Research Publications

Most of the articles can be accessed through my Researchgate
*If you can’t access them, please send me an email : mingming.cheng@curtin.edu.au

Highlights

October 2022

A Sequential Pattern Mining Approach to Tourist Movement: The Case of a Mega Event

Mingming Cheng, Xin Jin, Ying Wang, Xiaowei Wang, & Jinyan Chen

The movement of tourists has important economic and social implications for destination management. However, tracking and analyzing such movement can be a challenge both conceptually and methodologically. Using four different sequential pattern mining algorithms, this study investigates the movement of international visitors during the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (GC2018) at the level of a specific destination through Twitter data. Results indicate that sequential pattern mining is a powerful technique to reveal complex travel patterns and provides insights into the potential associated destinations of visitors beyond the current point-to-point analysis. This approach can assist destination management and event organizers in identifying the event’s contribution to tourists’ local visitation.

January 2021

COVID-19 pandemic exposes the vulnerability of the sharing economy: a novel accounting framework

Guangwu Chen, Mingming Cheng, Deborah Edwards & Lixiao Xu

This study assessed the financial loss of Airbnb listings for its hosts in Greater Sydney, Australia. Findings show that comparing August 2020 to January 2020, the pandemic resulted in 89.5 per cent income loss for Airbnb hosts (about 14 million) with hosts suffering about 6.5 times more than the Airbnb platform itself. However, many Airbnb hosts are not eligible for the financial aid being offered by the NSW State Government or the Australian Federal Government. The study further demonstrates the vulnerability of the sharing economy during a time of crisis. It contributes empirical evidence to the widening public debate on the sharing economy’s contribution to sustainable tourism and decent work (SDG 8), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and, most importantly, it raises concerns over taxation and social protections for informal employees. Methodologically, this study contributes to the literature by presenting a comprehensive income accounting framework to analyse this segment of the workforce’s financial performance, which can serve as benchmark for tax estimation and financial aids.

March 2019

When Western Hosts Meet Eastern Guests: Airbnb Hosts’ Experience with Chinese Outbound Tourists

Mingming Cheng, Guojie Zhang

  • Mianzi and Guanxi mediate Western Airbnb hosts’ experience with Chinese guests.
  • An inter-cultural host-guest relationship framework was developed.
  • The “culture-fits-all” perception is prevailing.

January 2019

What do Airbnb users care about? An analysis of online review comments

Mingming Cheng, Xin Jin

  • Three key attributes of an Airbnb experience: location, amenities and host.
  • Airbnb users tend to evaluate Airbnb experience based on a frame of reference derived from past hotel stays.
  • Airbnb users tend to use the names of the owners in their comments carrying a personal touch.
  • Airbnb challenges the notion of professionalism in hospitality.
  • Sense of privacy and safety is valued by the guests.

June 2023

The interaction effect of emoji and social media content on consumer engagement: A mixed approach on peer-to-peer accommodation brands

Xiaowei Wang, Mingming Cheng, Shanshi Li & Rouchen, Jiang

This study examines how the interaction between emoji (emotional vs semantic) and social media content (aesthetic experience vs promotion) influences consumer engagement in tourism brands’ digital communication. Based on real Twitter data and an online experiment, our results show that, for aesthetic experience content, emotional emoji elicits more consumer engagement than semantic emoji does. Moreover, emotional emoji increases consumer engagement by eliciting a higher level of emotional responses for aesthetic experience content, whereas semantic emoji enhances consumer engagement by generating greater credibility for promotion content. This study contributes to the textual paralanguage literature in tourism by offering theoretical explanations on how and why the matching effects of emoji and content type on consumer engagement occur in tourism brands’ digital communication. This study also provides practical implications for tourism social media marketers on how to increase consumer engagement via the appropriate use of emoji.

