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1 – 10 of over 72000Carlos Ferro-Soto, Carmen Padin, Mornay Roberts-Lombard, Goran Svensson and Nils Høgevold
This study aims to explore the direct and indirect effects of sales opportunism and sales conflict as well as of non-economic and economic satisfaction in business-to-business…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the direct and indirect effects of sales opportunism and sales conflict as well as of non-economic and economic satisfaction in business-to-business (B2B) sales relationships. This understanding offers B2B buyers enhanced knowledge of sales business expectations towards sustainable business relationships in the future.
Design/methodology/approach
Through self-administered questionnaires, data were obtained from 237 sales or marketing managers/directors of small- and medium-sized companies across industries in Spain, who were randomly contacted via LinkedIn. The multivariate analysis of measurement and structural models was based on IBM SPSS Amos 27.
Findings
The study confirms that sales opportunism positively affects sales conflict. Moreover, sales opportunism is negatively associated with non-economic sales satisfaction, whereas non-economic sales satisfaction is positively associated with economic sales satisfaction. Consequently, if all associates are pleased with the relationship and the gains it can provide, a long-standing orientation can be achieved.
Research limitations/implications
The study expands existing theory on seller–buyer relationships in a B2B context. It contextualises direct and indirect relationships between two antecedents (sales opportunism and sales conflict) and two postcedents (economic sales satisfaction and non-economic sales satisfaction) in sales business–buyer settings.
Practical implications
The study guides buyers in B2B relationships towards an improved understanding of how sales businesses perceive opportunism and conflict (as negative precursors) to impact non-economic satisfaction and how it can influence economic satisfaction.
Originality/value
Most studies explore B2B relationship building from the perspective of the buyer, thereby creating a shortfall in developing an understanding of all partner expectations in B2B relational intent. Moreover, the measurement of satisfaction as a multidimensional construct secured the integration of non-economic satisfaction and economic satisfaction within a single model allowing the constructs measured in this study to be holistically assessed.
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Mariette Louise Zietsman, Pierre Mostert and Göran Svensson
This study aims to explore the relationships, direct and indirect, between business customers’ perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the relationships, direct and indirect, between business customers’ perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was set in the business banking industry, with data collected from 381 micro-enterprise business customers of a large South African bank by means of a self-administered, internet-based questionnaire.
Findings
The results reveal that business customers’ perception of value results in both economic and non-economic satisfaction. The results further indicate that non-economic satisfaction mediates the relationship between economic satisfaction and behavioural loyalty.
Research limitations/implications
The study contributes to business services marketing literature by taking a multidimensional approach to the traditional value-satisfaction-loyalty chain.
Practical implications
The study contributes to business services marketing literature by emphasising the importance of perceived value in driving both economic and social outcomes, which, in turn, drives behavioural outcomes. By providing evidence of the outcomes associated with higher perceived value, service providers gain insights into the importance of focussing on value creation and the building of personal connections with micro-sized businesses to ensure future repurchase behaviour.
Originality/value
This research expands on current value research by positioning economic and non-economic satisfaction and attitudinal and behavioural loyalty as outcomes of business customers’ perceived value. This is possibly the first study to investigate satisfaction and loyalty as outcomes of perceived value where both comprise two distinct dimensions.
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The purpose of this paper is to focus on the linkage between economic satisfaction and relationship commitment in distribution channels. The moderating effects of three variables…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on the linkage between economic satisfaction and relationship commitment in distribution channels. The moderating effects of three variables are considered: the use of behavior based coordination strategy; the perceived level of environmental uncertainty; and the use of collaborative communication strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
The hypotheses are tested through a sample survey among 101 channel partners of mobile service providers in a state in India.
Findings
The results indicate the moderating variables act as quasi moderators wherein they both directly and indirectly impact the dependent variable.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations of the sampling methodology and sample size restricts the scope for generalizing the hypothesis. Further, data were collected from only one side of the dyad.
Originality/value
The paper endorses and attempts to establish the view that channel satisfaction is a multidimensional concept and there are different routes to channel commitment.
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Mercy Mpinganjira, Mornay Roberts-Lombard and Göran Svensson
The paper aims to validate the relationship between satisfaction, trust and commitment in South African business buyer–supplier relationships. Satisfaction was looked at from the…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to validate the relationship between satisfaction, trust and commitment in South African business buyer–supplier relationships. Satisfaction was looked at from the dual perspective of economic and non-economic satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
A research model showing hypothesised relationships between the constructs was tested using data collected from 250 large companies in South Africa. Structural equation modelling using AMOS software was used to analyse the data. The results provide support for the distinctiveness of both economic and non-economic satisfaction and the mediating effect of trust.
