Exploring the Life-Cycle Model Applied to ‘Umbrella Constructs’: Destination Image as an Example

Abstract

There is no doubt that destination image (DI) is an important sub-field of tourism destination marketing. Several meta-analysis studies have appeared since the emergence of this construct in the 1970s, resulting in almost 300 articles related with this topic. The mainstream of DI research was clearly identified by Chon (1990) and updated by Gallarza et al. (2002). Despite the existence of such evidence after forty years of research, several authors still recognize the lack of theoretical framework, stressing the difficulty in the opera tionaliza tion of this construct. The risk of it being theoretical and non-scientific is a reality. But, at the same time, a wider scope of DI studies has emerged, and new methodologies have come to light. Considering these conclusions after four decades of research, a shift from a static to a more dynamic analysis is required. Scientific progress is not linear and cumulative but dynamic and evolutionary. Therefore, this paper attempts to explore Hirsch and Levin's (1999) life-cycle model mainly applied to 'umbrella constructs' (UC) -encompassing their birth, growth, maturity and decline -as the perfect framework for an evolutionary analysis. Implications of the model for future direction of the DI construct are explored and elaborated, in order to provide some insights to open avenues along which DI research can scientifically progress.

Brand assets: a prerequisite to promoting a developing destination

“…Considering the multifaceted branding services, destination branding can be defined as both a differentiating activity, an identifying activity and a means of communication with consumers (Aaker, 1991;Anderson & Morrison, 2002;Balakrishnan, 2009). The continuous improvement of brand image shapes the inimitable uniqueness of a brand (Rodrigues, Correia & Kozak, 2012) based on consumers' memories (Qu et al, 2011). Accordingly, to create a harmonious branding image, destination branding should be strong enough to evoke visitors' opinions before, during and after the trip (Kim, Stepchenkova & Babalou, 2018).…”

Front-end of innovation: a systematic review and lifecycle analysis

“…After this phase, a UC usually sees its validity challenged when difficulties in operationalizing and assessing the construct appear (validity challenge stage). This point leads to further works in the form of additional theoretical development (tidying up with typologies stage), which may enhance the construct (theoretical challenges are resolved), cause its collapse (construct demise) or persist as a contention (agree to disagree) (Hirsch and Levin, 1999;Rodrigues et al, 2012). We summarized the development of…”

As Mais Valias Da Abordagem Metodológica Mista: O Caso Do Estudo Do Efeito Da Participação No Festival Sudoeste Na Construção Da(s) Imagem(ns) Sobre O Destino Alentejo Litoral E Na Intenção De Revisita

“…As imagens são consideradas, ao mesmo tempo, percepções, impressões ou sensações sobre diferentes atributos de um destino. Por esta razão, Rodrigues, Correia & Kozak (2012) advogam que DI assume-se como um "constructo chapéu" [umbrella construct], uma vez que: (i) são conceitos baseados numa combinação de elementos que ajudam a organizar um corpo de conhecimentos em torno de um tópico; (ii) o progresso do conceito assenta na dialética entre relevância e rigor, abertura e disciplina, conceptualização e operacionalização; (iii) são conceitos unificadores entre os investigadores, a fim de organizar um campo de conhecimento.…”

“…Informação prévia sobre o destino ou o facto de alguém já o ter visitado antes são factores que deverão ser tidos em consideração em estudos de ID, uma vez que podem causar diferentes opiniões. A par disso, sendo a ID um conceito multidimensional requere desta forma abordagens multidisciplinares (Rodrigues et al, 2012) que, por sua vez, necessita de formas de medição complementares (quanti_quali ou quali_quanti) como defendem alguns autores (Jenkins, 1999; entre outros).…”