Refereed Journal Articles

  1. Zhan, L., Cheng, M.,& Zhu, J. (2023).Progress on image analytics: implications for tourism and hospitality research. Tourism Management.(Q1) (ABDC: A*) 
  2. Wang, X., Cheng, M., Li, S., & Jiang, R. (2023). The interaction effect of emoji and social media content on consumer engagement: A mixed approach in peer-to-peer accommodation brands. Tourism Management. (Q1) (ABDC: A*) 
  3. Cheng, M., Jin, X., Wang, Y., Wang, Xi., & Chen, M. (2022). A Sequential Pattern Mining Approach to Tourist Movement: The Case of a Mega Event. Journal of Travel Research. (Q1) (ABDC: A*) 
  4. Chen, G., Cheng, M., Edwards, D., & Xu, L. (2022). COVID-19 pandemic exposes the vulnerability of the sharing economy: a novel accounting framework. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1868484. (Q1) (ABDC: A*)
  5. Yu, M., Cheng, M., Yang, L., & Yu, Z. (2022). Hotel guest satisfaction during COVID-19 outbreak: the moderating effects of crisis response strategy. Tourism Management. (Q1) (ABDC: A*) 
  6. Cheng, M., Houge Mackenzie, S., & Ambelu, G. (2022). Airbnb impacts on host communities in a tourism destination: An exploratory study of stakeholder perspectives in Queenstown, New Zealand.Journal of Sustainable Tourism. (Q1) (ABDC: A*)
  7. Zhang, G., Cheng, M., & Zhang, J. (2022). A cross-cultural comparison of peer-to-peer accommodation experience: A mixed text mining approach. International Journal of Hospitality Management. (Q1) (ABDC: A*)   
  8. Cheng, M., Hu, M., & Lee, A. (2022).  A Global Perspective on the Impact of Covid-19 on Peer-to-peer Accommodation: Human Mobility, Case Number and Lockdown Policies. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. (Q1) (ABDC: A) 
  9. Li, Y., Cheng, M. & Mkono, M. (2022).  Exploring Diffusion Network on Airbnb Discrimination: An exponential random graph model. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research.(Q1) (ABDC: A) 
  10. Cheng, M. (2022). Mobilize Airbnb Support in Times of Humanitarian Crisis. Current Issues in Tourism. (Q1) (ABDC: A)
  11. Zhu, J. , & Cheng, M. (2022).The rise of a new form of virtual tour: Airbnb peer-to-peer online experience. Current Issues in Tourism. (Q1) (ABDC: A)
  12. Fedeli, G., & Cheng, M., (2022). Influencer marketing and tourism: another threat to integrity for the industry. Tourism Analysis. (ABDC: A)
  13. Wang, X., Cheng, M., Wong, I., Lee, S., & Teah, M. (2021). Big-Five Personality Traits in P2P Accommodation Platforms: Similar or Different to Hotel Brands. Current Issues in Tourism. 24(23), 3407-3419 (Q1) (ABDC: A)
  14. Mody, M., Hank, L. & Cheng, M. (2021). Sharing economy research in hospitality and tourism: a critical review using bibliometric analysis, content analysis and quantitative systematic literature review. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. (Q1) (ABDC: A)
  15. Song, H. Ma, E & Cheng, M.  (2021). Dining with Distance During the Pandemic: An Enquiry from the Theory of Proxemics and Social Exchange. Current Issues in Tourism. (Q1) (ABDC: A) 
  16. Zhu, J., Cheng, M., & Li, Z. (2021). Peer-to-peer experience and guest recommendations: a mixed-method approach. Tourism Management Perspectives. (SSCI) (ABDC: A) 
  17. Cheng, M., Chen, G., Wiedmann, T., Hadjikakou, M., Xu, L.,& Wang, Y. (2020). The sharing economy and sustainability – assessing Airbnb’s direct, indirect and induced carbon footprint in Sydney. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. (Q1) (ABDC: A*) 10.1080/09669582.2020.1720698
  18. Cheng, M., Zhang, G., & Wong, I. (2020). Spanning across the boundary of Airbnb host community: A network perspective. International Journal of Hospitality Management. (Q1) (ABDC: A*) 
  19. Xin, J.,& Cheng, M. (2020). Communicating mega-events on Twitter: Implications for destination marketing. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing.37 (6), 739-755. (Q1) (ABDC: A) 
  20. Zhu, L., Lin, Y., & Cheng, M. (2020). Sentiment and Guest Satisfaction with Peer-to-Peer Accommodation: When are Online Ratings More Trustworthy. International Journal of Hospitality Management. 86, 102369(Q1) (ABDC: A*) 
  21. Yu, M., Cheng, M., Yu, Z., Tan, J., & Li, Z. (2020). Investigating Airbnb listings’ amenities relative to hotels. Current Issues in Tourism. (Q1) (ABDC: A)
  22. Zhang, G., Wang, R., & Cheng, M. (2020). Peer-to-Peer accommodation experience: A Chinese cultural perspective. Tourism Management Perspectives. (Q1) (ABDC: A)
  23. Cui, R., Cheng, M., Shuang, X., Chang, H., & Yao, Y. (2020). International tourists’ dark tourism experiences in China: the case of the Memorial of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre. Current Issues in Tourism. (Q1) (ABDC: A)
  24. Zhang, G., Cui, R. Cheng, M., Chen, Q., & Li, Z. (2020). A comparison of key attributes between peer-to-peer accommodations and hotels using online reviews. Current Issues in Tourism. (Q1) (ABDC: A) https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2019.1575339
  25. Cheng, M., & Foley, C. (2019). Algorithmic management: the case of Airbnb. International Journal of Hospitality Management. 83, 33-36(Q1) (ABDC: A*) 