Findings
The findings show that economic satisfaction exerts a direct influence on trust, which, in turn, has a direct influence on commitment. Trust and commitment were both found to have a positive influence on non-economic satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
The tested nomological network of business relationship quality dimensions validates some of the recent findings by Ferro et al. (2016) in the South African context of buyer–supplier relationships.
Originality/value
The study contributes to a better understanding of satisfaction and its relationship with other relationship quality constructs, especially in the context of large companies in South Africa.
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Carlos Ferro, Carmen Padin, Göran Svensson and Janice Payan
– The purpose of this paper is to test a research model in which trust and commitment are mediators between economic and non-economic satisfaction.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test a research model in which trust and commitment are mediators between economic and non-economic satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample for this study comprises a total of 600 small and medium-sized Spanish enterprises from various industrial sectors. A total of 259 usable questionnaires were returned, generating a response rate of 43.2 per cent. The research model is tested with structural equation modeling using AMOS-software.
Findings
The empirical findings regarding the studied business relationships confirm the independence between economic and non-economic satisfaction, and the mediating role of trust and commitment. Furthermore, the findings confirm that there is no direct cause–effect relationship between economic and non-economic satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
Numerous inter-organizational studies have tested satisfaction as two separate constructs (economic and non-economic satisfaction). This study goes further by positioning economic satisfaction as a precursor to other more relationship-oriented constructs and outcomes (trust–commitment and, in turn, non-economic or relational satisfaction).
Practical implications
Managers should consider economic and non-economic satisfaction as two separate aspects of relationship quality in business relationships. Furthermore, although these aspects appear to be connected, managers should take them into consideration with respect to the levels of trust and commitment involved in business relationships. Managers should be aware that the level of economic satisfaction is an influential precursor to the levels of trust and commitment that in turn impact on the level of non-economic satisfaction as an outcome.
Originality/value
This study makes a threefold contribution to existing theory and research. First, it tests the constructs of economic and non-economic satisfaction, indicating satisfactory validity and reliability. Second, it provides empirical support that there is no direct relationship between economic and non-economic satisfaction. Third, the empirical findings also indicate satisfactory validity and reliability, indicating that the constructs of trust and commitment are moderators between economic and non-economic satisfaction.
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Hong-Youl Ha, Myung-Soo Lee and Swinder Janda
It has previously been noted that channel relationships are more richly understood when viewed over time. Moreover, there is a lack of research on how two types of satisfaction …
Abstract
Purpose
It has previously been noted that channel relationships are more richly understood when viewed over time. Moreover, there is a lack of research on how two types of satisfaction (economic and social satisfaction) have differential effects on partner trust over time. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether (and if so how) these two types of satisfaction have differential effects on partner trust from the initial stage of channel relationship to the subsequent relationship period.
Design/methodology/approach
Longitudinal data are used in an effort to understand the dynamic process of channel relationships over time.
Findings
It is found that over time, the strength of the relationship between economic satisfaction and partner trust decreases, while the effect of social satisfaction on partner trust increases. Interestingly, the direct effect of perceived value on partner trust dramatically decreases from time point T to T + 1, indicating that these relationships exhibit significant temporal effects.
Research limitations/implications
The most relevant theoretical implication is that social satisfaction has a desirable role of bridging the relationship between perceived value and partner trust at time points T and T + 1. Thus, social satisfaction is a key factor in sustaining a channel partnership over time even after initial perceived value has been enhanced via the route of economic satisfaction. The main limitation is that data were collected in South Korea – further validation would require data from multiple cultural contexts.
Practical implications
Results provide important implications for channel members aiming to enhance trust with partners. In initial stages of a relationship, channel members should concentrate their marketing resources on enhancing economic satisfaction, as it plays a key role in enhancing trust. As channel relationships evolve, the role of social satisfaction between perceived value and partner trust becomes more important. Thus, in the latter stages of a relationship, it would be prudent to focus more on activities which enhance social satisfaction.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is very little research focusing on temporal carryover effects. The authors thus contribute to the establishment and testing of temporal carryover effects of various business-to-business (B2B) relationship-related constructs, such as perceived value, economic and social satisfaction and partner trust.
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Nils Høgevold, Goran Svensson and Carmen Otero-Neira
This paper aims to test trust and commitment as mediators between economic and non-economic satisfaction in seller business relationships in contrast to previous studies on buyer…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to test trust and commitment as mediators between economic and non-economic satisfaction in seller business relationships in contrast to previous studies on buyer business relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a cross-industry sample of Norwegian companies with sales or marketing managers/directors or key account managers. Key informants were selected to participate who adhered to specific criteria, such as their designations should be sales or marketing managers/directors or key account managers.
Findings
Trust and commitment mediate between economic and non-economic satisfaction in seller business relationships in line with what has been previously tested and retested across contexts and through time in buyer business relationships.
