Assessing the application of 𝛽-weights and structure coefficients in published hospitality and tourism research

Abstract

Multiple regression is one of the most powerful analysis techniques available to hospitality and tourism researchers for complex problems that may include prediction, mediation, and moderation. The interpretation of the results requires a two-step hierarchical approach. The first step is to determine whether the researcher has findings worth interpreting and reporting and the second step is to determine the effect(s) origins. This second step involves evaluating both the 𝛽-weights and structure coefficients. The purpose of this study is to examine the use of 𝛽-weights and structure coefficients while reporting univariate multiple regression results by hospitality and tourism researchers. The findings suggested that while researchers reported 𝛽-weights, structure coefficients were not consulted. Additionally, although 𝛽-weights were reported, they were misinterpreted in some cases. This study is helpful to hospitality management researchers as they interpret their findings as well as conduct peer reviews.