Cognitive labour in wellness tourism: Leadership challenges for spa and wellness directors Hyelin (Lina) Kim, Sherrie Tennessee, Marta Soligo, Sung-Eun Kim International Journal of Spa and Wellness, 2026 This study examines how cognitive labour shapes leadership practices within wellness tourism, focusing on the mental and emotional demands faced by spa and wellness managers. Drawing on phenomenological interviews with eleven experienced directors, the research explores how these leaders manage decision-making, service personalisation, and well-being amid increasing operational complexity. Three key findings emerged: (1) managers increasingly engage in emotional support and guidance, addressing both physical and psychological customer needs; (2) service personalisation and menu engineering are critical for enhancing customer experiences while maintaining operational efficiency; and (3) service diversification and technological integration are essential for adapting to evolving consumer expectations. The study contributes to hospitality and tourism scholarship by conceptualising cognitive labour as a core dimension of adaptive leadership, offering practical implications for training, workload management, and sustainable service design in wellness organisations.
What Makes Consumers Purchase Social Media Influencers Endorsed Organic Food Products Minji Kim, Hyelin (lina) Kim, Zihui Ma, Sooyeon Lee Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 2025 Given the growing interest in healthy and sustainable consumption, organic food has gained much attention from restaurants and markets aiming to achieve a competitive advantage. As a new form of word of mouth, influencers’ endorsements help organic food marketers reach and attract potential consumers. However, little is known about the persuasiveness of influencer marketing in organic food settings. Drawing on source credibility theory, this study proposes influencer credibility as the key to influencer marketing and examines its impact on consumer responses. Using data from an online survey, structural equation modeling revealed a significant and positive relationship between all credibility dimensions (expertise, trustworthiness, attractiveness, and interactivity) and perceived information quality leading to behavioral intention. Moreover, a significant moderation of herd behavior on the credibility information quality relationship was found. These findings will provide useful insights for organic food marketers in developing effective influencer marketing strategies.
What drives Millennials and Generation Z to adopt cryptocurrency for hotel payments? Jehun Moon, Mehmet Erdem, Ozgur Ozdemir, Hyelin (Lina) Kim, Eda Anlamlier International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 2025 Purpose This study aims to investigate and compare the factors that affect Millennials and Generation Z (Gen Z) hotel guests’ intention to adopt cryptocurrency payments (CPs) when booking a hotel. Design/methodology/approach A sequential mixed-methods approach was used. Study 1 included 20 semi-structured interviews. The qualitative findings subsequently informed the design of a quantitative survey in Study 2, conducted with 604 participants. Additionally, the authors examined the moderating effect of generational differences. Findings Through a thematic analysis, Study 1 identified six predetermined factors from the innovation diffusion theory and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology – trialability, observability, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions and social influence – and two additional elements – personal innovativeness and perceived risk. Study 2 quantitatively examined that all eight factors were significant predictors of intention to adopt CPs among Millennials and Gen Z hotel guests. Furthermore, the findings from the comparative analysis based on the generational cohort theory indicated that generational differences moderated the relationships among performance expectancy, effort expectancy and personal innovativeness and adoption intention. Practical implications The results of this study offer actionable insights for hotel operators and policymakers aiming to expedite CP adoption among Millennials and Gen Z hotel guests. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first studies to comprehensively identify the determinants and their significance differences in Millennials and Gen Z hotel guests’ intentions to adopt CPs via a sequential mixed-methods approach.
Measuring Virtual Event Quality (VEQual): Scale Development and Validation Sung-Eun Kim, Hyelin (Lina) Kim, Jun-Yeob Kim Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, 2025 Traditional in-person events are becoming virtual or hybrid events with the rise of more innovative platforms. The market for virtual events has expanded considerably, with a concomitant rise in the demand for research on the nature and dynamics of virtual events. However, research on virtual event quality (VEQual) remains in its infancy, lagging behind the industry’s rise and resulting in a lack of understanding of the concept and how it is measured. This study aims to develop and validate a psychometrically sound and managerially useful instrument for measuring VEQual. This study allows both researchers and practitioners to investigate and operationalize a focal concept, VEQual, contributing to a better understanding of the measurement of various aspects of virtual events.
