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1 – 10 of over 118000In line with rapidly developing digitalized marketing technologies, extended service quality has been actively investigated in the exhibition industry. The importance of distinct…
Abstract
Purpose
In line with rapidly developing digitalized marketing technologies, extended service quality has been actively investigated in the exhibition industry. The importance of distinct perceived value linked to service quality has also been emphasized for increasing customer satisfaction. Further, customer loyalty facilitators, such as trust, commitment, and inertia, have been actively discussed in building long-term relationships between firms and their customers. Because establishing an iterative customer loyalty journey is the key to a marketing strategy, the purpose of this study was to clarify how the trinity of extended service quality, distinct perceived value, and customer loyalty facilitators works in that journey.
Design/methodology/approach
Partial least squares-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine the model fit, composite reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the constructs. PLS-SEM was also used to assess direct and indirect (i.e. mediating) effects.
Findings
First, the conceptual framework necessary for establishing an iterative customer loyalty journey has been empirically identified. Second, service technology is a key construct of extended service quality as exhibitions transform into digitalized communication platforms. Third, both distinct perceived value and satisfaction act as significant mediators between extended service quality and customer loyalty facilitators.
Originality/value
An effective framework for the iterative customer loyalty journey is theoretically designed and empirically confirmed by drawing a complex but comprehensive map of the trinity (i.e. extended service quality, distinct perceived value, and customer loyalty facilitators).
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The purpose of this study was to examine the causal relationship between extended service quality including information and communications technology (ICT) and distinct perceived…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the causal relationship between extended service quality including information and communications technology (ICT) and distinct perceived value. This study also examined whether distinct perceived value has different effects on exhibition trust through general attendees' satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Structural equation modeling was used to examine the causal relationships between the following factors: extended service quality, distinct perceived value, satisfaction and trust.
Findings
The structural relationships between extended service quality, distinct perceived value and satisfaction required to build exhibition trust were empirically confirmed. In particular, ICTs had significant effects on all of the perceived value factors, which reliably supports a conclusion that ICT is a key component of exhibition service quality.
Originality/value
Recognizing the significance of ICT, this study has contributed to the field by providing researchers and managers with useful information that not only demonstrates how extended service quality and distinct perceived value independently contribute to satisfaction and interact with each other in doing so but also offers insights for better understanding how trust can be formed in exhibitions. Grasping the distinct preferences for value-oriented activities, understanding the importance of their mediating impacts and expanding the online-offline social networks in which their benefits are promoted and shared can alleviate the uncertainty leading up to exhibition participation while increasing the preemptive transparency of the relationship between quality and value offered by exhibitions.
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Shuiqing Yang, Yan Wang and June Wei
Attracted by tremendous market opportunities of mobile business, many web services providers have started to expand their web services from traditional PC-based environment into…
Abstract
Purpose
Attracted by tremendous market opportunities of mobile business, many web services providers have started to expand their web services from traditional PC-based environment into the mobile-based environment. However, success in the web services cannot guarantee the success in the mobile services. The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that influence consumer evaluation and use of mobile shopping services in a web-mobile service extension context.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on categorization theory, this paper focusses on the role of integration and consistency between web and mobile services. A research model was created and empirically tested on data collected from 298 mobile shopping users in China.
Findings
The structural equation modeling analysis indicates that evaluation of source (web service quality) positively affect evaluation of target (perceived mobile service quality and flow in mobile services). The study also found that the relationships between source and target (perceived integration and perceived consistency) play an important role in determining evaluation of the target, which in turn shapes intention to use mobile services.
Research limitations/implications
The survey is based on mobile shopping consumers. Caution is required in any effort to generalize the findings to other research contexts. Factors influencing a consumer's extension or adoption decisions in regard to different mobile services may not be the same, or the degree of influence may differ. Continued studies can test and compare our findings in different mobile services contexts.
Practical implications
The results of the findings provide specific methods for managing the process of web-mobile service extension. The results also indicate the importance of perceived consistency in shaping consumers’ evaluation of the extended mobile services in practical environments.
Originality/value
The present study extends the categorization theory to a multi-channel context and examines mobile services adoption from a cross-environment perspective. It considers evaluation of source, evaluation of target, and the relationships between source and target, which enriches the innovation adoption literature by providing a holistic insight into the evaluation and use of mobile services.
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Dileep Kumar M., Normala S. Govindarajo and Mae Ho Seok Khen
Tourism researchers proposed that service quality dimensions of tourist destinations can contribute in developing a favorable or unfavorable image among travelers which affect…
Abstract
Purpose
Tourism researchers proposed that service quality dimensions of tourist destinations can contribute in developing a favorable or unfavorable image among travelers which affect visitors’ loyalty or disloyalty as well as destination image. However, such claims are seldom evaluated into in avitourism locations, which are a niche tourism, but fast growing. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between service quality, visitor satisfaction and destination image and destination loyalty among avian tourists.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a positivist research philosophy with a quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive study design, the study addressed five direct and two indirect relationships in the model. The research followed expectation dis-confirmation theory of Gartner to test the theoretical model. Following purposive sampling, a sample of 384 international avitourists was collected from five avitourism locations of Malaysia. The study applied SmartPLS SEM to analyze the data.
