ROLE OF BELIEFS AND PAST EXPERIENCE IN
FORMING RESORT ACCOMMODATION
PURCHASE BEHAVIOUR: A STUDY OF
AUSTRALIAN TOURISTS
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Mukesh Sharma
M. Buss (Hospitality Management), B. Sc. (Biology), Diploma of Hotel Management,
Catering and Nutrition, Diploma of Teaching (TAFE)
School Of Management
Business Portfolio
RMIT University,
December, 2008
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Declaration
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I hereby certify that the work is of the author alone except where due
acknowledgement has been made. The work has not been submitted previously, in
whole or in part, to qualify for any academic award. The content of the thesis is the
result of work which has been carried out since the official commencement date of the
approved research program.
Mukesh Sharma
Date: 19 November, 2008
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Dedication
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In Gita, Krishna turns to Arjun in the midst of the epic battle and tells him –
‘Karmanyeva dikaraste maa phaleshu kadachana’ meaning “Do your duty without
expecting rewards”.
I would like to dedicate the thesis to the loving memory of my parents - (late) Mrs
Shanti Sharma, a wonderful mother, happy home-builder and the best cook in the
whole world and my father, (late) Mr Atulesh Chandra Sharma, M.Sc. (Mathematics),
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), FIIE, who practiced and passed on Lord Krishna’s
teachings to his children.
Papa, you will always be an inspiration to me.
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Acknowledgements
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This thesis has been completed with the guidance, encouragement and cooperation of
many people. First, I would like to thank Dr Robert Inbakaran, my friend, philosopher
and guide. I will forever cherish your fervent energy, the quest for knowledge and the
wisdom you have passed on to me. I also wish to note my deep appreciation for my
second supervisor Dr Mervyn Jackson the kindest person one can befriend, who
always had time for me with encouragement and the one who has taught me all that I
know about data analysis. Two other people who were not associated with the project
but were always there with support were Dr Raju Mulaye and Dr Prem Chettri. I will
forever remember you both for the clarity of thought and incessant encouragement.
I have nothing but praises for the Research Development Unit at the university
especially Ms Prue Lamont. Thank you for your efficient support.
I would like to thank my family for their encouragement, support and understanding.
Rashmi, my dear wife and a true friend, you have been wonderful through my journey
of learning and self actualisation. Tarika, my daughter and my sanity, thank you for
your prudent suggestions. I can see a potential human rights lawyer in you. Ritwik,
my son and my strength, you have the prudent disposition of a potential constitutional
lawyer. Thank you for letting me use the computer in your room at unearthly hours. I
would also like to thank my mother-in-law, Mrs Krishna Arora, for her
encouragement, support and blessings.
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I would like to thank my colleagues at William Angliss Institute who were always
there to help me achieve my dream. They are Kerrie Obst, Kerry Howley, Penny
Irons, Wendy Knowles, Terrie Shaw, Joy Vandoske, Tom McGee and David Miller,
in no particular order.
Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my friend and colleague, Peter
Smith for being there to listen to my ideas, reading my manuscript and suggesting
changes.