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1 – 10 of over 1000
Article
Publication date: 21 December 2022

Zeya He, Laurie Wu and Xiang (Robert) Li

Photos are powerful tools to attract individuals’ attention and convey service experiences. Yet exactly how visual cues in a photo contribute to the perceptions of the staged…

Abstract

Purpose

Photos are powerful tools to attract individuals’ attention and convey service experiences. Yet exactly how visual cues in a photo contribute to the perceptions of the staged servicescape, and how these perceptions inspire online booking/reservation behaviors, remains underexplored. Addressing the gap, this study aims to uncover (1) how perceptual information mediated by an online photo contributes to the formation of consumers' holistic perceptions of the service environment and (2) how such consumers' holistic perceptions further influence customers' online purchasing behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts an innovative crowdsourcing approach and refers to field data on consumers' online hotel booking behaviors to examine relationships among inferred servicescape dimensions, consumers' holistic perceptions of the mediated servicescape and their actual online booking/reservation behaviors (e.g. page-view and meta-click behaviors).

Findings

Confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis indicated that five mediated servicescape dimensions (i.e. color, lighting, furnishings, layout and style) contribute significantly to consumers' perceptions of the mediated servicescape (CPMS) and exert different impacts on CPMS. Connecting the crowdsourced rating and consumer behavioral data, CPMS is found to influence consumers' aggregated page-view and meta-click behavior, especially in the US market.

Originality/value

Building upon servicescape theory, the medium theory and the online booking literature, this research proposes a novel conceptual framework of CPMS to theorize the process by which visual cues in online photos contribute to CPMS and subsequent online purchase behaviors. Findings from this research extend Bitner's servicescape framework to mediated service contexts and provide practical implications for promoting service businesses.

Details

Journal of Service Management, vol. 34 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-5818

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 May 2011

Joanna Minkiewicz, Jody Evans, Kerrie Bridson and Felix Mavondo

This paper seeks to empirically examine the relationship between corporate image and customer satisfaction in the leisure services sector. It also aims to examine the mediating

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to empirically examine the relationship between corporate image and customer satisfaction in the leisure services sector. It also aims to examine the mediating impact of employees and servicescape on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of 195 individuals who had visited an Australian zoological garden over a specified time period. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the validity of the measures, whilst structural equation modelling and multiple regression were used in hypothesis testing.

Findings

Findings reveal that corporate image has a significant positive relationship with customer satisfaction. Although the results indicate that the relationship between corporate image and customer satisfaction is not mediated by either servicescape or employees, they imply that corporate image and employees directly influence customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

A single‐case study design was implemented, limiting the generalisability of the findings. This provides an opportunity for replication of the model in other leisure services environments and services contexts outside the leisure services industry.

Practical implications

The findings reinforce the need for leisure services operators to prioritise the development of a strong, clear corporate image. The extended analysis illustrates that the disaggregated dimensions of corporate image are valuable to consider in terms of directing managerial strategy. Employees and servicescape are key aspects of the service offer on which management needs to focus to ensure that their desired corporate image is communicated and reinforced.

Originality/value

This study addresses an identified need to further examine the relationship between corporate image and customer satisfaction. It also contributes to corporate branding research by broadening the conceptualisation of the corporate image construct. Moreover, this study contributes to the corporate image literature by examining the mediating factors of employees and servicescape.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 July 2013

Roscoe Hightower

The paper aims to introduce a reliable and valid green Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) servicescape measure (i.e. one that utilises extraordinary leadership…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to introduce a reliable and valid green Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) servicescape measure (i.e. one that utilises extraordinary leadership in energy and environmental design supporting green building design, construction, and operations) that examines the direct effects of the physical environment on consumers' evaluation of a service encounter. In addition, the mediating effects of service quality perception, customer satisfaction, and consumers' attitude toward a service provider are considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a sample of 522 Brazilian respondents' evaluation of their experience with the green LEED servicescape. A comprehensive research model and its moderating effects are investigated using LISREL model. The LISREL model consists of two parts: the measurement model and the structural equation model. The measurement model specifies how latent variables or hypothetical constructs depend upon or are indicated by observed variables. It describes the measurement properties (reliabilities and validities) of the observed variables. The structural equation model specifies the causal relationships among the latent variables, describes the causal effects, and assigns the explained and unexplained variance. The LISREL method estimates the unknown coefficients of a set of linear structural equations. It is particularly designed to accommodate models that include latent variables, measurement errors, namely reciprocal causation, simultaneity, and interdependence in both dependent and independent variables.

Findings

Overall, the study provided significant support (p≤0.05) for seven of eight hypotheses with the eighth marginally supported by the data. Specifically, the results suggest that consumers' perceptions of the green servicescape have a direct effect on their service quality perceptions and on their overall satisfaction with the environment. Findings also suggest that a consumer's perception of service quality has a direct effect on their level of satisfaction with the service environment, and satisfaction along with service quality has a direct effect on a consumer's attitude‐towards‐a green service provider. The consumers' attitude‐towards‐a green service provider influences their purchase intentions.

