The “service excellence chain”: an empirical investigation in the healthcare field

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1623-1663
Author(s):  
Roberta Guglielmetti Mugion ◽  
Flaminia Musella ◽  
Laura Di Pietro ◽  
Martina Toni
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Organizational Improvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Excellence ◽  
Synthetic Index ◽  
External Customer

PurposeThe linkage between internal and external satisfaction is an understudied topic in the service field. This study aims to address this gap by proposing an original research model, the service excellence chain (SEC), that connects the internal and external perspectives by conjoining performance-excellence models and the service-profit-chain approach. Theoretical assumptions and quantitative measures are proposed by using advanced statistical techniques.Design/methodology/approachThe SEC is investigated through an empirical study in the healthcare sector, focusing on an Italian hospital and involving two of its core units. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. First, internal and external customer satisfaction were separately tested through structural equation modeling. The linkage between internal and external satisfaction is then proposed by mathematically defining a synthetic index, the internal and external customer satisfaction index (IEGSI), modeled through Bayesian networks (BNs) and object-oriented BNs to provide an overall measure able to predict organizational improvement.FindingsThe distinct measured models show good internal validity and adequate fit both for patients' and employees' perspectives. The IEGSI allows rigorously connecting internal and external satisfaction by developing conjoint scenarios for organizational improvement.Originality/valueThis study proposes the SEC model as an innovative way to connect internal and external satisfaction. The findings can be useful both for private and public organizations and may provide several useful insights for healthcare managers as well as for policy-makers in relation to developing strategies for improving service quality.

Promoting service excellence for tourist destinations

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-454
Author(s):  
Marit Gundersen Engeset ◽  
John S. Hull ◽  
Jan Velvin
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Excellence ◽  
Ski Resort ◽  
Guest Satisfaction

Purpose This paper aims to understand the relationship between employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction and its impacts on the long-term sustainability of Hemsedal Ski Resort, Norway. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a mixed method approach. Focusing on the case of Hemsedal, Norway, the authors employ survey design to measure employee service attitudes as well as guest satisfaction and loyalty. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis is used to investigate the relationships between the constructs. Findings Results from the four-year programme reveal that the correlation between employee service attitude and customer experience is strongest for behavioural loyalty which was found to have a direct and observable effect for the customer and that working to teach and train employees is important. Further, results showed that guest satisfaction with service not only influenced loyalty to the company that provided the service, but also loyalty to the destination where the company was situated. In explaining the relationships between levels of employee service attitude, customer satisfaction and community sustainability at Hemsedal ski resort, results showed that through partnership and cooperation, training and development have benefitted the individual companies, the destination and local community at large. Practical implications Results suggest that managers of tourism destinations should focus on employee motivation and training to improve their guests’ satisfaction and loyalty, their competitiveness and sustainability for the future. Originality/value The Service Excellence Project at Hemsedal, Norway demonstrates that mountain destinations can have a positive influence on their competitiveness and their sustainability by instituting a programme that works with employees, customers and businesses to promote a climate of service excellence.

Examination of customer-centric measures among different types of customers in the context of major Canadian ski resort

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 438-459
Author(s):  
Matti J. Haverila ◽  
Kai Christian Haverila
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Marketing Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ski Resort ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Satisfaction Model

Purpose Customer-centric measures such as customer satisfaction and repurchase intent are important indicators of performance. The purpose of this paper is to examine what is the strength and significance of the path coefficients in a customer satisfaction model consisting of various customer-centric measures for different types of ski resort customer (i.e. day, weekend and ski holiday visitors as well as season pass holders) in a ski resort in Canada. Design/methodology/approach The results were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach for the four different types ski resort visitors. Findings There appeared to differences in the strength and significance in the customer satisfaction model relationships for the four types of ski resort visitors indicating that the a priori managerial classification of the ski resort visitors is warranted. Originality/value The research pinpoints differences in the strength and significance in the relationships between customer-centric measures for four different types ski resort visitors, i.e. day, weekend and ski holiday visitors as well as season pass holders, which have significant managerial implications for the marketing practice of the ski resort.

