A meta-regression on the effect of online ratings on hotel room rates

Abstract

Purpose

Online ratings (review valence) have been found to exert a strong influence on hotel room prices. This study aims to systematically synthesize research estimating the impact of online ratings on room rates using a meta-analytical method.

Design/methodology/approach

From major academic databases, a total of 163 estimates of the effects of online ratings on room rates were coded from 22 studies across different countries through a systematic review of relevant literature. All estimates were converted into elasticity-type effect sizes, and a hierarchical linear meta-regression was used to investigate factors explaining variations in the effect sizes.

Findings

The median elasticity of online ratings on hotel room rates was estimated to be 0.851. Meta-regression results highlighted four categories of factors moderating the size of this elasticity: data characteristics, research settings, variable measures and publication outlet. Among sub-ratings, results revealed value rating and room rating to exert the largest impact on room rates, whereas staff and cleanliness ratings demonstrated non-significant impacts.

Practical implications

This study provides practical implications on the relative importance of different types of online ratings for online reputation and revenue management.

Originality/value

This study represents the first research effort to understand factors moderating the effects of online ratings on hotel room rates based on a quantitative review of the literature. Moreover, this study provides beneficial insights into the specification of empirical hedonic pricing models and data-collection strategies, such as the selection of price variables and choices of model functional forms.

Citation

Hu, X.(S)., Yang, Y. and Park, S. (2019), "A meta-regression on the effect of online ratings on hotel room rates", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 31 No. 12, pp. 4438-4461. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-10-2018-0835