Originality/value

A reliable and valid green LEED servicescape measurement scale is introduced to the literature.

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2018

Keyoor Purani and Deepak S. Kumar

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the biophilic stimuli present in the servicescape and restorative effects on psychological states among consumers…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the biophilic stimuli present in the servicescape and restorative effects on psychological states among consumers. The research also examines moderating role of service contexts in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical study applied a laboratory-like experimental design with one-shot treatment. About 566 usable responses were collected using six photographic images – three were biophilic environments and three were non-biophilic environments – for four a priori service contexts: hospital lobby, upscale restaurants, spa and bank lobby.

Findings

The tests of hypotheses confirm restorative effects of biophilic servicescapes on consumer’s psychological states, attention and mood, which, in turn, positively influence service preference. Further, the restorative effects of natural elements are found to vary across hedonic – utilitarian and experience – credence type service contexts.

Originality/value

Because of higher levels of natural stressors, consumers today likely have attention fatigue and depleted mood states, which, in turn, may have adverse effects on their service consumption behaviour. In this context, building upon theories from environmental psychology, findings of this study contribute by establishing restorative potential of biophilic servicescape. The study also establishes that natural elements in biophilic servicescapes influence service preference, which is mediated by consumers’ psychological states – attention and mood. Further, it demonstrates that consumers are more responsive with regards to such restorative effects of biophilic elements in contexts where they seek emotional, experiential value compared to rational, functional value.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 32 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 April 2024

Siyu Ji, Bo Pu and Wenyuan Sang

It is unclear what constitutes the tourism live streaming (TLS) servicescape and how it affects users' travel intention (TI). The study aims to explore the composition of the TLS…

Abstract

Purpose

It is unclear what constitutes the tourism live streaming (TLS) servicescape and how it affects users' travel intention (TI). The study aims to explore the composition of the TLS servicescape, the influence mechanism of the TLS servicescape on users' TI and the formation of users' TI.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on stimulus organism response theory (SOR), we develop a mediation model to explore the influence of TLS servicescape on users' TI. This study collected data from 432 Chinese TLS users through an online questionnaire, and we used the structural equation model and the SPSS PROCESS macro to test the proposed model. In addition, we tested the variable relationships using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).

Findings

TLS servicescape is a second-order variable that can be categorized into physical element (PE), social element (SOE), symbolic element (SYE) and natural element (NE). TLS servicescape influences TI by affecting social presence (SP) and customer engagement (CE). The fsQCA reveals seven combinations of PE, SOE, SYE, NE, SP and CE that form a high TI for TLS users.

Originality/value

Using multiple data analysis methods, the study emphasizes the significance of the TLS servicescape for TLS. It explores how to evoke users' TI in TLS and provides a reference for TLS marketing.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 February 2020

Kim Piew Lai and Siong Choy Chong

Based on the stimuli-organism-response (SOR) model and relationship marketing theory, the paper aims to examine whether servicescape influences trust, service credibility and…

Abstract

Purpose

Based on the stimuli-organism-response (SOR) model and relationship marketing theory, the paper aims to examine whether servicescape influences trust, service credibility and affective commitment amongst older adults, and their effects on the intention to recover in a rehabilitation setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The study takes a quantitative approach, applying confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model to examine the responses. A total of 400 data were collected using questionnaires distributed to older adults in Malaysia. Respondents were selected based on two criteria: they should be over 65 years, and they should have been visiting the rehabilitation centres in the last 12 months.

Findings

The results suggest that trust and affective commitment play significant roles in increasing the intention of older adults to recover. Contradicting previous research findings, service credibility does not have any significant impact on the intention to recover as hypothesised. The direct effect of service credibility on trust and affective commitment enhances the premise further that the relationship between service credibility and intention to recover is primarily indirect. Even though we expect servicescape to be a significant driver in forming the behaviour of older adults, its impact on intention to recover, trust and affective commitment remain non-significant, with the exception of service credibility.

Originality/value

Past studies have focused on the roles of servicescape and service credibility separately. We have extended the literature by examining the combined effects of both servicescape and service credibility. The findings, therefore, contribute to a deeper understanding of the literature on the intention–behaviour relationship in the context of healthcare, as well as in service marketing.

Details

Journal of Health Organization and Management, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 December 2021

Ahir Gopaldas, Anton Siebert and Burçak Ertimur

Dyadic services research has increasingly focused on helping providers facilitate transformative service conversations with consumers. Extant research has thoroughly documented…

Abstract

Purpose

Dyadic services research has increasingly focused on helping providers facilitate transformative service conversations with consumers. Extant research has thoroughly documented the conversational skills that providers can use to facilitate consumer microtransformations (i.e. small changes in consumers’ thoughts, feelings and action plans toward their well-being goals). At the same time, extant research has largely neglected the role of servicescape design in transformative service conversations despite some evidence of its potential significance. To redress this oversight, this article aims to examine how servicescape design can be used to better facilitate consumer microtransformations in dyadic service conversations.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is based on an interpretive study of mental health services (i.e. counseling, psychotherapy and coaching). Both providers and consumers were interviewed about their lived experiences of service encounters. Informants frequently described the spatial and temporal dimensions of their service encounters as crucial to their experiences of service encounters. These data are interpreted through the lens of servicescape design theory, which disentangles servicescape design effects into dimensions, strategies, tactics, experiences and outcomes.

