeepers? , 2004 .

[21]  B. Fisher.  Small Group Decision Making: Communication and the Group Process , 1980 .

[22]  Le tourisme dans la Communauté européenne , 1992 .

[23]  L'émergence de typologies transnationales , 1989 .

[24]  Gareth Shaw,et al.  Tourist group holiday decision-making and behaviour: the influence of children. , 1997 .

[25]  W. Qualls,et al.  Household preference revisions and decision making: The role of disconfirmation , 2001 .

[26]  Jeen-Su Lim,et al.  Family Decision Making in Leisure-Time Activities: an Exploratory Investigation of the Impact of Locus of Control, Child Age Influence Factor and Parental Type on Perceived Child Influence , 1986 .

[27]  C. Cullingford.  Children's attitudes to holidays overseas , 1995 .

[28]  R. Bhagat.  Culture's Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations Across Nations , 2002 .

[29]  J. R. Brent Ritchie,et al.  Joint Purchasing Decisions: A Comparison of Influence Structure in Family and Couple Decision-Making Units , 1980 .

[30]  A. Strauss,et al.  The Discovery of Grounded Theory , 1967 .

[31]  Pamela Jordan.  Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques , 1994 .

[32]  Isabella C. M. Cunningham,et al.  Societal Development and Family Purchasing Roles: A Cross-National Study , 1983 .

[33]  D. Snepenger,et al.  Family Decision Making And Tourism Behavior And Attitudes , 1988 .

[34]  Karin M. Ekström,et al.  Children's Influence in Family Decisions and Consumer Socialization: a Reciprocal View , 1987 .

[35]  E. E. Jones.  Group dynamics: The psychology of small group behavior. 2nd ed. , 1976 .

[36]  H. L. Davis,et al.  Perception of Marital Roles in Decision Processes , 1974 .

[37]  Erich Kirchler,et al.  Studying economic decisions within private households: A critical review and design for a "couple experiences diary" , 1995 .