The four levels of loyalty and the pivotal role of trust: a study of online service dynamics

A four-dimension scale of loyalty that reflects Oliver’s [Satisfaction, a Behavioral Perspective on the Consumer, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1997] conceptualization of a sequential loyalty chain is proposed, operationalized, and tested. Further, through both synthesizing and building on existing research into loyalty, trust, satisfaction, value, and service quality, a framework is proposed and tested that positions trust as a pivotal driver of loyalty. Data is collected and analyzed from two surveys of online customers, the first being purchasers of books and the second being a study of online flight purchasing. Analysis suggests that the hypothesized cognitive-affective-conative-action loyalty sequence is statistically most likely out of all possible variations. Although some differences emerge in the two studies, structural modeling largely supports the hypothesized framework and positions trust as central to service dynamics.     

The impact of ethical cues on customer satisfaction with service

This study examines the effects of ethical and unethical cues on customers’ evaluations of the ethics of a service provider and their subsequent satisfaction with the service. The results of a disguised, laboratory experiment are used to suggest that customers respond to unethical cues in the environment through lower ethical assessments and satisfaction ratings, but that ethical cues may not necessarily increase satisfaction scores when compared to a neutral situation. The implications suggest that ethical cues and an honest service provider may be the expected norm, and thus will lead to (or maintain) satisfaction with the service encounter, while unethical cues will create dissatisfaction.     

人性化护理在功能性子宫出血患者中的应用效果

目的探讨人性化护理在功能性子宫出血患者护理中的应用效果。方法选取我院2010年1月至2014年1月收治的128例功能性子宫出血患者进行分析,随机将其分为两组,观察组患者采用人性化护理,对照组患者采用常规护理。观察两组患者的临床护理效果以及患者满意度。结果观察组患者临床症状消失时间和贫血发生率均明显优于对照组(P<0.05);观察组患者护理满意度明显高于对照组(P<0.05);且观察组患者护理后其焦虑、抑郁、疼痛指数均明显低于对照组(均P<0.05)。结论采用人性化护理对功能性子宫出血患者进行护理,能有效改善患者的临床症状,同时可提高患者的满意度。     

Interview with Nancy Duricic,Senior Vice President of Human Resources,Dave & Buster's,Inc.

Abstract

This research concerns the satisfaction of lodging sales and marketing executives on different job attributes. Respondents were asked about their satisfaction with pay, current position, and their profession. Significant differences were found based on the size of hotel, marital status, personal income, and gender. A comparison of the respondents of this study to financial and technology professionals conducted by DeFranco and Schmidgall (2001) suggests that Sales and Marketing executives are somewhat more satisfied than their counterparts in Accounting/Technology.     

Conversations during purchase consideration: sales assistants and customers

Conversations among and between our fellow customers and sales personnel provide social and informational exchange to support material exchange in retail settings. A 2 x 2 factorial field experiment (in a ladies' clothing retailing context) was undertaken to compare perceptions of the effects of oral contributions made by sales assistants, and by fellow customers, on levels of satisfaction, purchase intentions and credibility during the service experience. Conversations with other customers are shown to lead to greater perceived satisfaction in the consideration phase than those with sales assistants. Sales assistants are confirmed as less credible, and the notion that spoken interactions with assistants may lead to increased purchase intention is rejected.     

基于因子与回归分析的商业银行顾客满意度研究——以某上市银行长沙市支行为例

对某上市银行长沙市支行顾客满意度的调查数据进行因子分析，建立以顾客满意度为因变量、公共因子为自变量的回归分析方程，且方程和回归系数分别通过显著性水平为0．01的F检验和t检验。研究表明，对该银行顾客满意的影响，服务质量居首位，银行环境、产品、追踪服务居中间位，价格居末位。据此，提出了具有针对性的对策建议。     

Nepotism as a Dilemma for Managing Human Resources Overseas

This exploratory study explored the impact of nepotism practices on employees, management, and organizations in two overseas countries: Egypt and Jordan. Results indicated that nepotism practices have a negative impact on employees, management, and organizations. This negative impact has led to employees' absenteeism/turnover, management disappointment/frustration/stress, and organization ineffectiveness.     

探索培育品牌的最佳途径及其现实意义

品牌作为企业的一种无形资产和资源,在特殊时期已经成为企业的核心竞争力。本文阐述了培育品牌的最佳途径以及其具有的现实意义。     

Relational and transactional factors as hybrid criteria for buyer project selection (BPS): An exploratory study from industrial suppliers' perspective

Working off the literature in selection studies, evolving from supplier selection, to buyer selection, to selection as transaction embedded in relationality, this study asks how industrial suppliers actually engage in buyer project selection (abbreviated as “BPS”). Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used to construct and pilot-test a new BPS instrument among electronics executives in Taiwan. A mail survey using the new BPS instrument subsequently resulted in three significant research findings. First, the five BPS factors uncovered a hybridity thesis: factors from the transactional paradigm and the relational paradigm co-existed side by side. Second, even though suppliers engaged in project selection, the majority of the respondents' firms lacked clearly articulated formal BPS criteria. Third, relational satisfaction, more than perceived power, significantly impacted project selection; and project economic contribution, more than the other four BPS factors, played a substantive role in assessing relationality. Our research hopefully will help practitioners to recognize the need of BPS formalization, making a rich literature related to the co-existence/hybridity of transactional and relational approaches in project marketing and management relevant to Taiwan, China and the broader Asian business world in the future.     

Elderly consumers and their food store experiences

The population of the world is ageing and the number of people aged 60+years in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland is increasing. Advancing age brings about changes in consumers needs, wants and ability. One need which is continuous, regardless of age is the need for food. For some consumers age-associated changes can limit their access to food, thus compromising their nutrition and health. As a consequence there is a real need to provide older consumers with a more supportive environment by providing adequate opportunities to access a range of affordable food products. Access to food involves a process which includes the provision of adequate retail facilities within easy access to home, the selection and opportunity to purchase products, having the financial means to cover all the costs incurred and be able to prepare and consume the food. It is when access is restricted or limited that food provision becomes an issue of consumer disadvantage and warrants investigation. This is not the case for all consumer segments of the population, but one group proven to be affected are older consumers. The aim of this research was to determine the behaviour and experience of older consumers in Northern Ireland (aged 60+) during the food procurement process and to make some recommendations to minimise older consumer detriment.Data collection involved four focus groups with older consumers aged over 60. Each focus group consisted of eight to ten adults and was carried out in a familiar social setting. The qualitative findings are supported by preliminary results from a consumer questionnaire (n=791), which documents and explores quantitatively the experiences described in the focus groups. The consumer questionnaire was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 15.Both the qualitative and quantitative results have identified shopping patterns and motivations fuelling purchase decisions among this age group, and show that older people face a range of positive and negative experiences when accessing food. The majority of older consumers in Northern Ireland shop on a weekly basis in one of the UK multiple food retailers. Negative factors identified by this age group include a dependence on others in order to physically access food shops (35%) and also 35% face in-store difficulties such as store size and changing layout. Positive factors associated with food shopping include friendly and helpful staff and the provision of additional facilities; e.g. a post office or chemist. Whilst it is recognised that older consumers are not a homogeneous grouping, for the purpose of this paper they are considered as one group and recommendations are made to improve the food shopping experience of older consumers. Practical guidance has been proposed for food retailers and Government policy makers in an attempt to overcome the problems and limitations that restrict food access for this consumer group, e.g. by proving additional in-store assistance, minimising multi-purchase promotions and improving product labelling.