“Actions speak louder than words”: an impact of service recovery antecedents on customer delight in quick-service restaurants

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Durgesh Agnihotri ◽  
Kushagra Kulshreshtha ◽  
Vikas Tripathi ◽  
Pallavi Chaturvedi
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Recovery ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Role Clarity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Delight ◽  
Quick Service ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to conceptualize and analyze a framework that provides greater understanding toward the impact of service recovery antecedents such as role clarity, customer service orientation, employee empowerment and employee relational behavior on customer satisfaction and customer delight in the context of quick-service restaurants (QSRs).Design/methodology/approachA self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 408 participants who had experienced service recovery efforts by leading QSRs on social media. The current paper draws upon the prevailing literature to test a series of research hypotheses through structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings of the study have confirmed that antecedents of service recovery are good to describe customer satisfaction and customer delight in the setting of QSRs. Besides, the study provides an understanding on how monetary compensation moderates the relationship between customer delight and customer satisfaction.Practical implicationsThis study carries an understanding on how frontline employees must operate in a non-conventional and innovative way to resolve customers' issues and show commitment with truthfulness to provide excellent services to make customers feel delightful.Originality/valueThis is a unique study to understand the role of service recovery antecedents to describe customer satisfaction and customer delight in the social media environment. In addition, the results support the possibilities of implementing prompt service recovery efforts using social media.

Can salesperson guilt lead to more satisfied customers? Findings from India

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 951-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin B. Gabler ◽  
Raj Agnihotri ◽  
Omar S. Itani
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Outcome ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Prosocial Motivation ◽  
Outcome Feedback ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Guilt Proneness ◽  
Relational Orientation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate guilt proneness as a prosocial salesperson trait and its impact on outcomes important to the firm, the customer as well as the salesperson. Specifically, the authors look at how this variable relates to job effort and the indirect effects on customer satisfaction. The corollary purpose is to uncover how managers influence these constructs through positive outcome feedback. Design/methodology/approach Prosocial motivation theory grounds the conceptual model which the authors test through survey implementation. The final sample consisted of 129 business-to-business (B2B) salespeople working across multiple industries in India. Latent moderated structural equation modeling was utilized to test the proposed model. Findings The results suggest that guilt proneness positively influences the likelihood that a salesperson adopts a relational orientation, which has a direct effect on individual effort and an indirect effect on customer satisfaction. Supervisors have the ability to amplify this effort through positive outcome feedback, but only when relational orientation is low. Their support had no effect on salespeople with a high relational orientation. Originality/value The study is unique in that it combines an overlooked prosocial trait with a B2B Indian dataset. We provide value for firms because our results show that guilt-prone salespeople put more effort into their job – ”something universally desirable among sales managers” – through the development of a relational orientation. The authors also give practical implications on how to support salespeople given their level of relational orientation.

Exploring the influence of store attributes on customer experience and customer engagement

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1138-1158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhaily Mohd-Ramly ◽  
Nor Asiah Omar
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Department Store ◽  
Customer Experience ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Store Attributes

Purpose The global retail landscape has changed drastically. The rising role of Asia as one of the fastest growing international retail penetration and expansion will continue to make the region to be the driving force in world economic growth. However, the ambitious expansion plans are making the retail sector to be more challenging. Emphasizing on the customer experience and enhancing the value proposition to customers are undeniably vital factors for the long-term survival of any retail business. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of store attributes on customer experience and customer engagement in the context of department store in Malaysia. Subsequently, the influence of customer experience on customer engagement is also analyzed. Design/methodology/approach Using drop and collect survey, 484 valid responses of department store cardholders of age 18 years and above in the area Klang Valley, Malaysia, were collected. PLS structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses of this study. Findings Results revealed that customer experience is influenced by merchandise, store atmosphere, and loyalty program, while customer engagement is influenced by merchandise, communication, interpersonal communication, and loyalty. In contrast, post-transaction services were found to have non-significant impact on both customer experience and customer engagement. Analysis also revealed a strong relationship between customer experience and customer engagement. Research limitations/implications This study is carried out on customers of department store in Malaysia. However, the researchers urge other researchers to replicate the study from different countries and category of department stores. Originality/value Retail researchers recognize little knowledge on the contribution of store attributes to customer experience and customer engagement. This paper represents original research that encourages foreign retailers to employ service-dominant logic as a new marketing thought in designing strong customer engagement and experience strategies to capture the Malaysia market.

