Benchmarking the service quality of airlines in the United States: an exploratory analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 734-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hokey Min ◽  
Hyesung Min
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Airline Industry ◽  
The United States ◽  
Service Improvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Continuous Service ◽  
Airline Passengers ◽  
The Usa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to help airlines gain a better understanding of passengers’ service concerns, identify opportunities for continuous service improvement, and then develop service benchmarking standards that can be a yardstick for the airline’s competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach – This paper develops a set of target performance standards that helps airlines monitor their service delivery process, identify relative weaknesses, and take corrective actions for continuous service improvements using exploratory data analysis and competitive gap analysis. Findings – This study reveals that a service attribute considered most important to the airline customers’ impressions of service quality are air safety. This result reflects a growing concern over potential terrorism against airlines in the wake of the September 11 incident. The authors also found that proper baggage handling, competitive airfare, and on-time arrival/departure were next most important service attributes, whereas frequent flier and code-sharing programs were least important. Furthermore, the authors discovered that airline passengers’ perceived service quality influenced their choice of airlines. That is to say, airline service quality can be an important gauge of airline market share and revenue. Research limitations/implications – The current study is limited to the evaluation of comparative service quality of airlines in the USA. Thus, this study cannot be generalized to the airline passengers’ perceived service quality in other countries or different cultural settings. Also, this paper focuses on the performance aspect of benchmarking rather than the strategic aspect of benchmarking. Practical implications – With rising costs of fuel, labor, maintenance, and security, many airlines are at a crossroads where they have to decide between succumbing to restructuring pressures in a form of mergers/acquisitions and reinventing their service offerings. One viable means of reinventing airline service offerings is to learn more about what airline passengers truly value and appreciate in terms of service offerings and then figure out what it takes to win the hearts of customers and then how the airline can differentiate its service offering from those of its competitors. With this in mind, this paper develops viable service improvement strategies for the airline that can enhance its competitiveness in the struggling airline industry. Originality/value – This paper is one of a few attempts to identify a list of service attributes most important to airline service quality based on the actual survey of airline passengers, and then develop a benchmark standard of airlines in the USA from a customer (passenger) perspective.

scholarly journals The influences of cleanliness and employee attributes on perceived service quality in restaurants in a developing country

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngan Truong ◽  
Tahir Nisar ◽  
Dan Knox ◽  
Guru Prabhakar
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Customer Perception ◽  
Behavioural Intentions ◽  
Key Dimensions ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the service quality of full-service restaurants in Vietnam to explore possible factors that may impact customer perception, which subsequently influences customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Based on the DINESERV model and service clues, the possible dimensions to construct customer perception were realised, and four key dimensions were suggested. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from four urban local full-service restaurants in Vietnam, and factor analysis and SEM-PLS were then performed to uncover the relationship between customer perception, satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Findings The results suggest that customer perception significantly influences customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions, and customer satisfaction itself is also found to have influence on behavioural intentions. Originality/value This is an original piece of work which contributes to the exploration of service quality in developing countries and to the incorporation of cleanliness into analyses of restaurant service quality in particular.

Do patients really perceive better quality of service in private hospitals than public hospitals in India?

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 590-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swapnarag Swain
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
High Income Group ◽  
Private Hospitals ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Medical Colleges

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare perceived service quality of public/government and private medical college hospitals.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a descriptive, cross-sectional and research design. The research sample includes 340 in patients from six medical college hospitals located in the state of Odisha, India. Primary data are collected through a structured closed ended questionnaire containing 66 items on 1–7 point Likert scale. Statistical tools like factor analysis and ANOVA are performed with the help of SPSS-17 software to analyze the collected data.FindingsThis study identifies 13 dimensions of perceived hospital service quality. The comparative study indicates better performance of public/government hospitals across the technical dimensions of perceived service quality, whereas private hospitals report better performance across majority of the functional dimensions.Originality/valueIn the Indian healthcare system, public hospitals provide low-cost healthcare targeted toward low to middle socio-economic population whereas, large corporate private hospitals provide high-cost healthcare targeted toward high-income group. So the comparison between them produces an obvious result indicating better service quality in private hospitals. Present study minimizes this gap by comparing the service quality of public and private medical college hospitals. Medical colleges ensure access to health services for a larger group of people. Thus, similarity in the segment of population receiving medical services in public and private medical colleges is higher, making the comparison of perceived service quality fairer.

