scholarly journals Empirical evaluation of a conceptual model for the perceived value of health services

2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 175-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teodor Pevec ◽  
Aleksandra Pisnik

AbstractIntroductionPerceived value and its antecedents and consequences have been claimed to be important in industries with higher customer involvement. The aim of this paper is therefore to empirically assess the conceptual model, with perceived service value as its central component. It also investigates how it affects loyalty and satisfaction, how it is influenced by its antecedents, and to compare with other studies investigating partial relationship between variables.MethodsA total of 800 patients were enrolled in the main study, and the data was analysed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. By modelling linear structural equations, we assessed reliability and established the convergent and discriminant validity of the questionnaire in the same way as in the pilot study.ResultsIn the conceptual model for testing our hypotheses, we also included the relationship between patient satisfaction and loyalty. In this manner, the fitting of data to the model was significantly improved. After including the additional relationship, global fit indices had the following values: Chi-square=349.6 (sig.=0.00), df=143, RMSEA=0.05, NFI=0.96, CFI=0.97. All relationships between the constructs were statistically significant, thus confirming all our hypotheses.ConclusionsThe major conclusion of this paper is that an especially higher reputation and higher perceived service quality can contribute to perceived service value and therefore to more satisfied patients. The research approach has a few limitations. In the future, the model of perceived service value can be extended with variables such as emotions, patient trust, and commitment as well.

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 563-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Phillip McGinnis ◽  
Tao Gao ◽  
Sunkyu Jun ◽  
James Gentry

Purpose The understanding of the motives for consumers’ support of business underdogs is generally limited. The purpose of this paper is to help address this important research topic by conceptualizing underdog affection as a theoretical construct capturing the emotional attachment held by some consumers toward underdog business entities and advances two perspectives (self- and other-oriented) to unravel its motivational underpinnings. Design/methodology/approach To test the conceptual model, a survey study was conducted involving 365 respondents drawn from an electronic alumni association list from a medium-sized Midwestern university in the USA. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analyses were used to validate the scales, and the structural equations modeling method was used to test the hypothesized effects. Findings The data support most of the hypotheses (eight out of nine). Under the self-oriented perspective, commerce underdog affection is positively influenced by underdog orientation, need for uniqueness, nostalgia proneness, and hope, and is negatively impacted by their materialism level. Only hope did not impact consumer underdog affection. Under the other-oriented perspective, balance maintenance, top dog antipathy, and empathic concern positively influence underdog affection. The other-oriented factors, especially top dog antipathy and balance maintenance, show stronger effects on commerce underdog affection than self-oriented factors. Research limitations/implications The sample was geographically restrictive in the sense that it measured only one group of respondents in the USA. The conceptual model is limited in terms of its coverage of the consequences of underdog affection. While discriminant validity is established in the scale development phase of the study, relatively close relationships do exist among some of these theoretical constructs. Practical implications Given the significant evidence linking consumers’ underdog affection to underdog support in commerce, small locally owned businesses could use underdog positioning advertising to differentiate themselves against national retailers. Due to their tendency to display higher underdog affection in commerce, people with higher levels of balance maintenance, top dog antipathy, underdog orientation, emphatic concern, and nostalgia proneness, and lower levels of materialism can be segmented for marketing purposes. Social implications This research indicates that there are ways in which small business entities and non-profits alike can operate in a business setting that is increasingly more competitive and challenging for underdog entities. Originality/value This study integrates the various underdog studies across contexts to examine motives to underdog affection, a construct not yet operationalized in business studies. In addition, hypotheses linking eight specific antecedents to commerce underdog affection, via two theoretical perspectives, are empirically examined to assess relative as well as absolute effects.


2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 302-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Pedro Sobral ◽  
Maria Emília Costa

Abstract. We developed a new instrument designed to measure fear of intimacy in romantic relationships. We suggest assessing fear of intimacy through two dimensions: self-revelation and dependence. The Fear of Intimacy Components Questionnaire (FICQ) was validated across three studies in which a 10-item solution systematically emerged. Consistently with a two component perspective, a two-factor solution fitted data the best: fear of losing the self (FLS) and fear of losing the other (FLO). Qualitative analyses verified content validity. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses tested the factor structure. Multigroup analyses supported the structural invariance across gender, age, and relationship status. Both factors showed adequate discriminant validity and internal consistency, and good 3-week period test-retest reliability. Associations between the FICQ and insecure attachment orientations demonstrated convergent validity. The association between the FICQ and relationship satisfaction above and beyond a preexisting measure offered criterion validity. By going beyond traditional self-revelation-focused conception of fear of intimacy, that is, by proposing a bi-dimensional structure to fear of intimacy, we believe that this new measure will contribute to future research on fear of intimacy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 1025-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Diba M.A. Abrantes-Braga ◽  
Tania Veludo-de-Oliveira

