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1 – 10 of over 34000
Article
Publication date: 11 May 2015

Gianfranco Walsh, Sharon E Beatty and Betsy Bugg Holloway

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a client-based reputation of business-to-business professional services firms scale (PSF-Rep) which measures clients’…

2017

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a client-based reputation of business-to-business professional services firms scale (PSF-Rep) which measures clients’ perceptions of the reputation of professional service provider firms. So far, no multidimensional scale exists in the literature to measure the reputation of professional service firms, although the reputation dimensions of importance are likely to be very different from other settings.

Design/methodology/approach

From an initial pool of fieldwork-based items, an 18-item PSF-Rep scale is developed, which is validated using several samples – corporate financial decision-makers’ views of their accounting firms in a US national sample and organizational clients of one large legal firm with national presence.

Findings

The four-dimensional PSF-Rep scale meets all established reliability and validity criteria. Further, reputation and its dimensions (using PSF-Rep) are positively associated with important marketing outcomes, including word of mouth, loyalty intentions, trust and share of wallet.

Originality/value

As professional service markets become more competitive, firms recognize the importance of a good reputation in attracting customers. This research is the first to propose a psychometrically robust measure to capture client-based reputation of business-to-business professional services firms.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 29 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 August 2018

İsmail Gökhan Cintamür and Cenk Arsun Yüksel

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a reliable and valid alternative scale to measure customer-based corporate reputation (CBCR) specific to the banking industry…

1207

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a reliable and valid alternative scale to measure customer-based corporate reputation (CBCR) specific to the banking industry only, where high risks and uncertainties of choosing a service provider exist.

Design/methodology/approach

Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed to develop and validate an alternative scale to measure CBCR in the banking industry. Following Churchill’s (1979) paradigm and other prominent scale development studies, a scale development procedure was generated, which consists of three main stages: scale generation and initial purification, scale refinement and scale validation.

Findings

As a consequence of the current study, a reliable and valid multidimensional scale was obtained, consisting of 20 items and four dimensions to measure CBCR in banking industry: financial performance and financially strong company, customer orientation, social and environmental responsibility and trust.

Practical implications

This study provides insight to managers to comprehend and manage their CBCR. Since this study has empirically demonstrated that the four dimensions of the CBCR are associated with the five important customer outcome variables, the study provides further support toward the importance of corporate reputation in strategic marketing decisions in the banking industry.

Originality/value

Numerous different disciplines have focused on corporate reputation measurement by adapting different perspectives and approaches. However, a reliable and valid measurement tool has been proposed here to evaluate corporate reputation from customers’ perspective specific to banking industry.

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 36 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 April 2022

Rashmi Sharma and Richa Joshi

This paper aims to investigate the role of bank reputation (via its proposed dimensions) in influencing bank trust and its subsequent effect on the loyalty of the customer. The…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the role of bank reputation (via its proposed dimensions) in influencing bank trust and its subsequent effect on the loyalty of the customer. The study has also explored the moderating role of bank type (public vs private bank) in the relationship between the dimensions of bank reputation and bank trust.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 651 questionnaires were distributed to the customers of public and private bank, whereas only 375 usable responses were obtained. Questionnaires were given to the respondents through the visit of few interviewers to several private and public banks in Delhi and NCR region during December 2019 to February 2020. A screening question was included in the beginning of the questionnaire (i.e. Do you trust your bank?). Non-random sampling technique was used for data collection, and the research design was cross-sectional. The proposed framework was tested with the help of structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings of the study show that all the proposed dimensions (i.e. service quality, stability, customer centricism and corporate performance) of corporate reputation/bank reputation significantly affect bank trust. Also, the effect of bank trust on loyalty was found significant. Bank type emerged as a significant moderator between the dimensions of bank reputation and bank trust. It shows that the effect of service quality, stability, customer centricism and corporate performance on bank trust significantly differs in public vs private banks. Customer centricism is perceived to be high in private banks, whereas all the other three dimensions are obtained to be higher in public sector banks according to the findings of the study.