A structural equation model of effective variables on service quality in capital industrial goods sector

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Hamid Reza Ghasemian ◽  
Naser Azad ◽  
Hamid Seyedaliakbar
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Structural Equation Model ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Quality Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Customer Perception

Purpose – The purpose of this research is analyzing the service quality in capital industrial goods sector by developing a model and new view. So the authors studied several models and articles for exploring the effective variables on service quality and tested them in Aras Haitian Machinery Company that is one of the biggest manufacturers of plastic machinery in Iran and China. Design/methodology/approach – The statistics population included all customers of Aras Haitian Company in 2012 that were scattered in whole Iran and all of them are manufacturers of industrial goods. And finally 102 customers chose by using simple random sampling method. The way of SPSS statistical analysis software was used for exploratory factor analysis and LISREL software for structural equation model (SEM). Findings – Results indicated that there were three new factors (customer perception, customer relation and specialized competencies) that affected on perceived service quality of customers in capital industrial goods sector. The findings showed that these three factors were measured by ten subdimensions through a SEM. Originality/value – This study is the first to explore the effective variables on perceived service quality in capital industrial goods sector with viewpoint of service dominant logic in Iran andalso proposed the first SEM under the rubric of industrial service quality model in this section.

Quality of physical surroundings and service encounters, airfare, trust and intention during the flight

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 585-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heesup Han ◽  
Jinsoo Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Airline Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Service Encounters ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Repurchase Intentions ◽  
Airline Passengers

Purpose This study aimed to examine young, middle-aged and mature air-travelers’ perceptions of the quality levels of in-flight physical surroundings and service encounters, and investigated the drivers of their repurchase intentions in the low-cost airline industry. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 402 passengers on international flights was used. An ANOVA and a series of multiple-regression analyses based on Baron and Kenny’s (1986) suggestion were used. Findings In general, significant differences in quality attributes were identified across age groups. Additionally, the role of these quality components, perceived level of the airfare and trust in the airline were found to be decisive in low-cost airline passengers’ decision formation. Further, the mediating impact of perceived level of the airfare and trust was identified. Originality/value Research about air-travelers’ decision formation by considering their age is rare in a low-cost airline context. Results of the present study provided meaningful insights for researchers and practitioners in the airline industry.

scholarly journals Perceived service quality of architectural consultancy firms and client satisfaction in building projects in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olusola Ralph Aluko ◽  
Godwin I. Idoro ◽  
Saheed O. Ajayi
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Client Satisfaction ◽  
Continuous Training ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Economical Design ◽  
Regular Site

Purpose Clients in Nigeria have continuously questioned the quality of services being rendered by architectural firms in building projects. This study aims to investigate the areas of service responsible for determining client satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The study uses questionnaire for data collection on perceived service quality and indicators of clients’ satisfaction. Findings The results of descriptive statistics suggest that efficient analysis and compliance with client brief along with buildability, flexibility and comprehensiveness of the design are the main technical determinants of clients’ satisfaction. Management measures for engendering clients’ satisfaction include team communication and collaboration as well as regular site visits when required. The study established a significant relationship between the perceived service quality and client satisfaction. At technical level, economical design and compliance with budget, buildability, optimal and error-free design and timely delivery have significant correlation with the perception of service quality, which could engender client satisfaction. At management level, collaboration and coordination, integrity and trust, regular site visits and project management knowledge and skills had significant relationships with perceived service quality. Originality/value To improve overall client satisfaction, architects are expected to focus on these factors in the process of service delivery. Architects’ expertise and skills can be further harnessed through continuous training and understanding of the project environment.

Relationship between service quality, satisfaction, motivation and loyalty

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annamdevula Subrahmanyam
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Quality Of Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Indian Higher Education ◽  
Competing Models ◽  
Students Satisfaction

