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Article
Publication date: 22 January 2018

Benedikt Schnurr

This paper aims to investigate how product positioning affects the influence of product gender on consumers’ product evaluations.

2595

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how product positioning affects the influence of product gender on consumers’ product evaluations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using experimental designs, this research investigates how hedonic versus functional consumption goals affect consumers’ choice between feminine and masculine products (Study 1) and how positioning products as either hedonic or functional influences consumers’ evaluations of feminine and masculine products (Studies 2 and 3).

Findings

When pursuing hedonic consumption goals, consumers are more likely to choose feminine (vs masculine) products, whereas when pursuing functional consumption goals, consumers are more likely to choose masculine (vs feminine) products. Further, consumers evaluate feminine products more favorably when the products are hedonically (vs functionally) positioned, whereas they evaluate masculine products more favorably when the products are functionally (vs hedonically) positioned. Perceptions of product credibility mediate this effect.

Research limitations/implications

Connecting theories of gender identity, product positioning and congruity, this study extends previous literature by demonstrating that the effects of product gender are context-dependent.

Practical implications

Many companies use visual design cues (e.g. shape, color) to promote their products’ gender. The findings of this study suggest that companies promoting their products as feminine should highlight the products’ hedonic benefits, whereas companies promoting their products as masculine should highlight the products’ functional benefits.

Originality/value

Applying a conceptual congruity approach, this research is the first to demonstrate that the effects of product gender on consumers’ product evaluations depend on the product’s positioning.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 52 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2017

Y.L.R. Moorthi and Bijuna C. Mohan

The purpose of this paper is to relate the customer value proposition offered by a bank with its structure of ownership.

1582

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to relate the customer value proposition offered by a bank with its structure of ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a combination of exploratory and descriptive approaches. The attitudes and opinions of bank customers were gauged through a survey. Based on literature, a pool of items was identified to measure the construct of value proposition. It was hypothesized that different types of banks in India are chosen for different benefits offered by them. The relationship between value proposition and its constituent variables functional, emotional and self-expressive benefits was analyzed using multiple regression.

Findings

Results prove that while self-expressive benefits drive the choice of foreign banks (FBs), functional benefits are important for all types of banks.

Research limitations/implications

The research intends to study only the perceptions of customers having an account in Indian public sector banks, private sector banks or FBs.

Practical implications

The study helps to relate the type of bank (public, private or foreign) a customer chooses, with the value proposition it offers. Using this study, banks can configure the value proposition that is appropriate for their target segment.

Originality/value

The paper examines the value proposition offered by the three different types of banks (public, private and foreign) empirically. It links bank choice of the customer to the benefit assortment offered by different types of banks.

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 35 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 March 2011

Sandy Ng, Meredith E. David and Tracey S. Dagger

This paper seeks to investigate the effects of relationship benefits on relationship quality and aspects of service quality, namely technical and functional quality, and the…

11322

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the effects of relationship benefits on relationship quality and aspects of service quality, namely technical and functional quality, and the subsequent influence on word‐of‐mouth behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports results from a structural equation model that utilizes data from 591 consumers across a range of services.

Findings

The findings highlight the important role of relationship benefits in driving customer perceptions of technical, functional and relationship quality. While confidence, social and special treatment benefits drive technical and functional quality, it is only confidence benefits that drive relationship quality. Furthermore, it is found that functional and relationship quality drive word‐of‐mouth behavior.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study contribute to the literature by showing the differential impact that relationship benefits have on quality – technical, functional, and relationship – and subsequently the effect that functional and relationship quality have on word‐of‐mouth behavior.

Practical implications

The paper provides firms with the knowledge needed to more effectively implement relationship‐marketing activities. As the service economy continues to grow, competition intensifies, and to ensure service excellence, firms need to establish strong relationships with their customers as the quality of the customer‐provider relationship can increase word‐of‐mouth behavior.