Enhancing wellness tourism through self-service user interaction experiences: impacts on value and subjective wellbeing Sherrie Tennessee, Hyelin (Lina) Kim, Mehmet Erdem Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 2025 Purpose This study aims to investigate how self-service user interaction experiences (SSUIE) influence consumer outcomes in wellness tourism. It examines the roles of perceived competence, sense of closeness, interaction comfort and pleasant experience in shaping perceived wellness value (hedonic and utilitarian), customer satisfaction, subjective well-being (SWB) and behavioral intentions. In addition, the study explores the moderating effect of generational differences on these relationships. Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from 230 wellness travelers with recent experience using self-service technologies in wellness tourism contexts. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized relationships, and multi-group analysis was conducted to examine generational variations. Findings SSUIE significantly enhances both hedonic and utilitarian value. Interaction comfort and pleasant experience primarily influence hedonic value, while perceived competence and sense of closeness contribute to utilitarian value. Hedonic value has a stronger impact on customer satisfaction and SWB, which subsequently drive behavioral intentions. Generational analysis reveals that Boomers emphasize perceived competence, Millennials value relational closeness and Gen Z responds most to comfort and pleasantness. Practical implications The findings suggest that wellness tourism providers should design self-service technologies that are intuitive, emotionally supportive and easy to navigate to enhance both hedonic and utilitarian wellness value. Tailoring features to generational preferences, including functional reliability for Boomers, relational elements for Millennials and comfort-focused design for Gen Z, can strengthen engagement. Originality/value This study advances the understanding of SSUIE by linking digital user experiences to wellness-related outcomes and introducing a generational perspective. The results offer actionable insights for wellness tourism providers aiming to optimize service delivery and enhance consumer engagement through personalized, technology-enabled interactions.
The Determinants of Continuance Intention toward Activity-Based Events Using a Virtual Experience Platform (VEP) Sung-Eun Kim, Hyelin (Lina) Kim, Shinyong Jung, Muzaffer Uysal Leisure Sciences, 2025 The COVID-19 pandemic compelled traditional in-person events to begin transforming into more innovative and safer experiences by utilizing various virtual experience platforms (VEP). This study explores the salient determinants affecting the self-paced hiking or race event attendees’ intention to continue attending the event through the use of VEP based on two robust theories: the expectation–confirmation model (ECM) and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model. Data were collected from 243 event attendees of a self-paced hiking event in South Korea and analyzed using a PLS-SEM approach. The results of this study demonstrate that performance expectancy had the most significant effect on the event attendees’ continuance intention to use VEP, followed by satisfaction, hedonic motivation, and price value. The implications of these findings for event firms and organizations utilizing VEP are discussed.
Branding Co-Creation with Consumer-Generated Advertising: Effect on Creators and Observers Lenna V. Shulga, James A. Busser, Billy Bai, Hyelin (Lina) Kim Journal of Advertising, 2023 Of the social media tools available to brand managers, consumer-generated advertising (CGA) has attractive features combining consumer-generated content, social media advertising, and online intera...
Exploring the role of flow experience and telepresence in virtual reality (VR) concerts Hyelin (Lina) Kim, Sung-Eun Kim, Kwangsoo Park, Sherrie Tennessee Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing, 2023 ABSTRACTThis study investigates how implementing VR technology in live music concerts impacts participants' emotional perceptions and subsequent behaviors, drawing upon the flow theory. The findings demonstrate that the perceived flow experience of VR concert attendees, encompassing cognitive absorption, time distortion, and enjoyment, significantly influences positive affects, subjective well-being, and post-behaviors. Moreover, the degree of telepresence moderates the relationship between flow experience and positive affects in the VR concert setting. The study provides in-depth theoretical and practical implications stemming from these findings and suggests avenues for future research.KEYWORDS: Flow experiencetelepresencesubjective well-beingvirtual realityVR concert Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Touristification phenomenon and support for tourism development Eunju Woo, Hyelin (Lina) Kim, Yeong Gug Kim Anatolia, 2022 The purpose of this study is to use spillover theory to examine the impacts of touristification on different life domains and on residents’ overall quality of life (QoL). Specifically, this study investigates how touristification influences residents’ life domain satisfaction, which influences their overall QoL. The study examines the relationship between satisfaction with residents’ overall QoL and their support for tourism development, based on social exchange theory. The research model shows that community and emotional impacts of touristification negatively affected both life domain satisfaction and support for future tourism development; additionally, life domain satisfaction positively affected QoL, and QoL positively affected support for future tourism development.
