Identifying the gaps between customer expectations and perceptions on service quality dimensions of Islamic banks in Malaysia

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafikul Islam ◽  
Selim Ahmed ◽  
Dzuljastri Abdul Razak

Purpose – This paper aims to identify the gaps and differences between customer expectations and perceptions on service quality of Islamic banks in Malaysia based on six dimensions of service quality, namely, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, tangibles and Islamic Shari’ah compliance. Design/methodology/approach – This study surveyed 179 customers who have first-hand experience with Islamic banking services in Malaysia. The research data were analysed using reliability analysis, independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Findings – The results indicated that customers’ perceptions failed to meet their expectations on the service quality of Islamic banks in Malaysia. The results also indicated that those customers (respondents) aged below 30 years have higher expectations on empathy from the Islamic banking service compared to other age groups. However, there is no significant difference between customer expectations and perceptions of Islamic banking service quality based on educational background and occupation. Research limitations/implications – This research focused solely on Islamic banks in Malaysia and thus the results might not be applicable for other conventional banks. Originality/value – The findings are expected to provide guidelines for enhancing the satisfaction level of clients of the Islamic banking system in Malaysia and other countries.

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 884-900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fauz Moh’d Khamis ◽  
Rosemaliza AbRashid

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between service quality and customers’ satisfaction, and the effect of service quality on customers’ satisfaction in Tanzanian Islamic banking. Design/methodology/approach This study applied six service quality dimensions of CARTER model, i.e. compliance, assurance, reliability, tangible, empathy and responsiveness, to measure Tanzania Islamic banks’ service quality. The questionnaire was also used to measure the level of customers’ satisfaction to the Islamic banking services provided. A total of 384 questionnaires were randomly distributed to the customers of People’s Bank of Zanzibar Islamic banking division, whereby 255 questionnaires were returned and used for analysis. By using SPSS version 19, descriptive analysis, correlation analysis and regression analysis have been used to meet the research objectives. Findings The study findings indicate that customers are satisfied with the Islamic banking services provided by Tanzania banks. However, it has been found that customers are attracted by compliance, tangibility and reliability of the banks. The findings further indicate a significant relationship between service quality and customers’ satisfaction. Indeed, empathy, compliance and reliability were found to be the only significant predictors of customers’ satisfaction. Research limitations/implications Further researches should be considered to involve more banks to generalize the findings. Again, the study has focused on the influence of service quality on customer satisfaction; however, there may be other issues that have direct or indirect influence on customers’ satisfaction on Tanzania Islamic banking. It is, therefore, suggested that future researchers may broaden their scope and conduct research in these areas. Practical implications The findings of the study suggest that there is large number of Muslim and non-Muslims communities who are interested in Islamic modes of finance and banking. Banks have potential to increase customers’ base by improving the quality of their services. Essentially, banks must focus on complying with Islamic principles, improving reliability and empathy, as they statistically influence customers’ satisfaction. Social implications The study creates awareness about the nature of the quality of services provided by Islamic banks in Tanzania. Hence, the study may influence more customers to join Islamic banks for better services. Originality/value This study is important for Tanzania Islamic banks considering that the country has a large number of Muslim communities and non-Muslims who are interested in Islamic modes of finance and banking. While most of the other studies on customers’ preferences in Tanzania are based on conventional banking services, this study focuses on Islamic modes of finance and banking.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-132
Author(s):  
Wisam Abu Jadayil ◽  
Mwafak Shakoor ◽  
Adnan Bashir ◽  
Hamza Selmi ◽  
Mohamed Rafik N.N. Qureshi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the service quality of wireless telecommunication services in the UAE. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the five dimensions of SERVQUAL instrumentation (reliability, assurance, tangibility, empathy and responsiveness) that are believed to represent service quality to approach a result of service quality level through comparing customers’ expectations to their perceptions. A SERVQUAL survey was constructed and distributed among a total number of 100 Etisalat users from four different age groups. Findings The results showed a significant difference between users’ expectations and the current level of quality of services in tangibility dimension of quality. The other variables were ranked in this order, assurance, reliability, responsiveness and empathy in service quality. Research limitations/implications The research findings encompass individuals from society only and may not be practical to generalize the findings to business organizations or industries as they have special offers and packages designed for their nature of the study. Practical implications This research is intensely valuable for Etisalat telecommunication company as it reflects and rates their service provided to the individuals of the society (citizens and residents) from five different critical dimensions. Consequently, it offers the firm the chance to improve the negative gaps in their services. Thus, higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. Originality/value This study demonstrated that a multi-cultural society could influence customers’ expectations and perceptions of service quality. The study results showed opposing expectations and perceptions to the same dimension from people of the same age group. The highest gaps were found to be in the tangibility and assurance dimensions whilst the lowest gap was found in the empathy dimension.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwi Suhartanto ◽  
Christopher Gan ◽  
Ira Siti Sarah ◽  
Setiawan Setiawan

