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Article
Publication date: 14 December 2015

Molka Abbes and Alain Goudey

Although there is existing research investigating trust itself, there is a need for research on the concept of trust, specifically in retail environments. The purpose of this…

1196

Abstract

Purpose

Although there is existing research investigating trust itself, there is a need for research on the concept of trust, specifically in retail environments. The purpose of this paper is to identify specific the dimensions of the concept of trust with retailing and to note impactful antecedents as activators for managers to secure long-term business.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a multi-dimensional measurement scale of trust that is examined through a structural equation modeling the connections between the determinants of the concept and its various features.

Findings

This research has identified two new key dimensions for trust, specific to the well-being retailing context: customer/salesperson relationship and customer/sales environment relationship. Hence, this research primarily highlights the role of the salesperson and advice in establishing and sustaining the customer-retailer trust relationship.

Practical implications

On the managerial level, this research helps further an advanced relational approach in the area of consumer product distribution by paying particular attention to building and developing a trust-based relationship. This research may serve as a “handbook” for any retailer looking to establish and sustain a durable relationship with their customers.

Originality/value

The paper adapts the concept of trust in the specific context of brick-and-mortar retailing and tests it thanks to a quantitative study in the field of well-being retailing. The paper uses empirical data to establish original indications regarding: new relevant dimensions for trust in a retailing context that could be used by shop managers to develop a better comprehension of trust and impactful antecedents of trust in a retailing context that could be activated by shop managers to enhance trust regarding their shops.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 43 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 14 December 2015

Neil Towers

183

Abstract

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 43 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Article
Publication date: 8 June 2022

Sheng-Wei Lin, Eugenia Y. Huang and Kai-Teng Cheng

This study employed the commitment–trust theory in social psychology and relationship marketing to explore female customers' perception of channel integration quality in…

1603

Abstract

Purpose

This study employed the commitment–trust theory in social psychology and relationship marketing to explore female customers' perception of channel integration quality in omnichannel retailing and its influence on their relationship commitment to and trust in the relationship with retailers, and thus on their stickiness. Channel integration quality consists of two dimensions: channel service configuration (channel choice breadth and channel service transparency) and integrated interactions (content consistency, process consistency and perceived fluency).

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out via a questionnaire survey, to which 868 valid responses were collected. The partial least squares technique was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Channel service transparency and perceived fluency influence relationship commitment; content consistency, process consistency and perceived fluency all have significant effects on trust. Interestingly, although less influential than integrated interactions, channel service configuration is the foundation of channel integration quality, testifying to its significant role.

Originality/value

This study provides strong evidence on how channel integration quality affects customer stickiness. Moreover, this study replicates the finding of significant relationships among relationship commitment, trust and stickiness in omnichannel retailing.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. 36 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 July 2011

Chiu‐Han Wang and Sejin Ha

Built on De Wulf et al.'s relationship exchange model, the present study aims to examine store attributes as a signal for the process of customer‐retailer relationship building in…

8967

Abstract

Purpose

Built on De Wulf et al.'s relationship exchange model, the present study aims to examine store attributes as a signal for the process of customer‐retailer relationship building in the context of department store operation in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of college students at a US university participated in an online self‐administered survey. Exploratory factor analysis identified store attribute factors pertaining to department stores and structural equation modeling tested hypotheses.

Findings

Six store attributes relevant to department store environments were found: post‐transaction service, direct mail, interpersonal communication, merchandise, preferential treatment, and store atmosphere. Four store attributes (direct mail, interpersonal communication, merchandise, and preferential treatment) involve perceived relationship investment, while one store attribute dimension (store atmosphere) directly contributes to perceived relationship quality. Perceived relationship investment positively influences perceived relationship quality, which in turn influences behavioural and attitudinal loyalty intentions. The mediating effects of perceived relationship quality on the perceived relationship investment‐loyalty intention links were confirmed.

Research limitations/implications

The single retail setting and student sample are limitations. Future research should examine store attribute dimensions in different retail and/or service operation settings with more diverse populations.

Originality/value

The current study demonstrated that store attributes (direct mail, interpersonal communication, merchandise, and preferential treatment) promote customer‐retailer relationship building as relationship‐inducing factors in the department store context.

