Affective and cognitive antecedents of customer loyalty towards e-mail service providers

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identity cognitive and affective determinants of customer loyalty towards e-mail services, including interrelationships, and to understand the process by which the cognitive and affective antecedents influence customer loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted to gather data from Gmail users. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results indicate electronic service quality and e-trust (cognitive) impact customer loyalty through affective variables like emotions, satisfaction, e-trust (affective) and affective commitment. Results also indicate that e-mail service providers who intend to build long term relationships with their customers will benefit by investing in emotional factors along with cognitive factors.

Research limitations/implications

A predominantly male audience responded to the research query based on one e-mail service setting. Based on the responses, it was determined that e-mail service providers can benefit by building emotional bonds with customers. Enhancing consumption emotions leads to development of emotional bonds and customer loyalty.

Originality/value

Much of the extant literature has examined the role played by cognitive antecedent variables in determining e-loyalty. Studies that researched the role of affective variables are scant. This paper is unique in that it examines both cognitive and affective variables in determining e-loyalty. This study differs from other studies in that it uses antecedents such as emotions, affective commitment, and e-trust (affective) to determine customer loyalty toward e-mail services. Interrelationships among the antecedents were also explored.

Citation

Kumar Ranganathan, S., Madupu, V., Sen, S. and R. Brooks, J. (2013), "Affective and cognitive antecedents of customer loyalty towards e-mail service providers", Journal of Services Marketing, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 195-206. https://doi.org/10.1108/08876041311330690