Beyond satisfaction: The relative importance of locational convenience, interpersonal relationships, and commitment across service types

Abstract

Purpose

Many studies have documented that satisfaction does not always result in loyalty, and that dissatisfaction does not necessarily result in defection. In response, this study goes beyond satisfaction and proposes the moderating effects of locational convenience, interpersonal relationships, and commitment between satisfaction and customer loyalty across search, experience, and credence attribute services.

Design/methodology/approach

Hierarchical moderated regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results suggest that from search attribute services to experience and credence attribute services, the relative importance of locational convenience with regard to retaining dissatisfied customers is likely to decline. Search and experience attribute services that can develop and maintain close interpersonal relationships with their customers are more likely to retain dissatisfied customers. Commitment maintains customer loyalty, even when customer satisfaction is lower across search, experience, and credence attribute services.

Originality/value

This study discriminates dissatisfied customers' loyalty behaviors based on locational convenience from those behaviors resulting from interpersonal relationships and commitment across service types, and thus has significance for the marketing strategies of businesses providing different service types, particularly in terms of dissatisfaction resolution strategies.

Citation

Wu, L. (2011), "Beyond satisfaction: The relative importance of locational convenience, interpersonal relationships, and commitment across service types", Managing Service Quality: An International Journal, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 240-263. https://doi.org/10.1108/09604521111127956