Practical implications

The presented framework in the study has covered all the significant antecedents of bank trust and its subsequent effect on loyalty. The findings of the paper are useful to several stakeholders, including bank managers, regulators, investors and depositors. The study shows that bank reputation affects trust and loyalty in the long run. This relationship can be used by bank managers for gaining the trust of customers and building loyalty. It also helps in making strategies by banks for targeting customers. Stability is a very crucial factor for a developing economy. The bank regulators can use these results for ensuring the soundness of the banking system and for providing a stable environment for customers. Bank depositors and investors can also use the findings of the study for analyzing the factors that affect their bank selection decision.

Originality/value

The present research shows that bank type moderates the relationship of the dimensions of bank reputation and bank trust in an emerging economy in Asia.

Details

South Asian Journal of Business Studies, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-628X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 August 2022

Kari Lepistö, Minna Saunila and Juhani Ukko

This study investigates the effect of total quality management (TQM) on customer satisfaction, personnel satisfaction and company reputation.

7163

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the effect of total quality management (TQM) on customer satisfaction, personnel satisfaction and company reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study results rely on a structured survey conducted among an extensive sample of Finnish SMEs. In addition to the examination of the relationship between TQM and company performance in terms of customer satisfaction, personnel satisfaction and company reputation, the study takes a view on the possible effects of the industry, the company size and the certified quality system.

Findings

The results reveal that two TQM dimensions, namely Customer Focus and Product Management, were related to companies' customer satisfaction, whereas four TQM dimensions, namely Management/leadership, Customer Focus, Personnel Management and Risk Management, were related to personnel satisfaction. None of the TQM dimensions were related to company reputation. The control variables – the industry, the company size and the certified quality system – were not found to affect customer satisfaction, personnel satisfaction or company reputation.

Originality/value

Most previous studies have been based on traditional TQM classification and have not shown the effects of the latest TQM-related dimensions. Compared to previous studies, this work integrates risk management, digitization, system deployment efficiency and stakeholder management into TQM, which has not been implemented in any previous study. The roles of hard and soft TQM factors have been carefully considered in this study; thus, the study does not place too much emphasis on either direction but provides a balanced picture of the performance of the management systems studied. Although there are studies on the effects of TQM on personnel satisfaction, customer satisfaction and reputation, they are based on a much narrower definition of TQM than that in this study. The business environment is constantly changing, but only a few studies have been conducted to extend the TQM approach. This has led to duplication of studies, and the effects of performance-relevant procedures have not been extensively studied in the past as part of TQM. Therefore, the concept of this study brings significant added value to TQM research and returns the TQM concept to the overall level while considering the requirements of the ISO 9001: 2015 and EFQM 2019 quality standards. The study also considers the effects of ISO 9001 certification and EFQM requirements.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 May 2020

Daniel Vogler

This study investigated the reputation of Swiss universities on Twitter. It gives detailed insights on how the reputation of universities was constituted in a digitized media…

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigated the reputation of Swiss universities on Twitter. It gives detailed insights on how the reputation of universities was constituted in a digitized media environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The reputation of universities was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct with an overarching scientific and corporate dimension. It was measured for academic and societal stakeholders as well as for the media. Tweets about Swiss universities were collected through the Twitter application programming interface (API) and analyzed with a manual content analysis.

Findings

Academic stakeholders had a stronger focus on the scientific dimension of reputation and evaluated universities more positively than societal stakeholders or the news media. The news media were the main source of negative evaluations of universities on Twitter.

Research limitations/implications

The study showed a dichotomy between the scientific dimension on the one hand, and the corporate dimensions of reputation on the other hand, and thus implies a decoupling of scientific and corporate reputation. However, the findings should be explored beyond Twitter to be more generalizable.

Practical implications

The news media play an important role in the constitution of the scientific and corporate reputation of universities on Twitter. An orientation toward the news media, therefore, remains a promising strategy to manage reputation.

