Attributes valued by students in higher education services: a lean perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 862-882
Author(s):  
Anete Petrusch ◽  
Guilherme Luís Roehe Vaccaro
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Strategic Positioning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Services ◽  
Administrative Services ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Self Service ◽  
Self Service Technology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to use theoretical and field evidence to discuss what the value-attributes for academic-administrative services as perceived by students in higher education institutions (HEIs) and how such organizations deliver them. An emerging framework relating value-attributes for HEIs’ administrative and academic services is presented from the perspective of students. Design/methodology/approach Focus group analysis with Brazilian HEI’s students supported this study. Extensive theoretical references from lean services and services theory contribute to building an emerging framework that extends the background on the subject. Findings The following framework of eight value-attributes for administrative services in HEIs were studied: reliability, empathy, access, responsiveness, self-service technology convenience, communication, personalization and imperceptibility. The value-attributes may receive different degrees of prioritization and improvement effort according to the type of service and strategic positioning of the organization. Research limitations/implications Field evidence is limited by the extent of students and organizations accessed. Implications include directing future research to produce a quantitatively validated model and as an emerging framework, to support decision-planning in the context of HEIs. Originality/value The study extends the literature relating the connection between lean services, services theory and higher education services. No similar study has been found in Brazilian HEIs.

Technology in use – characterizing customer self-service devices (SSDS)

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Gummerus ◽  
Michaela Lipkin ◽  
Apramey Dube ◽  
Kristina Heinonen
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Development ◽  
Handheld Devices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Self Service ◽  
Smart Service ◽  
Self Service Technology

PurposeThis study aims to introduce and characterize a specific form of self-service technology (SST), customer self-service devices (SSDs), as well as propose and apply a classification scheme of SSDs to encourage future research on such SSTs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on conceptual development of customer SSDs and exploratory qualitative insight from representatives of companies offering various types of SSDs.FindingsThis paper introduces SSDs as customer-possessed and controlled smart service devices aiming to solve problems from the customer’s perspective, often within completely new, customer-defined service processes and ecosystems. SSDs are not confined to the company-controlled service environment, and customers may thus use them wherever and whenever they so wish. The study characterizes SSDs based on service and customer use features, as well as on the subject of the service act (self/other vs belongings) and nature of service act (monitoring vs acting).Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to conceptual exploration with qualitative insights from six companies. Future research is needed to empirically study different SSDs by using both qualitative and quantitative approaches in various settings.Originality/valueThe paper conceptualizes SSDs as an extension to the traditional SST framework. It contributes to the understanding of how personal handheld devices can contribute to customer experiences. It provides research directions to stimulate further research in SSTs.

Empirical investigation of moderating and mediating variables in between transformational leadership and related outcomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 1123-1149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeevan Jyoti ◽  
Sonia Bhau
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Business World ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the multi-layer effect of transformational leadership (TL) on employee-related outcomes, i.e. relational identification (RI) and satisfaction with leader (SWL). Further, role of leader member exchange (LMX) and the association period in between TL and RI as well as SWL shall also be examined. So, the present paper attempts to evaluate the moderated-mediated effect of TL on RI and SWL. Design/methodology/approach – The model has been tested in the higher education sector. Information regarding TL, LMX, SWL and RI has been procured from teachers. The data have been duly validated with the help of confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability has been assessed through Cronbach’s α and composite reliability. Structural equation modelling has been used for testing the hypotheses. Moderation has been checked through multi-group analysis. Findings – The results indicate that association period moderates the TL and LMX relationship. LMX mediates the TL and RI and SWL relationship. Finally, moderated- mediated impact of TL on RI and SWL have been found. Managerial, practical, social, economic implications and scope for future research have also been discussed. Research limitations/implications – This study represents a cross-sectional investigations as responses were gathered from respondents at a particular point of time. Moreover, the study is confined to government degree colleges operating in Jammu district only. In future longitudinal study can be conducted. Comparative study between private and public colleges can be undertaken in future. Practical implications – Leaders should focus on creating positive environment, where personal work goals of the subordinates are linked with organisational goals, with the help of role-person integration. Leaders should make their decisions more transparent by exhibiting consistency in their logic and reasoning. Remaining impartial in decision making will help leaders to instil trust and respect in the minds of subordinates. Trust among the followers can be increased through commitments and achievement of goals. Leaders should create more enthusiasm and optimism amongst the employees. Social implications – Leaders in education institutes should create social and emotional learning environment in the colleges. This can be done by arranging informal meetings, some kinds of fares, painting competitions and festive celebrations at collaborative level. This strategic action will help to provide an opportunity to all employees’ to come forward in an informal friendly environment, which will help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression; and improve the quality of relationship and ultimately enhance satisfaction among followers’ with respect to their leaders. The followers work for the achievement of departmental as well as the organisational goals in collaboration with their leaders. Originality/value – The paper has evaluated the moderation of association period between TL and LMX relationship in higher education sector which has not been explored earlier in leadership studies. Many studies have evaluated the direct impact but moderated-mediated impact of TL on RI and SWL has not been evaluated earlier, which will contribute equally to academic as well as business world.