Purpose This paper aims to integrate and examine three loyalty routes (i.e. service quality, emotional attachment and religiosity) in developing customer loyalty towards Islamic banking. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 412 Islamic bank customers from Indonesia. Variance-based structural equation modelling was applied to evaluate the association between service quality, emotional attachment, religiosity and customer loyalty. Findings This study reveals that customer loyalty is more driven by emotional attachment and religiosity rather than by perceived service quality. Although not directly affecting customer loyalty, service quality strengthens customer satisfaction towards Islamic banks. Practical implications This study provides an opportunity for Islamic bank managers to increase their customer loyalty through the development of emotional attachment and religiosity. To improve customer loyalty, this study suggests that Islamic banks have to provide prompt, accurate and non-personal service. It is also important for Islamic bank managers to keep the bank operation compliant with the Sharia law. Originality/value This study is the first attempt to assess the three loyalty routes simultaneously in influencing customer loyalty.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1580-1591
Author(s):  
Aysegul Tas ◽  
Elif Akagün Ergin ◽  
Feride Bahar Kurtulmuşoğlu ◽  
Omer Faruk Sahin

Purpose This study will attempt to focus on how vendors serve operators, as operator service quality starts with vendor’s technology infrastructure and service quality. The purpose of this study is to exhibit the most important vendor service quality items and dimensions for the operators in the telecommunications industry. Design/methodology/approach A total of 268 employees from various age groups, cities, job levels and departments participated in the survey. Findings Expected service quality results indicated that operators need high service quality. When telecommunication needs of subscribers are taken into account, it is normal for operators to expect high service quality from vendors. Results also reveal that being dependable and providing continuous support are critical for the telecommunications industry. Perceived service quality results demonstrate that customer expectations failed to be satisfied. In this study conducted in the telecommunications market, the expectations of operator employees regarding vendors is shaped under two dimensions. These dimensions are employee and service center features and provider timeliness and accuracy. When Topsis method was used to determine the most important vendor characteristics, timeliness and trust were identified as the top two criteria. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to put forth the most important vendor service quality items and dimensions for the operators in the telecommunications industry.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh De Bruin ◽  
Mornay Roberts-Lombard ◽  
Christine De Meyer-Heydenrych

Purpose This study aims to explore the extent to which internal marketing influences employees’ perceived ability to deliver service quality in the Islamic banking industry in Oman. Additionally, the influence of perceived service quality on perceived customer satisfaction is established. Design/methodology/approach Data was obtained from retail banking branch employees at the customer front line of Islamic banks in Oman using electronic and person-administered surveys, and 272 responses were deemed suitable for data analysis. The measurement and structural models were measured through structural equation modelling. Findings The findings show that internal promotion, internal process and internal purpose are enablers of employees’ perceived ability to deliver service quality in the Islamic banking industry of Oman. In addition, service quality was found to have a strong positive influence on perceived customer satisfaction in Islamic banks. Research limitations/implications This study demonstrates that internal product, internal price, internal promotion, internal process and internal purpose are influencers of service quality, and the latter has a direct relationship with perceived customer satisfaction in Islamic banking. Practical implications The findings can guide the Islamic banking sector in Oman on how internal marketing can foster service quality, ultimately leading to positive perceived customer satisfaction experiences. Originality/value The internal marketing mix model is predominately a Western model, which has been tested primarily in mature Western markets. This study reflects on ten internal marketing mix elements, which have been tested for the enablement of service quality and perceived customer satisfaction in Oman.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 639-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bushra K. Mahadin ◽  
Mamoun N. Akroush

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify factors affecting word-of-mouth (WOM) towards Islamic Banking (IB) in Jordan through understanding the roles of service quality and perceived value.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered survey was hand-delivered to the targeted sample of Islamic banks customers in Jordan. The authors delivered 400 questionnaires to customers from which 352 were deemed valid for the analysis. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess the research constructs validity and composite reliability. Structural path analysis was also used to test the research model and hypothesised relationships between the variables.FindingsService quality has a positive and significant effect on perceived value and WOM towards IB. Convenience has a positive and significant effect on perceived value. Finally, perceived value has a positive and significant effect on WOM towards IB. Service quality exerted the strongest effect on perceived value and WOM. Also, 38 per cent of variation in perceived value was caused by religious motives, service quality and convenience path, whereas 34 per cent of variation in WOM towards IB was caused by perceived value, service quality and convenience path.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research needs to investigate other factors that may affect customers’ WOM concerning IB such as perceived bank image, trust and subjective norms. Future research should investigate other dimensions of perceived value such as social, psychological, emotional, sacrifice value and product values and how they affect WOM. From an international marketing standpoint, comparative studies between Jordanian and non-Jordanian Islamic customers are potential areas of future research for international marketing strategies and cross-cultural consumer behaviour analysis.Practical implicationsThe paper identifies the determinants of WOM towards IB. Managers should focus on executing service quality strategies customised towards IB. Convenience is a major driver of perceived value and, then, WOM towards IB. Managers need to focus on key marketing messages that enhance religious motives in customers’ minds and hearts; however, attracting new customers and retaining the current ones depend on the perceived benefits in the areas of service quality, convenience and several value aspects.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind to test a model of WOM determinants in IB in Jordan. The study is thought to have made a reasonable contribution to consumer behaviour literature and, specifically, for decision-making process through developing and testing a model of WOM determinants towards IB. The study offers CEOs and marketing managers of Islamic banks new insights into the determinants of WOM and how they contribute to consumers’ decision-making process and attitudes to achieve the intended behavioural outcomes towards IB, which were not available at their hands before. These empirical findings are crucial inputs for marketing strategy formulation and implementation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 878-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Abu Saleh ◽  
Ali Quazi ◽  
Byron Keating ◽  
Sanjaya S. Gaur