Originality/value

The paper empirically investigates the role of relationship benefits in enhancing perceptions of quality while also providing an analysis of the differential role of functional, technical, and relationship quality in enhancing customers' word‐of‐mouth intentions.

Details

Managing Service Quality: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-4529

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 July 2016

Yi-Fei Chuang and Yang-Fei Tai

This research aims to predict private club members’ intentions to switch service providers based on the benefit exchange theory through a structural model with a second-order…

1715

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to predict private club members’ intentions to switch service providers based on the benefit exchange theory through a structural model with a second-order factor.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a qualitative procedure to develop a functional, social and psychological model based on the benefit exchange and switching intention literatures. A further quantitative analysis surveyed a sample of 366 private club members and assessed the usefulness of this model.

Findings

The results of the confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling indicate that social benefits have a stronger impact on switching intention than loss of functional benefits under the context of a high level of interaction between members and between members and service providers. In addition, they confirm the moderating effects of psychological benefits on the relationship between functional benefits and switching intention.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that members are unlikely to switch if there are positive word of mouth and interpersonal interactions between members and the club (social benefits). Even if they are disappointed with the functional benefits of the club’s products or services, they may still choose to stay with it owing to psychological benefits affecting their decision to switch. The findings offer managerial insights into utilizing relationship marketing activities to strengthen interpersonal relationships, word of mouth, trust, commitment and emotional factors to retain members.

Originality/value

This research confirms that the benefit exchange theory can explain members’ intentions to switch from their current clubs and provides valuable recommendations to managers on retaining their clubs’ members. Because the switching intentions of club members have not previously been adequately studied, this study fills an important gap in the literature.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 28 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 December 2023

Peerayuth Charoensukmongkol

Although the benefits that individuals obtain from trait mindfulness and functional flexibility have been well documented in the research literature, one crucial gap is the lack…

Abstract

Purpose

Although the benefits that individuals obtain from trait mindfulness and functional flexibility have been well documented in the research literature, one crucial gap is the lack of evidence clarifying whether trait mindfulness and functional flexibility might benefit all age groups. Using the moderating effect of age among salespeople, this research analyzes the effects of trait mindfulness and functional flexibility regarding sales performance based on the conservation of resource theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 227 salespeople across 120 companies located in Bangkok, Thailand. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The analysis shows that the positive effect of trait mindfulness on sales performance is more substantial for older salespeople than their younger counterparts. Although the analysis shows that functional flexibility is positively associated with sales performance, the positive relationship is only supported for younger salespeople. For older salespeople, available flexibility does not positively affect sales performance.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, developing trait mindfulness and functional flexibility in salespeople could be a valuable area of focus for sales organizations' human capital development policies. Although the intervention to develop trait mindfulness could be provided to all salespeople, the functional flexibility enhancement component should be delivered specifically to younger salespeople who may experience more significant gains from the training.

Originality/value

The results address the gap in the existing research that lacked evidence as to whether trait mindfulness and functional flexibility similarly affect the work performance of older and younger people. In particular, this study offers new insight into how age differences influence the benefit of trait mindfulness and functional flexibility across different age groups of individuals.

Details

Baltic Journal of Management, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5265

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 March 2022

Roche Tumlad Magsayo

This study aims to investigate the factors affecting (i.e. determinants) the continuance of mobile learning adoption in an informal setting among higher education learners from a…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the factors affecting (i.e. determinants) the continuance of mobile learning adoption in an informal setting among higher education learners from a rural region in the Philippines. It assesses the extent of the determinants of mobile learning adoption continuance and their interrelationships and the role of a personality trait (e.g. locus of control) on its determinants.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a rigorous literature review method that led to a mobile learning adoption continuance model. This proposed model analyzed the perceptions of higher education learners’ experiences on mobile learning adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. informal setting). The data collection was self-administered using an online survey from a convenience sample size of 434 using adapted questionnaire instruments. The study used factor analysis by using a structural package for social sciences (SPSS) and analysis of the moment of the structure. The effect sizes of the direct effect, simple and serial mediation and interaction effects in a path model were analyzed by using user-defined estimand and orthogonalized approaches.