The effects of relationship maintenance and relationship investment on self-service technology relationship performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 496-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin Hsin Chang ◽  
Chen Su Fu ◽  
Po Wen Fang ◽  
Yu-Cheng Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Computer Anxiety ◽  
Relationship Maintenance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Time Consciousness ◽  
Utilitarian Value ◽  
Self Service ◽  
Self Service Technology ◽  
Relationship Performance ◽  
Relationship Investment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend the utilitarian value of the dedication-based relationship maintenance mechanism of social exchange theory and customer perceived relationship investment to investigate the relationship performance of a retailer launching a self-service technology (SST). Computer anxiety and time consciousness are hypothesized to moderate the effects among these relationships. Design/methodology/approach – The results of the structural equation model, with in-store kiosk use experience data collected for 211 respondents, supported the research model. Multiple regression analysis was used for testing the moderating effects. Findings – The utilitarian value of dedication-based relationship maintenance is related to perceived relationship investment. Higher levels of customer-perceived relationship investment impact relationship performance. Computer anxiety and time consciousness act separately as both partial and full moderators. Research limitations/implications – First, this study did not consider different kinds of products/services to have different effects with regard to customer cognition. Second, most of the respondents were students, and this is a limitation in business research, because of such factors as lower incomes and higher information technology ability as compared to individuals with other occupations. Third, it is difficult to distinguish whether the level of perceived convenience is due to the convenience stores per se or the in-store kiosks that they have. Future research may thus consider analyzing in more detail how perceived convenience is evoked. Finally, future research can consider constraint-based relationship maintenance mechanisms with regard to operating in-store kiosk businesses. Practical implications – Retailers who are willing to continually launch SSTs should tie such efforts to their relationship marketing strategies. Moreover, retailers who are willing to launch e-businesses should establish strategies designed to enhance customer experience with regard to the use of technology. Finally, launching SSTs should involve the continual development of an effective purchasing process and functional relationship marketing strategies. Originality/value – This paper can help managers organize relationship maintenance mechanisms, especially with regard to the development of user utilitarian value, in order to obtain improved relationship performance.

Constructs of quality in higher education services

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (8) ◽  
pp. 1091-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijaya Sunder M.
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Services ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
Quality Practices ◽  
Quality In Higher Education

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present various quality constructs, their application, success and shortcomings, in higher education (HE) services. Design/methodology/approach This paper aims at reviewing the quality constructs in higher education services through a general review. The paper is organised to highlight different quality practices which higher education institutions have followed from 1990s till date. The paper is scoped to discuss about total quality management (TQM), Kaizen, Six Sigma, Lean and Lean Six Sigma (LSS) comparing their value addition and shortcoming in imbibing quality into the higher education. Publications indexed in Scopus database are considered for the review. The focus of the search in the selected publications was to identify the success and shortcomings of various quality constructs in HE services. Findings The requirement for a quality construct in higher education industry is an important finding of the paper. Alongside this, the reasons behind the shortcoming of quality practices used in higher education system were highlighted. The findings include the opportunities for future research for imbibing quality culture in HE. Research limitations/implications The literature discussed in the part of the paper is restricted to TQM, Kaizen, Six Sigma, Lean and LSS. Though the usage of such quality practices in HE originated in 1990s, there is no one robust sustainable practice till date, which proved to be a pacesetter. This paper validates this assertion, which helps both academicians and practitioners with a new perspective. Originality/value This paper would serve as an excellent resource for both academicians and practitioners to understand the history of quality which contributed to the improvement in HE services, and how the quality excellence has evolved over the years. The paper concludes with a discussion on opportunities for future research to develop quality frameworks for HE services.

scholarly journals How hotels adjust technology-based strategy to respond to COVID-19 and gain competitive productivity (CP): strategic management process and dynamic capabilities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun Liu ◽  
Jingjing Yang
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Management ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Management Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Turbulent Environments ◽  
Self Service ◽  
Self Service Technology ◽  
Strategic Management Process