Purpose This paper aims to identify and test four competing models with the interrelationships between students’ perceived service quality, students’ satisfaction, loyalty and motivation using structural equation modeling (SEM), and to select the best model using chi-square difference (Δχ2) statistic test. Design/methodology/approach The study uses survey research design to gather data regarding attitudes of students about quality of services and their level of satisfaction, motivation and loyalty. A total of 1,439 valid questionnaires were collected from four public universities in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, and the relationships between four variables using SEM are tested. Findings The structural model with direct and indirect relationships between the constructs proves as a best among the competing models. The result supported direct effect of students’ perceived service quality on students’ satisfaction and motivation; and indirect effect on students’ loyalty. Implications and research contributions are discussed and directions for further research are indicated. Research limitations/implications The study considers the examinations of the simple bivariate relationships between service quality, satisfaction, motivation and loyalty may mask or overstate their true relationships due to omitted variable bias. Structural theory with simultaneous measurement of the direct and indirect relationships between students’ perceived service quality, satisfaction, motivation and loyalty adds a unique contribution to the existing field of knowledge, especially higher education sector. Practical implications The results of SEM show that the service quality is a key antecedent to students’ satisfaction, loyalty and motivation. Motivating students for present and future studies with better participation in the process is important to increase quality and efficiency in their output. The best services also make students loyal to the institution. The findings suggested that it would be worthwhile for university’s administration to make proper allocation of resources, to provide better educational services. It is believed that this study has a significant competence for engendering more precise applications related to quality of services, especially concerning students’ satisfaction, loyalty and motivation. Social implications The research provides significant insights and demonstrates good understanding of students’ perceived service quality in the context of Indian universities. The changing nature and need of higher education services and increase in competitive intensity necessitates higher performance levels in the realm of Indian higher education (universities). The study identified that students’ perceived service quality is a key antecedent to students’ satisfaction, motivation and loyalty, which conveys that service quality is an important construct. Originality/value Several points are addressed based on the models identified in the study. First, there is sufficient evidence of a significant bivariate relationship between service quality, satisfaction, loyalty and motivation. Second, although service quality is an important determinant of loyalty, the exact nature of this relationship remains unresolved. Third, it is evident that very few studies have investigated multiple direct links between service quality, satisfaction, motivation and loyalty. Further, there is no reported investigation of whether any or all of these variables directly and indirectly influence loyalty when the effects of service quality, satisfaction, motivation are simultaneously considered in Indian higher education sector. Therefore, to present a more pragmatic picture of these relationships, the study identified the “collective model” that investigates the underlying relationships that exist among these constructs.

Hospital service quality as antecedent of patient satisfaction – a conceptual framework

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swapnarag Swain ◽  
Nirmal Chandra Kar
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Behavioural Intention ◽  
Hospital Service ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Quality Of Outcome

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore dimensions of perceived service quality in hospitals and to develop a conceptual framework showing relationship between hospital service quality, patient satisfaction and their behavioural intention. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on extensive review of existing literature on hospital service quality, patient satisfaction and behavioural intention. Critical analysis of these literature studies has resulted in determining and defining the dimensions of perceived service quality and establishing relationship between hospital service quality, patient satisfaction and behavioural intention. Findings This study has identified six major areas through which patients perceive quality of service in hospitals. These six areas are technical quality, procedural quality, infrastructural quality, interactional quality, personnel quality, social support quality. Further 20 dimensions of hospital service quality are identified under these 6 major areas. These are clinical procedure, quality of outcome, admission, discharge, waiting time, patient safety, billing and price, follow-up, ambience, availability of resources, accessibility, food, staff attitude, personalised attention, information availability, staff competency, trustworthiness, staff diversity, hospital image and social responsibility. The conceptual framework proposes direct relationship between service quality, patient satisfaction and behavioural intention. Originality/value Though many studies have been conducted on hospital service quality, none of them has been able to project all the possible dimensions to measure the same. The “6-Q framework” developed by this study explores all the possible dimensions of perceived service quality in hospitals.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Service Quality: An Empirical Assessment of Modified SERVQUAL Model among Domestic Airline Carriers in Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-31
Author(s):  
Rahim A. Ganiyu
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Airline Industry ◽  
Generic Model ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Flight Pattern ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Quality Dimensions ◽  
Service Quality Dimensions ◽  
Domestic Airlines

Abstract Literature is replete with a large number of theories related to service quality measurement and dimensions in an airline context. To date, there is no consensus of opinion on the generic model and of the number of dimensions most appropriate to evaluate service quality in airline industry. This study investigates service quality dimensions in the Nigerian airline industry. The cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. Convenience sampling was used to select 800 respondents among departing air travellers in Lagos State. A structured questionnaire containing 28 items was developed to evaluate the perceived service quality of domestic airlines. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and one-sample t-test. The dimensionality of perceived service quality in Nigeria’s airline industry was explored using exploratory factor analysis. From the analysis carried out, it was established that the modified SERVQUAL model provided a satisfactory level of overall reliability in Nigeria’s airline context, which implies that all the items were cohesive in forming the SERVQUAL dimensions. According to the findings of this study, all service quality dimensions are positively and significantly interrelated. The perceived service quality of domestic airlines across these dimensions was found to be poor. The most dissatisfied dimensions in order of ranking were: flight pattern, reliability, facilities, assurance, responsiveness, employee, and customization. On the basis of the aforementioned findings, this study concludes that airline operators should redefine their service standards to one that is customer-focused by identifying the dimension of service quality most preferred by the passengers and continuously strive to improve service delivery. The study recommends that airline operators should recognize the changing needs and expectations of air travellers and customize their range of services by identifying unique service requirements of the individual customers.