Comparing the service experience of satisfied and non-satisfied customers in the context of wine tasting rooms using the SERVQUAL model

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-324
Author(s):  
Matti Haverila ◽  
Kai Haverila ◽  
Mehak Arora
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Value For Money ◽  
Service Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Repurchase Intent

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare satisfied and non-satisfied customers in the context of wine tasting rooms using the SERVQUAL model and to examine the relationships in the model in terms of service experience to better understand customer needs. Design/methodology/approach The data used in this study were derived from a survey conducted among wineries in British Columbia, Canada. Analysis of survey results using the partial least squares structural equation modeling was undertaken. Sample size was 402. Findings The findings show that the SERVQUAL constructs that had the most impact on customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction were tangibility and assurance. Somewhat surprisingly, the perceived value for money construct was not significantly related to customer satisfaction but was significantly related to repurchase intent. Furthermore, all SERVQUAL constructs, except the reliability construct, were significantly related to customer satisfaction. Originality/value This study provides an overview of how wineries can improve their services to increase the number of satisfied customers.

Organizational citizenship behavior in relation to employees’ intention to stay in Indian organizations

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1355-1366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meera Shanker
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Citizenship ◽  
Organizational Citizenship Behavior ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Citizenship Behavior ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Intention To Stay ◽  
Business World ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Indian Setting

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find out dimensions of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in Indian setting and to further examine the role of OCB that impacts employees’ intention to stay, with a view to draw on the deeper influences it carries on the quality work of the organization. Design/methodology/approach Experimental research design was used to find out the causal relationship between these constructs, i.e., dimensions of OCB and intention to stay. Probability sampling method was used to obtain the sample. In total, 475 respondents were approached for data collection. Data were collected using questionnaire method. Findings Factor analysis result revealed five factors of OCB, namely: sportsmanship, altruism, courtesy, civic virtue and conscientiousness, having the reliability of 0.93, 0.89, 0.81, 0.82 and 0.69, respectively, single factor of intention to stay having the reliability 0.87. The findings of Pearson’s correlation, regression and structural equation modeling revealed unequivocal influence of OCB over employees’ intention to stay, suggesting a maneuvering capability of OCB with its influence over employees’ intention to stay in their present organizations. Research limitations/implications Since this study was conducted in India, to establish the external validity has to be judged carefully. The organizations approached for the study were of the MNC level. Practical implications This study is important to understand the citizenship behavior of employees in relation with intention to stay in Indians setting in particular and the world in general. When individual does work, without any expectation, stay with the organization for longer time inculcating, imbibing working culture of the organization which enriches his experiences, utilized in increasing productivity and prosperity of the organizations. Social implications Overall, organizations are facing increased competition day by day; employees are expected to stretch themselves to be in the competition. After certain point of time, employees stop extending themselves, resulting in deteriorating the quality, performance and product. Retaining employees along with maintaining the quality becomes an important concern and issue for organizations. Importance of OCB is considered extensively in Industries in this regard. Originality/value This is an original research in Indian Setting, much researches are not available finding the relationship between OCB and intention to stay in turn which improves the quality of organizations. This research is valuable for business world, are facing problems of retaining the employees which affects their efficiency, productivity and profitability.

