Authenticity: a study of the role authenticity embodies within different experience providers in Helsinki
Hagenaar, Wiepke Marielijn (2020)
2020
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020051711865
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020051711865
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this thesis was to identify the link between authenticity and experiences within different experience providers in Helsinki, using qualitative research.
The goal was to gain a deeper understanding on authenticity as a phenomenon; its dimensions, aspects and effects. Moreover, this study aimed to get a better knowledge on experiences, the connection between experiences and authenticity and other (external) factors.
The study took an approach of firstly desk research, and secondly by conducting semi-structured interviews. Moreover, based on the literature, the author created her own framework which acted as a base for the interviews and highlighted only the most important elements that the author wanted to concentrate on.
Literature study showed there are two types of authenticity (objective and existential). Moreover, the theory presented drivers to experience / render authenticity for both customers and businesses. Literature research on experiences showed that companies can script / stage an experience, which proved to have a neutral connection on authenticity. Also, experience providers use storytelling to communicate the experience, which positively influences authenticity. Lastly, study showed the importance of quality, where good quality leads to a positive guest experience.
After the literature study, qualitative research was conducted, as this study aimed to discover personal opinions and trains of thought. Moreover, the method used was that of semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted with four different experience providers in Helsinki.
The outcome of the research supported the literature study. As a result two main types of authenticity (objective and existential), and also the customer,- and business drivers have been confirmed through research. Also the connections between authenticity and scripting / staging, storytelling, experiences in general and quality were confirmed.
In conclusion, there is a clear link between authenticity and experiences. These two topics are interconnected and go hand in hand. Within this connection, there are other factors that also have an influence on authenticity, such as the dimensions of authenticity, storytelling, scripting / staging and quality factors.
Future research can be done by researching the viewpoint of customers. Moreover, a quantitative research study could be conducted, using a bigger sample group in order to verify the research outcomes of this thesis.
This report will use Harvard referencing.
The goal was to gain a deeper understanding on authenticity as a phenomenon; its dimensions, aspects and effects. Moreover, this study aimed to get a better knowledge on experiences, the connection between experiences and authenticity and other (external) factors.
The study took an approach of firstly desk research, and secondly by conducting semi-structured interviews. Moreover, based on the literature, the author created her own framework which acted as a base for the interviews and highlighted only the most important elements that the author wanted to concentrate on.
Literature study showed there are two types of authenticity (objective and existential). Moreover, the theory presented drivers to experience / render authenticity for both customers and businesses. Literature research on experiences showed that companies can script / stage an experience, which proved to have a neutral connection on authenticity. Also, experience providers use storytelling to communicate the experience, which positively influences authenticity. Lastly, study showed the importance of quality, where good quality leads to a positive guest experience.
After the literature study, qualitative research was conducted, as this study aimed to discover personal opinions and trains of thought. Moreover, the method used was that of semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted with four different experience providers in Helsinki.
The outcome of the research supported the literature study. As a result two main types of authenticity (objective and existential), and also the customer,- and business drivers have been confirmed through research. Also the connections between authenticity and scripting / staging, storytelling, experiences in general and quality were confirmed.
In conclusion, there is a clear link between authenticity and experiences. These two topics are interconnected and go hand in hand. Within this connection, there are other factors that also have an influence on authenticity, such as the dimensions of authenticity, storytelling, scripting / staging and quality factors.
Future research can be done by researching the viewpoint of customers. Moreover, a quantitative research study could be conducted, using a bigger sample group in order to verify the research outcomes of this thesis.
This report will use Harvard referencing.