Findings

The findings indicate that the effect of perceived security risks along with perceived functional benefit and learner value affect the mobile learning adoption continuance. The perceived learner value mediates the perceived functional benefit relationship on mobile learning adoption continuance. Perceived security risk indirectly affects mobile learning adoption continuance through perceived functional benefit and learner value. In addition to this, the internal locus of control strengthens the positive relationship between perceived functional benefit and mobile learning adoption continuance. However, it dampens the positive relationship of perceived learner value.

Originality/value

The study provides an essential foundation on the mobile learning adoption model that focuses on its continuance. This model integrated perceived security risks, functional benefits and learner value aspects of continuance intention that higher education institutions may consider in their mobile learning initiative. It further provides evidence to intensify the important moderating role of locus of control that intervenes on the determinants of mobile learning adoption continuance.

Article
Publication date: 5 November 2019

Enrique Marinao-Artigas, Leslier Valenzuela-Fernández and Karla Barajas-Portas

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of the consumer’s emotional shopping experience on the perception of benefits and on the corporate reputation of a department…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of the consumer’s emotional shopping experience on the perception of benefits and on the corporate reputation of a department store.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was applied to a non-probabilistic sample survey proportionally distributed among the main department stores in Chile and Mexico.

Findings

The findings show for both countries that the functional and symbolic benefit perceived by consumers significantly influences the reputation of department stores. However, the hedonic benefit perceived by the consumer had a negative effect on the reputation of the store.

Practical implications

The companies could redirect their marketing and commercial management strategies based on the variables and relationships of the model proposed in this study. For instance, managers should implement strategies to improve the emotional experience of their clients. In addition, future studies also could use other variables inherent to the consumer’s purchasing behavior to evaluate their effects on the corporate reputation of the department store.

Originality/value

This research contributes with the proposal of an explanatory model for decision making, using structural equations that suggest that the affective evaluation of the shopping experience is a key antecedent of the functional, hedonic and symbolic benefits perceived by the consumer. Moreover, the emotional experience plays a key role as an antecedent for the corporate reputation of a company.

Propósito

El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar el efecto de la experiencia emocional de compra del consumidor en la percepción de los beneficios y en la reputación corporativa de una tienda por departamentos.

Diseño/Metodología/Enfoque

Este estudio se aplicó a una muestra no probabilística a través de una encuesta distribuida proporcionalmente entre las principales tiendas por departamentos de Chile y México.

Resultados

Los resultados muestran para ambos países que el beneficio funcional y simbólico percibidos por los consumidores influye significativamente en la reputación de las tiendas por departamentos. Sin embargo, el beneficio hedónico percibido por el consumidor tuvo un efecto negativo en la reputación de la tienda.

Implicaciones prácticas

Las empresas podrían redirigir sus estrategias de marketing y gestión comercial en función de las variables y relaciones del modelo propuesto en este estudio. Por ejemplo, los gerentes deben implementar estrategias para mejorar la experiencia emocional de sus clientes. Además, los estudios futuros también podrían usar otras variables inherentes al comportamiento de compra del consumidor para evaluar sus efectos en la reputación corporativa de las tiendas por departamentos.

Originalidad/Valor

Esta investigación contribuye con la propuesta de un modelo explicativo para la toma de decisiones, utilizando ecuaciones estructurales que sugieren que la evaluación afectiva de la experiencia de compra es un antecedente clave de los beneficios funcionales, hedónicos y simbólicos percibidos por el consumidor. Además, la experiencia emocional juega un papel clave como antecedente de la reputación corporativa de una empresa.