Research limitations/implications
This study helps in establishing an extended foundation to assess the structural properties between economic and non-economic satisfaction, as well as trust and commitment, in business relationships based on seller and or buyer perspectives.
Practical implications
The tested seller business relationship research model provides a corporate foundation for assessing the seller perspective of business relationships. It also provides a corporate foundation for combining the seller perspective with that of the customer perspective.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study based on seller business relationships that validates the research model reported in multiple previous studies based on buyer business relationships.
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Jae‐Eun Chung, Ying Huang, Byoungho Jin and Brenda Sternquist
This study seeks to examine the influence of market orientation on Chinese buyer‐supplier relations. A model is proposed depicting relationships among retailer market orientation…
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to examine the influence of market orientation on Chinese buyer‐supplier relations. A model is proposed depicting relationships among retailer market orientation, supplier market intelligence, supplier role performance, and retailer economic and social satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 99 chain store buyers and managers from 25 cities in China. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.
Findings
A retailer's market orientation is critical for its own economic and social satisfaction by increasing supplier market intelligence (MI) and supplier role performance.
Practical implications
Retailers' MO increased supplier MI and role performance. This study found that economic performance was more important in channel relationships than social relationships. Therefore, suppliers should focus on improving retailers' economic satisfaction through role performance and market intelligence rather than social satisfaction.
Originality/value
Previous MO literature has focused primarily on the firm's performance and ignored the interactive aspect of business performance among channel members. The current study fills this gap by demonstrating the significant influences of retailer MO on supplier MI and on supplier role performance, as well as on retailer satisfaction – both the economic and social components. To the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first to relate retailer MO, supplier MI, and supplier role performance to two types of retailer satisfaction – i.e. economic and social satisfaction.
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Rocío Rodríguez, Nils Høgevold, Carmen Otero-Neira and Göran Svensson
The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between objective and subjective sales performance and salespeople’s economic and non-economic satisfaction in a sequential…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between objective and subjective sales performance and salespeople’s economic and non-economic satisfaction in a sequential logic model.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a questionnaire survey using a deductive approach. A total of 315 companies were ultimately selected for participation in the study, to represent a range of companies from different industries and company sizes in the product-oriented business sector of Norway. A total of 236 questionnaires were returned, generating a response rate of 74.9%.
Findings
The sequential logic of objective and subjective sales performance, in connection with salespeople’s economic and non-economic satisfaction, reveals an underlying structure that can link existing theory and previous studies on sales performance and salesperson satisfaction in business-to-business (B2B) settings.
Research limitations/implications
The results reported applying only to a B2B setting, to test whether the sequential logic model and mediating effects still hold in such setting. This study is also limited to product-oriented companies in Norway, which offers the opportunity for a future study to verify whether the refined research model also applies to service-oriented companies.
Practical implications
The results indicate that the constructs of objective and subjective sales performance and salespeoplés economic and non-economic satisfaction are intertwined in a B2B setting. Specifically, these constructs are related to one another sequentially.
Originality/value
Contributes to structuring in a B2B setting, the relationships between objective and subjective sales performance on the one hand and salespeoplés economic and non-economic satisfaction on the other. It also highlights two mediating effects, namely, subjective sales performance mediates the relationship effect between objective sales performance and salespeoplés economic satisfaction and salespeople economic’s satisfaction mediates the relationship effect between subjective sales performance and salespeople’s non-economic satisfaction.
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The purpose of this paper is to analyze the determinants of three domain satisfactions, focusing on volunteer work supplied in official non‐profit service associations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the determinants of three domain satisfactions, focusing on volunteer work supplied in official non‐profit service associations.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses the data from the Multiscopo Survey of Households (MSH) conducted by the Italian Central Statistical Office for the years 1993‐1995‐1998‐2000 for empirical investigations with ordered probit and ordinary least square estimations. A statistical matching procedure to impute missing values on household income in MSH is also performed.
Findings
The paper finds that volunteering is positively correlated with satisfaction with leisure, with relationships and economic well‐being. These findings are interpreted as an indication that the benefits gained from volunteering are a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations as well as the production and consumption of relational goods. In addition, results for Italy confirm findings gathered from domain satisfaction studies for other Europe countries with some novel evidence.
Originality/value
Studies on domain satisfactions have received much less attention than happiness and life satisfaction. The paper contributes to the literature by carrying out the first assessment of the socio‐economic determinants of domain satisfactions in Italy from an economic perspective and the first empirical analysis on the relationship between volunteering and domain satisfactions. Overall, the value‐added of the study is two‐fold. First, it isolates empirically the reasons by which unpaid labour supply may be associated with individual life satisfaction. Second, it validates the empirical results of the few previous studies on domain satisfactions for some European countries using cross sectional and longitudinal data.
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