Community marathon event participation and quality of life Kwangsoo Park, Seunghyun Brian Park, Chihyung Michael Ok, Hyelin (Lina) Kim Sport Management Review, 2022 This study examined serial multiple mediation effects to explain how participating in a recurring local sport event evolves into events support, contributes to community attachment, and affects the quality of life of residents who participated in the event. Using a web-based survey, 486 responses from marathon runners living in the hosting community were used for data analysis. Results confirmed the focal relationship between event satisfaction and resident marathon runners’ perception of their quality of life. Further analysis validated the sequential effects of participant satisfaction with the marathon event on supporting the event, developing community attachment, and improving quality of life. The findings suggest that hosting a recurring sport event presents a great opportunity for event organizers to enhance residents’ quality of life. Event organizers should maintain the performance of the recurring event to satisfy event participants and may develop partnerships with various organizations to enhance event participants’ quality of life. HIGHLIGHTS Event satisfaction significantly affects resident quality of life. Event support of residents mediates between event satisfaction and resident quality of life. Residents who were satisfied with the event were more likely to support the event and that, in turn, led to a higher level of quality of life. Resident satisfaction with the event is positively and significantly associated with quality of life through the mediation of event support followed by community attachment.
Adaptive leadership in wellness tourism: navigating digital transformation H Kim, S Tennessee, M Soligo Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 1-18 , 2026 2026
Tourists' Carbon-Neutral Intentions and Willingness to Pay Tourism Carbon Tax: Integrating the Climate Change Risk Perception Model and Attitude Framework E Woo, HL Kim, Kim, Y Gug International Journal of Tourism Research (IJTR) 28 (2) , 2026 2026
Enhancing wellness tourism through self-service user interaction experiences: impacts on value and subjective wellbeing S Tennessee, H Kim, M Erdem Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 1-22 , 2026 2026
Climate Change Risk Perception and Carbon-Neutral Behavior: Applying CCRPM E Woo, HL Kim, S Lee Asia-Pacific Journal of Business 16 (4), 295-309 , 2025 2025
The determinants of continuance intention toward activity-based events using a virtual experience platform (VEP) SE Kim, H Kim, S Jung, M Uysal Leisure Sciences 47 (5), 976-1001 , 2025 2025 Citations: 20
What drives Millennials and Generation Z to adopt cryptocurrency for hotel payments? J Moon, M Erdem, O Ozdemir, HL Kim, E Anlamlier International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management 37 (5), 1827-1844 , 2025 2025 Citations: 13
Measuring Virtual Event Quality (VEQual): Scale Development and Validation SE Kim, HL Kim, JY Kim Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
What Makes Consumers Purchase Social Media Influencers Endorsed Organic Food Products M Kim, HL Kim, Z Ma, S Lee Cornell Hospitality Quarterly , 2024 2024 Citations: 23
Exploring the role of flow experience and telepresence in virtual reality (VR) concerts H Kim, SE Kim, K Park, S Tennessee Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing 40 (7), 568-582 , 2023 2023 Citations: 41
Branding Co-Creation with Consumer-Generated Advertising: Effect on Creators and Observers LV Shulga, JA Busser, B Bai, H Kim Journal of Advertising 52 (1), 5-23 , 2023 2023 Citations: 31
Green message strategies and green brand image in a hotel context E Topcuoglu, H Kim, S Kim, S Kim Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management 31 (3), 311-325 , 2022 2022 Citations: 72
Community marathon event participation and quality of life K Park, SB Park, CM Ok, H Kim Sport Management Review 25 (2), 341-359 , 2022 2022 Citations: 18
Touristification phenomenon and support for tourism development E Woo, H Kim, YG Kim Anatolia 33 (1), 65-78 , 2022 2022 Citations: 37
Understanding Chinese independent travel market to South Korea: a segmentation approach SE Kim, ZZ Piao, HL Kim, Z Ma Tourism Review International 25 (4), 385-401 , 2021 2021 Citations: 3
Why not this destination? The effects of travel constraints of independent travelers on destination image formation SE Kim, H Kim, SB Yang International Journal of Tourism Research 23 (6), 1073-1085 , 2021 2021 Citations: 37
Enhancing the quality of life of senior tourists: a theoretical perspective H Kim, MJ Sirgy, M Uysal, SE Kim Anatolia 32 (4), 537-552 , 2021 2021 Citations: 17
