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To extend understanding of service quality by empirically examining the conceptualisation of service quality (both technical and functional).
Abstract
Purpose
To extend understanding of service quality by empirically examining the conceptualisation of service quality (both technical and functional).
Design/methodology/approach
Because the popular service‐quality instrument, SERVQUAL, concentrates on functional quality, a model incorporating both technical quality and functional quality is employed here. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is utilised to examine empirically a two‐components model of service quality.
Findings
A two‐component model yields better fit than a model concentrating on functional quality alone (such as SERVQUAL).
Research limitations/implications
Because the present study tests the model using a single service industry, an exhaustive description of technical quality could not be provided. This could be overcome in future studies by employing multiple service industries.
Practical implications
A useful foundation whereby practitioners can appreciate the importance of technical service quality (in addition to functional quality).
Originality/value
This paper fulfils an identified information and resources need, and offers practical assistance to academics and practitioners in the field.
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Service quality researchers to date have paid scant attention to the issue of the dimensions of service quality. Much of the earlier work accepted the content measured by the…
Abstract
Service quality researchers to date have paid scant attention to the issue of the dimensions of service quality. Much of the earlier work accepted the content measured by the SERVQUAL instrument. Following the argument that SERVQUAL only reflects the service delivery process, the study empirically examines the European perspective (i.e. Grönroos' model) suggesting that service quality consists of three dimensions, technical, functional and image, and that image functions as a filter in service quality perception. The results from a cell phone service sample revealed that Grönroos' model is a more appropriate representation of service quality than the American perspective with its limited concentration on the dimension of functional quality.
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Diep Ngoc Su, Duy Quy Nguyen-Phuoc, Tien Hanh Duong, My Than Tran Dinh, Tuan Trong Luu and Lester Johnson
The aims of this study are twofold: to examine mobile food delivery service (MFDS) from the perspectives of functional and technical quality, and to empirically evaluate the…
Abstract
Purpose
The aims of this study are twofold: to examine mobile food delivery service (MFDS) from the perspectives of functional and technical quality, and to empirically evaluate the influences of functional and technical quality on customer loyalty toward MFDS.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual framework of customer loyalty toward MFDSs was developed based on Gronroos’s service quality model. By using the PLS-SEM approach, the proposed model was empirically tested with a sample of 494 MFDS users through a survey via online social groups of food delivery service review.
Findings
The study validated the multi-dimensionality of MFDS functional quality including six dimensions (e.g. ease of use, app design, responsiveness, privacy and security, information quality, and personalization) and MFDS technical quality including two dimensions (e.g. safety and quality of delivered food, and quality of delivery service). The results indicated a significant direct link between functional quality and loyalty toward MFDS, while the effect of technical quality on loyalty was not found. Both functional quality and technical quality of MFDS demonstrated positive associations with customer perceived value of MFDS, which had a positive linkage with customer loyalty toward MFDS.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of the study advances Gronroos’ (1990) service quality perspective to m-commerce contexts, therefore and also offers MFDS providers effective strategies to launch a successful food delivery service.
Originality/value
The current study provides a first theoretical perspective on mobile service quality based on Gronroos’s model, which has not yet been examined. This study broadens the understanding of the loyalty toward a mobile-based service, particularly MFDS from the influences of two perspectives of service quality, namely, functional and technical quality.
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Ronald James Ferguson, Michèle Paulin, Charles Pigeassou and Romain Gauduchon
This study assessed the technical (tangible) and functional (human interaction) quality of services in a first‐class international health resort and related these to service…
Abstract
This study assessed the technical (tangible) and functional (human interaction) quality of services in a first‐class international health resort and related these to service management effectiveness. Service management is effective when customers judge the overall service quality to be good, they are highly satisfied, they are willing to recommend the firm to others and they intend to re‐purchase or are predisposed to purchase additional services from the firm. The technical and functional aspects of services quality and their relation to service management effectiveness, were found to be different between the core and supplementary services, between customers and service personnel and between customers with and without experience. The results support the statement that competitive advantage in this industry can be obtained by improving the functional aspects of services management, by better performance of supplementary services and by reducing the gap in perceptions between customers and contact personnel.
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Sik Sumaedi, I Gede Mahatma Yuda Bakti, Tri Rakhmawati and Nidya Astrini
This study aimed to identify the quality consumers expect from functional food. This study investigated the quality dimensions and indicators female consumers expect in functional…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to identify the quality consumers expect from functional food. This study investigated the quality dimensions and indicators female consumers expect in functional food.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a quantitative approach. Data were collected through a survey using a self-administered questionnaire from 149 women aged 17 years and over in the Greater Jakarta area. Data analysis consists of three stages: exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis-structural equation modeling (CFA-SEM) and consumer expectation value analysis. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Lisrel software were used to assist the analysis.
Findings
The analysis results showed that women expect functional food products to fulfill the aspects of product presentation, product assurance, convenience, health benefits and safety and sensory characteristics. These five aspects are referred to as the expected quality dimensions. Twenty-one indicators can be used to measure the quality of functional food expected by women.
Research limitations/implications
Other researchers can use this study to understand functional food female consumers' behavior. Furthermore, functional food companies can utilize it to measure consumers' expectations of their products' quality and performance.
Originality/value
This research is believed to be the first study to identify the dimensions of functional food quality expected by female consumers. Most existing research on the perceived quality of functional food measures functional food quality based on performance and ignored the differences in expectations between men and women.