Details

Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-2026

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2012

Linn Viktoria Rampl, Tim Eberhardt, Reinhard Schütte and Peter Kenning

The rising number of food safety scandals during recent years has led to increased uncertainty about food consumption choices. Additionally, new production process technologies…

5454

Abstract

Purpose

The rising number of food safety scandals during recent years has led to increased uncertainty about food consumption choices. Additionally, new production process technologies, increased attention toward product ingredients, and obesity concerns have affected general levels of trust in food. Consequently, trust is an ever more decisive factor for success in food industry buyer‐seller relationships and, hence, in the retail food market. Although considerable research has investigated trust in organizations, research in the food retailing industry needs further investigation. The aim of this paper is to identify variables related to consumer trust in food retailers. Only when consumer trust in food retailers is understood can retailers effectively apply corresponding strategies to secure long‐term success.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an established model of trust in organizations, the authors developed a questionnaire to test drivers (ability, benevolence, integrity), outcomes (risk taking, loyalty) of specific trust in food retailers, as well as moderators (propensity to trust, perceived risk).

Findings

Study results support the hypothesized model, showing that specific trust in a food retailer strongly predicts risk taking and, in turn, loyalty. The food retailer's ability and integrity were identified as relevant to specific trust, while the customer's propensity to trust was shown to moderate the relationship between benevolence and specific trust. The results further indicate that the perceived risk affects the relationship between specific trust and risk taking.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to apply and test an established model of trust in the food‐retailing market.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 40 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 December 2017

Balkrushna Potdar, John Guthrie and Juergen Gnoth

The cost to supermarkets from shoplifting is a growing problem. Despite huge investments in formal security measures, supermarkets experience shrinkage and face heavy financial…

2594

Abstract

Purpose

The cost to supermarkets from shoplifting is a growing problem. Despite huge investments in formal security measures, supermarkets experience shrinkage and face heavy financial losses. Hence, this paper explores an alternative approach to shoplifting prevention. The purpose of this paper is to propose that quality relationships between a supermarket and its customers could be a viable strategy for shoplifting prevention. A conceptual model is presented at the end of this paper for encouraging shoplifting prevention using a theory of planned behaviour perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic search of literature on relationship quality was conducted. Research papers were shortlisted from peer-reviewed journals published between 2007 and 2016. For the convenience of readers, studies on relationship quality are presented in six cross-checked information categories in a table.

Findings

This study produced two results. First, it finds three antecedents of supermarket-customer relationship quality. These are as follows: a supermarket’s participation in corporate social responsibility and cause-related marketing initiatives, a supermarket’s service quality, and a customer’s attachment to a supermarket’s place/location. Second, there are three major effective dimensions of relationship quality. These are as follows: satisfaction, trust, and commitment. The proposed model incorporates factors from both findings, to measure a supermarket-customer relationship quality that may influence intention of customers to engage in shoplifting preventive behaviour.

Originality/value

This research paper has reviewed the existing literature to utilise it in the context of shoplifting prevention, and developed a novel model/framework for effective shoplifting prevention with a theory of planned behaviour perspective.

Article
Publication date: 19 June 2009

Paolo Guenzi, Michael D. Johnson and Sandro Castaldo

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a comprehensive model of customer trust in a retail service setting. Three levels of the customer‐to‐store relationship are…

7479

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a comprehensive model of customer trust in a retail service setting. Three levels of the customer‐to‐store relationship are simultaneously taken into account: customer to sales associates, customer to store branded products, and customer to the store itself.

Design/methodology/approach

Using partial least square (PLS) on a sample of 393 customers of an Italian supermarket retailer, a model linking customer trust (in the store, in store branded products and in sales associates) to overall perceived value and store loyalty intentions and behaviors is tested. Subsequently an expanded model to determine the influence of managerially controlled antecedent variables (salespeople's trustworthiness, store environment, store assortment, and communications) is estimated on the various trust levels.

Findings

Trust in the salesperson and trust in store branded products have positive effects on overall store trust. Store trust, in turn, increases perceived value and loyalty intentions. Looking at the drivers of the three levels of customer trust, salesperson trustworthiness positively affects only trust in the salesperson. Store environment has a positive impact only on overall trust in the store. Store communication fosters all three levels of customer trust, while store assortment increases both overall trust and trust in store branded products.

Practical implications

Findings of the study suggest an alternative perspective to the dominant strategies in grocery retailing services. To foster store patronage, retailers have typically invested in price cuts, promotions and loyalty schemes. Store managers may rather use sales associates, the store environment, store assortment, store branded products, and communication to foster customer trust and increase customer loyalty. Managing store brands with the goal to build trust, as opposed to increase immediate profit margins, may call for a completely different approach to private labels. Similarly, the potential relevance of interpersonal trust may suggest retailers to devote more resources to selection, recruitment and training of sales associates, and may stimulate changes in evaluation criteria, incentive schemes and reward systems.