Demographic differences of perceived service quality in emergency rooms of hospital organizations

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avichai Shuv-Ami ◽  
Tamar Shalom
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Service ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Emergency Rooms ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Demographic Differences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Quality Scale

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test three visual, demographically based perceptions of service quality at several emergency rooms (ERs) of hospital organizations in Israel. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on the evaluations of 1,002 people who accompanied a patient to hospital ERs in Israel. The data were collected randomly from an internet panel that comprised more than 50,000 people aged over 18 years. Findings The findings showed that female patients were perceived as receiving significantly lower service quality than males; elderly patients were treated well by medical staff, and treatment was similar to all other adult groups; children were perceived as receiving the best service; and religious individuals perceived service quality in ERs at a higher level than non-religious patients. Research limitations/implications The current study uses a service quality scale derived from a marketing scale that was modified to study the quality of service in hospital ERs. The current study measures only differences in visual demographics. Originality/value This paper attempts to provide the ER staff of hospital organizations with some knowledge about the ways which their service is perceived and encourages a more sensitive attitude toward their patients’ needs. This may influence the hospital customer satisfaction and the hospital financial bottom-line.

Effect of student perceived service quality on student satisfaction, loyalty and motivation in Indian universities

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 488-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subrahmanyam Annamdevula ◽  
Raja Shekhar Bellamkonda
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Service Quality ◽  
Students Satisfaction

Purpose This paper attempts to develop and validate a service quality instrument called HiEduQual to measure the perceived service quality of students in higher education institutions. This paper aims to propose a structural model by examining the theoretical and empirical evidences on the relationships between students’ perceived service quality (SPSQ), students’ satisfaction (SSt), students’ loyalty (SL) and students’ motivation (SM). Design/methodology/approach The paper uses survey research design to gather data regarding attitudes of students about quality of service, satisfaction, motivation and loyalty from seven public universities in India and tests the relationships between these variables using structural equation modeling. Findings The paper identifies a model with six-structured dimensions containing 23 items for HiEduQual. It proved the direct positive effect of the perceived service quality of students on satisfaction, loyalty and motivation. The paper also supports the partial and complete mediation role of students’ satisfaction between perceived service quality of students, their loyalty and motivation toward services being provided by the universities. The competing Model 1 (M1) with partial mediation role of students’ satisfaction between students’ perceived service quality, loyalty and motivation was proved as the best among the alternative models. Research limitations/implications The paper developed and tested a new measurement instrument that covers all the service aspects experienced by the student as primary customer in higher education. Further studies can also measure service quality of the universities in the perspective of other key stakeholders. The authors would recommend studying other possible antecedents which would have influence on satisfaction motivation and loyalty. Practical implications The findings suggested that it would be worthwhile for university leaders to make proper allocation of resources, to provide better educational services including support services and facilities. It is believed that this paper has a significant competence for engendering more precise applications related to quality of services, especially concerning students’ satisfaction, loyalty and motivation. Social implications The changing nature and need of higher education services and increase in competitive intensity necessitates higher performance levels in the Indian higher education (universities). These can only be achieved through a better understanding of the expectations of students and the importance placed by them on aspects such as teaching, administrative services, academic facilities, campus infrastructure, support services and internationalization. The paper identified that student perceived service quality is a key antecedent to student satisfaction, motivation and loyalty, which conveys that service quality is an important construct. Originality/value Previous studies have primarily focused on the relationship between service quality, satisfaction and loyalty. Along with the above, this paper includes students’ motivation and assesses the effect of service quality and satisfaction on motivation which was not previously used in services marketing research, especially in higher education sector. Higher education service holds some unique features like customers’ (student) cognitive participation in the service process, requirements of the students to be fulfilled by different parties and long-term continuous services. All these features require student participation. The results indicate that quality of academic and non-academic services play a vital role in motivating students to perform better in their academics.

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