Details

Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administración, vol. 32 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1012-8255

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 October 2007

Jillian C. Sweeney and David A. Webb

This paper aims to extend previous research investigating the effect of relationship benefits on firm outcomes by developing a model that includes the effect on individual…

4234

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to extend previous research investigating the effect of relationship benefits on firm outcomes by developing a model that includes the effect on individual employees in the buyer firm. The model also aims to address benefits beyond the functional in business‐to business (B2B) settings by including psychological and social benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a survey of 275 B2B buyers in Australian manufacturing firms.

Findings

The findings reveal that functional benefits enhance firm‐level commitment to the relationship, whereas psychological and social benefits affect individual commitment to the relationship directly and firm‐level commitment indirectly, thereby emphasizing the importance of considering the individual as distinct from the firm. Given that the relationship is a process over time, and in recognition of the non‐static nature of relationship benefits, the paper also explores the changes in benefits over relationship stages, including their impact on commitment. In contrast to expectations results show that while all three types of benefits increase, there is no change in the impact of all three benefit types on commitment across relationship stages.

Practical implications

The study recognizes that the individual in the firm also benefits from B2B relationships and offers a measure of both firm and individual relationship benefits for use in future studies. The measure may also be used as a point of discussion about relationship management.

Originality/value

The study is framed within social exchange theory and, is the first to simultaneously examine three types of relationship benefits and their interaction with both the individual and firm viewpoint. The study is also one of the first to empirically examine changes in relationships over the relationship stages.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 22 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 June 2021

Ala' Omar Dandis, Mohammad Badi’ Al Haj Eid, Robin Robin and Nathalie Wierdak

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting customer lifetime value (CLV) for Internet service providers in Jordan, namely, technical quality…

1549

Abstract

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting customer lifetime value (CLV) for Internet service providers in Jordan, namely, technical quality, functional quality, brand credibility, confidence benefits, special treatment benefits, customer satisfaction and commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted involving a sample of 481 respondents. SPSS was used to analyse the data and test the proposed relationships, while SmartPLS was used to examine the robustness of our results.

Findings

Results showed that confidence benefits, special treatment benefits and brand credibility had a significant and positive impact on customer satisfaction and commitment, with brand credibility appearing as the most influential factor leading to customer satisfaction and commitment, and ultimately CLV. Furthermore, research reveals an insignificant relationship between functional quality, technical quality and customer satisfaction.

Practical implications

Services' providers seeking to increase CLV need to build strong and sustainable relationships with their customers.

Originality/value

This study incorporates a set of crucial customer relationship management strategies that could be universally applied to enhance customers benefits and business performance. This is also the first study of its kind conducted in the Middle East, particularly in Jordan.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2008

Aster Mekonnen, Fiona Harris and Angus Laing

Cause‐related and affinity marketing are based on the assumption that linking a commercial organisation's product with a non‐profit organisation enhances the product's appeal and…

3133

Abstract

Purpose

Cause‐related and affinity marketing are based on the assumption that linking a commercial organisation's product with a non‐profit organisation enhances the product's appeal and provides differentiation from rival offers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the efficacy of this premise.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth qualitative research was conducted to explore the construction of consumer value in affinity credit cards, followed by large‐scale quantitative research to assess the prevalence of the perceptions and behaviour patterns identified.

Findings

Linked products offer a range of individual and group benefits, both functional and symbolic. However, the value placed on these benefit categories varied according to the type of affinity group.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst encompassing a wide range of affinity categories, all of the affinity credit cards were issued by one financial services organisation. Variation is therefore possible between the benefits offered by other financial services organisations operating affinity schemes.

Practical implications

The findings demonstrate the need to identify the value perceived by different groups of consumers of affinity products and to tailor affinity products to the type of affinity organisation with which they are linked.

Originality/value

A key strength is the research's access to card holders from a wide spectrum of affinity categories. This has proved elusive in prior research. The paper challenges the assumption that linking a product to a non‐profit organisation enhances its appeal and provides a basis for differentiation. The efficacy of this premise depends on the type of cause or affinity group, with the value placed on benefit categories varying accordingly.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 42 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 62000