FACTORS INFLUENCING SOCIAL CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT ADOPTION AND ITS EFFECT ON CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP PERFORMANCE OF SMALL HOTEL BUSINESSES IN THAILAND

Main Article Content

Suthasinee Arun
Vichayanan Rattanawiboonsom
Kritcha Yawised

Abstract

This study aimed to examine 1) the direct effects of technological, organizational, and environmental factors on Social Customer Relationship Management (SCRM) adoption in small hotel businesses in Thailand, 2) the indirect effects of these factors on customer relationship performance through SCRM adoption as a mediating variable, and 3) the effect of SCRM adoption on customer relationship performance.
This quantitative study collected data from 370 owners, managers, and department heads involved in social media use in small hotel businesses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling.
The results showed that the structural model fit the empirical data well, with Chi-square = 154.418, Chi-square/df = 1.161, df = 133, p-value = 0.099, GFI = 0.958, CFI = 0.994, TLI = 0.992, RMSEA = 0.021, and RMR = 0.021. Regarding the research objectives, the findings revealed that: 1) technological, organizational, and environmental factors had significant positive direct effects on Social CRM adoption, with technological factors exerting the strongest effect, followed by environmental and organizational factors; 2) these three factors had significant positive indirect effects on customer relationship performance through Social CRM adoption, with environmental factors showing the strongest indirect effect; and 3) Social CRM adoption had a significant positive direct effect on customer relationship performance.

Article Details

How to Cite
Arun, S., Rattanawiboonsom , V., & Yawised, K. (2026). FACTORS INFLUENCING SOCIAL CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT ADOPTION AND ITS EFFECT ON CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP PERFORMANCE OF SMALL HOTEL BUSINESSES IN THAILAND . Journal of Liberal Art of Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, 8(3), 111–126. Retrieved from https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/art/article/view/300254
Section
Research Articles

References

Afaq, A., Gaur, L., & Singh, G. (2023). Social CRM: Linking the dots of customer service and customer loyalty during COVID-19 in the hotel industry. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 35(3), 992–1009. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-04-2022-0428

Cruz-Jesus, F., Pinheiro, A., & Oliveira, T. (2019). Understanding CRM adoption stages: Empirical analysis building on the TOE framework. Computers in Industry, 109, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2019.03.007

Eichhorn, B. R. (2014). Common method variance techniques [Conference paper]. Midwest SAS Users Group 2014 Conference. https://www.lexjansen.com/mwsug/2014/AA/MWSUG-2014-AA11.pdf

Faiz, F., Le, V., & Masli, E. K. (2024). Determinants of digital technology adoption in innovative SMEs. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 9(4), 100610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100610

Giang, N. T. P., Tan, T. D., & Nhung, L. T. H. (2025). Determinants of E-commerce adoption and its effect on marketing performance among Vietnamese SMEs: An PLS-SEM approach using the TOE framework. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 11(4), 100670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100670

Hair, J. F., Gabriel, M. L. D. S., da Silva, D., & Braga, S. (2019). Development and validation of attitudes measurement scales: Fundamental and practical aspects. RAUSP Management Journal, 54(4), 490–507. https://doi.org/10.1108/RAUSP-05-2019-0098

Haq, F. U., Suki, N. M., Zaigham, H., Masood, A., & Rajput, A. (2025). Exploring AI adoption and SME performance in resource-constrained environments: A TOE–RBV perspective with mediation and moderation effects. Journal of Digital Economy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdec.2025.07.002

Harrigan, P., Miles, M. P., Fang, Y., & Roy, S. K. (2020). The role of social media in the engagement and information processes of social CRM. International Journal of Information Management, 54, 102151.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102151

Iacobucci, D. (2010). Structural equations modeling: Fit indices, sample size, and advanced topics. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 20(1), 90–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcps.2009.09.003

Karim, R. A., Rabiul, M. K., Tahrin, S., & Arfat, S. M. (2024). The nexus between CRM and behavioural loyalty in hotel sector: The mediating role of relationship quality (trust and satisfaction). Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-03-2024-0169

Kline, R. B. (2011). Convergence of structural equation modeling and multilevel modeling. In M. Williams & W. P. Vogt (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of innovation in social research methods (pp. 562–589). SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446268261.n31

Marolt, M., Zimmermann, H.-D., Žnidaršič, A., & Pucihar, A. (2020). Exploring social customer relationship management adoption in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 15(2), 38–58. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-18762020000200104

Mohammed, F., Ahmad, R. B., Hassan, S. B., Fazea, Y., & Alzahrani, A. I. (2024). An empirical evidence on the impact of social customer relationship management on the small and medium enterprises performance. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 4(2), 100248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2024.100248

Pahor Zvanut, A., & Zabukovec Baruca, P. (2025). Social media marketing strategy in the tourism industry: A systematic literature review. Tourism Planning & Development. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2025.2549069

Peng, X., Zhu, J., Lee, S., Zhou, D., Song, W., & Ying, T. (2024). Digital transformation in the hospitality industry: A bibliometric review from 2000 to 2023. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 120, 103761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2024.103761

Pizam, A., Ozturk, A. B., Balderas-Cejudo, A., Buhalis, D., Fuchs, G., Hara, T., Meira, J., Revilla, R. G. M., Sethi, D., Shen, Y., State, O., Hacikara, A., & Chaulagain, S. (2022). Factors affecting hotel managers’ intentions to adopt robotic technologies: A global study. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 102, 103139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2022.103139

Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J.-Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879–903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879

Qalati, S. A., Yuan, L. W., Khan, M. A. S., & Anwar, F. (2021). A mediated model on the adoption of social media and SMEs’ performance in developing countries. Technology in Society, 64, 101513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101513

Religia, Y., Ramawati, Y., Firdausi, A. S. M., & Nainggolan, D. S. (2025). Exploring digital leadership-TOE framework in CRM adoption by SMEs in developing countries. RAUSP Management Journal, 60(1), 58–74. https://doi.org/10.1108/RAUSP-09-2024-0187

Sigala, M. (2018). Implementing social customer relationship management: A process framework and implications in tourism and hospitality. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 30(7), 2698–2726. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-10-2015-0536

Sofi, M. R., Bashir, I., Alshiha, A. A., Alnasser, E. M., & Alkhozaim, S. M. (2025). Creating exceptional guest experiences: The role of engagement and relationship building in hospitality. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 8(3), 891–914. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-04-2024-0318

Tornatzky, L. G., & Fleischer, M. (1990). The processes of technological innovation. Lexington Books.

https://openlibrary.org/books/OL2207473M/The_processes_of_technological_innovation

Trainor, K. J., Andzulis, J. M., Rapp, A., & Agnihotri, R. (2014). Social media technology usage and customer relationship performance: A capabilities-based examination of social CRM. Journal of Business Research, 67(6), 1201–1208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.05.002

UN Tourism. (2025). UN Tourism data dashboard: Key indicators. https://www.untourism.int/market-intelligence

Van Looy, A. (2022). Social media management: Using social media as a business instrument (2nd ed.). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99094-7

World Travel & Tourism Council. (2025). Thailand travel & tourism economic impact factsheet. https://researchhub.wttc.org/product/factsheet-thailand-travel-tourism-economic-impact

Zheng, X., Huang, J., Wu, J., Sun, S., & Wang, S. (2023). Emerging trends in online reviews research in hospitality and tourism: A scientometric update (2000–2020). Tourism Management Perspectives, 47, 101105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2023.101105