Findings

The data reveal two servicescape design strategies that help facilitate consumer microtransformations. “Service sequestration” is a suite of spatial design tactics (e.g., private offices) that creates strong consumer protections for emotional risk-taking. “Service serialization” is a suite of temporal design tactics (e.g., recurring appointments) that creates predictable rhythms for emotional risk-taking. The effects of service sequestration and service serialization on consumer microtransformations are mediated by psychological safety and psychological readiness, respectively.

Practical implications

The article details concrete servicescape design tactics that providers can use to improve consumer experiences and outcomes in dyadic service contexts. These tactics can help promote consumer microtransformations in the short run and consumer well-being in the long run.

Originality/value

This article develops a conceptual model of servicescape design strategies for transformative service conversations. This model explains how and why servicescape design can influence consumer microtransformations. The article also begins to transfer servicescape design tactics from mental health services to other dyadic services that seek to facilitate consumer microtransformations. Examples of such services include career counseling, divorce law, financial advising, geriatric social work, nutrition counseling, personal styling and professional organizing.

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2001

Panagiota Papadopoulou, Andreas Andreou, Panagiotis Kanellis and Drakoulis Martakos

In e‐commerce, trust becomes an essential prerequisite for customer relationship building. Drawn from established theoretical work on trust and relationship marketing, a model is…

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Abstract

In e‐commerce, trust becomes an essential prerequisite for customer relationship building. Drawn from established theoretical work on trust and relationship marketing, a model is proposed aiming to help in highlighting the differences between traditional and e‐commerce and to facilitate thinking as to how trust can be built in virtual environments. Conceptualized in the context of an electronic servicescape, the model helps to demonstrate how agent and virtual reality technologies can facilitate the expressiveness required for the formation of trust through iterative interaction with promises being made, enabled and fulfilled.

Details

Internet Research, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2017

Debjani Sahoo and Sreejesh S. Pillai

The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential influence of the mobile banking (M banking) servicescape on customer attitude and engagement. The stimulus-organism-response…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential influence of the mobile banking (M banking) servicescape on customer attitude and engagement. The stimulus-organism-response framework was adapted to formulate a conceptual model, in which the M banking servicescape was modelled as an antecedent (stimulus) of customer attitudes towards M banking (organism), in turn directing customer behaviour (response), namely, customer engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A web-based survey of 345 M banking users was conducted to gather data. The structural equation modelling technique was employed to analyse the conceptual model and test the proposed set of hypotheses.

Findings

The results of data analyses showed that M banking servicescape is a strong predictor of customer attitude towards M banking, which then influences customer engagement. The findings also demonstrate that customer attitudes towards M banking mediate both the M banking servicescape and engagement.

Originality/value

The extension of servicescape literature from the physical to the online context of M banking provides a notable new realm in which academicians can extend the current paradigms. This study also enhances understanding of potential improvements to customer attitude towards and engagement with M banking.

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 35 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2023

Clare D′Souza, Pam Kappelides, Nkosinathi Sithole, Mei Tai Chu, Mehdi Taghian and Richard Tay

The post-pandemic recognises changes are required; universities need to rethink their e-servicescapes strategies by offering different approaches to enhance students’ learning…

Abstract

Purpose

The post-pandemic recognises changes are required; universities need to rethink their e-servicescapes strategies by offering different approaches to enhance students’ learning. This study aims to draw on learning self-efficacy trajectories and propose a conceptual model for exploring the predictive validity of satisfaction. In addition, it explores the mediating role of e-servicescapes and the moderating relationship effect of mature and younger students.

Design/methodology/approach

Learning self-efficacies is incorporated into the design of the model in an attempt to understand student cognition. The influences of e-servicescape on adopting online preferences and satisfaction are also examined. The model was empirically validated by surveying 266 respondents. Structural equation modelling and multi-group analysis were used to analyse the data.

Findings

The results of this study show learning self-efficacies has no significant influence on satisfaction. Yet, they showed a significant influence on e-servicescapes. E-servicescapes positively influenced satisfaction and preference for adopting online learning. E-servicescapes also had a mediating effect between self-efficacy to complete a course and satisfaction, as well as self-efficacy to interact with instructors and satisfaction. It had a negative suppressed effect on social interaction.

Originality/value

The research makes the following contributions. Firstly, the conceptualised model identifies an association between learning self-efficacies and e-servicescapes, suggesting universities as service providers can maximise the value offerings of their customer assets. Secondly, e-servicescapes demonstrate a full mediating effect between self-efficacies and satisfaction, indicating that if universities are to compete successfully in dynamic markets, they should co-create value in their e-servicescapes domain to increase satisfaction. Thirdly, the study recognises the need for a hybrid system of both face-to-face and online delivery because the multi-group analysis shows mature age preference for online learning is required to make this transformation successful.

1 – 10 of over 1000