Toward a contingency theory of CRM adoption

Acknowledging the paucity of research on customers who are the targets of customer relationship management (CRM) efforts, this paper presents a contingency theory framework and set of research propositions suggesting that successful CRM adoption is contingent on a variety of contextual factors that influence value exchange in B2B channel relationships. Grounded in theoretical perspectives on the customer selection process, channel governance, transaction costs, power distribution in marketing channels, and dynamic capabilities, the authors identify five broad categories of variables potentially important in studying CRM adoption and directly affecting CRM success/failure.     

Trust,Satisfaction and Loyalty in Customer Relationship Management

SUMMARY

In an attempt to increase customer loyalty amid increasingly competitive business environments, organizations are looking to customer relationship management (CRM) to help provide a solution. In spite of CRM failure rates cited as being as high as 70%, organizations continue to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars on CRM implementations. Attempts of past research to resolve why failure rates are so high have tended to focus on technological factors such as database integration or factors internal to the organization such as system adoption or organizational culture. While these areas are important, reactions of customers may also play a role. This paper uses justice theory to investigate the potential impact that customer involvement in a CRM implementation may have on customer loyalty. Propositions are provided to guide future research.     

饭店客户关系管理的价值链研究

本文从我国本土饭店客户关系管理现状出发,借用波特的价值链思想,深入分析饭店客户关系管理中的基本活动和辅助活动,以寻求能切实有效地提高饭店客户关系管理水平的途径。其中,文章提出了饭店客户关系管理的价值链模型,并对客户关系管理的基本活动中的客户价值分析、客户获取、客户保留、客户升级和客户联盟构建等主要环节进行了详细阐述,同时也分析了辅助活动中包括领导、组织结构、人力资源管理、组织文化和信息技术等在内的相关影响因素。     

客户忠诚理论的价值分析和驱动模式研究

在客户关系管理(CRM)中,客户忠诚是其基本目标。客户忠诚是一种导致消费者与品牌发生联系的态度,进而表示出来的一种由个人特征、环境和购买情景共同作用的购买行为模式。在分析客户忠诚对客户关系管理的价值,客户忠诚的度量指标和维度分类的基础上,提出了客户忠诚的满意驱动、价值驱动、双因素驱动和多因素驱动四种驱动模式以及各因素对客户忠诚的驱动机理,揭示了客户忠诚的本质,为企业客户关系管理中达到客户忠诚提供理论支持和实践方法。     

Customer relationship management in retailing: A content analysis of retail trade journals

The purpose of this research was to increase knowledge and understanding of how retailers use business intelligence and data mining tools to implement customer relationship management (CRM) in retailing. Specific objectives were to (1) identify organization and infrastructure requirements for CRM effectiveness, (2) identify CRM objectives and goals of retail companies, (3) identify data mining tools utilized by retailers to perform CRM functions, and (4) identify CRM strategies used by retail companies. A keyword search within business databases using CRM and CRM identified publications with CRM content. Content analysis was used on articles (N=149) drawn from Stores, Chain Store Age, Harvard Business Review, and Retail Forward over a 5 year period (2000–2005). Selected articles were stored as text files in QDA Miner, a computerized qualitative analysis tool. Key organization/infrastructure needs emerged focusing on data structure, organizational systems, technology structure, and data accessibility. Retailers goals/objectives and strategies focused on marketing, customer service, understanding customers through data analysis and increasing acquisition and retention through customer loyalty programs. Data mining tools identified supported marketing and customer analysis efforts. Findings provide insight into the challenges retailers face as they implement a more customer-centric business strategy.     

Unlocking the transformative potential of customer data in retailing

Retailers collect, process, and use large amounts of data about customers: what they buy, how they buy, when they buy – and when customer loyalty cards are used – who buys the product or service. The use of customer data within the customer relationship management (CRM) framework has largely remained one sided. The potential of customer data for the benefit of the customer’s well-being still needs to be addressed. Reverse use of customer data, i.e. the process of firms converting customer data into information that is meaningful for the customers, extends attention toward using customer data for the benefit of the customer. In addition, selling goods to customers retailers can revise customer data into relevant and meaningful information that can support their well-being. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to identify and illustrate the transformative potential of the reverse use of customer data in retailing. This is achieved by reviewing literature on CRM, S-D logic, and transformative consumer research, and conducting a case study of a food retailer using point-of-sale data to provide customers with information about the healthfulness of their food purchases. Anonymous customer feedback data is collected and analyzed, and as a result, the transformative potential of customer data is reflected through five themes: self-monitoring, enhanced diet, food literacy, peace of mind, and beyond food healthfulness. These themes illustrate customers’ well-being outcomes resulting from reverse use of customer data.     

What's Behind CRM Research? A Bibliometric Analysis of Publications in the CRM Research Field

The diversity of approaches to customer relationship management (CRM) brings about the need for systematic reviews. The objective of this article is to identify and categorize the most used publications in the CRM field. We conducted a bibliometric analysis using the Web of Science database. To identify and categorize the subfields, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis. The most used publications were categorized into: (1) methodology in the CRM research field; (2) relationship marketing; (3) service quality and customer loyalty; (4) implications of market-oriented strategy; (5) CRM theory and its practical implications; (6) strategic management; and (7) customer value.     

