Sensation Seeking, Culture, and the Valuation of Experiential Services

Authors: Agrusa, Jerome F.; Maples, Glenn; Kitterlin, Miranda; Tanner, John R.

Source: Event Management, Volume 11, Number 3, 2008 , pp. 121-128(8)

Publisher: Cognizant Communication Corporation

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Abstract:

The Honolulu Marathon provides a significant economic impact to the state of Hawaii's economy. This type of service may be classified as an experiential service—customers largely purchase these services due to the value of the experiences they provide. This research proposes a framework based on cultural and personality traits to explain differing participant valuation of the service. Consistent with this framework, higher valuation is associated with collectivism and high sensation seeking. Implications for practitioners are provided. Analyses and findings are based on the questionnaire responses of 932 Japanese participants and 605 Western participants in the 2006 Honolulu Marathon.

Keywords: HONOLULU MARATHON; COLLECTIVISM; EXPERIENTIAL SERVICE

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3727/152599508784548839

Publication date: 2008-05-01

More about this publication?

Event Management, an International Journal, intends to meet the research and analytic needs of a rapidly growing profession focused on events. This field has developed in size and impact globally to become a major business with numerous dedicated facilities, and a large-scale generator of tourism. The field encompasses meetings, conventions, festivals, expositions, sport and other special events. Event management is also of considerable importance to government agencies and not-for-profit organizations in a pursuit of a variety of goals, including fund-raising, the fostering of causes, and community development.