Repeated stay in homestay accommodation : an implicit self-theory perspective

Abstract

This study applies implicit self-theory as a theoretical lens to investigate whether guests’ inclination to use homestays in future trips is contingent on their implicit beliefs of the reality. Based on an analysis of data obtained from 30 in-depth interviews, most of the homestay guests who are entity theorists will use homestays again because they had a positive previous experience and felt that they are receiving good value for their money. The primary reason of those who decide not to use homestays again is a poor prior experience. The homestay guests who are incremental theorists will use homestays again because homestays can offer learning opportunities. However, privacy concern is the key reason that inhibits their inclination to use homestays in future trips. The current research findings echo the tenets of implicit self-theory in the realms of risk sensitivity, outcome- versus process-orientation as well as reliance (or non-reliance) on past experience. It is recommended that homestay hosts gain a better understanding of their guests based on their implicit beliefs and thereby adaptively managing future visitations.