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1 – 10 of over 1000Mohamad Abu Ghazaleh and Abdelrahim M. Zabadi
Internet of things (IoT) and big data (BD) could change how the societies function. This paper explores the role of IoT and BD and their impact on customer relationship management…
Abstract
Purpose
Internet of things (IoT) and big data (BD) could change how the societies function. This paper explores the role of IoT and BD and their impact on customer relationship management (CRM) investments in modern customer service. The purpose of this paper is to develop an analytic hierarchy planning framework to establish criteria weights and to develop a general self-assessment model for determining the most important factors influencing the IoT and BD investment in CRM. The authors found that most studies have focused on conceptualizing the impact of IoT without BD and with limited empirical studies and analytical models. This paper sheds further light on the topic by presenting both IoT and BD aspects of future CRM.
Design/methodology/approach
The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methodology is used to weight and prioritize the factors influencing the IoT and BD investment in modern CRM in the service industry. The AHP framework resulted in a ranking of 21 sustainability sub-factors based on evaluations by experienced information technology and customer service professionals.
Findings
The paper provides significant insight on the new frontier of CRM, focusing on the use of IoT and BD and the respective solutions to address them were identified. This study primarily contributes in providing the process of effectively managing and implementing IoT and BD in big businesses by identifying the connecting link between firms and customers.
Practical implications
The understanding of new frontier of CRM connective via IoT and BD can solve the dilemmas and challenges linked to the practice of implement IoT and BD in the information systems field. The study provides valuable information and critical analysis of IoT and BD with regard to the integration of CRM. Finally, this study further provides directions for future researchers.
Originality/value
IoT and BD are a growing phenomenon, which business decision-makers and information professionals need to consider seriously to properly ascertain the modern CRM dimensions in the digital economies. They also should embrace the proper CRM innovation, which is powered by IoT and BD, and discover how IoT and BD can bring the next level of maturity to CRM “CRM of everything.”
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Anestis K. Fotiadis and Chris Vassiliadis
The purpose of this paper is to present a comparison between the traditional methods for the calculation of customer relationship performance and the modern metrics suggested by…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a comparison between the traditional methods for the calculation of customer relationship performance and the modern metrics suggested by the current literature in business-to-business (B2B) markets using the Greek maritime shipping industry as an example.
Design/methodology/approach
The primary research was conducted in two phases: quantitative analysis of actual measurements and qualitative evaluation of the results. More specifically, in the first phase, the measures used were a collection of traditional and modern customer relationship management (CRM) metrics applied to actual historical data along with statistical data for actual customers of a company supplying services for maritime transportation of containers in the Greek international trade market. For the qualitative evaluation of these results, a semi-structured interview was carried out with seven “specialists/experts” in this business sector, who provided an assessment of the relative worth of each set of CRM measures.
Findings
The use of modern customer-centred metrics (Share and Size of Wallet, recency, frequency, monetary value) in the shipping sector of Greek industrial activity is the most profitable and efficient means of decision-making. The qualitative research showed that the customer-centred metrics were judged to be more effective and useful, as they provided a multi-dimensional and multi-layered picture of the current and future situation for the company and its customer base.
Research limitations/implications
To ensure confidentiality of personal information, the research did not use, examine or evaluate the individualized data to preserve the anonymity of the survey sponsor and their specific customers.
Originality/value
This is the first study that examines the effectiveness of different types of CRM metrics in the B2B market, which has, until now, suffered a dearth of empirical studies in the field, especially in the context of national economies that face intense international trading problems and significant reductions in activity in their maritime shipping industry due to the economic recession.
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Yun E. Zeng, H. Joseph Wen and David C. Yen
Customer relationship management (CRM) and business‐to‐business (B2B) are essential to the success of modern business. Although they are two different modules, they share many…
Abstract
Customer relationship management (CRM) and business‐to‐business (B2B) are essential to the success of modern business. Although they are two different modules, they share many similarities. The integration of CRM and B2B will benefit all related parties in business processes, including sales, marketing, customer service, and information support. This article discusses the characteristics, similarities, and differences of B2B and CRM. It also explores the CRM‐B2B integration strategies, the current issues and their future development trends.
