A Structural Equation Model of Urban Forest Recreationists’ Satisfaction

Abstract:

With the method of exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, this paper presented a model of urban forest recreationists’ satisfaction and conducted an empirical research. The main conclusions are as follows. Perceived value has an important and positive impact on the formation of satisfaction experience. Perceptions of "landscape resources", "facilities and services", "functional utility", "social utility" and "emotional utility" are the main factors arising the perceived value of recreationists. Meanwhile, Perceptions of "emotional utility" and "landscape resources" are the key factors influencing recreationists’ satisfaction. Furthermore, Perceptions of "functional utility" and "social utility" positively affect the perceived value of recreationists, and the perception of "facilities and services" is likely a guarantee factor for satisfaction experience. In addition, this paper has confirmed the applicability of the Means-end theory and the Cognitive-affective theory in the practice of urban forest recreationists’ satisfaction study.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 675-677)
• Pages: 1288-1294
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.675-677.1288
• Online since: October 2014
• Authors: Lu Zhou*, Shu Tang
• Keywords: Perceived Value, Recreationists’ Satisfaction, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Urban Forest Recreation

References

[1] J. F. Dwyer, H. W. Schroeder, and P. H. Gobster, The significance of urban trees and forests: towards a deeper understanding of values, Journal of Arboriculture. 17 (1991) 276–284.

DOI: 10.48044/jauf.1991.062

[2] L. Hörnsten Fredman, On the distance to recreational forests in Sweden, Landscape and Urban Planning. 51(2000) 1-10.

DOI: 10.1016/s0169-2046(00)00097-9

[3] C. C. Konijnendijk, Adapting forestry to urban demands-role of communication in urban forestry in Europe, Landscape and Urban Planning. 52 (2000) 89-100.

DOI: 10.1016/s0169-2046(00)00125-0

[4] A. Arnberger, Recreation use of urban forests: An inter-area comparison, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 4 (2006) 135-144.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2006.01.004

[5] E. O. Wilson, Biophilia: The Human Bond with Other Species, Harvard University Press, UK, (1984).

[6] C. Y. Jim, W. Y. Chen, Ecosystem services and valuation of urban forests in China, Cities. 26 (2009) 187-194.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2009.03.003

[7] K. Yu, M. G. Padua, China's cosmetic cities: Urban fever and superficiality, Landscape Research. 32 (2007) 255-272.

DOI: 10.1080/01426390701231820

[8] J. S. Akama, D. M. Kieti, Measuring tourist satisfaction with Kenya's wildlife safari: a case study of Tsavo West National Park, Tourism Management. 24 (2003) 73-81.

DOI: 10.1016/s0261-5177(02)00044-4

[9] G. Arabatzis, E. Grigoroudis, Visitors' satisfaction, perceptions and gap analysis: The case of Dadia–Lefkimi–Souflion National Park, Forest Policy and Economics. 12 (2010) 163-172.

DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2009.09.008

[10] C. C. Li, C. Y. Xu, Z. D. Zhang, and et al., Residents' satisfaction on country parks in Beijing, Journal of Beijing Forestry University (Social Sciences). 9 (2010) 68-72.

[11] W. M. Li, Study on urban forest park recreationists' behavioral characteristics and satisfaction, Business Economy. (2010) 103-104.

[12] J. Sun, J. H. Gong, and J. F. Zhang, Study on how service quality influences customer loyalty of urban forest, Eco-tourism Forestry Economics. (2011) 82-86.

[13] M. G. Gallarza, I.G. Saura, Value dimensions, perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty: an investigation of university students' travel behaviour, Tourism management. 27 (2006) 437-452.

DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2004.12.002

[14] R. L. Moore B.L. Driver, Introduction to outdoor recreation, Venture Publishing, Canada, (2005).

[15] N. Michels, D. Bowen, The relevance of retail loyalty strategy and practice for leisure/tourism, Journal of Vacation Marketing. 11 (2005) 5-19.

DOI: 10.1177/1356766705050839

[16] I. R. del Bosque, H. S. Martín, Tourist satisfaction a cognitive-affective model, Annals of Tourism Research. 35 (2008) 551-573.

DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2008.02.006

[17] S. Um, K. Chon, Y. H. Ro, Antecedents of revisit intention, Annals of Tourism Research. 33 (2006) 1141-1158.

DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2006.06.003

[18] J. N. Sheth, B. I. Newman, and B. L. Gross, Consumption Values and Market Choice, South Western Publishing, Ohio (1991).