Influence of category attitudes on the relationship between SERVQUAL and satisfaction in Islamic banks; the role of disruptive societal-level events

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalia Abdel Rahman Farrag ◽  
William H. Murphy ◽  
Mohammed Hassan

Purpose The purpose of this study is to modify the service quality scale (SERVQUAL) for measuring the performance of Islamic banks after modifying and validating it to fit the Islamic banking context. Furthermore, it provides insights for the limitations good service delivery has on maintaining favorable provider’s satisfaction in Islamic banks under conditions when category attitudes have been disrupted and made salient by major disruptive events. Design/methodology/approach Focus groups (managers of Islamic banks) were conducted to develop context-specific service quality measures. Exploratory factor analysis and CFA have been conducted to test the validity of scales developed and questionnaires were then sent to Islamic banking customers of major Islamic banks in Egypt for testing the relationships between the research variables and hypotheses developed. Findings The findings of this study are two-fold; identifying a service quality dimension not previously identified in extant service quality measures (SERVQUAL, CARTER), devotion to customers and alerts brand managers that harm to category attitudes caused by societal-level disruptive events can make it difficult to gain high satisfaction even with superior customer service. In this disruptive event context, although high service quality is associated with brand satisfaction, brand satisfaction seems unexpectedly dampened by category attitudes, perhaps, due to the general malaise felt toward the category following the disruptive events. Practical implications Islamic institutions are alerted to the heightened need for providing superior service, as even superior service may no longer assure high satisfaction. Extrapolating to an even bigger societal disruptor, in the soon-to-come post-COVID-19 world, category attitudes toward walk-in banking services will be in turmoil and highly salient. So, brand managers will need to develop creative ways to strengthen not just brand attitudes but also to re-stabilize category attitudes if the category is to recover. Originality/value This is considered a pioneer study in using mixed methods to re-think the famous SERVQUAL scale in a unique context and relating findings to impacts of disruptive events on attitude toward Islamic banking.

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Selim Ahmed ◽  
Muhammad Mohiuddin ◽  
Mahfuzur Rahman ◽  
Kazi Md Tarique ◽  
Md. Azim

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of Islamic Shariah compliance on customer satisfaction through the mediating effect of service quality in Islamic banking services. Design/methodology/approach A total of 334 completed and usable questionnaires were collected from customers of Islamic banks in Bangladesh to test the hypotheses. The data were analyzed using SmartPLS 3. Findings The findings of this study indicate that Islamic Shariah compliance has a positive and significant influence on service quality and customer satisfaction of Islamic banking services. The research findings also indicate that service quality partially mediate the relationship between Islamic Shariah compliance and customer satisfaction of Islamic banking services. Research limitations/implications This study only emphasized on the Islamic banking services of Bangladesh and thus findings of the present study may not be applicable to other service areas. Practical implications The implications of the research are twofold. First, a strong standardized effect of Islamic Shariah compliance on service quality implies that customers are very sensitive to Shariah compliance related to Islamic banking services. Next, maintaining service quality is another crucial aspect to satisfy customers of Islamic banks. Quality of services will only be materialized when all the promises made by the bank function accordingly. Therefore, strategy makers of Islamic banks should assess the customer service quality and satisfaction regularly to improve the overall service experience of customers. Originality/value Limited studies have been conducted to investigate the mediating effect of service quality on the relationship between Shariah compliance and customer satisfaction in Islamic banking services. This study provides valuable insights to Islamic bank to integrate the service quality along with Shariah compliance to enhance customer satisfaction.


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.


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.


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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1081-1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hind Lebdaoui ◽  
Youssef Chetioui

PurposeThis paper aims to examine a model that uses customer service quality as an intervening mechanism in the relationship between customer relationship management (CRM) practices and organizational performance in two different banking structures: conventional and Islamic. The study focuses on organizational and technological practices of CRM, as both have been demonstrated to be critical to CRM success.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on responses from 247 managers from conventional banks and 141 managers from Islamic banks operating in Morocco using a self-administered questionnaire. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique is employed for data analysis.FindingsFindings demonstrate that customer service quality plays a mediating role between CRM practices (organizational and technological) and organizational performance in both conventional and Islamic banks. Our results confirm the positive impact of CRM practices on organizational performance in the two banking structures.Practical implicationsThis study enhances our understanding of how CRM practices contribute to improving customer service quality and organizational performance in both conventional and Islamic banks. Bank managers, who aim to deliver superior service quality and achieve customer satisfaction and retention, should capitalize on the benefits of implementing CRM organizational and technological practices.Originality/valueThe present paper bridges a gap pertaining to key practices and factors that impact CRM success in the banking industry. It is the first of its kind to investigate the effect of CRM practices on organizational performance with customer service quality as a mediating variable. The study also contributes to the field of CRM literature, as CRM has rarely been addressed in an Islamic banking context.


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.


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 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghazi zouari ◽  
Marwa Abdelhedi

Abstract PurposeBased upon an extended SERVQUAL model, this paper attempts to contribute to the Islamic banking literature by examining the impact of digitalization, as a service quality dimension, on customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachTwo dimensions, i.e. digitalization and compliance are added to the existing SERVQUAL model of five dimensions. Results are drawn from a self-completed survey of a convenience sample of 145 Tunisian Islamic bank customers for the year 2018. Factor analysis and regression analysis are used to determine factor structure and determine the impact of service quality dimensions, especially digitalization, on customer satisfaction in Islamic banking.FindingsThe factor analysis extracted five dimensions of service quality, i.e. confidence, compliance, digitalization, tangibles and human skills. The paper demonstrates a positive and significant relationship between the main dimensions of customer service quality and customer satisfaction, except for tangibles.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the outcomes lend support to the extended SERVQUAL model, the results are derived based on a relatively small sample size in one country (Tunisia). This limits the generalizability of the study results. It might also be useful to enlarge the study sample and include a comparison between Islamic versus conventional banking about service quality and customer satisfaction.Managerial implications:To remain competitive, Tunisian Islamic banks need to pay attention to the way the services are delivered and not take it for granted that customers are only focusing on compliance. Dealing henceforth with Generation Y customers, they must persevere in bringing their customer service into the digital era.Originality/valueThis study is one of few which try to investigate the drivers of customer satisfaction for Islamic banks in a Digital Era. It reveals that although customers pay special attention to Sharia’ laws, the way services are delivered matters to them too. From now on, digital banking must appear among the Islamic bank features to stay relevant in the Digital Era.


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