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Walfried M. Lassar, Chris Manolis and Robert D. Winsor
Examines the effects of service quality on customer satisfaction from two distinct methodological perspectives. Specifically, a study utilizing a sample of international private…
Abstract
Examines the effects of service quality on customer satisfaction from two distinct methodological perspectives. Specifically, a study utilizing a sample of international private banking customers is conducted wherein service quality is operationalized via two distinct and well‐known measures – SERVQUAL and Technical/Functional Quality. These two service quality measures are subsequently compared and contrasted as to their ability to predict customer satisfaction. To further assess the validity of these findings, two moderators of the service‐quality/customer‐satisfaction relationship are introduced and evaluated. Finally, this research examines the potential utility of employing separate measures for customer satisfaction from the perspectives of both technical and functional aspects of the service delivery process. Overall, our findings are of importance to service managers as they strive to identify efficient and effective approaches for improving quality. The paper explores the theoretical and practical insights of the findings, including potential strengths and limitations of current service quality models with regard to their ability to define and explain the quality/satisfaction relationship.
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Very little is known of the pattern of spread of quality initiatives and their implementation amongst various functional areas in manufacturing organisations. The knowledge of the…
Abstract
Very little is known of the pattern of spread of quality initiatives and their implementation amongst various functional areas in manufacturing organisations. The knowledge of the actual pattern would have a number of managerial implications with regard to the future quality improvement policies. This paper explains the significance of even (or uneven) spread of quality initiatives amongst functional areas. Evidence is presented to establish that the actual spread, in fact, has been uneven across functional areas in manufacturing organisations – maximum spread in the production area and much less in the other functional areas. The paper discusses the future implications of the observed trends to corporate performance.
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Sonali Jain and Sanjay K. Jain
This paper aims to measure outcome quality in banks in India and to make a comparative assessment of its influence on customer service quality perceptions. Though both functional…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to measure outcome quality in banks in India and to make a comparative assessment of its influence on customer service quality perceptions. Though both functional quality (i.e. how service is delivered) and outcome quality (i.e. what is delivered) are important aspects of service quality, it is the functional quality which has primarily been the focus of past studies.
Design/methodology/approach
The data used in the study are based on a survey of bank customers located in Delhi and National Capital Region. Using the exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, validity and dimensionality of the multi-item functional and outcome quality scales used in the study were assessed. A structural model of relationships of functional and outcome quality with overall service quality was tested through use of the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach.
Findings
The study finds outcome quality as being a significant and major determinant of customer service quality perceptions in banks. Inclusion of outcome quality in the analysis is, moreover, found to be helpful in capturing more exhaustively the variations present in customer overall service quality perceptions.
Research limitations/implications
Both the functional and outcome quality in the study have been measured through scales adapted from past studies. But the same have not been found able to fully capture variations in customer service quality perceptions. More psychometrically sound scales to measure functional and outcome quality are needed. Studies in both the developing and developed countries and additional service sectors are called for to increase the generalizability of the study findings. Furthermore, nomological validity of the outcome quality scale needs to be investigated by relating it with other anent constructs, such as customer satisfaction and their behavioral intentions.
Practical implications
Instead of simply remaining preoccupied with functional quality, i.e. process or how part of service delivery, bank management also needs to gauze customer outcome quality perceptions (i.e. what the customers think they are eventually getting out of their transactions with the service provider) and exercise due care to see that customers in fact are getting the core banking tasks performed for which they approach the banks in the first instance.
Originality/value
Present study is first of its kind in investigating role of outcome quality in banking services sector in the context of an emerging market like India. Use of SEM for analyzing both the measurement and structural models constitutes another noteworthy feature of the study.
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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…
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.
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Viraiyan Teeroovengadum, Robin Nunkoo, Christian Gronroos, T.J. Kamalanabhan and Ashley Keshwar Seebaluck
The purpose of this study is to validate the higher education service quality (HESQUAL) scale using a confirmatory approach and test an improved structural model that predicts…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to validate the higher education service quality (HESQUAL) scale using a confirmatory approach and test an improved structural model that predicts student loyalty from image, perceived value, satisfaction and service quality. In addition to validating the HESQUAL scale using a confirmatory approach, two other main limitations in the extant literature are addressed.
Design/methodology/approach
The model is tested using data collected from 501 students enrolled in different higher education institutions in Mauritius. A two-stage approach to structural equation modeling is used whereby the measurement model is first tested using confirmatory factor analysis and followed by the assessment of the structural model.
Findings
Importantly, results indicate that student satisfaction is influenced by technical service quality, image and perceived value, but not by functional service quality. Both dimensions of service quality however are significant predictors of image and perceived value. The study uses a comprehensive measure of service quality and demonstrates that it is worthwhile to consider functional service quality as higher-order model and clearly distinguish between functional and technical quality, as both the technical and functional aspects play an important role in shaping students’ perceptions and behaviors.
Originality/value
First, in the existing literature, service quality has not been considered as a second-order factor model in structural models of student satisfaction and loyalty, thus lacking either precision or parsimony. Second, the transformative quality aspect of higher education has been largely neglected in previous research testing such predictive models. The model delineates service quality into the functional and transformative (technical) aspects and treats functional service quality as a second-order factor comprising nine sub-dimensions.
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