Purpose Bank customers’ perceptions of service quality and service image of Islamic banks may differ from those of conventional banks. The purpose of this paper is to examine the differing perceptions of customers of Islamic and conventional banking systems in an emerging market, which has rarely been addressed and adds to the body of knowledge on this topic. This study also re-examines the SERVQUAL model of customer banking services to measure their impact on customer satisfaction and loyalty. Design/methodology/approach The study uses responses from a randomly drawn sample of 229 customers from conventional banks and 225 customers from Islamic banks operating in Bangladesh using a structured questionnaire. SPSS and structural equation modeling techniques were employed as statistical tools for data analysis. Findings Overall, the examined service quality dimensions wield varying effects on client satisfaction mediated through the perceived image of banking services. Islamic bank customers’ perceptions of the level of reliability, responsiveness, security and reputation were significantly higher than those of conventional banks. Research limitations/implications This study enhances our understanding of how Islamic banking practices differ from those of conventional banking in terms of service quality and image-related factors. More specifically, the findings of this research explain consumers’ perceived assessment of satisfaction and loyalty in a comparative research setting. Originality/value No prior studies have addressed the impact of the individual service quality dimensions on image factors in the context of conventional and Islamic banking in an emerging market, Bangladesh.


Author(s):  
Hermanita Hermanita ◽  
Suci Hayati

This study was conducted to find out how the influence of the level of knowledge, quality of Islamic banking services, and the level of Islamic financial literacy possessed by the Muslim community on decision making using Islamic banking service products. The research was conducted with a quantitative and causal associative approach. The study was conducted on 100 respondents who are Islamic bank customers in Metro City, Lampung, Indonesia. The data obtained through filling out the questionnaires were then analyzed by statistical analysis using multiple linear regression. The results of data analysis in this study indicate a significant influence between the level of knowledge, service quality, and the level of Islamic financial literacy on the decision of the Muslim community to use Islamic banking services.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abdulnaser Janahi ◽  
Muneer Mohamed Saeed Al Mubarak

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the Islamic banking literature by examining the impact of different factors of customer service quality on customer satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The paper presents a model which is not frequently used in Islamic banking literature and shows relationships between six factors of customer service quality and customer satisfaction in the Islamic banking sector. Customers of five main Islamic banks are contributing in this study. Findings This paper demonstrates strong and positive relationships between the six main dimensions of customer service quality (Compliance, Assurance, Reliability, Tangibility, Empathy and Responsiveness) and customer satisfaction. Research limitations/implications The study may suffer from lack of generalization, as it is conducted in one country (Bahrain). It might also be useful to enlarge the study sample and include comparison between Islamic versus conventional banking with regard to service quality and customer satisfaction. Practical implications This paper can influence the current Islamic banks with regard to service quality with an ultimate aim of increasing customer satisfaction and retaining customers. Originality/value This study is one of the few that focus on effects of customer service quality dimensions on customer satisfaction in the Islamic banking sector. It reveals that, although customers pay special attention to Sharia’h laws (compliance) in their transactions with banks, the way services are delivered matters to them too.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 874-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malik Shahzad Shabbir ◽  
Awais Rehman

Purpose This paper aims to identify some important misconceptions about Islamic banks, which impact investor’s portfolio in term of threats, challenges and opportunities. This paper is trying to attempt to present five different layers of misconceptions regarding investor portfolio. Design/methodology/approach This paper distributed 132 questionnaires among investors of Islamic financial institutions and multiple regression of least significant difference (LSD) method implied for data analysis. Findings The results of this paper show that two variables, such as opportunity and challenge, out of three are positively significant and the remaining one variable, threat, is insignificant regarding investor portfolio. Originality/value This paper is the first ever attempt in its nature to identify the different misconceptions about Islamic banking system and its impact on investor portfolio.


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