Social implications

The news media are an important source of information for academic and societal stakeholders. Thus, they can contribute to integrating academic and societal stakeholder groups by producing a common base of knowledge of higher education and its organizations.

Originality/value

This is the first study to comprehensively measure the reputation of universities on Twitter.

Details

Corporate Communications: An International Journal, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-3289

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 16 July 2019

James Agarwal and Oleksiy Osiyevskyy

Corporate reputation is a strategic asset leading to numerous positive firm-level outcomes. Motivated by the prediction that the translation of customer-based corporate reputation

Abstract

Corporate reputation is a strategic asset leading to numerous positive firm-level outcomes. Motivated by the prediction that the translation of customer-based corporate reputation to customer-level outcomes (trust, customer–company identification, and word-of-mouth intentions) might be highly context-dependent, we investigate the moderating role of national culture (particularly, individualism–collectivism dimension) and individual trait (self-construal) in the association between reputational dimensions (product and service efficacy, market prominence, and societal ethicality) and their outcomes. Using survey data from two countries (US and India, N = 812), we estimate the effects of corporate reputation on focal outcomes, moderated by country as a proxy for individualism/collectivism and independent self-construal (IND)/interdependent self-construal (INTER). The results strongly suggest that when individual-level variables are taken into account, the country-level variable does not affect the translation of reputational dimensions to customer-level outcomes. Moreover, individuals high on IND are more responsive to utilitarian (egoistic) reputational dimensions of product and service efficacy, whereas individuals high on INTER are more sensitive to the group-oriented reputation for market prominence and society-oriented reputation for social ethicality. The reported findings have major implications for cross-country reputational research and global reputation management strategies.

Article
Publication date: 20 August 2020

Arne Westermann and Jörg Forthmann

The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extend an automated, algorithm-based analysis of online conversations of stakeholders in social media and other Internet media…

1939

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extend an automated, algorithm-based analysis of online conversations of stakeholders in social media and other Internet media can be used for reputation management.

Design/methodology/approach

Examination of the reputation of the 5,000 companies with the largest number of employees in Germany based on communication with these companies in 350m online sources on the German-speaking Internet within one year. The method is grounded on an adapted reputation model based on Fombrun.

Findings

The central result of the study is the identification of the ideal balance between the different dimensions leading to the best overall reputation. The resulting correlation matrix with the respective correlation coefficients (according to Pearson) thus forms the basis for the optimal reputation architecture.

Research limitations/implications

The discovered “optimal reputation architecture” refers to a German context. Future studies should investigate in how far the adapted model and the “optimal reputation architecture” also work for other cultures. It can be assumed that there may be differences as different dimensions, for example, sustainability, may have a different importance in other cultural contexts. Apart from the question if the “optimal reputation architecture” is also valid for other cultural contexts, the concept has to be validated for German companies as well as it is just based on the two described studies.

Practical implications

The method used shows that social listening can deliver valuable results for research in the field of reputation management as it expands the possibilities to investigate reputation on a large scale. The approach shows in how far scientific research can be expanded beyond classic content analysis as the number of items which can be analysed exceeds that of classic analytical approaches by far. Explicit and implicit experiences, which are the drivers of reputation, can be systematically recorded and analysed using social listening, thus delivering valuable insights in how stakeholders perceive the performance of a company in different dimensions.

Social implications

Measuring the reputation on the basis of social listening is very important for practical applications in companies, because the data is available digitally and can deliver up-to-date reputation values almost in real time – so that the communication can be aligned very quickly with current events. This makes it easier to implement and control the interaction between companies and their environment in the digital space.

Originality/value

The classic approach in reputation management is traditional market research. It is relatively expensive and takes a relatively long time to produce results. Reputation management based on social listening digitises reputation measurement, lowers costs and delivers results in a very timely manner. It might be the future of reputation measurement. This is relevant not only for practical purposes but also for scientific approaches.