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop valid and reliable scales for assessing a driver and two obstacles potentially related to financial well-being (FWB): financial preparedness for emergency, beliefs of credit limits as additional income and risky indebtedness behaviour.Design/methodology/approachThe scales were developed from scratch across six studies, employing a two-step methodology, which encompassed both qualitative (e.g. focus group, interviews) and quantitative (i.e. online surveys) data collection. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were employed to test and validate the proposed scales.FindingsThis study provides a set of three parsimonious, self-reported behavioural measures that could be employed in conjunction with objective economic indicators to identify individuals who are financially ill prepared and potential candidates for delinquency. The three proposed scales achieved satisfactory levels of reliability and convergent and discriminant validity.Research limitations/implicationsThe resulting scales still need to be tested for predictive validity and in different consumer groups. The scales were validated in a single culture population (Brazil, a country that presents extraordinarily high credit card interest rates), and they should be tested cross-culturally in countries with different economic and credit policies.Originality/valueThe literature on FWB has traditionally employed objective financial indicators as an attempt to measure the concept of FWB and its elements. Self-reported behavioural measures of such constructs are scant to the point of being non-existent for some elements. This study is the first to offer scales for measuring the elements of financial preparedness for emergency, beliefs of credit limits as additional income and risky indebtedness behaviour.


2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrika E. Hallberg ◽  
Wilmar B. Schaufeli

The present study investigates whether work engagement (measured by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale; UWES) could be empirically separated from job involvement and organizational commitment. In addition, psychometric properties of the Swedish UWES were investigated. Discriminant validity of the UWES was tested through inspection of latent intercorrelations between the constructs, confirmatory factor analyses, and patterns of correlations with other constructs (health complaints, job and personal factors, and turnover intention) in a sample of Information Communication Technology consultants (N = 186). Conclusion: Work engagement, job involvement, and organizational commitment are empirically distinct constructs and, thus, reflect different aspects of work attachment. The internal consistency of the Swedish UWES was satisfactory, but the dimensionality was somewhat unclear.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-85
Author(s):  
Allen Joshua P. Cuñado ◽  
Cathlyn Mae Painagan ◽  
Jeshnin Ann L. Cuñado ◽  
Ella Marie D. Palmada ◽  
Zenar Jane A. Mumar ◽  
...  

Café as an establishment primarily sells refreshing drinks, snacks, and light meals, with coffee being their flagship product. This type of business is steadily multiplying around the city of Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines. Customers have linked to business success as well as customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. This study was implemented to analyze the role of customers’ satisfaction in gaining customers’ loyalty, specifically among purposively selected cafés. The quantitative method of research approach was used with the aid of questionnaires. The data gathered were statistically treated making use of frequency, composite means, weighted mean, chi-square test, and Pearson correlation coefficients. The respondents included 210 customers from the purposively selected cafés. Results showed respondents to be very satisfied (VS) for the Product; for the price; for the place; for the service quality; and moderately satisfied (MS) for promotion. Results further showed that there is a significant degree of relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.


Author(s):  
Marco Lauriola ◽  
Maria Anna Donati ◽  
Cristina Trentini ◽  
Manuela Tomai ◽  
Stefano Pontone ◽  
...  

Abstract. The Emotional Processing Scale (EPS) assesses emotional processing in terms of suppression, signs of unprocessed emotion, controllability of emotions, avoidance of emotional triggers, and impoverished emotional experience. Previous confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) yielded insufficient fit and questioned the EPS factors’ discriminant validity. The present study aimed to test unidimensional, five-factor, and bifactor models using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and CFA. We administered the scale to 350 Italian participants in good health and 346 gastrointestinal patients referred for endoscopy because of mild-to-severe gastrointestinal symptoms. ESEM models outperformed corresponding CFA models. The bifactor ESEM model was a good fit in single group analyses and achieved metric and scalar invariance in multigroup analyses. The inspection of latent mean differences revealed a consistent trend for patients to avoid emotional triggers and have less general emotional processing difficulties. The study clarified the EPS factor structure and supported its use to assess the emotional processing of medical patients and community participants.


2021 ◽  
pp. 30-51
Author(s):  
L.Y. Dorfman ◽  
◽  
V.A. Gasimova ◽  
A.Y. Kalugin ◽  
◽  
...  