Findings
The results show that the service quality provided by the park management has a positive impact on visitor satisfaction, destination image and destination loyalty. The study also shows partial mediation effect of visitor satisfaction on destination image and destination loyalty among avitourists. The study extends practical, policy and theoretical implications to the stakeholders of avitourism.
Research limitations/implications
The study limits the possibility for generalization of the findings into five avitourism sites located in three states of Malaysia. Hence, the scope of the study needs to be augmented with samples from more regions to meet the expected generalization. Add to the point, this study lacks qualitative data observations to get an in-depth understanding of the issues pertaining to visitor’s expectations on serviced quality, satisfaction, destination image and loyalty. Hence, it is suggested that more qualitative research interventions need to be made with the tools of in-depth interviews, content analysis and with the method of focus group discussions and Delphi applications.
Practical implications
This study provides the park management a clearer understanding on service quality critical factors in enhancing the satisfaction of avian tourists and building a better avitourism destination image and destination loyalty. The avitourism park management may look into the services for these niche tourists, as these resources are directly linked to nature-based tourism with its diverse requirements to keep visitors satisfied. Park authorities require a sound understanding and skills in managing the biodiversity of the natural resources, birds and animals, to match their services with tourists’ expectations.
Social implications
Biodiversity is important in supporting vital ecosystem services (ES) for human as well as animals. The study has its social implications in generating a greater number of employment opportunity for people surrounding the area of avian destinations preserving the biodiverse area. The people in the surroundings area of avitourism locations will get better employment opportunity as guides and nature trail experts, if the avian tourism develops in its real principle.
Originality/value
Avitourism is a niche tourism. The expectations of the visitors of avitourism locations are entirely varied in comparison with general tourism. Very less studies focused into expectations of the visitors linking human factor of service quality, emotional intelligence, visitor satisfaction, etc. like dimensions that will contribute into dynamic destination image and destination loyalty among avitourists. With the support of quantitative research tools, representative sampling and theoretical selection, the study findings are original in their form, ensuring external validity further to generalize into other birdwatching locations across the countries. The study observations are highly valuable to all stakeholders of avitourism.
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Ivan K.W. Lai, Michael Hitchcock, Ting Yang and Tun-Wei Lu
The purpose of this study is to examine the development of service quality research in hospitality and tourism from 1984 to 2014, to identify research gaps and to suggest…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the development of service quality research in hospitality and tourism from 1984 to 2014, to identify research gaps and to suggest directions for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
This review comprised three steps with the first being the generation of a structural map by using the online pathfinder network (PFNET) to identify potential research themes. The second research step involved an online literature search covering 2,211 academic journal articles to obtain basic information for planning an additional content investigation concerning the research themes. The final step was to investigate the content of the articles published in top-tier journals or frequently cited ones in three different stages (1984-1993, 1994-2003 and 2004-2014) to explore potential research topics.
Findings
The study identifies 17 research themes that comprise two main research themes, seven sub-stems, six outer-leaves and two little-leaves. The developments of service quality research in each theme are explored. The role of each theme in service quality study is revealed. Finally, this study identifies research opportunities for service quality research within each theme.
Practical implications
This study demonstrates how to use PFNET to effectively perform a systematic literature review. By referring to previous publications reviewed in this study, researchers can contribute by extending existing theories in their further research on the seventeen themes.
Originality/value
This study contributes a systematic literature review method by applying an online PFNET approach, provides a well-researched list of references for researchers conducting service quality research and highlights research gaps for researchers who plan to pursue service quality research.
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Christo Boshoff and Madéle Tait
Argues that one theme that has emerged consistently in the recent services marketing literature is the importance of frontline employees in service delivery. The internal…
Abstract
Argues that one theme that has emerged consistently in the recent services marketing literature is the importance of frontline employees in service delivery. The internal marketing concept is based on the belief that a firm’s internal market/employees can be motivated to strive for customer‐consciousness, market orientation and sales‐mindedness through the application of accepted external marketing approaches and principles. Considers in this study that these objectives could be achieved by marketing, among others, the service firm’s goals, objectives and values to frontline employees. A causal model was constructed which included organizational commitment (as an intervening variable), frontline employees’ own perceptions of the service quality they deliver, and the service quality their supervisors believe they deliver as endogenous latent variables. The model was empirically evaluated with data from frontline employees in the banking and insurance industries.