  26. Cheng, M., & Zhang, G. (2019). When Western Hosts Meet Eastern Guests: Airbnb Hosts’ Experience with Chinese Outbound Tourists. Annals of Tourism Research. 75, 288-303. (Q1) (ABDC: A*) 
  27. Cheng, M., & Jin, X. (2019). What do Airbnb users care about? An analysis of online review comments. International Journal of Hospitality Management. 76, 58-70. (Q1) (ABDC: A*) (Highly Cited Paper – Web of Science)
  28. Zhu, Y., Cheng, M., Wang, J., Ma, L., & Jiang, R. (2019). The construction of home feeling by Airbnb guests in the sharing economy: A semantics perspective. Annals of Tourism Research.75, 308-321(Q1) (ABDC: A*)
  29. Zhu, L., Cheng, M., & Wong, I. (2019). Determinants of Peer-to-peer rental rating scores: the case of Airbnb. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. 10.1108/IJCHM-10-2018-0841(Q1) (ABDC: A) 
  30. Cheng, M., & Edwards, D. (2019). A comparative automated content analysis approach on the review of the sharing economy discourse in tourism and hospitality. Current Issues in Tourism. 22 (1), 35-49 (Q1) (ABDC: A) (This article established a rigorous procedure for the characterisation of content. It was described as a blue-print for performing grounded sense-making of text data)
  31. Cheng, M., & Foley, C. (2018).  The sharing economy and digital discrimination: the case of Airbnb. International Journal of Hospitality Management.70, 95-98. (Q1)   (ABDC: A*)(Highly Cited Paper – Web of Science)
  32. Ma, E., Cheng, M., & Hsiao, A. (2018). Sentiment Analysis: A Review and Agenda for Future Research in Hospitality contexts. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. (Q1) (ABDC: A) 10.1108/IJCHM-10-2017-0704
  33. Edwards, K., Rosenbaum, M., & Cheng, M. (2018). Legal Implications of Soundalike Hotels in China: Haiyatt and Marvelot. Tourism Management. 68, 162-167 (Q1) (ABDC: A*)
  34. Cheng, M., & Foley, C. (2018). Understanding the distinctiveness of Chinese Post-80s tourists through an exploration of their formative experiences.  Current Issues in Tourism. 21 (11), 1312-1328 (Q1)   (ABDC: A)
  35. Cheng, M., Edwards, D., Darcy, S. & Redfern, K. (2018). A tri-method approach to a review of adventure tourism literature: bibliometric analysis, content analysis and a quantitative systematic literature review. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research. 42 (6),162-167. (Q1)  (ABDC: A)
  36. Cheng, M. (2018). A Cross-Cultural Comparison of East and Western Academic Literature on Adventure Tourism. Tourist Studies. 18 (4), 357-374. (Q1) (ABDC: B) doi:10.1177/1468797617723472
  37. Cheng, M., Wong, I.A., Wearing, S., & McDonald, M. (2017). Ecotourism Social Media Initiatives in China. Journal of Sustainable Tourism.25 (3), 416-432.(Q1)   (ABDC: A*)
  38. Schweinsberg, S., Darcy, S., & Cheng, M. (2017). The Agenda Setting Power of News Media in Framing the Future Role of Tourism in Protected Areas. Tourism Management. 62, 241-252. 10.1016/j.tourman.2017.04.011(Q1) (ABDC: A*) 
  39. Edwards, D., Cheng, M., Wong, I.A., Zhang, J., & Wu, Q. (2017). Ambassadors of Knowledge Sharing: Co-produced Travel Information Through Tourist-Local Social Media Exchange. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 29 (2), 690-708. (Q1)   (ABDC: A)   Video Link
  40. Cheng, M., Wong, A., & Prideaux, B. (2017). Political Travel Constraint: The Role of Chinese Popular Nationalism. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 34(3), 383-397   (Q1)  (ABDC: A)   Video Link
  41. Cheng, M. (2016). Sharing economy: A review and agenda for future research. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 57, 60-70. (Q1)   (ABDC: A*)  (In Chinese (translation)) (Most downloaded and most cited articles in IJHM) (Highly Cited Paper – Web of Science)
  42. Cheng, M. (2016). Current sharing economy media discourse in tourism. Annals of Tourism Research.60,111-114 (SQ1)   (ABDC: A*)
  43. Rosenbaum, M.; Cheng, M. ; & Wong, I.A.(2016). Introducing Servicescape Knockoffs: Understanding consumer acceptance and rejection of inauthentic retail establishments. Journal of Business Research. (Q1)  (ABDC: A) doi.10.1016/j.jbusres.2016.01.015   Video Link
  44. Cheng, M., & Edwards, D. (2015).Social media in tourism: a visual analytic approach. Current Issues in Tourism.18(11), 1080-1087 (Q1)   (ABDC: A). 
  45. Cheng, M.,& Wong, I.A. (2014). Tourism and Chinese popular nationalism. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change.12(4), 307-319. (Q1) (ABDC: C)   
  46. Wong, I. A., & Cheng, M. (2014).Exploring the Effects of Heritage Site Image on Souvenir Shopping Attitudes: The Moderating Role of Perceived Cultural Difference. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 31(4), 476-492.(Q1) (ABDC:A)                    
  47. Cheng, M., Jin, X., & Wong, I. A. (2014). Ecotourism site in relation to tourist attitude and further behavioural changes. Current Issues in Tourism, 17(4), 303-311. (Q1) (ABDC: A)       
  48. Cheng, M., Wong, I.A., & Liu, M. (2013). A cross-cultural comparison of World Heritage Site Image: The case of Hue. Tourism Analysis, 18(6), 707-712. (ABDC: A)                                                                                            