The subjective (mental) space (MS) is specified as a particular area of research. The issue of its operationalization and measurement are put forward. A mathematical prototype of MS has been proposed. In a simplified form, the mathematical space conceives of as Euclidean, metric, and linear. It extends to the MS. The operationalization of its measurements consisted in the construction of the "Where I am" questionnaire (WIQ). Three main properties of the WIQ were as follows. First, physical descriptions of space were in use as metaphors for the MS. Second, 4 scales, namely, “height,” “width,” “length,” and “volume,” specified the WIQ. Third, a procedure like a semantic differential administered the WIQ’s items to participants. Raw data were gathered from a sample consisting 177 students, men and women aged from 17 to 26. Participants expressed the degree of agreement with each item of the WIQ on the seven point grade ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree". Ultimately, the WIQ consisted of 36 items, namely, 9 items per the scale “height,” 9 items per the scale “width,” 7 items per the scale “length,” and 11 items per the scale “volume.” Descriptive statistics included means, standard deviations, chi square to define normality of variables, t test to as-sess differences between men and women. Psychometric reliability of the WIQ was estimated by intercorrelations of items in scales, Cronbach's alpha, omega, split half reliability, re test, as well as the WIQ’s discrimination. Exploratory factor analysis provided an estimation of the WIQ’s construct validity. Internal convergent and discriminant validity of the WIQ was gained by comparisons of items’ correlations with ‘own’ and ‘others’ scales. Contrast groups on creative thinking and intelligence computed external criterion validity of the WIQ by 1 way ANOVA. Obtained data were as follows. Extraction to specify the WIQ on above scales was psychometrically justified. The WIQ showed good measures of reliability. The WIQ yielded a 3 factorized structure as most evident of its construct validity and consistent with expected theoretical suggestions, despite of items of the scales “width” and “volume” entered the same factor. Findings maintained significant internal convergent and discriminant validity of the WIQ. It possessed either external criterion validity Creative fluency, originality, and fluid intelligence produced significant effects on the WIQ’s scales. Thus, the WIQ can be reasonable in scientific and applied studies.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110497
Author(s):  
Silje S. Hukkelberg ◽  
Ane Nærde

Although fathers are increasingly involved in childrearing, less is known about how parental stress is perceived among mothers and fathers separately. The present study investigated the construct validity of the PSS in a community-based sample of Norwegian father–mother dyads with a child aged 4. A total of 1030 mothers and fathers ( N = 515 dyads) responded to the PSS, which is a much used instrument that assesses stress related to childrearing across 18 items. Construct validity was investigated using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and the multitrait–multimethod approach (MTMM). The results revealed that six of the items showed extensive ceiling-effects for both parents, and were excluded from further analysis. Dimensionality was examined for the remaining 12 PSS items. The results supported a two-factor solution for both fathers and mothers, reflecting parental stressors (9 items) and lack of rewards (3 items). The MTMM approach indicated convergent and discriminant validity across traits (Parental stressors and Lack of rewards) and methods (father vs mother rating). We also explored the network of PSS items for mothers and fathers, and found both similarities and differences. Overall, the results of the factor analyses have implications for the use of the PSS. The networks of PSS suggest that some items may be especially important when addressing parental stress with mothers and fathers.


Author(s):  
Sean A. McGlynn ◽  
Ranjani M. Sundaresan ◽  
Wendy A. Rogers

Virtual reality (VR) has potential applications for promoting physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional well-being for users of all ages. The ability for individuals to develop a sense of being physically located in the virtual environment, referred to as spatial presence, is often an essential component of successful VR applications. Thus, it is necessary to understand the psychological aspects of the spatial presence process and identify methods of measuring presence formation and maintenance. This in-progress study addresses gaps in the spatial presence literature through an empirical evaluation of a conceptual model of spatial presence, which emphasizes users’ characteristics and abilities. Age will serve as a proxy for changes in a variety of presence-relevant cognitive and perceptual abilities. The results will have implications for the design of VR systems and applications and for selecting individuals best-suited for these applications.


Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Fernández-Guzmán ◽  
Edgardo Bravo

The adoption of natural gas increased notably last years, and there is some recognition that it improves the quality of life of inhabitants. While initial acceptance is an essential first step, the continued use is relevant to the long-term success of any technology. However, the literature on energy has focused on adoption and has devoted less attention to models that explain continuance usage. Accordingly, this study developed a model to explain continuance usage, grounded in Expectation-Confirmation Model (ECM). Unlike adoption models, confirmation of previous expectations and satisfaction with the experience of use have a relevant role in this phenomenon. Data was gathered through a questionnaire to 435 users of the service in a Latin American metropolis, and structural equations model was used for analysis. The results show that constructs of the ECM (perceived usefulness, disconfirmation, and satisfaction) influences on continuance intention. While the price impacts as expected, it is surprising that environmental consciousness strongly impacts the intention. These results may be useful for public agents to foster more comprehensive policies (beyond traditional: price and access), which include environmental and safety issues to consolidate the use of this energy source. Energy companies should develop strategies to manage consumer expectations and loyalty programs based on a high level of satisfaction.


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