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Xenia J. Mamakou, Sandra Cohen and Dimitris Manolopoulos
Enterprise resource planning systems (ERPs) have provided new challenges in the management of organizations’ internal and external risks, and their adoption has triggered…
Abstract
Purpose
Enterprise resource planning systems (ERPs) have provided new challenges in the management of organizations’ internal and external risks, and their adoption has triggered groundbreaking changes to internal audit practices. This study aims to shed light on the use of ERPs in internal auditing by identifying interrelations between postevaluations of the ERPs’ quality dimensions with internal auditors’ satisfaction, intentions to continue using such systems and perceived benefits.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on a unique data set of internal auditors’ responses on a structured questionnaire, and by using the DeLone and McLean’s (2003) Information Systems success model as the conceptual framework, this study tests the research propositions by using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
The findings report statistically significant positive relationships among all three ERPs’ quality dimensions (system, information and service quality) with internal auditors’ satisfaction and intention to continue using these systems. Moreover, the study found that the benefits perceived by internal auditors were significantly influenced by their satisfaction with the system and their intention to continue using it.
Originality/value
The authors survey ERP postevaluation success factors in two unique contexts: internal auditors and Greece. Thus, the authors ground on previous research findings in diverse professional groups and national environments. In parallel, this study lends conceptual clarity and empirical evidence to a small but growing number of studies examining the implications of individuals’ perceptions, intentions and behavioral reactions in the context of ERP implementation.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the causal relationship between service quality dimensions and overall service quality, and to identify service quality gaps as experienced…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the causal relationship between service quality dimensions and overall service quality, and to identify service quality gaps as experienced by the subscribers of the mobile services of Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (ETC).
Design/methodology/approach
The seven modified dimensions of SERVQUAL, namely tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, empathy, assurance, network aspect, and convenience were used to measure customers' perceptions and expectations of mobile telecommunications services by drawing a sample of 220 respondents using stratified random sampling.
Findings
Overall service quality of mobile communications was perceived to be as below average by over half (52.7 percent) of the respondents, followed by less than one‐third (28 percent) who mentioned it as average, and about one‐fifth (19.3 percent) as above average. The highest service quality gap was reported with the added dimension of network aspect, while the lowest score obtained was for convenience. Finally, two regression models predicting overall service quality with reliability and network aspect dimensions were obtained.
Research limitations/implications
The scope (geographical) of the study is limited to the subscribers of mobile services of Addis Ababa (capital city of Ethiopia).
Practical implications
Data representing customer perceptions and expectations with mobile services in delivering quality have been used to identify (in terms of quality gaps) areas needing improvement. ETC should concentrate on providing superior reliability, particularly, accuracy and dependability in mobile services. An extended focus on the items of network aspect dimension (transmission quality and network coverage) is also helpful in improving customers' perceived quality of mobile services.
Originality/value
Since most quality features in the SERVQUAL scale are related with customer handling, this study incorporated, and investigated further, the added two dimensions of network aspect and service convenience for their contribution to overall service quality of mobile communications.
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This paper aims to report on a study that investigated employees' views on the organizational factors that affect their ability to deliver service quality to customers. The study…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report on a study that investigated employees' views on the organizational factors that affect their ability to deliver service quality to customers. The study is important because call centers represent unique work environments and they have not been used in the development of service quality theory.
Design/methodology/approach
Ten focus groups of frontline employees who work in a telecommunications call center in Australia were conducted. Data were subjected to content analysis.
Findings
Nine major themes were identified. Some of these themes are evident in theory arising from service quality gaps, service climate, and service profit chain studies. Other themes include whether managers emphasize sales or efficiency, rather than service quality; approaches to performance monitoring and feedback, role and productivity demands, quality assurance regimes, and employees' experiences of service encounter stress.
Research limitations/implications
The findings suggest that various factors from prior work need to be integrated and extended to enhance service quality in call centers. However, data were collected from only one call center.
Practical implications
The present study suggests that to deliver high levels of service quality, call center managers need to rethink their approaches to productivity and performance management, and hiring and supporting the “right” service staff.
Originality/value
This paper re‐examines service quality in the specific context of call centers. It provides an organizational focus and complements recent work that has tested the role of employee attitudes in service quality studies. The paper concludes with a model for testing.
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Anchal Gupta, Rajesh Kumar Singh, K. Mathiyazhagan, Pradeep Kumar Suri and Yogesh K. Dwivedi
This study aims to identify service quality dimensions for logistics service providers (LSPs) and to examine their relationships with customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify service quality dimensions for logistics service providers (LSPs) and to examine their relationships with customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
Service quality dimensions are identified from vast literature review. Customers who take services from LSPs were surveyed to collect data on basis of developed survey instrument. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) is applied to test the proposed research hypotheses.
Findings
The study shows that all the five service quality constructs, i.e. “Operational Quality”, “Resource Quality”, “Information Quality”, “Personnel Contact Quality” and “Customization and Innovation Quality” have direct relationship with customer satisfaction. They also have indirect relationship with customer loyalty, implying the full mediation of customer satisfaction.
Practical implications
The results of the study suggest that the logistics service quality (LSQ) can be measured multi-dimensionally. It provides clear implications to LSPs for improvement of service quality. The present research work is expected to be useful for both, logistics service providers and the customer organizations, which take services from LSPs. LSPs can develop strategies to improve their service quality on basis of findings from this study.
Originality/value
The present research will help in extending the existing literature on service quality in context to LSPs.
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