Book Review

  1. Cheng, M. (2017). Big Data Management, edited by Fausto Pedro García Márquez and Benjami Lev, Switzerland, Spring International Publishing. Information Technology & Tourism. 17(4), 455-456. doi:1007/s40558-017-0093-4n
  2. Cheng, M. (2017). Chinese Outbound Tourism 2.0, edited by Xiang (Robert) Li, Oakville, Apple Academic Press, 2015, Anatolia: An International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Research. 28(1), 110-111. doi:1080/13032917.2016.1197024

Research Reports                                                                                                                               

  1. Bosworth, Andrew; Chaipraditkul, Napat; MingMing Cheng; Gupta, Abhik; Junmookda, Kimberly; Kadam, Parag; Macer, Darryl R.J.; Millet, Charlotte; Sangaroonthong, Jennifer; Waller, Alexander. 2011.Ethics and biodiversity. Bangkok, Regional Unit for Social and Human Sciences in Asia and the Pacific (RUSHSAP), UNESCO Bangkok. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002182/218270E.pdf
  2. Moss, Jeremy; McMann, Michael; Rae, Jessica; Zipprich, Andrea; Macer, Darryl R.J.; Nyambati, Aori R.; Ngo, Diana; MingMing Cheng; Manohar, N.; Wolbring, Gregor. 2011.Energy equity and environmental security.Bangkok, Regional Unit for Social and Human Sciences in Asia and the Pacific (RUSHSAP), UNESCO Bangkok http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002182/218271E.pd