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This study aimed to examine the relationship between customer relationship management (CRM)-based library services and head librarians' personal and academic variables. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to examine the relationship between customer relationship management (CRM)-based library services and head librarians' personal and academic variables. The status of CRM-based library services in the university libraries of Pakistan was also assessed.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey research design and quantitative research approach were applied. A structured questionnaire was emailed to the heads librarians of all university libraries recognized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, and the response rate was 74 percent.
Findings
The analysis showed that a relationship to CRM-based library services was confirmed by the head librarians' age, academic qualification, professional experience, CRM awareness and training. Moreover, several CRM-based library services such as face-to-face interaction, current awareness services, orientation for new users, coordination through e-mail services, special goodwill to regular users, make telephone calls, complaints/suggestions boxes, online services, provision of a conducive learning environment, user education, selective dissemination of information services, users' participation in the collection and service development, ask a librarian services and users' help desk services were currently being practiced by the university libraries.
Originality/value
This study is a valuable resource for developing user-centered library services and culture. Findings are helpful in enhancing CRM applications in libraries and making their users satisfied and loyal. This study makes a significant contribution to the body of literature and knowledge on library CRM.
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Jeremy Galbreath and Tom Rogers
Customer relationship management, or CRM, is a new management concept ‐ a new approach ‐ to managing customers. CRM is about the management of technology, processes, information…
Abstract
Customer relationship management, or CRM, is a new management concept ‐ a new approach ‐ to managing customers. CRM is about the management of technology, processes, information resources, and people needed to create an environment that allows a business to take a 360‐degree view of its customers. CRM environments, by nature, are complex and require organizational change and a new way of thinking about customers ‐ and about a business in general. Creating such an environment requires more than adequate management of the customer relationship or new technologies, it requires new forms of leadership as well. Customer relationship leadership, or CRL, is a new model that leaders can embrace to recreate or readjust their leadership styles in order to foster an atmosphere in their businesses to adopt and practice the principles of CRM. While CRM environments improve business performance, initiatives undertaken in this new management field require sound leadership as well. CRL is a recommended approach to bridge the gap between a CRM vision and its reality.
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Muhammad Azeem, Sania Aziz, Jawad Shahid, Aamir Hayat, Munir Ahmed and Muhammad Imran Khan
In a modern business scenario, firms have implemented customer-centric approaches to enable customer relationship management (CRM) to trigger business excellence. Business…
Abstract
Purpose
In a modern business scenario, firms have implemented customer-centric approaches to enable customer relationship management (CRM) to trigger business excellence. Business strategies are modernizing business marketing operations that mainly focused on the retention of profitable customers. The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the impact of marketing strategies (MS), information technology support (IT-S) and knowledge sharing (KS) in the effect of CRM in the pharmaceutical sector of Punjab, Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from the field force of national and international pharmaceuticals companies (N = 263) through a convenience sampling technique. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to examine data in SmartPLS 3.2.6.
Findings
The results indicated that IT-S and KS mediate the relationship between MS and CRM. More specifically, MS positively develops CRM through IT-S and KS.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the existing literature of pharmaceuticals by disclosing the field-force (medical representatives) specific role in developing CRM performance between pharmaceuticals firms and health-care physicians that are mainly based on knowledge advancement and influence these firms to adopt customer-centric business approaches to gain a competitive advantage to drive firm profitability.
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In 1998 J.P. Morgan’s analysts forecast that the market for e‐CRM (customer relationship management) solutions would grow rapidly. Since then more than 700 e‐CRM firms have…
Abstract
In 1998 J.P. Morgan’s analysts forecast that the market for e‐CRM (customer relationship management) solutions would grow rapidly. Since then more than 700 e‐CRM firms have emerged. The convergence of information technologies caused enterprise information systems providers to add e‐CRM functionality to their systems, thus further increasing the number of e‐CRM suppliers. The proliferation of e‐CRM concepts, models and technologies causes significant confusion and uncertainty. Corporate executives question the economic benefits of investing in multimillion dollar e‐CRM projects, ponder about the right business and organizational models for e‐CRM, and are uncertain which e‐CRM models and technologies will prove both profitable and sustainable over time. With so many failed e‐CRM initiatives some executives wonder whether e‐CRM is not simply a hype. In the present paper what e‐CRM is, from where the economic benefits from investing in e‐CRM derive, and the evolution of alternative e‐CRM models are elaborated. It is also argued that successful e‐CRM projects are not narrowly departmental, but instead organization‐wide initiatives. The paper presents a conceptual framework for e‐CRM organizational architecture. The findings in the paper are based on e‐CRM industry analysis, evaluation and work experience with over 50 e‐CRM vendors, and on consulting experience with numerous corporations.
