Pro tip: Screen-based payment methods increase negative feelings in consumers but do not increase tip sizes
Journal Title: European Journal of Behavioral Sciences - Year 2021, Vol 4, Issue 4
Abstract
Leaving monetary tips for servers is a commonplace occurrence in the United States. Tipping research has proposed that consumers tip to serve a variety of motives such as to ensure good service on future patronage, supplement servers’ wages, and comply with social norms. Meanwhile, research on environmental factors that affect tipping behavior, such as method of bill payment, have yielded mixed findings. The advancement of technology has increased the use of screen-based payment methods that feature options with differing suggested tip amounts. This technology may pressure consumers into leaving larger tips or start tipping in situations where they previously would not. Using a computer-based study, we simulated limited-service experiences where customers have short interactions with their servers (e.g., ordering a cup of coffee to-go at a coffee shop). We studied how the availability of screen-based payment methods affected consumer feelings about establishments and tip amounts. Results indicated that, in our simulated coffee shop scenario, people feel negatively about screen-based payment methods and may avoid limited-service establishments that use them, but they did not leave larger tips when compared to other payment methods. Moreover, people did not tip more when a server was visible (versus absent) and empathy did not moderate this effect. Together, these findings suggest that people tip to comply with social norms in limited-service environments even if they may feel negatively about the consumer experience.
Authors and Affiliations
Francine W Goh, Alexandria C Jungck, Jeffrey R Stevens
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP743793
- DOI https://doi.org/10.33422/ejbs.v4i4.678
- Views 3
- Downloads 0
Personality, Sexuality, and Beauty Standards: A Cross-Cultural Exploration of Canadian and German Women's Cosmetic Surgery Behaviours and Attitudes
This study investigated the impact of various psychosocial factors on behaviours and attitudes towards cosmetic surgery among Canadian (n=97) and German (n=115) women, considering cultural differences and beauty standard...
Narcissism, Personality Traits and Conspicuous Consumption of Brand in Youth
The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship among Narcissism, personality traits and conspicuous consumption of brands in youth. This used quantitative research design with a sample consisting of 50 Men and...
Mental Health at Workplace: A Bibliometric Analysis of Literature from Canada
The purpose of this paper is to identify and review the research themes in the area of mental health in workplace. I conduct a bibliometric analysis of 219 peer-reviewed articles specific to research conducted in Canada....
Life Satisfaction as A Determinant of Loneliness Among College Students
Loneliness is usually defined as an unpleasant and emotionally disturbing subjective experience that occurs as response to the discrepancy between desired and achieved levels of social contact. The experience of loneline...
Undergraduate Students’ Personality Traits: Relationship with Students’ Gender and Parental Socioeconomic Factors
The study investigates in 301 university students, the relationship of Big Five Factors Model/BFFM personality traits with gender and parental socioeconomic factors. Students completed the International Personality Item...