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore how hotels evolve their dynamic capabilities to adjust their technology-based strategy to improve performance and to gain competitive productivity (CP) during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the aftermath. Design/methodology/approach In-depth interviews with hoteliers were conducted to unveil their dynamic capabilities amid the pandemic as regard adjustments and performance of self-service technology (SST)-based strategies. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings Data analysis revealed four types of dynamic capabilities (i.e. sensing, learning, integrating and coordinating capabilities). Equipped with these capabilities, hotels made minor adjustments to their SST strategies. In general, during an economic downturn, hotels refrained from introducing new SSTs. SSTs introduced before the pandemic were used more frequently and received enhanced customer feedback. The findings further revealed that the factors influencing hotels’ application of SSTs before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 remained similar. Originality/value This is the first research integrating CP, dynamic capabilities and strategic management process to explain how hotels adjust technological strategies to recover in a suddenly changed environment. Such a framework enables scholars and practitioners from content-oriented and process-oriented perspectives to make quick but sound strategic management decisions in adapting to turbulent environments. This timely study enriches the expertise of using technology as a recovery strategy and contributes to future research on the practical application of SSTs and crisis management.

Understanding the differences of public and private self-service technology

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel E. Collier ◽  
Daniel L. Sherrell ◽  
Emin Babakus ◽  
Alisha Blakeney Horky
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Self Service ◽  
Self Service Technology ◽  
Individual Self ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential differences between types of self-service technology. Specifically, the paper explores how the dynamics of public and private self-service technology influence customers' decision to use the technology. Design/methodology/approach – Existing customers of private and public self-service technology were surveyed from the same industry. Using structural equation modeling, the authors examine how relevant self-service constructs influence evaluations and attitudes of customers across both settings. Findings – The analysis reveals that customers' control and convenience perceptions differ across public and private self-service technology. Additionally, customers placed a heavier emphasis on the hedonic or utilitarian evaluation of a service experience based on the type of self-service technology. Practical implications – For managers of self-service applications, understanding the unique differences of public and private self-service technology can aid in the implementation and adoption of the technology. By properly understanding the differences of the self-service types, managers can provide a beneficial experience to the customer. Originality/value – By identifying and describing two distinct categories of SSTs, this study allows managers and researchers to better understand how and why individuals choose to utilize individual self-service technologies. Through understanding the unique dynamics of a public and a private SST experience, retailers can determine the appropriate strategy for customer adoption based on the utilitarian or hedonic functions of the technology.

scholarly journals Stakeholder engagement in sustainability reporting in higher education

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idoya Ferrero-Ferrero ◽  
María Ángeles Fernández-Izquierdo ◽  
María Jesús Muñoz-Torres ◽  
Lucía Bellés-Colomer
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quality Of Reporting ◽  
Stakeholder Expectations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Exploratory Approach ◽  
Internal Stakeholders

Purpose The purpose of this study is to improve the understanding of stakeholder engagement in the context of sustainability reporting (SR) for higher education institutions (HEIs), together with the materiality principle and stakeholder expectations. Design/methodology/approach This research uses an exploratory approach based on content analysis, a case study and descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings Three key findings come out of this research. First, the results indicate that HEIs use diverse criteria for grouping stakeholders and that stakeholder engagement is a heterogeneous process. Second, the expectations of internal stakeholders align with the material aspects of SR. Finally, among internal stakeholders, students and academics disagree on the prioritisation of some sustainability aspects, with non-academic staff adopting an intermediate position. Practical implications This analysis improves our knowledge of stakeholder engagement in HEIs. It helps to identify the relevant impacts of stakeholder engagement, enhances the quality of reporting and encourages a real dialogue with stakeholders. Originality/value The study examines stakeholder engagement and how the materiality principle is adopted by HEIs through SR. Furthermore, it compares these results with stakeholder expectations, considering the discrepancies between stakeholders. The results open the way to future research to explore the potential conflicts and collaborations between and within stakeholders to advance towards more sustainable institutions in the higher education sector.