Details

Corporate Communications: An International Journal, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-3289

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 October 2012

Marino Bonaiuto, Pierluigi Caddeo, Giuseppe Carrus, Stefano De Dominicis, Barbara Maroni and Mirilia Bonnes

Reputation is conceptualised as the believed effects that any social agent (ranging from a person to a company to a country) can have. Food reputation is beliefs about the effects…

3332

Abstract

Purpose

Reputation is conceptualised as the believed effects that any social agent (ranging from a person to a company to a country) can have. Food reputation is beliefs about the effects of food on its consumers. On the basis of a multidimensional construct for food reputation derived from qualitative and correlational studies, this paper aims to test four hypotheses about food reputation dimensions' effects on consumers' food choices.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi‐attribute, multi‐step choice experiment was carried out using a “phased narrowing” procedure. The procedure is based on eight product choices, using four reputation dimensions as manipulated attributes (duration, identity‐territoriality, social and environmental responsibility, psycho‐physiological well‐being); this is replicated on one drink and one food product.

Findings

A pilot study (n=50) checked the manipulation of the four reputation dimensions. ANOVA (n=118) showed the impact of the manipulated reputation features in the food choice process, especially in the final decision‐making phase.

Originality/value

The results confirm that food reputation features impact consumer choice, detailing the relative importance of different reputation features according to choice phase, product category, and individual characteristics.

Details

Corporate Communications: An International Journal, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-3289

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 July 2011

Raija Järvinen and Kati Suomi

The purpose of this article is to study the construct of reputation in retail services, its dimensions and attributes from the store management perspective.

2926

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to study the construct of reputation in retail services, its dimensions and attributes from the store management perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The article adapts the conceptual model developed by Vidaver‐Cohen who suggests that reputation predictors are formed by eight quality dimensions. In the first stage of the study 18 interviews were carried out. In the second stage a survey containing 170 statements was conducted.

Findings

The main contribution lies on the identification of the context specific attributes of the quality dimensions of reputation and their content in retailing.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on identifying reputation dimensions and their attributes and contents in the retail context. The empirical data were gathered from stores located in shopping centres.

Practical implications

The study suggests that reputation management in the service sector might be easier if managers were better able to recognise the industry‐related quality dimensions of reputation. In addition, stores should be more prepared for unforeseen, even disastrous events and publicity that may ruin their reputation in one way or another.

Originality/value

Numerous researchers have recognised the critical role of reputation in marketing, but as yet empirical reputation studies are scarce, at least in retailing services.

Details

Managing Service Quality: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-4529

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2016

Robert Zinko, William A. Gentry and Mary Dana Laird

The current, established scale used to measure personal reputation treats the construct as a unidimensional measure. For example, the scale fails to distinguish between…

1003

Abstract

Purpose

The current, established scale used to measure personal reputation treats the construct as a unidimensional measure. For example, the scale fails to distinguish between individuals who are known for being socially popular versus those who are known for being experts in their field. This study aims to address this issue by developing a multidimensional personal reputation scale.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on existing theory, a scale is developed and validated against existing, similar constructs. First, a panel of three academic experts who have done research on personal reputation, and also two professional experts who have rich experience in the management field, evaluated the items for face validity. Then 112 working adults were asked to rate the reputation of a co-worker. Each dimension of personal reputation was validated against an existing, similar scale (e.g. social reputation was validated against an existing “popularity” scale).

Findings

A multi-dimensional, personal reputation scale is presented. This measure purports that personal reputation has three dimensions: task, social and integrity.

Originality/value

The presented scale allows researchers to distinguish different types of reputations in the workplace. This is significant because both anecdotal evidence and empirical findings suggest that to simply assume that reputation based upon being a person of high integrity and upon being an expert at a specific task will present the same outcomes is a fallacy. To further the knowledge of personal reputation, a need exists to be able to measure the different dimensions of reputation.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. 24 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 34000