Service innovation, service delivery and customer satisfaction and loyalty in the banking sector of Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1215-1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kong YuSheng ◽  
Masud Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Innovation Management ◽  
Service Innovation ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The concept of innovation is gaining ground steadily in the context of an increasingly competitive and highly volatile banking sector. The purpose of this paper is to find out the role of service innovation (SI) in the relationship between service delivery (SERVD), customer satisfaction (CSAT) and loyalty in the banking sector of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Drawing from banking and marketing literature, a conceptual framework was developed and tested using data from 450 sampled customers of commercial banks in Ghana. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The findings indicate that SI has direct influence on SERVD and CSAT. Again the findings revealed a positive relationship between SERVD, CSAT and bank customer loyalty. Research limitations/implications This study offers theoretical support for the adoption of innovative techniques in service provision and delivery. Originality/value This paper provides an initial study into innovation management in financial services context in an emerging economy.

The role of Islamic marketing ethics towards customer satisfaction

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1001-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aamir Abbas ◽  
Qasim Ali Nisar ◽  
Mahmood A. Husain Mahmood ◽  
Abderrahim Chenini ◽  
Ahsan Zubair
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Scale Validation ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Customer Relationships ◽  
Marketing Ethics ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Islamic marketing ethics focus on the principles of equity, justice and value maximization for the welfare of society. These ethics play a vital role in elevating the standards of customer behavior. The strategy of focusing customer is now considered as important element because of rapidly changing marketing trends in Islamic banks. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find out the important features of Islamic marketing ethics and identify their effect on customer’s satisfaction in Islamic banking. Design/methodology/approach This study is descriptive and quantitative. Data were collected from 1000 customers of Islamic banks by applying convenient sampling technique. Smart PLS was used to check the scale validation by confirmatory factor analysis. To test the hypotheses, structural equation modeling technique was used. Findings Results enlightened that Islamic marketing ethics play a significant role in enhancing the customer’s satisfaction. Islamic banks should focus on marketing mix along with Islamic and ethical perspectives to improve the customer’s satisfaction level. Practical implications This study highlighted that Islamic marketing ethics have great impact on customer satisfaction. Therefore, Islamic banks need to concentrate on the ethical perspective of Islamic marketing in order to develop long term customer relationships. Islamic banks need to revise their marketing practices, and they should align their marketing tactics with ethical Islamic boundaries. They need to design, communicate and enforce the code of Islamic ethics within organizations. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study how Islamic marketing ethics effect customer satisfaction.

Modeling the contingent role of technological optimism on customer satisfaction with self-service technologies

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-578
Author(s):  
Abdul Kadir Othman ◽  
Muhammad Iskandar Hamzah ◽  
Lailatul Faizah Abu Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Customer Group ◽  
Self Service ◽  
Self Service Technology

PurposeBased on the E-Service Quality (E-SQ) model, this study investigates the effects of self-service technology (SST) quality attributes, specifically automated teller machines (ATMs), on customer satisfaction. The interaction effects of technological optimism on the abovementioned link are also examined. SST usage is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct that consists of five dimensions (reliability, security, convenience, functionality and responsiveness).Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected through a survey of a sample of Malaysian participants who used cash-recycling ATMs. The proposed theoretical model was tested using partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe results suggest that reliability, convenience, and functionality are critical factors that affect customer satisfaction in using ATMs. Technological optimism was found to weaken the relationship between reliability and customer satisfaction.Practical implicationsConsidering the relative novelty of cash-recycling ATMs in the market, banks should ensure a smooth, error-free and accessible functioning of the system. Special attention has to be given to tech-savvy consumers whose higher level of optimism, with an increase of perceptions of reliability, may suppress their heighten sense of fulfillment. This customer group could be offered interactive digital engagement through mobile applications and social networking channels.Originality/valueThe E-SQ model is a helpful tool to understand the reasons underlying user satisfaction with cash-recycling ATMs. The results also contribute to the theoretical development of the E-SQ model through the integration of technological optimism as a contingent factor.

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