Originality/value

The study aims at filling two important gaps in the literature: the scarcity of comprehensive store patronage models and the lack of exploration of the operational means of improving customer trust in retail services.

Details

Journal of Service Management, vol. 20 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-5818

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2023

Thamaraiselvan Natarajan, Deepak V. Ramanan and Jegan Jayapal

Building on stimulus organism response theory, the current study examines the influence of pickup service quality of buy online, pickup in-store (BOPIS) service on the BOPIS…

Abstract

Purpose

Building on stimulus organism response theory, the current study examines the influence of pickup service quality of buy online, pickup in-store (BOPIS) service on the BOPIS users' satisfaction, trust and commitment, subsequently leading to customer citizenship behavior (CCB). It examines the proposed relationships against boundary conditions, product categories and gender.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional investigation. It was conducted using data collected from 401 Indian omnichannel shoppers using a validated self-administered questionnaire. The proposed conceptual model was tested using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Partial Least Squares-Multi-group analysis (PLS-MGA).

Findings

The results indicate that pickup service quality in BOPIS positively impacts all the dimensions of relationship quality of the BOPIS users. Satisfaction and commitment directly affect CCB. However, trust impacts CCB indirectly through commitment. The moderating effect of the product category purchased and gender on specified relationships was tested. Results revealed the impact of pickup service quality on BOPIS users' trust and commitment differed across product categories. More impact was seen among users who purchased shopping and specialty goods. The study also found that trust-driven citizenship behavior was seen more among female BOPIS users when compared to males.

Research limitations/implications

The study is carried out on the Indian population, where omnichannel retailing is still nascent.

Originality/value

This study addresses the gap to investigate the value co-creation behavior (CCB) in the omnichannel retail context among BOPIS users. This study is the first to show that in-store pickup service quality in BOPIS might affect customer citizenship behavior through relationship quality dimensions, assessed against boundary conditions such as the product category and BOPIS user gender.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 35 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 January 2020

Ilias Vlachos and Selvie Carolin Dyra

Supply chains are becoming more complex and uncertain, yet existing theories are predominately based on empirical research of dyads overlooking triadic settings. This study aims…

1145

Abstract

Purpose

Supply chains are becoming more complex and uncertain, yet existing theories are predominately based on empirical research of dyads overlooking triadic settings. This study aims to bridge the gap between supply chain theories and praxis, this study examined multi-sourcing triads in terms of coordination, collaboration and integration.

Design/methodology/approach

Transaction cost economics, resource-based view in conjunction with social capital theory and agency theory were used to develop a research framework. Abductive, comparative research examined four triads. The triads comprised four retailers (EU, USA, Japan and one with a global presence), one third-party logistics provider (3PL) and 103 suppliers in textiles and the clothing industry.

Findings

All multi-sourcing triads achieved efficient coordination via network configuration showing varying degrees of collaboration and integration. Three research propositions were developed as follows: transaction complexity and dynamics necessitate triad coordination and control by the 3PL; relational and structural embeddedness emerge when actors invest in triad-specific resources and capabilities; information, relational and structural asymmetries may trigger bridge transfer and affect triad integration and performance.

Research limitations/implications

Empirical research on multi-sourcing triads complements existing research on logistics and service, transitive triads to uncover how triad coordination, embeddedness and power asymmetries affect supply chain performance. Future studies should examine the interrelationships between triad embeddedness, asymmetries and relational capital.

Practical implications

Compared to logistics or service triads, B3B triads excel in relational and structural embeddedness and offer unique production-distribution solutions that create value to end-consumers and triad actors.

Originality/value

B3B triads are a unique conceptualization in supply chain management that extends the concepts of logistics triads and service triads.

Article
Publication date: 1 July 1998

Mark Colgate and Nicholas Alexander

As retail organisations offer financial services to their customers at an increasing rate, this paper uses the emerging relationship marketing paradigm to gain strategic insights…

5479

Abstract

As retail organisations offer financial services to their customers at an increasing rate, this paper uses the emerging relationship marketing paradigm to gain strategic insights. The first level of analysis is at the organisation/customer interface. Four scenarios are analysed, which have recently emerged in international situations. These show that retail organisations are reducing the interaction and communication that banks have with their customers. Relationship marketing theory is then used to understand the implications that these scenarios pose for banks. The second analysis is at the business‐to‐business level. The application of the concept of relationship marketing at this level suggests that banks and retail organisations should focus on co‐operation rather than competition. This paper proposes strategic alliances will enable both parties to achieve more together than individually.

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

1 – 10 of 240