Extending customer relationship management into a social context

Informed by the resource-based view, this study draws on customer relationship management (CRM) and value co-creation literature to develop a framework examining the impact of social networking sites on processes to manage customer relationships. Facilitating the depth and networked interactions necessary to truly engage customers, social networking sites act as a means of enhancing customer relationships through the co-creation of value, moving CRM into a social context. Tested and validated on a data set of hotels, the main contribution of the study to service research lies in the extension of CRM processes, termed relational information processes, to include value co-creation processes due to the social capabilities afforded by social networking sites. Information technology competency and social media orientation act as critical antecedents to these processes, which have a positive impact on both financial and non-financial aspects of firm performance. The theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed accordingly.     

论企业组织结构重整与CRM的成功实施

CRM的出现是提高客户满意度,保持客户并实现客户与企业价值共贏,是以客户为中心的现代管销理念的一种体现。但CRM实施结果并不令人满意。企业必须转变经营管理理念,要对企业的整体组织结构进行重整,消除各部门之间的沟通障碍,设立客户服务部,同时应把客户满意度作为一个重要指标纳入营销人员的考核体系,最终达到成功实施CRM的目的。     

Towards a Successful CRM Implementation in Banks: An Integrated Model

In recent years, customer relationship management (CRM) has been the favoured theme for numerous studies and reports. Yet, there is a lack of systematic empirical evidence regarding the critical success factors (CSFs) for the CRM implementation, the activities that are affected by the use of the CRM programmes, and their consequent performance outcomes. In this article, we document the role of the CRM programmes in the banking sector and identify marketing activities that are affected by CRM usage. Taking a sample of 159 banks that utilise a CRM system, we found a substantial positive effect of the CRM usage on relationships effectiveness and marketing objectives. The results of this study have major implications for marketing people, as they suggest the notion that the CRM critical success factors should be implemented holistically rather than piecemeal to achieve the full potential of the CRM. The findings also stress the central role of customer services in the successful implementation of CRM programmes within banks.     

运用CRM提升客户忠诚度的途径探讨

提升客户忠诚度是当前营销领域的一个热点和难点,良好客户服务是提升客户忠诚度的最佳方法。为营造以客户为中心的业务流程、建设客户数据库、完善客户服务、开展客户分析和个性化服务,在CRM支持下提高客户忠诚度的途径,运用CRM中的分析型功能收集、整合和分析客户数据以提高客户忠诚度。     

客户关系管理中基于数据挖掘的客户细分研究

客户关系管理(CRM)是适应企业“以产品为中心”到“以客户为中心”的经营模式的战略转移和关系营销的需要而发展起来的新的管理理念,它把在保证企业利益的前提下追求客户满意和客户忠诚作为最终目标。客户细分是客户关系管理系统的核心功能之一,可以对客户获取、客户保持及客户增值等客户关系管理过程提供全面支持,提升客户满意和客户忠诚。     

Making customer relationship management work: evidence from the banking industry in Taiwan

Soon after becoming a WTO member, Taiwan found the internationalisation and liberalisation in the financial industry ushered its domestic banks into a new era. In response to this global trend, all its banks strove to rely on customer relationship management (CRM) to enhance customer value (CV). This study aims to probe further into the connection between CV and CRM. A series of examinations revealed that (1) both functional and social value impact customer behaviour directly and positively; (2) customer satisfaction positively and directly affects customer loyalty; (3) a positive and direct relationship exists between customer loyalty and customer behaviour; and (4) the positive and significant relationship between CV and customer behaviour can be developed through mediators such as customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Consequently, banks should offer their customers different services, products, and marketing channels to meet their diversified needs to cultivate a win-win environment of CRM for both parties.     

Factors for Success in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems

The importance of effective customer relationships as a key to customer value and hence shareholder value is widely emphasised. In order to enhance these relationships, the application of IT to marketing through customer relationship management (CRM) software, e-commerce and other initiatives is growing rapidly. This study examines the factors that influence the successful deployment of CRM applications, with particular emphasis on those factors which are distinct from other areas of application. Using the analytic induction method, success factors were derived from five in-depth case studies. Resulting factors underemphasised in previous literature include: the need for project approval procedures which allow for uncertainty; the need to leverage models of best practice; the importance of prototyping new processes, not just IT; and the need to manage for the delivery of the intended benefits, rather than just implementing the original specification.     

