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Spa social responsibility as a quality signal: building customer loyalty through ethical and sustainable practices


Citation

Pinthong, Chitlada and Inprasertkul, Thanapol and Rattanopas, Chairat and Fakfare, Pipatpong and Han, Heesup and Chua, Bee Lia (2026) Spa social responsibility as a quality signal: building customer loyalty through ethical and sustainable practices. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 133. art. no. 104485. pp. 1-11. ISSN 0278-4319

Abstract

Drawing on signaling theory and the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework, the research examines how specific dimensions of social responsibility, such as eco-friendly products, sustainable design, waste management, and certification standards shape consumer perceptions. Using Generalized Structured Component Analysis with Measurement Errors (GSCAM) together with necessary condition analysis (NCA), the study identifies both sufficient and necessary spa social responsibility components that drive attitudinal and behavioral outcomes. Key findings reveal that certain sustainability practices are essential for forming positive attitudes, which, in turn, are critical for customer loyalty. Conversely, promotional logistics and cultural sustainability were found to be less influential or insufficient on their own. The results provide a comprehensive theoretical contribution to socially responsible signaling and offer practical insights for spa managers seeking to enhance competitiveness through authentic and strategically communicated social responsibility initiatives.


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Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Faculty of Food Science and Technology
DOI Number: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2025.104485
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: Customer behavior; Eco-friendly products; Spa social responsibility; Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework; Sustainable design; Waste management
Depositing User: Mohamad Jefri Mohamed Fauzi
Date Deposited: 18 Nov 2025 07:31
Last Modified: 18 Nov 2025 07:31
Altmetrics: http://www.altmetric.com/details.php?domain=psasir.upm.edu.my&doi=10.1016/j.ijhm.2025.104485
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/121806
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