The aim of this study was to derive determinants that affect the behavior associated with using self-order kiosks among fast-food restaurant consumers through the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model, and to analyze the moderating effect of consumers’ difference age (difference between individuals’ cognitive age and chronological age) among the variables. From December 1 to 30, 2019, a survey was conducted on 316 customers using four different fast-food restaurants in the Seoul Station. The results showed that the higher the price value, social influence, performance expectancy, and hedonic motivation, the higher the behavioral intention of ordering through the kiosk; furthermore, the higher the difference age, the higher the behavioral intention of using a kiosk. Therefore, fast-food restaurant operators need to ensure that customers who are unfamiliar with using kiosks can order and make payments through kiosks with minimal effort and reasonable price value.

This study aims to analyze the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between technology readiness and willingness to continue using self-service kiosks in fast-food restaurants among middle-aged and older consumers. We conducted a survey from 1 May to 30 May 2020 among 320 consumers born in or before 1980 who only used kiosks in fast-food restaurants. The findings are as follows: First, the more innovative and optimistic the consumer, the more they are willing to continue using kiosks, whereas the more discomfort the consumer feels, the less likely they are to continue using them. Second, among technology readiness factors, a sense of insecurity does not have a significant effect on the willingness to continue to use kiosks. Third, among innovative consumers, men were found to be more likely to continue using kiosks than women. Thus, fast-food restaurant managers need to know that men and women perceive technology-based self-service differently.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of tourists’ needs for healing experience (NHE) on behavioral intentions for transformation (BIT) with healing involvement (HI) as a mediator. Using the two sub-constructs of BIT in the tourism industry (i.e. selection of healing tour products and transformational intention of healing tour behavior), this study evaluates BIT. Design/methodology/approach – The survey was administered to visitors in healing resorts/centers in Korea; 383 completed surveys were used to investigate the hypothesized relationships of this study using regression analysis. Findings – The study results confirmed the hypothesized relationships: the positive effects of NHE on BIT and the significant mediating role of HI in the relationships between NHE and BIT. Practical implications – The relationships among NHE, HI and BIT can improve the understanding and practices of healing experience and the development of healing products in the tourism industry. This study offers a meaningful and extended perspective on customers’ experience and product development by interpreting customers’ desires and needs. Originality/value – This study explores the under-researched subject of NHE and HI from a transformative economic perspective. The study is among the first to examine the structural relationships among NHE, HI and BIT. The uniqueness of the study is highlighted by the use of two sub-dimensions of the BIT industry (i.e. selection of healing tour products and transformational intention of healing tour behavior) in a tourism context.

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