Open AccessE-CRM dilemmas in developing markets: The case of a tourism company in Serbia
Author(s) -
Alexandros Kapoulas,
Drazen Ratkovic
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
european journal of tourism research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.467
H-Index - 16
eISSN - 1314-0817
pISSN - 1994-7658
DOI - 10.54055/ejtr.v9i.163
Subject(s) - marketing , tourism , business , niche market , product (mathematics) , procurement , agency (philosophy) , customer relationship management , personalization , sociology , social science , geometry , mathematics , political science , law
This paper explores introduction of e–Customer Relationship Management in the tourism services industry in Serbia. By using a case study methodology, this paper reflects the attitudes of top management in Serbia’s biggest tourist agency regarding e-CRM implementation, where five top managers were interviewed, starting from general director, down to regional directors. Findings indicate that managers of this particular company are divided into two groups, based mostly on their age, but also based on their educational background. In this study, key informant interviews were conducted with the General Director, Commercial Director, Marketing Director, Product and Sales Manager and Turkish and Alpine Department Manager. They were identified as the key decision makers in the process of adoption of e-CRM at the “Alpha” tour operator. Same number of interviewees was used by Kothari et al. (2007) in their study regarding the process of adoption of an e-Procurement technology in a hotel company. As a result, most managers agreed that online customization of the arrangements, as an investment, would create only a niche market; and by niche market they mean a small market segment that is not worth spending money on.