Examining the impacts of touristification on quality of life (QOL): The application of the bottom-up spillover theory H Kim, YG Kim, E Woo The Service Industries Journal 41 (11-12), 787-802 , 2021 2021 Citations: 56
How event information is trusted and shared on social media: a uses and gratification perspective SE Kim, HL Kim, S Lee Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing 38 (5), 444-460 , 2021 2021 Citations: 84
The reciprocal role of trust in customer value co-creation LV Shulga, JA Busser, B Bai, H Kim Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research 45 (4), 672-696 , 2021 2021 Citations: 74
Designing for quality of life M Uysal, A Berbekova, H Kim Annals of Tourism Research 83, 102944 , 2020 2020 Citations: 146
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Quality of life (QOL) and well-being research in tourism M Uysal, MJ Sirgy, E Woo, HL Kim Tourism management 53, 244-261 , 2016 2016 Citations: 1417
Life satisfaction and support for tourism development E Woo, H Kim, M Uysal Annals of tourism research 50, 84-97 , 2015 2015 Citations: 851
Tourism experience and quality of life among elderly tourists H Kim, E Woo, M Uysal Tourism management 46, 465-476 , 2015 2015 Citations: 793
The effect of co-creation experience on outcome variable EF Mathis, HL Kim, M Uysal, JM Sirgy, NK Prebensen Annals of tourism research 57, 62-75 , 2016 2016 Citations: 629
Impacts of festivals and events on residents’ well-being M Yolal, D Gursoy, M Uysal, HL Kim, S Karacaoğlu Annals of tourism research 61, 1-18 , 2016 2016 Citations: 513
An examination of the links between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its internal consequences HL Kim, Y Rhou, M Uysal, N Kwon International Journal of Hospitality Management 61, 26-34 , 2017 2017 Citations: 482
Nature-based tourism: Motivation and subjective well-being H Kim, S Lee, M Uysal, J Kim, K Ahn Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing 32 (sup1), S76-S96 , 2015 2015 Citations: 460
The effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on employee well-being in the hospitality industry H Kim, E Woo, M Uysal, N Kwon International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management 30 (3), 1584-1600 , 2018 2018 Citations: 368
Cocreation as moderator between the experience value and satisfaction relationship NK Prebensen, H Kim, M Uysal Journal of travel research 55 (7), 934-945 , 2016 2016 Citations: 358
Why hotel employees care about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Using need satisfaction theory H Kim, Y Rhou, E Topcuoglu, YG Kim International Journal of Hospitality Management 87, 102505 , 2020 2020 Citations: 190
A measure of quality of life in elderly tourists E Woo, H Kim, M Uysal Applied Research in Quality of life 11 (1), 65-82 , 2016 2016 Citations: 162
Designing for quality of life M Uysal, A Berbekova, H Kim Annals of Tourism Research 83, 102944 , 2020 2020 Citations: 146
The moderating effects of gender and income between leadership and quality of work life (QWL) D Kara, H Kim, G Lee, M Uysal International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management 30 (3), 1419-1435 , 2018 2018 Citations: 131
Roles of perceived behavioral control and self‐efficacy to volunteer tourists' intended participation via theory of planned behavior SJ Lee, H Lina Kim International Journal of Tourism Research 20 (2), 182-190 , 2018 2018 Citations: 130
The resident participation in endogenous rural tourism projects: A case study of Kumbalangi in Kerala, India K Ryu, PA Roy, H Kim, HB Ryu Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing 37 (1), 1-14 , 2020 2020 Citations: 92
How event information is trusted and shared on social media: a uses and gratification perspective SE Kim, HL Kim, S Lee Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing 38 (5), 444-460 , 2021 2021 Citations: 84
The reciprocal role of trust in customer value co-creation LV Shulga, JA Busser, B Bai, H Kim Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research 45 (4), 672-696 , 2021 2021 Citations: 74
Green message strategies and green brand image in a hotel context E Topcuoglu, H Kim, S Kim, S Kim Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management 31 (3), 311-325 , 2022 2022 Citations: 72
The effect of manager mobbing behaviour on female employees’ quality of life D Kara, H Kim, M Uysal Current Issues in Tourism 21 (13), 1453-1467 , 2018 2018 Citations: 72
Generational profiles in value co-creation interactions LV Shulga, JA Busser, H Kim Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management 27 (2), 196-217 , 2018 2018 Citations: 63