我国商业银行客户关系管理研究

在客户关系管理观念逐渐传入我国银行业的同时,各软件开发公司也纷纷推出了银行CRM系统。然而,实施客户关系管理的真正主体是银行的工作人员,仅凭一套CRM系统是远远不够的,我国商业银行工作人员应该进一步转变营销理念,努力使客户满意,留住客户。     

餐饮企业客户关系管理研究

客户是餐饮企业生存与发展的基础,客户关系管理可以提高餐饮企业的顾客忠诚度。当前,餐饮业客户关系管理还存在着对客户关系管理重视不够,对客户的服务意识不到位,吸引客户的营销手段单调,企业内部组织结构不完善,对企业的价值顾客群判断不准等问题。餐饮企业应利用CRM管理系统,了解顾客,并建立良好客户关系;加强员工培训,提升员工的服务素质;制定合理的价格,维系客户永久关系;树立顾客成本概念,通过提高客户满意度和忠诚度,达到提升客户价值和提升品牌形象的目的,从而实现企业利润最大化。     

客户作业成本法在客户关系管理中的运用

不同客户给企业带来的利润不同 ,客户间存在的明显差异 ,传统的成本核算方法以产品为导向设计 ,不能识别这种差异 ,不适用于客户关系管理。客户作业成本法以客户为导向 ,采用作业成本法核算客户成本 ,有助于更好的进行客户关系管理 ,帮助企业牢牢抓住最主要的客户。     

The Role of Buyer Trust in Outsourced CRM: Its Influence on Organizational Learning and Performance

Purpose: Company outsourcing of customer relationship management (CRM) functions is increasing (Kalaignanam and Varadarajan 2012). Although outsourcing CRM may provide financial benefits, the tasks of developing and utilizing the complex, cross-functional processes needed to gain enhanced customer knowledge from CRM may be more difficult when some or all CRM activities are outsourced. Trust in the information provided by the outsourced CRM supplier is vital. In this study, the authors examine the influence of buyer trust in its outsourced CRM supplier on cross-functional learning processes and firm performance within the buyer firm.

Methodology: Data were collected from a survey of marketing managers in 221 firms. LISREL 9.2 was used to assess convergent, discriminant, and nomologic validity using the two-step approach (Anderson and Gerbing 1988). Convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated in the measurement model phase, whereas the structural model provided an appraisal of nomologic validity.

Findings: The results provide evidence of buyer firm trust in the outsourced CRM supplier playing a critical role in the buyer firm’s success with information sharing, and both trust and information sharing strongly influencing information interpretation and information access in the buyer firm. All three organizational learning processes positively influence buyer firm customer satisfaction/retention and market performance.

Research implications: An important area for future research is the possibility of varying levels of trust needed for success with outsourced CRM depending on the buyer firm’s goals for its CRM system. It is possible that the simpler CRM functions could be outsourced effectively through efficiency strategies that do not require significant levels of trust, whereas the more complex CRM activities that affect organizational learning require more stringent coordination and inter-organizational development. Varadarajan’s (2009) cost versus quality classifications of outsourcing could be a useful starting point for this type of analysis. Considering the finding in this study that information sharing is critical for information interpretation and information access in the buyer firm, another area for future research is possible differences in the extent of information sharing required by firms that are outsourcing CRM versus those that conduct the CRM function in-house. One starting point could be possible differences in relevance among Maltz and Kohli’s (1996) factors affecting information dissemination.

Practical implications: For effective use of CRM data, it is important for buyer firms to develop trust in their outsourced CRM supplier. Managers can assist in this by communicating qualifications of the outsourced CRM supplier, such as any trade-specific certifications, awards, information about the supplier’s number of years in business, and examples of other companies the supplier has assisted. Managers can also help employees develop confidence in the supplier’s integrity by sharing the supplier’s code of ethics and serving as a champion for the supplier. In addition, firms engaged in outsourced CRM are encouraged to develop reward systems that motivate employees to build relationships with their counterparts in the supplier firm, and it would be useful for the buyer firm to help its employees understand the importance of the CRM outsourcing relationship to the buyer firm’s success. Finally, it is important for management to provide opportunities for interaction between the outsourcing partner and key buyer firm employees who will use the CRM data, to encourage effective processes in information sharing, information interpretation, and information access.

Contribution of the article: This article addresses the significance of outsourcing the CRM function and provides evidence that buyer trust in its CRM supplier is a critical factor in its utilization of CRM data for organizational learning and firm performance. It also demonstrates that effective sharing of information, cross-functional integration of customer data, and CRM information accessibility are critical for firm success.     

不确定条件下客户关系管理策略的可靠性分析

与客户保持持久的关系是企业客户关系管理的重要目标。目前的CRM理论所强调的基于价值的客户细分和客户忠诚培养的策略,在不确定的市场环境、客户需求和企业能力的条件下不一定有效。通过对客户关系的本质内涵和客户关系管理的主观意图的比较,概括了客户关系中不确定性的三方面表现形式和四种体现类型,并分析了在不确定条件下客户价值循环、客户忠诚理论和企业营销资源投入的可靠性。     

顾客满意向顾客忠诚转换因素探讨

随着市场竞争的加剧和顾客争夺成本的提高,顾客满意和顾客忠诚已经引起理论界和实践界的广泛关注,然而,目前学术界对顾客满意向顾客忠诚转换因素的研究却较少。现基于相关的文献综述,对影响顾客满意向顾客忠诚转换的因素进行分析和概括,以期对我国企业的发展提供一些参考。