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Aleksandar Stokić, Danijela Stojanović, Zorica Bogdanović, Marijana Despotović-Zrakić and Božidar Radenković
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibilities of implementing the customer relationship management (CRM) concept and smart technologies in public libraries in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibilities of implementing the customer relationship management (CRM) concept and smart technologies in public libraries in developing countries. The goal was to explore the level of librarians’ awareness about CRM concept and their willingness to accept the CRM concept in libraries. Also, patrons’ satisfaction with the quality of services and relationships in public libraries is explored.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors obtained data for this research through two online surveys. The first survey measures librarians’ level of awareness about CRM concept and their perception about CRM and smart technologies concept in public libraries in three developing countries: Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The second survey measures patrons’ satisfaction with services and relationship in public libraries in these three countries.
Findings
The research results revealed that most surveyed librarians are familiar with the CRM concept. However, libraries in these three developing countries barely use CRM or smart technologies to improve the relationship with stakeholders. Also, most patrons are satisfied with relationships and services. The analysis of data indicates no significant difference in the satisfaction level among patrons between these three developing countries.
Research limitations/implications
Not all libraries participated in this research. Therefore, the sample is not distributed evenly across different types of libraries or user groups. Future research should include different types of libraries.
Practical implications
The results can be used by public libraries in developing countries to improve the relationship with stakeholders harnessing CRM concept and smart technologies.
Social implications
The use of CRM in combination with the smart technologies can help leverage the quality of the relationship between public libraries and stakeholders which in turn would secure their support and loyalty in the future.
Originality/value
The integration of CRM concept as a component of library business automation process is an idea that has not been discussed widely in the library community and could initiate a positive trend in public libraries in developing countries.
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This paper aims to look at what CRM 2.0 is and how it impacts customer insights. It will show how CRM 2.0's incorporation of social tools and strategies with traditional…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to look at what CRM 2.0 is and how it impacts customer insights. It will show how CRM 2.0's incorporation of social tools and strategies with traditional operational functions meets the demands of twenty‐first century “social” customers.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a combination of independent research by the author for the last decade and third‐party sources. This means direct client consulting, interviews with senior corporate management and copious access to expert sources and documents.
Findings
The new breed of customer requires corporate transparency, authenticity and interaction. To affect this intelligent, aggressive social consumer, richer insight than that of the past is necessary. CRM and social tools use combined provides the capability for this insight.
Research limitations/implications
CRM 2.0 as a fully integrated strategy and system remains immature, though the integration of CRM traditional technologies with social networks is ongoing and increasingly coexistent. CRM 2.0 thus must be seen as strategically maturing but technologically immature.
Practical implications
Any company that understands that their customers are demanding something more and different will adopt CRM 2.0 strategies to gain greater insight into their customers and to support creation of mutual value.
Originality/value
By systematically providing an understanding of how contemporary customers act and what they demand and how CRM 2.0 satisfies that, this adds to contemporary scholarship and modern business practice.
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Yonggui Wang, Hing Po Lo, Renyong Chi and Yongheng Yang
In the modern customer‐centred era, customer value is a strategic weapon in attracting and retaining customers. Delivering superior customer value has become a matter of ongoing…
Abstract
In the modern customer‐centred era, customer value is a strategic weapon in attracting and retaining customers. Delivering superior customer value has become a matter of ongoing concern in building and sustaining competitive advantage by driving customer‐relationship‐management (CRM) performance. However, related studies are rather divergent, the key dimensions of customer value remain unclear, and there is no agreement on the evaluation of CRM performance. This paper develops an integrative framework for customer value and CRM performance based on the identification of the key dimensions of customer value. Emphasising the customer equity‐based view, the paper explores the decomposed effects of customer value on CRM performance in terms of relationship quality and customer behaviours. In doing so, a structural equation model is developed using the partial least square method supported by an empirical investigation of customers in China.
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