Consumer responses to the failure of self-service banking technology: moderating role of failure stability

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nedra Bahri Ammari ◽  
Abir Hsouna ◽  
Mounia Benabdallah ◽  
Anish Yousaf ◽  
Abhishek Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Negative Word ◽  
The Self ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Dissatisfaction ◽  
Self Service ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Self Service Technology ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of dissatisfaction and anger, driven by the failure of the self-service technology of banks, on customers' post-purchase behavioural reactions, such as complaints, negative word-of-mouth (NWOM) and supplier change. The stability of the failure is proposed to moderate these relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed research model was tested through data collected from an online survey of a Tunisian sample of 300 respondents, using the scenario method.FindingsThe study validates the positive impact of dissatisfaction on anger and negative word-of-mouth, as well as that of anger on complaint behaviour and negative word-of-mouth. The relation between dissatisfaction and negative word-of-mouth is mediated by anger. When the failure is stable, dissatisfied users of the self-service technology seek to enhance their negative word-of-mouth and supplier change. The results also show that the stability of the failure enhances the effect of anger on complaint behaviour.Practical implicationsBanks should invest efforts to accelerate the recovery of services to reduce consumer dissatisfaction and anger and prevent adverse behavioural outcomes. Further, they need to ensure that failures are not repeated, as failure stability activates some otherwise non-significant behavioural outcomes, like supplier change.Originality/valuePrevious works have focused on the impact of dissatisfaction and negative emotions for interpersonal services, but very few works have come to associate dissatisfaction, anger, complaint, negative word-of-mouth and supplier change in an integrative framework for an self-service technology failure.

Conceptualizing international positioning strategies for Indian higher education institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudhir Rana ◽  
Shubhangi Verma ◽  
Moon Moon Haque ◽  
Gouher Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Future ◽  
Indian Higher Education

Purpose The manuscript reflects on the future of higher education from an emerging country perspective. The authors specifically answer how new education policies, ranking and accreditation are impacting the current state of Indian higher education institutions (IHEIs) and how IHEIs can cultivate their path towards positioning themselves internationally. This study aims to bring together existing scenarios and to serve as a springboard for future research and applications. Design/methodology/approach The manuscript is designed and executed as a conceptual study exploring the current state and prospects for IHEIs. The study synthesizes the concepts of positioning strategies in context to IHEIs. A conceptual diagram integrating existing concepts from marketing, total quality management and business education is created to understand the phenomenon among the IHEIs stakeholders. Findings The authors found that IHEIs started showing their international presence yet they are facing various challenges (government bureaucracy; international salary standards; global student population; and cultural sensitivity). The authors also found that the positioning problem is not a one-time attempt; the complexity of higher education is a “wicked problem” and, hence needs to be evaluated, changed and executed continuously. The manuscript offers relevant information to IHEIs leaders and stakeholders to improve on their international positioning strategies and proposes avenues for future research. Originality/value The study outlines future development and positioning strategic plans that IHEIs may consider and reflect in their strategic plan. The conceptual diagram on achieving successful international positioning and problem areas is expected to act as a guidebook for the key decision-makers. The focus is on distinguishing the imperatives, creating a key guide for meeting immediate requirements, allotting assets prudently to update their international presence. The study will provide IHEIs with a new lease of life in the future.

Enhancing the value co-creation process: artificial intelligence and mobile banking service platforms

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth H. Manser Payne ◽  
James Peltier ◽  
Victor A. Barger
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Mobile Banking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Creation Process ◽  
Age Cohorts ◽  
Value Propositions ◽  
Self Service ◽  
Self Service Technology

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships that influence the value co-creation process and lead to consumer comfort with artificial intelligence (AI) and mobile banking (AIMB) service platforms. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual model was developed to investigate the value-in-use perceptions of AI-based mobile banking applications via five antecedents: baseline perceptions of current bank service delivery; service delivery configuration benefits; general data security; safety perceptions of specific mobile banking services; and perceptions of AI service delivery. Data were collected from 218 respondents and analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings This study highlights the role and importance of the sequential relationships that impact the assessment of AIMB. The findings suggest that service delivery and the customer’s role in value co-creation change as AI is introduced into a digital self-service technology channel. Furthermore, AIMB offers transaction-oriented (utilitarian) value propositions more so than relationship-oriented (hedonic) value propositions. Research limitations/implications The sample consisted on digital natives. Additional age cohorts are needed. Practical implications As financial institutions redirect their business models toward digital self-service technology channels, the need for customers to feel comfortable while interacting with an AI agent will be critical for enhancing the customer experience and firm performance. Originality/value The authors extend the service-dominant logic (SDL) literature by showing that value co-creation is a function of both firms’ technologies and consumers’ value-in-use, a finding that appears to be unique in the literature. The authors advance the digital transformation literature by evaluating AIMB as an interactive process that requires an understanding of key technology constructs, including perceptions of baseline service relationships, desired service configurations, security and safety issues and whether AI is useful for value co-creation. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first SDL framework that investigates interactive and structural relationships to explain value-in-use perceptions of AIMB.

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